Ranking the best ODI bowling attacks in the world at present

The game of cricket has come leaps and bounds since its inception. The game today resembles a ‘hitting’ contest between two sets of batsmen with the bowlers enjoying a peripheral role.

However, even with them being on the periphery, the bowlers possess the knack of turning a match on its head. A lethal spell or an over comprising of two wickets has the power to tilt the game in their team’s favour. Thus, someone has rightly said, ‘Batting wins you matches, but bowling wins you tournaments.’

The role of the bowlers is assuming more importance with the batsmen of each side cancelling each other out. Each team boasts of their own destructive batsmen, which puts the onus on the bowlers to make the difference.

With the World Cup due to be held in England in eight months’ time, the team with the best bowling attack would fancy their chances of reigning supreme. Through the course of this article, we would analyse the bowling attacks that would turn up on English shores, come May 2019. Consequently, the bowling attacks have been ranked based on their adaptability to conditions and ability to turn matches in the blink of an eye.

Here are the best bowling attacks in the world.

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#5 South Africa

South Africa recently won the ODI series in Sri Lanka by a 3-2 score-line. In their three victories, their bowling functioned admirably. However, their biggest worry is a lack of a wicket-taker in the middle overs.

In Sri Lanka, Tahir was rested and Shamsi was given a go instead. Though the latter impressed in patches, he wasn’t as consistent as the Proteas would’ve liked. Tahir, on the other hand, has been blowing hot and cold for a while. Though he is a match-winner on his day, those days have been far and few in between over the past couple of years.

Their fast bowling department is relatively well-stocked with the likes of Rabada, Ngidi, Phehlukwayo. In addition to the three, Mulder showed that he can provide a decent back-up while Steyn and Morris didn’t take part in the limited-overs leg.

South Africa’s stronger suit in the bowling department is certainly their pacers. However, they would like one of their spinners to hit top form in order to control games through the middle overs. A failure to do so would result in batsmen getting ‘set’, before unleashing in the death-overs.

If the Proteas harbour any hopes of quenching their thirst for a first World Cup, they need to start taking wickets in the middle phases, against top quality opposition. Thus, due to their shortcomings, they rank at No.5 on our list.

#4 New Zealand

Boult is one of the best exponents of swing bowling

New Zealand has two of the best new-ball bowlers in its ranks. Southee and Boult are the best in the business when it comes to swinging the ball. Additionally, they possess two top-notch spinners in the form of Sodhi and Santner. However, their problem lies with their lack of options for a fifth bowler.

Numerous alternatives have been tried to fill the fifth bowler's slot, with the latest being Colin de Grandhomme. Though he is a decent bowler, against top batting line-ups, he has shown a tendency to go for runs. With Colin Munro the only batsmen capable of rolling his arm over, New Zealand need to find an all-rounder who can take care of the ten overs of the fifth bowler while also providing batting muscle at No.7.

Another major issue for New Zealand is their death bowling. Though Southee and Boult are extremely skilful with the new ball, they aren’t as proficient with the older ball. On many an occasion, New Zealand have suffered due to their inability to contain the opposition towards the end.

If New Zealand is to go a step better than 2015, they need to iron out these flaws. They would’ve been ranked higher if not for their death-bowling and fifth bowler flaws. Hence, they can only muster the No.4 slot on our list.

#3 Australia

Starc has a crucial role to play if Australia is to retain their title

Australia were handsomely beaten in England and were whitewashed 5-0. However, they can take solace from the fact that a majority of their front-line bowlers weren’t part of the tour.

The likes of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood had been rested for the series. The trio had played a major role in Australia’s 5th World Cup triumph in 2015 and would hope to have a similar impact as they go searching for an unprecedented sixth crown. The aforementioned triumvirate have the potential to rip open any batting line-up and would be difficult to handle in English conditions. To supplement them, Australia can call upon the likes of Stanlake and Tye.

Australia’s biggest headache though, is the spinners slot. Ashton Agar is a bowler who can contain the flow of runs but isn’t an adept wicket taker. With him not picking enough wickets in the middle, the pressure shifts onto the Aussie team, who have to contend with ‘set’ batsmen towards the end.

If Australia can unearth a better wicket-taking option in the middle overs, they would be a bowling attack to fear. However, with a clear weakness in the spin department, they only make the list at No.3.

#2 Pakistan

Hasan Ali is the X-Factor in a talented bowling attack

Pakistan have a well-rounded bowling attack and have devastating pacers to complement their skilful spinners.

There is an abundance of riches in the pace bowling front. The likes of Amir, Irfan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Faheem Ashraf and Junaid Khan are all equally capable of being match-winners. They boast of a lot of variety as well, with a number of left-arm and right-arm options.

They aren’t bad in the spin department either. Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah are top-drawer leg-spinners and can sway the match in the team’s favour with a magical spell. Apart from the two, Imad Wasim can also provide a left-arm spinning option.

Pakistan have one of the most balanced bowling attacks on the planet and would bank on their bowling to win them more matches than their batting. Players such as Hasan Ali, Amir and Shadab Khan will have a monumental role to play if they are to repeat their heroics of 1992.

The fight for the top two slots was a keen contest with Pakistan settling for the runner-up spot, owing to them being a little inconsistent. However, one thing is for sure: the Pakistan bowling line-up will ruffle a few feathers when the World Cup comes around.

#1 India

The spin twins have turned the tide in their favour on numerous occasions

It is not often that one finds India at the top of a bowling chart. However, over the course of the past two seasons, India has firmly established itself as the ace bowling unit on the globe.

India possesses two of the best pacers in the limited overs format in the form of Bumrah and Bhuvaneshwar. Both are dexterous with the new ball and are hard to score off in the death-overs. To supplement this, they have also shown the ability to come up with crunch wickets whenever called upon.

Pandya is a decent fifth bowler and has grown as a bowler since making his bow on the international stage. At present, he represents a sound option for the Indian team.

The Indian team’s most distinguishing aspect is their spinning prowess. Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have taken to international cricket like ducks to water. The two wrist-spinners have combined exceptionally and led India to a 5-1 series triumph in South Africa. The ‘spin twins’ have portrayed their wicket-taking abilities on several occasions. With the spinners picking wickets regularly, the death-overs become less of a concern.

At this juncture, India possess the most complete attack in the world and have performed well away from home as well. They kept the famed England batting under check at all times and if the batsmen had been at the top of their game, India could have walked away with the ODI series as well.

Thus, for their adaptability and consistency, India take the No.1 spot on our list to be the best bowling attack on the planet.