Bowling is probably the most dynamic part of cricket, with varieties like fast bowlers to finger spinners and wrist spinners. As they say, 'bowling wins you tournaments', we will talk about such bowling performances that changed the outcome of the tournament in 'Top 10 Best bowling average in a World Cup season'. (Min. 8 wickets)
1. Gary Gilmour
Gilmour, an Australian fast bowler, tops the list with an average of 5.63 in a World Cup season. Gilmour played just two matches for Australia in the 1975 World Cup and picked 11 wickets in these two games. He picked six wickets against England in the Semi-Final and then picked five wickets against West Indies in the final; however, it came in a losing cause. He bowled with an economy of 2.58 in the World Cup.
2. Courtney Walsh
The former West Indian fast bowler was at his very best in the 1999 World Cup, where he averaged 9.81 in the entire tournament. Walsh played five games and picked 11 wickets at an average of 9.81 and an economy of 2.29. His best spell came against Bangladesh, where he picked up four wickets for 25 runs. He went wicket less in just one game against Australia in that World Cup.
3. Mitchell Starc
Starc become another level of bowler when it comes to the World Cups, and he was on song in the 2015 World Cup, where he averages just 10.18. In the 2015 World Cup, Starc picked 22 wickets in just eight games with an economy of 3.50. He displayed his best bowling performance against New Zealand, where he picked six wickets for just 28 runs; however, it came in a losing cause. He also won the Player of the Tournament in the 2015 World Cup.
4. Imran Tahir
Former South African spinner Tahir makes his way into this list with an average of 10.71 in the 2011 World Cup. Tahir played five matches in the 2011 World Cup, picking 14 wickets with an economy of 3.79. Tahir's best spell came against England, where he picked four wickets for just 38 runs; however, it came in a losing cause. He picked up at least two wickets in every game he played for South Africa in the World Cup.
5. Reon King
Another West Indian bowler Reon makes his way into the list with an average of 11.87 in the 1999 World Cup. Reon King played four games for West Indies in the World Cup, picking eight wickets with an economy of 3.01. King picked at least a wicket in every game, and his best spell came against Bangladesh, where he picked three wickets for 30 runs.
6. Jason Gillespie
Another Australian bowler finds his place in this list with a bowling average of 12.25 in the 2003 World Cup. Gillespie played four games for Australia, picking eight wickets with an economy of 3.26. His best spell came against India, where he picked three wickets for just 13 runs in his ten-over spell. However, he didn't get to play knockout stage for Australia.
7. Andy Bichel
One more Australian bowler Bichel makes his way into the list with a bowling average of 12.31 in the 2003 World Cup. Bichel played eight games in the 2003 World Cup, picking 16 wickets with an economy of 3.45. His best spell came against England, where he destroyed the English batting line-up, licking seven wickets for just 20 runs. He was wicket less in only two games of the 2003 World Cup.
8. Richard Hadlee
Former Kiwi pacer Hadlee had a bowling average of 12.85 in the 1983 World Cup. Hadlee played six games in the 1983 World Cup, picking 14 wickets with an economy of 2.76. His best spell came against Sri Lanka, where he picked up five wickets for just 25 runs. However, his extraordinary performance went in vain as Kiwi failed to qualify for the Semi-finals.
9. Shahid Afridi
The only Pakistani bowler in the list, Afridi had a bowling average of 12.85 in the 2011 World Cup. Afridi was at his best in the 2011 World Cup, picking 21 wickets in 8 matches at an economy of 3.62. Afridi helped Pakistan to qualify for the Semis. He picked two fifers in the tournament against Canada and Kenya. He also picked a four-fer in the Quarterfinals against West Indies.
10. VC Drakes
A very lesser-known West Indian bowler, VC Drakes makes his way into the list with a bowling average of 13.00 in the 2003 World Cup. Drakes played six games in the World Cup, picking 16 wickets at an economy of 4.01. Drakes picked wickets in every game of the World Cup, with his best spell against Canada, picking five wickets for just 23 runs.
