ODI cricket has been around for 50+ years and this is a format that has seen more matches played than test cricket. The list of great Bowlers that have graced the ODI game has been immense. ODI Cricket has seen some truly great fast bowlers and spinners such as Muttiah Muralidharan, Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath and others. The future of ODIs is bleak and the current generation has the responsibility of keeping ODI Cricket alive
Let’s look at the Top 10 Greatest ODI Bowlers of all time
1) Muttiah Muralidharan
The number 1 Test Bowler is also the greatest ODI bowler of all time. This time there is competition as well but he edges past. He has played 350 ODIs for Sri Lanka and in those Matches he has taken 534 Wickets. This is 30+ wickets more from the next best bowler in this list. He has taken 25 Four wicket hauls in his ODI career. Muttiah Muralidharan and taken more than 1330 wickets in his international career and he is the undisputed number 1 bowler in the history of international cricket.
2) Wasim Akram
The only other bowler who gave competition to Muttiah Muralidharan in ODI Cricket was the great Wasim Akram. In Test Cricket he is in the Top 10 but here he is number 2. He has played 356 ODIs for Pakistan and he has taken 502 Wickets in his career. He is the only fast bowler and the second ever bowler to take 500+ wickets in ODIs. He has taken 23 Four wicket hauls in his ODI career.
3) Waqar Younis
The fast bowling partner of Wasim Akram is at number 3 in the list of greatest ODI Bowlers. Waqar Younis was someone who bowled extremely fast and he used to crush the toes of his opponents. He played 262 ODIs for Pakistan and in those Matches he took 416 Wickets at an average of 23 84. He also took 27 Four wicket hauls in his ODI career which is the most for any bowler in ODI Cricket who has taken more than 300 wickets.
4) Chaminda Vaas
The fourth and last bowler in the history of ODI Cricket to take 400 or more ODI wickets. Chaminda Vaas was the best fast bowler that Sri Lanka ever saw in this format. He played 322 ODI Matches for Sri Lanka and he took 400 Wickets in his ODI career. He had a career best figures of 8/19 which is one of the single greatest spells in ODI Cricket history. He also took 13 Four wicket hauls in his glorious career in ODI Cricket.
5) Shaun Pollock
At number 5 is the great Shaun Pollock of South Africa and he is the greatest fast bowler for South Africa in ODI Cricket. He has played 303 Matches in his career and he took 393 Wickets In his ODI career. He had a good average of 24.51 and he took 17 Four wicket hauls in his ODI career. He was a proper all rounder as he was very good with the bat lower down the order.
6) Glenn McGrath
No list of the greatest Bowlers can be complete with the name of Glenn McGrath. He was absolutely sensational in ODI Cricket. He won a number of ODI World Cups for Australia. He took 381 Wickets in 250 Matches at a very good average of 22.02. He also took 16 Four wicket hauls in his ODI career and he took more than 940 international wickets for Australia.
7) Brett Lee
At number 7 is yet another great Australian fast bowler that served Australian cricket very well and that man is Brett Lee. Brett Lee was one of the fastest bowlers of his time and he terrified the best of batters with his sheer pace. He played 211 Matches in ODI Cricket and he took 380 Wickets in his ODI career which was only 1 less than Glenn McGrath. He took 23 Four wicket hauls in his ODI career which is very impressive.
8) Lasith Malinga
The third Sri Lankan bowler in this list and this is the last great Sri Lankan bowler that will play for Sri Lanka. Lasith Malinga was someone who changed the game completely in ODI Cricket. He was the best in the world for years and he played 226 ODI Matches in his career and he took 338 Wickets in his career. He has also taken 4 wickets in 4 balls in ODI Cricket. He has got 19 Four wicket hauls in ODIs.
9) Anil Kumble
The only Bowler from India in this list is Anil Kumble. He is the highest wicket taker in both ODIs and Test Cricket for India. He has played 271 ODI Matches in his career and he has taken 337 Wickets in ODIs. Anil Kumble has taken 10 Four wicket hauls In ODI Cricket. He was someone who won a lot of Matches in his ODI career. He took more than 950 Wickets in his international career for India and no one comes close.
10) Shakib Al Hasan
At number 10 is the greatest cricketer to ever play for Bangladesh and that is Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib Al Hasan is the Bowler who has taken more than 300 ODI wickets and scored more than 5000 runs in ODIs. He has played 247 ODIs for Bangladesh and he has taken 317 Wickets in his ODI career and he has also taken 14 Four wicket hauls in ODIs.
Table Representing Top 10 Greatest ODI Bowlers of all time
Position | Bowler | Wickets |
1. | Muttiah Muralidharan | 534 Wickets |
2. | Wasim Akram | 502 Wickets |
3. | Waqar Younis | 414 Wickets |
4. | Chaminda Vaas | 400 Wickets |
5. | Shaun Pollock | 393 Wickets |
6. | Glenn McGrath | 381 Wickets |
7. | Brett Lee | 380 Wickets |
8. | Lasith Malinga | 338 Wickets |
9. | Anil Kumble | 337 Wickets |
10. | Shakib Al Hasan | 317 Wickets |
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