Ranking Daniel Christian’s top 3 performances across formats

In this article, we will discuss the Ranking of Daniel Christian’s top 3 performances across formats. Australia’s Dan Christian is regarded as one of the most decorated T20 cricketers in history. Belonging to a category of Aboriginal Australians, Christian is seen as a cricketing role model for Australia’s indigenous people. The Twenty20 specialist is a powerful hitter in the lower middle order and a handy medium pacer.

He has played for franchises all over the globe and won numerous titles in the shorter format of the game. Christian made his international debut against West Indies in 2010 and was a member of the Australian squad for the T20 World Cup in 2021. He has represented Australia in 20 ODIs and 23 T20Is. As he celebrates his 41st birthday on May 4, 2024, let’s take a look at his top three performances across formats. 

Here are Dan Christian’s top 3 performances in international cricket

3. 3/27 vs West Indies, Gros Islet, 2012, T20I

Dan Christian’s best T20 bowling performance came in the opening match of the 2012 tour of Australia to the West Indies. His three-wicket haul in three overs conceding 27 runs helped Australia restrict the opposition to 150/7 in 20 overs. 

His victims included Darren Bravo, Nkrumah Bonner and star all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. Apart from Christian, speedster Brett Lee also took two wickets. Half-centuries from Shane Watson and Michael Hussey saw Australia clear the target in 18.1 overs.

2. 39 (15) vs Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2021, T20I

In the fourth T20I of the Australia tour of Bangladesh in Mirpur, the home team were restricted to 104/9 in 20 overs. Chasing a mere target, Australia got off to a poor start as they lost both their openers cheaply. However, Christian, who was promoted to No.3, quickly transferred the momentum towards his team. 

The fast-bowling all-rounder slammed 39 off 15 balls before departing in the sixth over. He scored 30 runs in an over bowled by left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, including five sixes, becoming the first Australian player to hit five sixes in an over in a T20 International. Bangladesh managed to get quick wickets, but that wasn’t enough for them to prevent Australia from winning the match by three wickets.

1. 5/31 vs SL, Melbourne, 2012, ODI

Christan produced one of the best spells in Australia’s ODI history against Sri Lanka at the MCG in 2012. He took figures of 5/31, including a hat-trick, to bowl out the visitors for 238 runs. He got rid of Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake and Nuwan Kulasekara in successive deliveries. 

However, despite his remarkable performance, Australia could not win the match. Half-centuries from captain Shane Watson and David Hussey took them closer to the finish line, but they fell short by nine runs. Christian failed to make much of an impact with the bat as he was dismissed for just three runs.