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![Who won the Warne-Murali battle in ODIs? [Credit: Getty]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.3157894736842'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When we talk about bowlers in cricket, it is often a strange and unique mix of a breed underrated and unsung, while also being acknowledged as the biggest match-winners in the sport. Fans pack the stadiums to watch bowlers getting smashed by their favorite batting heroes and yet mention in the same breath how 'Bowlers win Matches'.
The art of bowling started with coaches grilling about hitting the perfect line and length to ensure the red cherry strikes the top of the off-stump.
However, come the ODI format in the 1970s, the game has taken massive strides and bowlers had to start by hitting the above-mentioned Test-match line and length and then move away from it in the second half of an innings to umpteen variations like the Yorker, slower balls, and slow bouncers, among others.
Overcoming arduous challenges over the years with the sport often attempting to achieve higher team scores, an elite set of bowlers have still managed to hold their own.
As we celebrate the ten best ODI bowlers in cricket history, a cut-off of 200 wickets has been used to ensure a minimum amount of longevity and contextualize the numbers, considering how much white-ball cricket has changed from 1971 to now.
Before we jump into the top ten, here are some names that deserve honorable mentions as they just missed out on this celebrated list.
Honorable Mentions:
Curtly Ambrose, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell Starc, Kapil Dev, Daniel Vettori, Zaheer Khan, Richard Hadlee, Makhaya Ntini, Shoaib Akhtar, and Javagal Srinath.
#10 Allan Donald
Former South African pacer Allan Donald was called 'White Lightning' for nothing, for he intimidated even the best batters with his fearsome bowling during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Donald may only be 20th on the all-time ODI wickets chart with 271 scalps but his average of 21.78 is tied for best all-time among bowlers with at least 200 wickets.
The champion pacer also produced his best in the World Cups, finishing with 38 wickets at an average of 24.02 in four editions.
Allan Donald's ODI numbers
164 matches, 272 wickets, 21.78 average, 4.15 economy, 2 five-wicket hauls
#9 Shane Warne
The greatest leg-spinner in cricket history, Shane Warne is often remembered fondly for his heroics in Tests. However, his ODI exploits, especially in big World Cup games rank among the best of all time.
Warne finished his illustrious career with 293 ODI wickets at an average of 25.73 and an economy of 4.25 in 194 matches. He was instrumental in Australia's 1999 World Cup triumph, finishing as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 20 scalps.
Warne also achieved a rare feat by winning the Player of the Match award in the semi-final and final of the 1999 World Cup. Despite playing in only the 1996 and 1999 editions, he finished with 32 wickets an extraordinary average of under 20, and a miserly economy of 3.83.
Shane Warne's ODI numbers
194 matches, 293 wickets, 25.73 average, 4.25 economy, 1 five-wicket haul
#8 Saqlain Mushtaq
While several off-spinners since have been celebrated for their ability to deceive batters with their 'Doosra', the special delivery was the originally developed by former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.
The now-47-year-old boasts the joint-best bowling average of 21.78 among bowlers with at least 200 ODI wickets. Saqlain was also famous for his ability to consistently bowl at the death despite being a spinner. He is among the rare bowlers and one of only two spinners (Kuldeep Yadav the other) to pick up two ODI hat-tricks.
Saqlain Mushtaq's ODI numbers
169 matches, 288 wickets, 21.78 average, 4.29 economy, 6 five-wicket hauls
#7 Chaminda Vaas
Sri Lanka's Mr. Reliable from the mid-1990s to the late 2000s, Chaminda Vaas comes in at No.7. Vaas was among the few pacers who was equally efficient and effective in the powerplay with swing and seam movement, while also finding success at the death with yorkers and wily slower deliveries.
The left-arm pacer is fourth all-time in ODIs with 400 wickets at an average of 27.53 in 322 games.
Vaas played a key role in Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup triumph and helped the side finish runners-up in 2007. He boasts an impressive record in the tournament with 49 wickets (eighth all-time) at an average of 21.22 and an economy of under 4.
Vaas was also the leading wicket-taker of the 2003 World Cup with 23 scalps at an incredible average of 14.39 in 10 matches.
Chaminda Vaas' ODI numbers
322 matches, 400 wickets, 27.53 average, 4.18 economy, 4 five-wicket hauls
#6 Shaun Pollock
Former South African captain Shaun Pollock was arguably the most consistent ODI bowler during his stellar international career. The right-arm pacer is sixth all-time with 393 wickets at an average of 24.50 in 303 outings.
Pollock's economy rate of 3.67 is the best among bowlers with at least 300 ODI wickets.
With the ability to generate exaggerated seam movement and bounce at an uncomfortable line and length for batters, Pollock was nearly impossible to combat with the new ball for even the best batters at the time.
Shaun Pollock's ODI numbers
303 matches, 393 wickets, 24.50 average, 3.67 economy, five 5-wicket hauls
#5 Brett Lee
One of the most popular cricketers and a fan-favorite around the world, Brett Lee was anything but friendly when it came to the 22 yards. The former Australian speedster was among the fiercest competitors with his express pace-bowling constantly threatening a batter's throat and toe in equal measure.
Lee is the eighth leading wicket-taker in ODIs with 380 scalps at an average of 23.36 in 221 outings.
The 47-year-old was at his best in Australia's remarkable unbeaten run to the title in the 2003 World Cup,finishing as the tournament's second leading wicket-taker with 22.
Brett Lee's ODI numbers
221 matches, 380 wickets, 23.36 average, 4.76 economy, 9 five-wicket hauls
#4 Waqar Younis
Rip-roaring reverse-swinging yorkers defined former Pakistan pacer and captain Waqar Younis, who is third all-time in ODI wickets with 416.
The legendary pacer still holds the record for the most five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket with 13. Waqar also boasts the best strike rate of 30.52 among the four bowlers with 400 ODI wickets.
A specialist at the death, the 52-year-old could also tear the opposition apart with movement in the air and off the wicket in the initial overs.
Waqar Younis' ODI numbers
262 matches, 416 wickets, 23.84 average, 4.68 economy, 13 five-wicket hauls
#3 Glenn McGrath
Mr.Clutch Glenn McGrath takes the final spot of the esteemed top three of all-time greatest ODI bowlers. The former Australian pacer is arguably the most impactful bowler in the game's history and almost always came up trumps in the biggest matches.
McGrath finished with 381 ODI wickets at an average of 22.02 and an economy of 3.88 in 250 games. He remains the all-time leading wicket-taker in World Cups with 71 scalps at a sensational average of 18.19 in 39 appearances.
McGrath was one of the vital cogs of Australia's incredible three-peat in the 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cup, finishing as the leading wicket-taker and the Player of the Tournament in 2007 with 26 scalps.
Glenn McGrath's ODI numbers
250 matches, 381 wickets, 22.02 average, 3.88 economy, 7 five-wicket hauls
#2 Wasim Akram
The Sultan of Swing, Wasim Akram comes in at No.2, thanks to his inimitable skill level and versatility with the white-ball.
Inarguably the greatest left-arm pacer, Wasim burst on to the scene with a magical match-winning spell in the 1992 World Cup final to help Pakistan win their lone 50-over World Cup title.
The 58-year-old is one of only two bowlers and the lone pacer to achieve the 500-wicket mountain in ODIs. Wasim is also joint-fifth all-time in World Cup wickets with 55.
Wasim Akram's ODI numbers
356 matches, 502 wickets, 23.52 average, 3.89 economy, 6 five-wicket hauls
#1 Muttiah Muralitharan
Sri Lankan off-spinning wizard Muttiah Muralitharan is the clear No.1 when it comes to ODI bowlers, thanks to his remarkable numbers.
Muralitharan is the all-time leading wicket-taker in the format with 534 wickets at a stunning average of 23.08. His 10 five-wicket hauls are second all-time and the most by a spinner.
Muralitharan is also second all-time in World Cup wickets with 68 at an average of under 20. The champion spinner helped Sri Lanka win the 1996 World Cup and finish runners-up in the 2007 and 2011 editions.
Muttiah Muralitharan's ODI numbers
350 matches, 534 wickets, 23.08 average, 3.93 economy, 10 five-wicket hauls
