Among all the bowlers playing in the ICC World Cup 2015, Daniel Vettori is the only bowler who features in the list of the bowlers with best economy rates in World Cup history. He is closely followed by Harbhajan Singh and Jacob Oram, both of whom will not be a part of this mega event. So, going by this stat, let us take a look at the top 5 bowlers with best economy rates in World Cup history:
5. Shaun Pollock (South Africa):
The fifth most economical bowler in World Cup history. Shaun Pollock is widely regarded to be one of the best ODI bowlers of all-time. He represented South Africa in 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cup. In these 4 mega events, Pollock played 31 matches and picked up a total of 37 wickets at an average of 31.29 with a good economy rate of 3.60. Once during a match against Netherlands in 2007 World Cup at Basseterre, he bowled at an awe-inspiring economy rate of 0.66. His figures in that match read 6-3-4-1.
4. John Traicos (Zimbabwe):
The fourth most economical bowler in the 10 World Cup’s held so far. John Traicos was a disciplined and an accurate offspinner, who did not pick many wickets but bowled economically and maintained the pressure on batsmen. He represented Zimbabwe in 1983, 1987 and 1992 World Cup. Throughout these three World Cup’s, Traicos played 20 matches and took 16 wickets at an average of 42.06 with a brilliant economy rate of 3.57.
3. Gavin Larsen (New Zealand):
The third most economical bowler in World Cup. Gavin Larsen represented New Zealand in 1992, 1996 and 1999 World Cup and throughout these three events, he played 19 matches and grabbed 18 scalps at an average of 33.52 with a brilliant economy rate of 3.52. Larsen shot to fame in 1992 World Cup. He was a part of famous slow-medium bowling quartet of Rod Latham, Chris Harris and Willie Watson. In this event, he picked up nine wickets in nine matches at a stupendous economy rate of 3.44.
2. Sir Ian Botham (England):
The second most economical bowler in the 10 World Cup’s held till now. ‘Beefy’, who is generally regarded as one of the England’s finest ever Test bowler, was also very decent in ODIs. He represented England in 1979, 1983 and 1992 World Cup and throughout these three events, he played 22 matches and grabbed 30 scalps at an average of 25.40 with a great economy rate of 3.43. Once during a match against Pakistan in 1992 World Cup at Adelaide, he bowled at an economy rate of 1.20. His figures in that match read 10-4-12-2.
1. Sir Andy Roberts (West Indies):
The most economical bowler in World Cup history. Sir Andy Roberts had the magnificent ability to contain the batsmen and pick up wickets at regular intervals. He was one of the key members of the West Indies side, that won the Prudential World Cup 1975 and 1979 and reached the finals of 1983. Throughout these three World Cup’s, Sir Andy Roberts played 16 matches and took 26 wickets at an average of 21.23 with an impressive economy rate of 3.24. Once during a match against Sri Lanka in 1975 World Cup at Manchester, he bowled at an economy rate of 1.33. His figures in that match read 12-5-16-2.
|
Player |
Matches |
Overs |
Maidens |
Wickets |
Economy Rate |
|
Sir Andy Roberts (WI) |
16 |
170.1 |
29 |
26 |
3.24 |
|
Sir Ian Botham (ENG) |
22 |
222.0 |
33 |
30 |
3.43 |
|
Gavin Larsen (NZ) |
19 |
170.0 |
12 |
18 |
3.52 |
|
John Traicos (ZIM) |
20 |
188.0 |
13 |
16 |
3.57 |
|
Shaun Pollock (SA) |
31 |
269.0 |
37 |
31 |
3.60 |