One Day Internationals are considered a batsman’s game because of the shorter format, fielding restrictions and limited overs. But over the years, bowling styles and techniques have developed and evolved in such a manner that it has become more evenly balanced as a contest. Here we present a list of 5 bowlers who while producing a stellar display of bowling took the highest wickets in a single One Day International match.
Top 5 Highest Wicket Takers in a Single ODI
05. M. Muralitharan – Highest Wicket Takers in a Single ODI (Ind vs. SL 27 Oct 2000) It was the second innings with India chasing a steep total of 295 when Captain Sanath Jayasuriya put the ball in Muralitharan’s hands. India was rocked by two quick dismissals but the ship had been steadied by Little Master Sachin Tendulkar and Robin Singh. Murali at first seemed a bit out of touch and the Indians decided to take advantage of this. However no sooner was the decision made in the batsman’s mind Murali let out a stunning delivery which foxed him. Robin Singh went in for the attack only to find the ball un-attackable. He ended up giving a simple catch. Soon even the Little Master failed to read Murali completely and he too fell. What started with the two lead to a total collapse as MuttiahMuralitharan spun a web around the batsmen. He ended the day with an awesome figure of 7 wickets for 30 runs. Muralitharan also features in the top 10 wicket takers in Test Matches
04. Andy Bichel – Highest Wicket Takers in a Single ODI (Aus vs. Eng2 Mar 2003) Andy Bichel and Michael Bevan were the two heroes of the 2003 World Cup. In this match against England Bichel showed what all-round performance really means. England put to bat first decided to put on a tough resistance until Bichel stymied them. Getting the first break through when the scoreboard was at 66Bichel soon ran through the English middle order and pinned them down on the floor with 5 for 87. Rescue from England’s side was done by Alec Stewart and Andrew Flintoff who patiently put the score at 180. However just when they were starting to break free, Ponting brought back Bichel and he ripped apart the resistance. England ended the innings at 204 after losing 8 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Barring 1 wicket by McGrath, Bichel took all of them. His bowling figures were at 7 wickets for 20 runs. Find out who features in the top 10 fastest bowlers in International Cricket
03. Glenn McGrath – Highest Wicket Takers in a Single ODI ( Aus vs. Nam 27 Feb 2003) Give him an untrained opposition and he will bring the devil out. Namibia learned it the hard way when Glenn McGrath and company bundled them out for 45 in response to Australia’s mammoth 301. The match was nothing short of a total domination. McGrath from the first to the 15th when the match ended showed what a fast bowler can do with the ball. His deliveries swung both ways and included fast Yorkers to slow bouncers. The Namibians came to the crease to just go back to the pavilion again. The match ended with McGrath still having 2 overs spare and a bowling figure of 7 for 15. Mcgrath also features in the top 10 Leading Wicket Takers in ODI Cricket
02. Shahid Afridi – Highest Wicket Takers in a Single ODI (Pak vs. WI 14 Jul 2013) Afridi sees himself as a bowling allrounder, who prior to this match had a dismal run. His critics were up in arms and were calling for his axing from the national squad. However in this match Afridi quashed them with a game-transforming half-century and then with the second best one-day bowling figures of all time. Chasing 224, the Windies were on the mat with the loss of three quick wickets at a score of 7. Then Afridi came in. As usual there was that arrogant swagger and that utter contempt for the field setting. However if the crowds thought that was all the entertainment, then they would be in for a big surprise. In a stellar performance Afridi ripped apart the remaining line up in fewer than 20 overs. The West Indies went from 41 for 4 in 22 overs to all out in 41. Afridi ended with 7 wickets for 12 runs. Afridi’s also features in the list of the of the fastest ODI Hundreds ever.
01.Chaminda Vaas – Highest Wicket Takers in a Single ODI ( SL vs. Zim 8 Dec 2001) At Sinhalese Sports Club, ColomboChaminda Vaas became the first bowler to claim eight wickets in a one-day international. His success was largely due to a controlled swing on a bowler friendly pitch. He dismissed Dion Ebrahim with his first ball and took Sri Lanka’s first limited-overs hat-trick in his sixth over – starting with Carlisle, the only Zimbabwean to reach double figures, and followed by Craig Wishart and Tatenda Taibu. He ended up with 8 wickets in 8 overs and gave away just 19 runs. Tired with Bowlers? See our list of the Top 10 Batsman in Tests and for ODI’S here
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