Best ODI Bowlers in the World 2024: In this article, we will discuss the top 10 ODI bowlers in the world. These bowlers have been chosen based on their impressive records, statistics, and the impact they have had on the game. They have proven themselves capable of taking wickets in different playing conditions and have played crucial roles in helping their teams win matches.
We will also talk about some of the emerging bowlers who are making their mark in ODI cricket in 2023. These include Mark Wood, Matt Henry, and Mohammed Siraj. These bowlers possess great talent and have the potential to surpass the achievements of the bowlers on our top 10 list.
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Best ODI Bowlers in the World 2024
Join us as we explore the world of ODI cricket and pay tribute to these remarkable bowlers who excel at the art of bowling.
10. Trent Boult
- Date of Birth: 22 July 1989
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right-Hand
- Country: NZ
- ODI Ranking: 5
Trent Boult is currently ranked as the fifth-best bowler in One Day International (ODI) cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC). In his career, he has taken 210 wickets in 113 matches, with an average of 23.98 runs per wicket and an economy rate of 4.93 runs per over. He is known for his effectiveness during the early overs of the game, often taking wickets in those crucial stages.
Boult gained recognition in the 2015 World Cup, where he finished as one of the top wicket-takers with 22 wickets. This helped establish him as an exciting talent in international cricket. Boult’s ability to swing the new ball and vary his pace and length during the later stages of the game makes him a formidable bowler in limited-overs cricket. Boult is an invaluable asset to New Zealand cricket and the various teams he represents worldwide.
As a left-arm fast bowler, Boult can deliver the ball at speeds of up to 145 km/h. He is known for his excellent yorkers and his ability to swing the ball into the batsman. Boult’s unique skills make him a challenging bowler to face, and he has been a crucial player for New Zealand in recent times.
Boult’s exceptional form in recent years highlights his talent as a bowler. He is a vital player for New Zealand and is expected to continue making a significant impact in ODI cricket for many more years.
9. Mark Wood
- Date of Birth: 11 January 1990
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: ENG
- ODI Ranking: 34
Mark Wood is currently ranked 34th in the ICC ODI bowling rankings. In his career, he has taken 75 wickets in 65 matches, with an average of 37.9 runs per wicket and an economy rate of 5.43 runs per over.
Wood, who comes from the same place as his idol Stephen Harmison, Ashington in Northumberland, has a different style compared to typical English bowlers. Standing at 6 feet tall, he focuses on hitting the pitch hard rather than relying on traditional techniques. His pace often surpasses the batsmen, and while he can generate movement, it’s usually his speed that troubles them.
As a right-arm fast bowler, Wood can bowl at speeds of up to 155 km/h. He excels in delivering yorkers and is also skilled at bowling short-pitched deliveries. Facing Wood can be a daunting task due to his abilities, and he has played a crucial role for the England cricket team in recent years.
Wood is a highly talented bowler who has been in outstanding form lately. He is an important player for England and is expected to continue making significant contributions in ODI cricket for many more years.
8. Pat Cummins
- Date of Birth: 08 May 1993
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: AUS
- ODI Ranking: 15
Pat Cummins is currently ranked 15th in the ICC ODI bowling rankings. In his career, he has taken 141 wickets in 88 matches, with an average of 27.61 runs per wicket and an economy rate of 5.22 runs per over.
Cummins has made impressive progress and has become the leading strike bowler for the Australian national team in all formats. One of his notable achievements was the ODI World Cup win in India in 2023, which was a significant milestone. The only concern has been his fitness, but his determination has helped him understand his body better. As long as he stays clear of injuries, there’s no stopping him from becoming a cricket legend.
As a right-arm fast bowler, Cummins can reach speeds of up to 150 km/h. He excels in delivering yorkers and possesses excellent skills in generating movement with the seam.
Cummins is an incredibly talented bowler who has been consistently performing at a high level in recent years. He plays a crucial role for the Australian cricket team and is destined to continue making a significant impact in ODI cricket for the foreseeable future.
7. Kagiso Rabada
- Date of Birth: 25 May 1995
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Left Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: RSA
- ODI Ranking: 14
Kagiso Rabada is a cricketer from South Africa who plays for both South Africa and the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. He is a fast bowler who can throw the ball really fast, reaching speeds up to 155 km/h. One of his best moves is the yorker, and he is also skilled at bowling in the seam. He is known to be a tough bowler to face, and he has been an important player for South Africa lately.
KG has been performing consistently well for South Africa in all formats of the game, with good bowling averages in both Tests and One Day Internationals (ODIs). In the 2021 T20I World Cup, Rabada made history by being the first South African bowler to take a hat-trick in that format. He achieved this feat against England.
In 2022, Rabada has been in great form and is currently ranked 14th in the ICC ODI bowling rankings. He has been especially effective in the final overs of the game, known as the death overs. Rabada is a highly skilled bowler who has been performing exceptionally well in recent years.
6. Matt Henry
- Date of Birth: 14 December 1991
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: NZ
- ODI Ranking: 4
Matt Henry is currently ranked fourth in the ICC ODI bowling rankings. He has taken 127 wickets in 72 matches, with an average of 25.60 and an economy rate of 5.15. He has been particularly effective during the powerplay overs, especially in the 2019 Cricket World Cup where he performed exceptionally well against the Indian top order.
Matt Henry is a fast bowler who generates a lot of paces and is often compared to Shane Bond, a former New Zealand cricketer. Like Bond, Henry has faced his fair share of injuries, but his career took off after undergoing back surgery in 2012. During his ODI debut, he had a memorable performance, taking 4 wickets for 38 runs to help New Zealand win the series against India.
Henry is a right-arm fast bowler who can bowl at speeds of up to 145 km/h. He is skilled at delivering yorkers and bowling with precision in the seam. Although Henry may not be the fastest bowler in the world, he is known for his consistent performance and always poses a threat to the opposition. His accuracy and ability to swing the ball compensate for his speed and make him a valuable asset for the New Zealand cricket team.
5. Shaheen Afridi
- Date of Birth: 06 April 2000
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Left Hand
- Bowling Style: Left-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: PAK
- ODI Ranking: 8
Shaheen Afridi is considered one of the top contenders for the best ODI bowler in 2023. He currently holds the eighth position in the ICC ODI bowling rankings, with an impressive record of 104 wickets in 53 matches. His average stands at 23.94, and he maintains an economy rate of 5.52.
Afridi is a talented left-arm fast bowler who can generate speeds of up to 150 km/h. He excels in delivering yorkers and is skilled at bowling in the seam. His bowling style poses a significant challenge for batsmen, and his contributions have played a crucial role in Pakistan’s current ranking as the fourth-best ODI team in the world.
In the 2019 World Cup, despite not playing all the matches, Afridi showcased his skills and had an impressive campaign. He displayed good pace and varied his deliveries effectively, particularly in the death overs. He finished the tournament with 16 wickets, being one of the few standout performers for Pakistan in an otherwise disappointing tournament. In January 2022, Afridi was recognized as the Cricketer of the Year by the International Cricket Council, a testament to his outstanding performances.
In 2021 alone, he took 78 wickets in 36 international matches. While Afridi is still young and developing his game, he possesses immense potential to become one of the best ODI bowlers in the world.
4. Mohammed Siraj
- Date of Birth: 13 March 1994
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Medium Seam
- Country: IND
- ODI Ranking: 2
Mohammed Siraj has made significant improvements as a bowler in ODI cricket in 2023. He currently holds the second position in the ICC ODI bowling rankings, having taken 43 wickets in 24 matches. His impressive average stands at 20.74, and he maintains an economy rate of 4.79.
In January 2023, Siraj played a vital role in India vs New Zealand ODI series. He made a significant impact by taking 4 wickets in the first ODI, which contributed to India’s 12-run victory.
Siraj is a talented right-arm fast bowler who can reach speeds of up to 145 km/h. He possesses excellent skills in delivering yorkers and bowling in the seam. His bowling style poses a significant challenge for batsmen, and his contributions have played a major role in India’s current ranking as the second-best ODI team in the world. On January 21, 2023, Siraj achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the number one ODI bowler in the ICC ODI Rankings for Bowlers.
Siraj is a rising star in ODI cricket, and he is bound to be a key player for India in the upcoming years. Despite being young and relatively inexperienced, he showcases immense potential to become one of the best ODI bowlers in the world.
3. Mitchell Starc
- Date of Birth: 30 January 1990
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Left Hand
- Bowling Style: Left-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: AUS
- ODI Ranking: 3
Mitchell Starc is a strong contender for the title of the best ODI bowler in 2023. He currently holds the third position in the ICC ODI bowling rankings, with an impressive record of 236 wickets in 121 matches, averaging at 22.96.
On June 29, 2019, during a match against New Zealand, Starc became the first bowler to achieve three five-wicket hauls at the Cricket World Cup. He concluded the tournament with a record-breaking 27 dismissals, which is the highest number of wickets taken by an individual in a single World Cup.
Starc is known for his remarkable speed as a bowler, capable of reaching speeds up to 155 km/h. He excels in delivering yorkers and bowling in the seam. His bowling style presents a daunting challenge for batsmen, and his contributions have played a significant role in Australia’s current ranking as the number-one ODI team in the world.
Starc has gained recognition for his ability to bowl at a great pace, with his fastest delivery being measured at over 160.4 km/h, which is the fastest ever recorded in a Test match. Additionally, he is skilled at generating reverse swings with his bowling.
As a world-class bowler, Starc is poised to remain a crucial player for Australia in the years ahead. His talent and performance make him a formidable asset to the team.
2. Jasprit Bumrah
- Date of Birth: 06 December 1993
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: IND
- ODI Ranking: 28
Jasprit Bumrah is widely regarded as one of the finest ODI bowlers in the world, although his current ICC ranking is affected due to his recent absence from the game due to injury.
He made his international debut in January 2016 and quickly became an integral part of the Indian team. Bumrah consistently features among the top-ranked bowlers in the ICC Player Rankings for ODI and T20I formats. His expertise lies in taking crucial wickets during the death overs, contributing significantly to India’s success in limited-overs cricket in recent years.
Jasprit Bumrah has achieved several impressive records in his career. He holds the distinction of being the fastest Indian bowler to reach 50 and 100 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Additionally, he is also the fastest Indian bowler to achieve 50 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He is considered one of the most successful fast bowlers produced by India.
Bumrah’s bowling skills are incredibly versatile, allowing him to bowl at various paces and lengths. He possesses exceptional proficiency in delivering yorkers. Batsmen find it extremely challenging to face him, and his contributions have played a significant role in India’s current ranking as the second-best ODI team in the world.
1. Josh Hazlewood
- Date of Birth: 08 January 1991
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Left Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Medium Seam
- Country: AUS
- ODI Ranking: 1
Josh Hazlewood is indeed having an outstanding year and is currently recognized as the best ODI bowler in 2023. He holds the top position in the ICC ODI bowling rankings, with a remarkable record of 132 wickets in 85 matches, averaging at 26.61 and maintaining an economy rate of 4.58.
Comparisons have been drawn between Hazlewood and the legendary Glenn McGrath, and it’s not hard to see why. Hazlewood’s approach is focused on accuracy rather than raw pace, much like McGrath. He consistently aims for an unwavering fourth or fifth stump line, often combining it with swing or seam movement. His style is reminiscent of the classical fast bowlers. While he may not have reached the same level as McGrath just yet, it is undeniable that Hazlewood will be regarded among the best pacers to have graced the game by the time he concludes his career.
Hazlewood’s excellence is reflected in his rankings across formats, currently placing at number 1 in ODIs, number 3 in T20Is, and number 12 in Tests in the ICC Men’s Player Rankings. He has been a valuable member of the Australian team that emerged victorious in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
As a versatile bowler capable of delivering at various paces and lengths, Hazlewood’s impact is significant. His adaptation of McGrath’s style further enhances his effectiveness. There is no doubt that Hazlewood will be remembered as one of the finest pacers to have graced the sport when he eventually concludes his career.
