ICC Cricket World Cup Top 10: Bowling Legends
1. Glenn McGrath (Australia): 7-15 (7 overs) v Namibia at Potchefstroom on 27 February 2003
Ooh, Ahh, Glenn McGrath. Australia’s joint leading ODI wicket-taker made short work of Namibia after his side had piled on 301-6. Umpire Billy Bowden’s index finger was given a workout, as McGrath claimed seven wickets inside seven overs and gifted wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist with five of his six catches. Namibia was bundled out for 45, as the Aussies completed a 256-run demolition.
2. Andy Bichel (Australia): 7-20 (10 overs) v England at Port Elizabeth on 2 March 2003
With England flying at 66/0 in the tenth over, enter Andy Bichel. One of the heroes of Australia’s victorious ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 campaign, Bichel made the most of an injury to Jason Gillespie, claiming seven of the eight England wickets to fall. Chasing 205, he then came to the crease with Australia struggling at 135-8, striking 34 not out in a partnership of 73 with Michael Bevan to win the match.
3. Winston Davis (West Indies): 7-51 (10.3 overs) v Australia at Leeds on 11 June 1983
West Indies speedster Winston Davis held the record for the best individual ICC Cricket World Cup figures for almost 20 years. Coming into the attack at first change after his side had made 252, Davis tore the heart out of Australia’s batting just as it looked to be mounting a challenge at 114/2. He dismissed Graham Yallop and David Hookes in quick succession, ending with seven wickets inside 11 overs for his efforts.
4. Gary Gilmour (Australia): 6-14 (12 overs) v England at Leeds on 18 June 1975
Left-arm swing bowler Gary Gilmour played just five ODIs for Australia, but bowled his country into the first ever ICC Cricket World Cup final with a devastating spell against England. Gilmour overshadowed his more well-known fast-bowling teammates – Dennis Lillee, Max Walker and Jeff Thomson – claiming six of the first seven wickets with the score a measly 37. England was bowled out for 93, before Gilmour stepped up with the bat also, making 28 not out, to see Australia home with four wickets to spare.
=5 Ashish Nehra (India): 6-23 (10 overs) v England at Durban on 26 February 2003
After India posted a competitive total of 250-9 against England at Durban, left-arm seam bowler Ashish Nehra stepped up to seal the win. Moving the ball in the air and off the wicket, all of Nehra’s wickets were taken in the slips cordon by Virender Sehwag and wicket-keeper Rahul Dravid. England was bowled out for 168, as Nehra collected his career-best ODI figures.
=5 Shane Bond (New Zealand): 6-23 (10 overs) v Australia at Port Elizabeth on 11 March 2003
Shane Bond unleashed his sheer pace in the Super Sixes stage, claiming six wickets against Australia, including a peach of a delivery which nipped back just enough to uproot Ian Harvey’s middle stump. However, it wasn’t enough to secure New Zealand a win in the Trans-Tasman rivalry, as Australia scrapped its way to 208, before bundling New Zealand out for just 112.
7. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka): 6-25 (9.1 overs) v Bangladesh at Pietermaritzburg on 14 February 2003
Spectators were still trying to locate their seats when Sri Lanka’s left-arm swing maestro Chaminda Vaas collected a hat-trick with the first three deliveries of Sri Lanka’s match against Bangladesh. Vaas finished with figures of 6-25, ably assisted by another Sri Lanka star Muttiah Muralidaran (3-25), as Sri Lanka sealed a ten-wicket win in just over 50 overs.
8. Kemar Roach (West Indies): 6-27 (8.3 overs) v Netherlands at Delhi on 28 February 2011
The West Indies’ firebrand Kemar Roach produced his best international figures to date, plus his first international hat-trick, against The Netherlands at the last ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. Roach was too quick for the European qualifying nation, reaping the benefits of targeting the woodwork in the West Indies’ comprehensive 215-run win to claim 6-27 inside nine overs.
9. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): 6-38 (7.4 overs) v Kenya at Colombo on 1 March 2011
Sri Lankan slinger Lasith Malinga collected one of his three ODI hat-tricks when he ripped through Kenya on home soil. The right-arm quick claimed all six wickets with no assistance, rattling the stumps of four batsmen and dismissing the other two leg before wicket. After bowling Kenya out for 142, Sri Lanka cruised to victory with nine wickets and more than 30 overs to spare.
10. Ken MacLeay (Australia): 6-39 (11.5 overs) v India at Nottingham on 13 June 1983
An Australian born in England, Ken MacLeay relished his return in one of just his 16 ODI matches. The bowling all-rounder was dismissed for five runs by Kapil Dev, as Australia posted a mammoth total of 320-9 after 60 overs. MacLeay then proceeded to tear through India’s middle order with his medium pace, claiming six wickets in the 162-run win.