10 Best Bowling Performances in the ICC World Cups [Updated 2023]
Bowling is as crucial as batting when it comes to Cricket. A good bowling attack not only can reduce a big total, but it can also provide a breakthrough in the critical moments of the match. Many great bowlers have given their best performances in all the great tournaments. Today, we will take a look at the 10 Best Bowling Performances in ICC World Cups.
10 Best Bowling Performances in ICC World Cups
Though fans and critics pay heed to bat only, a good bowling spell can also change the Match course. Like all the grand tournaments of ICC, great bowlers have also tried to impress the fans with their excellent bowling efforts.
From Glenn Macgrath to Mitchell Starc and from Andy Bichel to Kemar Roach, some of them are still fresh in the memories of cricket fans. Let us take a look at the Best Bowling Performances in ICC World Cups.
Glenn Macgrath
Former Australian Fast Bowler Glenn Macgrath takes the top spot in our list of best bowling figures in a world cup innings. He is considered one of the greatest bowlers of all time. Pigeon is the second most successful fast bowler after James Anderson.
In World Cup 2003, Macgrath bowled the best World Cup Bowling figures against Namibia when he destroyed the opponent team with 7/15 in seven overs. Australia had to decide to bat first after winning the toss against Namibia in this match.
The Kangaroos posted a large total of 301 for 6 with Mathew Hadden’s 88. Unfortunately, Namibia were all out at a shorter total of 45. Macgrath was the leading bowler who demolished the Namibian batting lineup with his pace. Australians won the match by 256 runs, and Glenn Macgrath was announced Man of the Match due to his excellent bowling spell.
Aj Bichel
Previous Australian right-arm fast bowler Aj Bichel claims the 2nd spot on our list of Most Wickets in a World Cup innings. He played international Cricket for Australia from 1997 to 2004.
Bichel was part of the Australian team in ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. In the 37th Match against England, he recorded 2nd best World Cup bowling figures with his 20/7.
It was a jaw-dropping match between the arch-rivals England and Australia. The English team won the toss and decided to bat first. It turned out to be a wrong decision, as Aj Bichel unleashed his wrath on the English batting lineup.
He picked up seven wickets for the cost of 20 runs only in his ten overs spell with an excellent economy of 2.0. Austrlia won the match by two wickets with just two balls remaining. Andy Bichel was given the man of the Match award for his stunning performance in the match.
It is regarded as the 2nd best bowling spell in the history of ICC World Cups.
Time Southee
Modern-day medium-fast bowler Tim Southee holds the 3rd slot on our list of Great Bowling Performances in World Cups. He earned his name for his late out swings. His bowling performance in ICC World Cup 2015 was a glorious one.
New Zealand met England in the 9th Match of World Cup 2015. The English team won the toss and opted to bat first. However, this turned out to be a poor decision, as Tim Southee knocked down the English Batting order with his excellent bowling spell.
No English batsman managed to cop the furious spell from Southee and England were all out at a lower total of 123. Time South recorded his best bowling figures in the match with 7/33 in 9 overs with a bowling economy of 3.66
In return, New Zealand’s top order played well, and they run down the target in the 12th over for the cost of two wickets. As a result, New Zealand won the match by eight wickets.
This great spell from Southee is regarded as one of the best bowling figures in World cup matches.
Winston Davis 7/50
Former Caribbean Cricketer Winston Davis occupies the 4th spot on our best bowling figures in WC matches list. He was part of the West Indies team in ICC Cricket World Cup 1983.
On 11 June 1983, Davis produced the 4th best bowling figures in world cup games with 7/50 against Australia. The Australian team invited West Indies to bat first after winning the toss. Thus, West Indies managed to set a good total of 252 for 9 in 60 overs.
However, the Australian team found itself at the receiving end of the excellent bowling spell of Winston Davis. Winston steamrolled the Australian batting lineup with his magnificent bowling performance. He picked up seven wickets for 50 runs with a good bowling economy of 4.85.
As a result, West Indies won the match by 101 runs. Winston Davis was announced man of the match for his mind-blowing performance in the match.
Gary Gilmour 6/14
Late Australian Cricketer Gary Gilmour (1951-2014) takes 5th place on our list of best bowling figures in World Cups matches. He represented Australia in ICC Cricket World Cup 1975.
On 18 June 1975, Gary delivered one of the best world cup bowling performances of all times. In that Match, Australia challenged England in the 1st Semifinal match of ICC Cricket World Cup 1975. After winning the toss, Australia invited England to bat first.
It turned out to be a fruitful decision, as Gary Gilmour tore down the English batting line up with his glorious spell. England had managed to reach a lower total of just 93.
In return, Australia too had a troubled start, but they somehow managed to chase the total in 28th over for the cost of 6 wickets. The Kangaroos won the match by four wickets.
Gary Gilmour was announced Man of the Match for his stunning bowling figures.
Ashish Nehra 6/23
Former Indian Cricketer Ashish Nehra also joins our list at the 6th spot. Nehra represented India in Cricket World Cup 2003. He produced his best world cup bowling figures of 6/23 in ICC Cricket World Cup 2003.
On 26 February 2003, India took on England in the 30th Match of Cricket World Cup 2003. After winning the toss, India opted to bat first. The Men in Blue set an excellent total of 250 for 9 in 50 overs with the help of fabulous fifties from Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
However, When England came to chase, Nehra was waiting for them. He dismantled the English batting lineup in no time. England fell short in the chase and finished their turn at 168. As a result, India won the match by 82 runs.
Ashish Nehra was announced Man of the Match for his glorious bowling spell in the match.
Shane Bond 6/23
Previous New Zealand Cricketer Shane Bond also puts together on our list at the 7th place. He represented New Zealand in Cricket World Cup 2003. He is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
On 11 March 2003, New Zealand came across Australia in the 5th Super Match of World Cup 2003. The Kiwi team won the toss and invited Australia to bat first. Australian team set a good total of 208 for 9 with the help of glorious fifties from Micheal Bevan and Andy Bichel.
Shane bonded hunted 6 Australian batsmen for the cost of 23 in his ten overs spell.
However, New Zealand fell short 96 runs in the chase and ended their innings at 112. Hence, Australia won the match by 96 runs. Even though New Zealand lost the match, Shane Bonded is still remembered for his furious spell against Australia in World Cup 2003.
Chaminda Vaas 6/25
Legendary Sri Lankan Fast Bowler Chaminda Vaas holds the 8th spot on our Best World Cup Bowling Figures list. He is regarded as one of the finest Fast Bowlers of all time.
On 14 February 2003, Sri Lanka Challenged Bangladesh for the 10th Match in World Cup 2003. The Sri Lankan team won the toss and invited Bangladesh to bat first. Bangladesh were all out at a short total of 126 due to a furious bowling spell from Chaminda Vaas.
Vaas picked up 6 Bangladesh batsman for 25 in 9 overs.
In return, Sri Lanka chased down the total in no time with fabulous fifties from Marven Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya. As a result, Sri Lanka won the match by ten wickets. Chaminda Vaas was announced Man of the Match for his excellent bowling performance.
Kemar Roach 6/27
Present Day West Indies Cricketer Kemar Roach adds his name on our list at the 9th place. He represented West Indies in the 2011 Cricket World Cup and played as the right-arm medium-fast bowler.
On 28 February 2011, West Indies took on the Netherlands in the 13th match of the group stage in World Cup 2011. The Netherlands won the toss and invited West Indies to bat first. With some reasonable effort from the top order, West Indies reached 330 for 8 in 50 overs.
Kemar Roach was declared Man of the Match for his mind-blowing performance in the match.
Mitchell Starc 6/28
Australian International Cricketer Mitchell Starc completes our list at 10th spot. He represented Australia in the Cricket World cup 2015. He is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers of recent times.
Australia met New Zealand in the 20th Match of Pool A in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 on 28 February. The Australian team won the toss and elected to bat first. With some handy innings from the middle order, Australia set up a short total of 151 in 32 overs.
New Zealand needed 152 to chase and win the match. However, Mitchell Starc cracked down on the New Zealand batting lineup by picking up six wickets for 28 in 9 overs. Despite his furious spell, the Kiwi team managed to chase the target in 23rd over.
As a result, New Zealand won the match by one wicket only. However, this is still regarded as of the best world cup bowling figures of all time.
Conclusion
So, here is our list. Who do you think should make it on our list. Let us know in the comment box.
