Cricket World Cup 2015: Ranking Top 15 Bowlers After Quarter-Finals
The quarter-finals are done and dusted, and we’re revving up for the semi-finals. Before we can get to that, though, it’s time for a quick performance recap of the bowlers thus far.
The rankings are largely based on how many wickets a bowlers has taken, but consideration is also given for economy rates. Since some bowlers have played fewer matches than others due to injury or because they have been filling a substitute role, it is important to consider all factors.
Economy rate in this tournament is incredibly important, because of how prolific the batsmen have been. Other, more subjective characteristics are also considered, such as the intimidation factor on the field as well as any other specific spells that might have been crucial to a certain outcome.
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15. Corey Anderson
1 of 15
Matches: 7
Wickets: 11
Average: 14.09
Economy rate: 5.31
There’s nothing overly remarkable about Corey Anderson’s bowling, but the bowlers around him aid his cause. Batsmen might also underestimate him somewhat. Whatever it is, a strike rate of 15.9 and an average of 14.09 in a tournament where batsmen have dominated isn't half-bad going.
14. Dale Steyn
2 of 15
Matches: 7
Wickets: 10
Average: 27.00
Economy rate: 4.50
It feels almost criminal to see Dale Steyn so low down the list, and he almost didn’t make it. Dale Steyn has struggled to get going during this World Cup. A number of factors, including a bout of sinusitis and fires ravaging Cape Town, have all played on Steyn’s mind.
During South Africa’s quarter-final against Sri Lanka, Steyn finally found some of his own fire, though, and his pace was right back up. His aggression was at full tilt, and he looked like the match-winner South Africa have come to rely on. Whether that was the start of things to come or just a once off, only time will tell.
13. Josh Davey
3 of 15
Matches: 6
Wickets: 15
Average: 20.73
Economy rate: 6.22
Spoiler alert: Josh Davey is the only player from an Associate nation to make the list. The 24-year old is relatively inexperienced (he's only just bridged the 20-match mark in ODIs), but he held his own in the World Cup. Impressive returns against New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka boosted his figures. He has plenty of promise and a full season in county cricket would do him the world of good in refining his skill.
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12. Umesh Yadav
4 of 15
Matches: 7
Wickets: 14
Average: 17.78
Economy rate: 4.50
Umesh Yadav has genuine pace and can swing the ball both ways, and it has brought him great success in conditions conducive to this kind of bowling. India have forged a rather intimidating bowling line-up, and Yadav’s pace has been a key part of their success.
11. Kyle Abbott
5 of 15
Matches: 4
Wickets: 9
Average: 14.44
Economy rate: 4.19
Before the World Cup, Kyle Abbott had some horror stats in the one-day format next to his name. He was, statistically, one of the worst bowlers South Africa had ever had in their side. But it’s been a massive turnaround for the man who has been second choice to Vernon Philander. His performances have thrown a spanner into South Africa’s selection works ahead of the semi-finals on Tuesday.
10. Ravi Ashwin
6 of 15
Matches: 7
Wickets: 12
Average: 24.00
Economy rate: 4.29
Ravi Ashwin is another Indian bowler who has impressed during the tournament. With smaller grounds, fielding restrictions and bigger bats, spinners can often get into a lot of trouble in limited overs, but Ashwin still manages to keep things very, very tidy. He might not take buckets of wickets, but building pressure is a critical part of his role.
9. Tim Southee
7 of 15
Matches: 7
Wickets: 15
Average: 23.46
Economy rate: 5.50
Tim Southee has played a good supporting role alongside Trent Boult, but he is pushed down the list because he probably hasn’t been as consistent. Still, his seven wickets against England was a joy to watch, and he offers a nice variation to Boult’s left-arm pace. It means captain Brendon McCullum is never out of options.
8. Imran Tahir
8 of 15
Matches: 7
Wickets: 15
Average: 18.86
Economy rate: 4.20
Imran Tahir is probably South Africa’s most important bowler. That sounds strange to say when a bowling line-up also has Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel, but Tahir is integral to South Africa’s success in limited overs.
His variation can be costly in the longest format of the game, but in the shorter format, he simply never allows the batsmen to settle. With the support from the pacers, he forces mistakes and ever-so-often produces a gem of a delivery that completely fools the man playing it.
7. Jerome Taylor
9 of 15
Matches: 7
Wickets: 17
Average: 19.29
Economy rate: 5.70
West Indies had a bit of a horror show this tournament, but one of the shining lights was Jerome Taylor. Taylor was one of the few Windies bowlers who consistently took wickets, but with nobody there to back him up and offer support, the bowling fell flat somewhat.
6. Wahab Riaz
10 of 15
Matches: 7
Wickets: 16
Average: 23.00
Economy rate: 5.56
During Pakistan’s quarterfinal against Australia, Wahab Riaz produced one of the best spells of bowling seen in quite some time. It was aggressive, the lines were perfect and were it not for Pakistan’s shoddy fielding, it could have been match-winning. He was one of Pakistan’s best bowlers of the tournament, too, and his efforts throughout this World Cup was the kind of stuff you’d pay good money to watch.
5. Daniel Vettori
11 of 15
Matches: 7
Wickets: 15
Average: 15.73
Economy rate: 3.81
Spinners are a crucial part of limited-overs teams. They are vital in keeping the middle overs quiet and stifling the scoring rate. Daniel Vettori’s experience has been invaluable for the New Zealand pace attack. His ability to dry up the scoring rate has helped build the pressure and allow his fellow bowlers to strike.
4. Mohammed Shami
12 of 15
Matches: 6
Wickets: 17
Average: 13.29
Economy rate: 4.43
India’s bowling unit have been one of the best at this tournament. It’s a far cry from the team that got hammered in the tri-series a month or so ago. Mohammed Shami has been integral to the Indian team’s success, and his ability to bowl probing lines, in the Vernon Philander-type mould, has brought India some great rewards.
3. Morne Morkel
13 of 15
Matches: 7
Wickets: 14
Average: 17.14
Economy rate: 4.05
There might be a few disputes over putting Morne Morkel at this spot in the rankings, but his aggression, when bowling at full tilt, has often been the difference for South Africa. With Steyn not firing in the early stages, Morkel’s roughing up of batsmen has been crucial.
2. Mitchell Starc
14 of 15
Matches: 6
Wickets: 18
Average: 9.77
Economy rate: 3.74
Mitchell Starc has had a superb World cup and is, statistically speaking, the best bowler of the tournament. His left-arm pace has constantly troubled batsmen, and if he manages to harness all his pace for the semi-final against India on Thursday, the defending champions could be in for a tough time.
1. Trent Boult
15 of 15
Matches: 7
Wickets: 19
Average: 14.63
Economy rate: 4.21
Picking the best bowler of the tournament thus far is somewhat tricky since much of it is subjective. Trent Boult and Mitchell Starc were pretty much neck-in-neck. Starc is better statistically in terms of average, economy rate and even strike rate. Both have taken wickets consistently, but Bolt edges this contest because his ability to swing the ball has been just a touch better than Starc's.
All stats and information obtained firsthand.
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