Top 10 Most Economical Bowling In ODI | All-Time Ranking

July 10, 2021 By Sourav

Today's bowlers know how difficult it is to face the best batsmen on the planet regularly. While getting wickets is undoubtedly the ultimate goal of any bowler, whether they are fast or slow. Ultimately, it is their economic bowling situation that decides how long they will stay with their respective teams. Rather than talk about wickets today, let's talk about the One Day International bowlers who executed the most economical bowling in ODI history.

Most Economical Bowling in ODI | All-Time Ranking

10. Mike Hendrick (England)
9. Alex Cusack (Ireland)
8. Dennis Lillee (Australia)
7. Sunil Joshi (India)
6. Kapil Dev (India)
5. Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
4. Sir Curtly Ambrose (West Indies)
3. Bishan Singh Bedi (India)
2. Dermot Reeve (England)
1. Phil Simmons (West Indies)

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Cricket is not only about the greatest batsmen or even the greatest fielders. It is also about the performance of bowlers who are behind any win of any team. And today, we will know about the most economical bowling spells the ODI history has ever seen.

10. Mike Hendrick (England)

Match: England vs. Canada
Date: 13^th June 1979
Bowling Spell: 5/1
Economy Rate: 0.62

Mike Hendrick played 30 Tests and 22 One Day Internationals for England between 1973 and 1981. He was born on 22 October 1948 in Doncaster, England. During his playing years for Derbyshire, he played from 1969 to 1981 and for Nottinghamshire, from 1982 to 1984. Hendrick played 30 Tests and 22 One Day Internationals for England between 1973 and 1981.

He was born on 22 October 1948 in Doncaster, England. During his playing years for Derbyshire, he played from 1969 to 1981 and for Nottinghamshire, from 1982 to 1984. During his first-class career, Bateman recorded 770 wickets at an astounding 20 per wicket.

He said, "he loved to pin batsmen down with his accuracy and force errors.” Therefore, he bowled short, pessimistic - which made it impossible to take wickets consistently at the top-level". However, Michael Hendrick bowled four maiden overs during an eight-over spell. Also, he took one wicket in just five runs with an excellent economy rate of just 0.62.

England opted to chase after scoring 46 with just two wickets in 13.5 overs. A bowling spell of just ten overs from CM Old yielded just eight runs and made him the Man of the Match for taking four wickets in 10 overs. Its place below the top 10 most economical bowling in ODI history has now been assured.

9. Alex Cusack (Ireland)

Match: Ireland vs. Scotland
Date: 22^nd August 2009
Bowling Spell: 3/0
Economy Rate: 0.60

Former Irish national cricket team member Alex Richard Cusack was born in Australia and played for the Irish national cricket team as a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler.

At Mannofield Park Ground on 22nd August 2009, Ireland and Scotland played the first match of the 2009 Ireland in Scotland One Day International Series. The toss was won by Scotland, and they decided to bowl first, and they reached 205/9 in 50 overs.

Moreover, Alex sat among the top 10 most economical bowling in ODI history during this match. He bowled two maiden overs in his five-over spell. Moreover, Alex gave up just three runs with an impressive economy rate of 0.60.

Scotland scored just 109 runs while chasing, with all the wickets falling inside 40 overs. It was an easy victory for Ireland as RM West scored 24 runs in 19 deliveries and took four wickets in the match.

8. Dennis Lillee (Australia)

Match: Australia vs. India
Date: 8^th January 1981
Bowling Spell: 3/1
Economy Rate: 0.60

Dennis Keith Lillee was widely considered one of the greatest fast bowlers of his generation, according to the BBC. The International Cricket Council Cricket Hall of Fame inducted him on 17th December 2009.

At the Sydney Cricket Ground on 8th January 1981, India and Australia played the ninth match of the 1981 Benson and Hedges World Series Cup. With the toss won, Australia fielded first and finished the Indian innings in just 25.5 overs for 63/10.

Taking two maiden overs in his five-over batting fling, Dennis Lillee excelled in his five-over spell. In addition, he took one wicket for just three runs at an impressive economy rate of only 0.60. The Australian team scored 64 without losing a wicket in 21 overs.

The match was won by Australia by nine wickets, and GS Chappell was named Man of the Match for his 33 runs in 63 balls and his 5-wicket haul in 9.5 overs. Despite this, this bowling spell is still considered one of the top 10 most economical bowling in ODI history.

7. Sunil Joshi (India)

Match: India vs. South Africa
Date: 26^th September 1999
Bowling Spell: 6/5
Economy Rate: 0.60

During his time with the Indian cricket team from 1996 to 2001, Sunil Bandacharya Joshi played both Test and one-day international matches. Although he was not selected, he was not included in the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup. On 26th September 1999, India and South Africa played their second match in the 1999 LG Cup at the Gymkhana Club Ground.

In their first innings, South Africa made just 117/10 in 48 overs after winning the toss and batting first. During his time with the Indian cricket team from 1996 to 2001, Sunil Bandacharya Joshi played both Test and one-day international matches. Although he was not selected, he was not included in the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup.

On 26th September 1999, India and South Africa played their second match in the 1999 LG Cup at the Gymkhana Club Ground. In their first innings, South Africa made just 117/10 in 48 overs after winning the toss and batting first. As a bowler, Sunil Joshi took six first-ball overs in ten overs. He also took five wickets in just six runs with a fantastic economy rate of just 0.60.

When India chased, they scored 120 in just two wickets in 22.4 overs. Sunil Joshi took five wickets for a bowling performance that won him Man of the Match. This bowling spell with 0.60 eco also holds its place among the top 10 most economical bowling in ODI history.

6. Kapil Dev (India)

Match: India vs. West Indies
Date: 9^th March 1989
Bowling Spell: 4/0
Economy Rate: 0.57

Known as one of the greatest cricketers in history, Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj is one of India's most remarkable all-rounders. Besides, he is also among the most dangerous hard-hitters in cricket. On 8th March 2010, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. In 2002, he was given the Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century award.

On 9th March 1989, India and West Indies played the second ODI match of the 1989 India-West Indies series at Queen's Park Oval Stadium, where West Indies won the toss and chose to field first, and India scored 148/10 in 48 overs.

With four maiden overs in seven overs, Kapil Dev had an excellent bowling performance. Additionally, he also gave only four runs with an awesome economy rate of only 0.57. Unfortunately, West Indies scored 151 in 4 wickets in 38.4 overs, which left them chasing four wickets.

CG Greenidge, whose 70 in 106 balls batting performance earned him the match's Man of the Match award, led West Indies to victory by six wickets.

5. Wasim Akram (Pakistan)

Match: Pakistan vs. India
Date: 5^th December 1986
Bowling Spell: 4/2
Economy Rate: 0.54

Wasim Akram, a former Pakistani fast bowler, is widely regarded as the best exponent of reverse swing bowling. Additionally, cricket fans regarded him as one of the greatest fast bowlers and one of the most popular cricketers of all time.

A Wisden list published in 2002 named him the best ODI bowler of all time. At the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in Sharjah, Pakistan hosted India for the 6th match of the 1986 ICC Champions Trophy. Having won the toss, Pakistan elected to field first. With 40.2 overs remaining, India made only 144/10.

A memorable spell by the best economy bowler in an ODI match against India during the 1986 Champions Trophy clash at Sharjah stands out. His seven overs yielded only four runs.

As part of that exceptional spell, the Sultan of Swing bowled four maidens and collected two wickets of lower-order batsmen. By three wickets, Pakistan defeated India. With a fantastic economic rate of just 0.54, this spell is known as one of the most economical bowling in ODI.

4. Sir Curtly Ambrose (West Indies)

Match: West Indies vs. Sri Lanka
Date: 13^th October 1999
Bowling Spell: 5/1
Economy Rate: 0.50

Sir Curtly Elconn Lynwall Ambrose was an incredible fast bowler for the West Indies and is regarded by many as the greatest pace bowler in history. Besides, he is also among the best finishers in cricket history. Among his honors is being named Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1992 and being included in the All-time XI of the West Indies.

On 13th October 1999, West Indies and Sri Lanka played in the first match of the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium. With the toss won, Sri Lanka elected to bat first and made 178/10 in 49.3 overs.

The ten overs that Ambrose bowled included five maiden overs. A superb economy rate of only 0.50 enabled him to take Sri Lanka's wicket in five runs while chasing. With 49.2 overs to bat, West Indies scored 181 in 7 wickets.

This impressive spell is known as one of the best economical bowling figures in ODI. It took West Indies three wickets to win the match. Adams scored 74 runs in 124 balls to win Man of the Match.

3. Bishan Singh Bedi (India)

Match: India vs. East Africa
Date: 11^th June 1975
Bowling Spell: 6/1
Economy Rate: 0.50

From 1966 to 1979, Bishan Singh Bedi played in the Indian national test squad as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler. As captain of the Indian team, he played 22 test matches. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest spinners in cricket history.

A match between India and East Africa took place in Group A of the 1975 Prudential World Cup. Headingley Cricket Ground hosted the match on 11th June 1975. With the toss won, East Africa chose to bat first and scored 120/10 in 55.3 overs.

The bowling spell of Bedi's 12 overs included eight maidens. Taking a wicket in just six runs, he also earned an excellent economy rate of just 0.50 while taking a wicket of East Africa. With 29.5 overs left, India was 123 without a wicket in pursuit.

For his 54-run batting performance in 93 deliveries, Indian Batsman FM Engineer was named Match Man. Additionally, Bedi's stint is now one of the ten most economical ODI bowling performances of all time.

2. Dermot Reeve (England)

Match: England vs. Pakistan
Date: 1^st March 1992
Bowling Spell: 2/1
Economy Rate: 0.40

During his cricketing career, Dermot Alexander Reeve is best known for his unorthodox performances across the world. In 29 ODIs and three test matches, he has shown his commitment to playing for his country.

For his superb performance in international cricket, he has also been named Hong Kong's Sports Person of the Year. In 1992, England and Pakistan played their thirteenth game of the Benson Hedges World cup at Adelaide Oval Cricket Ground, where England won the toss and chose to field first.

Dermot Reeve finished the match with three maiden overs collected from his five-over spell. In addition to his two wickets, he had an incredible economy rate of just 0.40. With ten wickets, Pakistan managed just 74 runs in their 40 overs.

As the chase continued, England came up with 24/1 in 8 overs, after which the match was canceled. There is no disputing that this spell should be among the top 10 most economical ODI bowling in ODI of all time.

1. Phil Simmons (West Indies)

Match: West Indies vs. Pakistan
Date: 17^th December 1992
Bowling Spell: 3/4
Economy Rate: 0.30

Philip Verant Simmons is a former all-rounder from West Indies who set the world record in most economical bowling against an international team. Moreover, he was also named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997. Besides, he is still considered one of the greatest cricketers the world has ever seen.

At the Sydney Cricket Ground on 17th December 1992, West Indies and Pakistan played the eighth match of the 1992 Benson & Hedges World Series. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, West Indies made 214/9 in 50 overs.

As a bowler, Phil Simmons took eight maiden overs in his ten overs. With his tremendous economy rate of 0.30, he also claimed four wickets of Pakistan in just three runs. While chasing, Pakistan only managed 81 runs with their ten wickets in 48 overs.

As a result of his exceptional bowling performance, Phil Simmons was crowned Man of the Match. Surely this one deserves to be ranked number one among the ten most economical bowling performances in ODI history.