Best Bowling Average In World Cups: India hosting the 2023 ODI World Cup was expected to offer flat decks. The bowlers were expected to be under fire. But contrary to earlier belief, the bowlers have found ways to thrive. They have used the pitch and the conditions to good use. Teams with bowlers who have the ability to pick wickets are occupying the top half of the table. It is the bowlers who help teams win the tournament.
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We look at Best Bowling Average In World Cups:
[Qualification criteria – 25 wickets]
#5 Lockie Ferguson – 19.72
He is one of the fastest bowlers going around in the competition. Lockie Ferguson had a brilliant 2019 World Cup. He played a key role in New Zealand’s success in the tournament. His ability to strike in the middle overs separated him from the rest of the Kiwi bowlers. Ferguson has picked 29 wickets in just 13 World Cup games so far. He has picked up one 4-wicket haul as well with best figures being 4-37. Ferguson’s average of 19.72 is fifth best among active bowlers in the World Cup.
#4 Jasprit Bumrah – 18.96
There was a lot of doubt surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the World Cup. He was away from the game for almost a year. Bumrah missed out on the T20 World Cup last year in addition to missing out on the WTC Final. He planned his comeback with careful preparation building towards the Asia Cup. Bumrah has gone on to pick up a wicket in every single game since his comeback. He has easily been the best pacer in the ongoing World Cup. Bumrah has picked a total of 29 wickets in 14 games at a top average of 18.96.
#3 Shaheen Shah Afridi – 17.65
He walked into the tournament being talked about as the finest pacer in the world. Shaheen Shah Afridi had a wonderful reputation about being the chief destroyer of Pakistan. He made the ball talk in the Asia Cup game against India in a rain-affected game. Afridi after being in the radar of below-par performances, made a solid comeback against Australia.
He picked up his second 5-wicket haul in the World Cups. Afridi now has 26 wickets in just 10 World Cup games with best figures of 6-35. His bowling average of 17.65 is third best on the list.
#2 Mitchell Starc – 16.69
He is a certified ODI great and when it comes to World Cups, Mitchell Starc is a bonafide legend. He was the highest wicket taker in two successive editions (2015 and 2019). Starc was in fact the player of the World Cup in 2015. His numbers are simply insane in the tournament. Starc has pocketed 55 wickets in 22 games across 3 World Cups.
It amounts to almost 2.5 wickets in every single game. Starc has three 4-wicket and three 5-wicket hauls. His best figures read 6-28 wherein he almost bowled Australia to victory singlehandedly. He averages 16.69 in the World Cup!
#1 Mohammad Shami – 15.02
He played a key part in India’s run to the semifinals in the 2015 World Cup. Indian bowlers bowled out all their 7 opponents leading up to the semis. Mohammad Shami was among the top 5 wicket takers in the tournament. He wasn’t part of India’s first choice seam attack in the 2019 World Cup. Yet he managed to pick up wickets whenever he was brought into the playing XI.
Shami picked up a 5-wicket haul against England while he managed a hattrick against Afghanistan. He put on a spectacular show in the game against New Zealand picking up another 5-wicket haul. Shami’s average of 15.02 is best among bowlers who have picked more than 17 wickets in the World Cup.
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