After a month of enthralling action, Sport360 looks back at the highs and lows of the Cricket World Cup 2015 group stages. Here, we examine the star bowlers.
Mohammed Shami - Matches: 5 Innings: 5 Wickets: 15 Overs: 43 Runs: 189 Best figure: 4-35 Average: 12.6 Economy rate: 4.39. The standout bowler in the World Cup so far. His figures may not be as spectacular as Mitchell Starc, but unlike the Aussie, the 25-year-old Shami does not have the back-up support Starc enjoys, and also has to lead the attack and play a big role in the turnaround in fortunes shown by the Indian bowling attack.
Mitchell Starc - Matches: 5 Innings: 5 Wickets: 16 Overs: 37 Runs: 136 Best figure: 6-28 Average: 8.5 Economy rate: 3.67. The 25-year-old left-arm paceman was always expected to be Australia’s key weapon, and he hasn’t disappointed one bit. The 6-28 against New Zealand, when he single-handedly turned the match into one of the most thrilling matches in the history of the World Cup, will remain etched in our memory for a long time.
Trent Boult - Matches: 6 Innings: 6 Wickets: 15 Overs: 56 Runs: 234 Best figure: 5-27 Average: 15.6 Economy rate: 4.17. A big reason for New Zealand’s resurgence has to be the opening bowling pair of Boult and Tim Southee, and while his partner seems to be taking a bit of a breather after that flying start against England, Boult has gone from strength to strength.
Wahab Riaz - Matches: 6 Innings: 6 Wickets: 14 Overs: 57.1 Runs: 314 Best figure: 4-45 Average: 22.42 Economy rate: 5.49. Along with captain Misbah-ul Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed, Riaz’s bowling has been a big reason why Pakistan have turned around their fortunes in the tournament. After taking 2-116 in his first two matches, the 29-year-old has hit his strides well, consistently bowling around the 145kmph mark and picking up 12 wickets in the next four matches.
Daniel Vettori - Matches: 6 Innings: 6 Wickets: 13 Overs: 55.2 Runs: 178 Best figure: 4-18 Average: 13.69 Economy rate: 3.21. So, it was thought that spinners will have no role to play in this World Cup, especially in the shorter grounds of New Zealand. Well, the 37-year-old Kiwi has played all his matches in his own country, and it is just a huge tribute to his massive experience and skills that he has the best economy rate amongst all the top bowlers.
HONOURABLE MENTION: Josh Davey - Matches: 6 Innings: 6 Wickets: 14 Overs: 50 Runs: 311 Best figure: 4-68 Average: 20.73 Economy rate: 6.22. The one area in which the Associates countries have a significant weakness is bowling. Every one of them struggled to get the bigger teams out, so it was fantastic to see one of them among the list of top wicket-takers. The 24-year-old medium fast bowler, is definitely one to watch out for in the future.
11:22 16/03/2015
After a month of enthralling action, Sport360 looks back at the highs and lows of the Cricket World Cup 2015 group stages. Here, we examine the star bowlers.