There is a famous quote, “Batters win you games and bowlers win you tournaments”. Whenever we look back at the previous world cup winners, all of them had one or two standout bowlers who delivered throughout the tournament. Captain would always like a bowler he could hand the ball at any stage of the game during pressure situations. In this article, we discuss the top ten bowlers in ODI world cup history.
1. Trent Boult (2015-19)
The left-arm pacer from New Zealand has shown how he can rattle the opposition in various games. The Kiwi brings out his best in the 50-over world cup and has been the go-to bowler for his skipper. In 19 games, he has taken 39 wickets at an economy of 4.61 at a strike rate of 28.30 with best figures of 5/27.
2. Imran Tahir (2011-19)
The protean leg spinner, Imran Tahir has been one of the bowling pillars throughout his career for South Africa. He has been quite underrated with his performances going under the radar various times. In 22 outings, he has taken 40 wickets at an economy rate of 4.41 and strike rate of 28.77 with best figures of 5/45.
3. Javagal Sreenath (1992-2003)
One of the fastest bowlers ever to play for India, Javagal Sreenath was an outstanding fast bowler who was his captain’s go-to bowler in his playing days. In 34 games he took 44 wickets at an economy of 4.32 striking at 38.63 balls per wicket, he had his best bowling figures as 4/30.
4. Zaheer Khan (2003-2011)
Arguably one of the best Left-arm fast bowlers to ever represent India, Zaheer was altogether a different gravy in World Cups. The 2011 winner, played a critical role throughout that tournament helping India win it. In 23 games, Zaheer took 44 wickets at a strike rate of 27.11 giving away 4.47 runs per over. His best returns were 4/42.
5. Chaminda Vaas (1996-2007)
The 1996 winners, Sri Lanka were probably a team to beat in their prime kudos to their world-class batters, but a guy who silently played the assassin’s role was their pace spearhead Chaminda Vaas. In 31 games, Vaas has scalped 49 wickets at an excellent economy of 3.97 and a strike rate of 32.04 with best figures of 6/25.
6. Mitchell Starc (2015-2019)
Australian left-armer, Starc is nothing short of a phenomenon with his unbelievable record in the 50-overs World Cup. In the 2 editions he played, he was the leading wicket-taker helping the Aussies to win the 2015 tournament. Playing 18 games, Starc has picked up 49 wickets at an astounding strike rate of 19.12 and an economy of 4.64, his best figures read 6/28.
7. Wasim Akram (1987-2003)
Fast Bowlers and Pakistan is a wonderful love story, from Waqar Quoins to Shoaib Akhtar, we’ve seen them terrorizing the batters. Wasim Akram comes out to be their best bowler in world cup history, who also won the 1992 world cup with them. In the 38 world cup games he played, he took 55 wickets at an economy rate of 4.04 striking at 35.40, having best figures of 5/28.
8. Lasith Malinga (2007-2019)
Second Sri Lankan on the list, Malinga had a very prolific career in 50-over world cups. Although he couldn’t win one, he led Sri Lanka into the 2007 and 2011 world cup finals. Playing 29 games his unique action and express pace fetched him 56 wickets at an economy of 5.51 striking at 24.89. His best figures were 6/38.
9. Muthiah Muralidaran (1996-2011)
The greatest spinner Sri Lanka ever produced, Murli spun his magic in the World Cup too. He won the tournament in his first outing itself in 1996. Representing his country in 40 games, he took 68 wickets at an economy of 3.88 and strike rate of 30.30. His best bowling figures were 4/19.
10. Glenn Mcgrath (1996-2007)
The Australian legend, McGrath never disappointed the team regarding World Cups. ‘Pigeon’ has been the prominent architect of the Australian domination in world cricket, having played 39 world cup games, he took a mind-wobbling 71 wickets at an economy rate of 3.96 striking every 27.53 balls. His best performance was 7/15.
