Cricket World Cup 2015: Ranking Top 15 Bowlers of Group Stage
It seems almost incredible to believe, but after a month of competition, the group stage of the 2015 Cricket World Cup is over and the knockout rounds will begin shortly.
Over the course of one month and one day’s worth of pool fixtures, there have been some notable performances with bat and ball from various individuals.
Some have maintained some superb consistency, with that reflected for the bowlers in plenty of wickets and a low bowling average.
Let’s rank the top 15 bowlers from the group stage.
All stats courtesy of ESPNCricinfo, correct as of March 15.
15. Mohit Sharma (India)
1 of 15
6 matches; 10 wickets; 20.30 bowling average; 27.6 strike rate; 3-48 BBI
Kicking off our list is Mohit Sharma of India, who so far has 10 wickets at a very respectable average of 20.30.
The Indians have thus far swept all before them, and that is thanks to superb individual contributions, such as those of Sharma—who has been a little overshadowed at times.
14. Corey Anderson (New Zealand)
2 of 15
6 matches; 10 wickets; 13.10 bowling average; 16.3 strike rate; 3-18 BBI
He may not have bowled many overs, but all-rounder Corey Anderson has made an impact with the ball.
His 10 wickets have come at a superb average of 13.10, while his strike rate of 16.3 indicates that they come regularly as well as inexpensively.
13. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)
3 of 15
6 matches; 11 wickets; 28.27 bowling average; 31.4 strike rate; 3-35 BBI
Lasith Malinga was always going to be a force for Sri Lanka on the bouncy pitches of Australia and New Zealand.
He will be determined to get both his average and strike rate down, but with his side in the quarter-finals, he will have plenty of chances to do so.
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12. Sohail Khan (Pakistan)
4 of 15
6 matches; 11 wickets; 27.90 bowling average; 29.4 strike rate; 5-55 BBI
Pakistan’s revival in this competition has been in part thanks to Sohail Khan, who has stepped up with the ball and delivered some telling contributions.
His best of 5-55 came during a losing effort against India, but he has also managed to chip in at vital times in other games.
11. Imran Tahir (South Africa)
5 of 15
6 matches; 11 wickets; 23.36 bowling average; 32.1 strike rate; 5-45 BBI
Spinner Imran Tahir has stepped out of the shadow of his pace colleagues and taken a leading role for the Proteas.
With 11 wickets, he has been crucial in leading them through the pool stage, with his low average showing he is able to restrict the run rate too.
10. Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
6 of 15
6 matches; 12 wickets; 21.50 bowling average; 28.5 strike rate; 4-25 BBI
A key contributor with bat and ball for India, Ravichandran Ashwin has taken a dozen wickets at an average of 21.50.
He has managed to step up as India’s primary spinner, even on wickets that are not as conducive to success as they are in his home country, and he has shown he has plenty to offer.
9. Tim Southee (New Zealand)
7 of 15
6 matches; 13 wickets; 20.76 bowling average; 25.8 strike rate; 7-33 BBI
After a fast start, it has been a tough few games for New Zealand seamer Tim Southee on his home turf.
After 13 wickets in his first four games, Southee has gone wicketless in his last two outings for the Black Caps, but with the quarter-finals beckoning, he will be determined to get back on track.
8. Morne Morkel (South Africa)
8 of 15
6 matches; 13 wickets; 16.38 bowling average; 24.0 strike rate; 3-34 BBI
South Africa seamer Morne Morkel has enjoyed the variable and steepling bounce in this World Cup and flourished in the pool stage.
His 13 wickets have come at a superb average of 16.38, showing just what a tough proposition he is to face.
7. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand)
9 of 15
6 matches; 13 wickets; 13.69 bowling average; 25.5 strike rate; 4-18 BBI
Defying his advancing years, New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori has profited at home with 13 wickets in six games.
His bowling average and strike rate are both exceptionally low, and with his side in the knockout stage, he will be relied upon to provide further leadership.
6. Wahab Riaz (Pakistan)
10 of 15
6 matches; 14 wickets; 22.42 bowling average; 24.5 strike rate; 4-45 BBI
A key part of Pakistan’s revival has been the form of Wahab Riaz, who started slowly but has rounded into form at just the right time.
Twelve of his wickets came in his last four games, including 3-45 in the crucial win over Ireland, and they have helped his team reach the knockouts after a difficult opening.
5. Jerome Taylor (West Indies)
11 of 15
6 matches; 14 wickets; 18.35 bowling average; 21.6 strike rate; 3-15 BBI
Jerome Taylor of the West Indies remains a critical part of his team's bowling attack, and he has enjoyed a good deal of individual success at this World Cup.
His 14 wickets have come at an average of 18.35, and they were crucial to the West Indies sneaking into the knockout stages on net run rate.
4. Josh Davey (Scotland)
12 of 15
6 matches; 15 wickets; 20.73 bowling average; 20.0 strike rate; 4-68 BBI
Leading the way for the ICC Associates has been Josh Davey of Scotland, who took 15 wickets despite the Saltires failing to win a single game.
The 24-year-old clearly has a bright future in the game, especially as he gave more established sides plenty to think about in this tournament.
3. Trent Boult (New Zealand)
13 of 15
6 matches; 15 wickets; 15.60 bowling average; 22.4 strike rate; 5-27 BBI
Still a leading bowler for New Zealand is left-arm seamer Trent Boult, who has taken 15 wickets at a brilliant average of 15.60.
He has profited from very helpful conditions in his home country, and with the quarter-finals upon us, Boult has the chance to help the Black Caps make even further progress.
2. Mohammed Shami (India)
14 of 15
5 matches; 15 wickets; 12.60 bowling average; 17.2 strike rate; 4-35 BBI
He has only played five matches, but India’s Mohammed Shami has taken 15 wickets and managed to maintain a very low bowling average and strike rate.
Shami has also been incredibly consistent, never taking fewer than two wickets in any of his five games at this World Cup.
1. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
15 of 15
5 matches; 16 wickets; 8.50 bowling average; 13.8 strike rate; 6-28 BBI
Leading the way is Australia’s Mitchell Starc, another bowler who has only played five games but hit a rich vein of form.
His average of 8.50, coupled with a strike rate of 13.8, shows just how many problems batsmen have had against his swinging left-arm pace.
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