Top 5 ODI bowlers of the decade 

Although one day cricket has predominantly become a batsman’s game with all the powerplay rules and field restrictions in place, the format has still produced some match-winning bowlers, who have consistently kept the batsmen on their toes, despite the obvious advantage in favor of the latter.

In fact, in the three World Cups that have been played in this decade (2010-2019), the bowlers have played a role that has been on par with the batsmen. While the economy rates of the bowlers have obviously gone up as batsmen are innovating with T20-esque shots, pace bowlers have actually rediscovered the value of bowling yorkers, while spinners, too, have been using 'mystery balls' to ensure that it is not all one-way traffic.

With this interesting decade coming to an end, it is an apt time to look back at the top five ODI bowlers of the decade.

#5. Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Final

Matches - 81, Wickets - 128, Average - 24.45, Economy Rate - 4.71, Best Figures - 6/31

Although Mitchell Johnson retired in 2015, the left-arm fast bowler managed to make a major impact even in half a decade. He was among the quickest bowlers on the circuit even in his latter days and made life difficult for many a batsmen with his pace as well as the bounce he generated.

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His 128 wickets in the decade came at a strike rate of 31.1, and his best of 6 for 31 was at Pallekele against Sri Lanka in 2011, which proves he was a wicket-taker irrespective of the surface on offer.

Johnson played a key role in Australia’s 2015 World Cup triumph, scalping 15 wickets, and playing quick-fire cameos at the end (including a 27 not out off 9 balls in the semi-final against India). While he was incisive throughout the tournament, in the semi-final against India, he got the big wickets of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, paving the way for an easy Aussie victory.

#4. Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir: Ecstatic as ever

Matches - 107, Wickets - 173, Average - 24.83, Economy Rate - 4.65, Best Figures - 7/45

For a South African spinner to feature in the list of top five ODI bowlers of the decade is a massive achievement. And, Imran Tahir totally deserves the accolade. Even as the Proteas’ performances over the last few years have oscillated from being magnificent to mediocre, the 40-year-old leg-spinner kept the flag flying high for his team by bowling his heart out in most games.

Tahir’s 173 wickets came at an impressive strike rate of 32. He grabbed a best of 7 for 45 against West Indies at Basseterre in 2016. The veteran leggie picked up 136 wickets in 65 matches that South Africa won, striking at 25.2.

That famous sprint

Even as South Africa stumbled at the semi-final hurdle at the 2015 World Cup, Tahir had a memorable tournament, claiming 15 wickets in eight matches at an average of 21.53, to go with the 14 he picked up in 2011. He signed off with 11 wickets in nine matches in the 2019 edition, his age-defying celebratory sprint very much intact, notwithstanding South Africa’s horror show in the tournament.

#3. Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga: Deadly as ever

Matches - 162, Wickets - 248, Average - 28.74, Economy Rate - 5.46, Best Figures - 6/38

The Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga continued to be among the wickets even as he battled injury and age issues. His toe-crushing yorkers have produced some of the most enthralling moments to have been watched on the television screen.

With other senior pros Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara having retired in recent years, Malinga has seamlessly taken on the mantle of the elder statesman. His record of 248 wickets in 162 games at an average of 28.74 and a strike rate of 31.5 speaks for itself.

Malinga’s record in matches that Sri Lanka has won also points to the fact that is among the world’s greatest match-winners with the ball in hand -- 157 wickets in 73 matches at an average of 19.70 and a strike rate of 23.2. The fast bowler has been among the wickets in all the three World Cup played this decade - 13 (2011), 12 (2015), 13 (2019).

The ageless warrior

In fact, it was his 4 for 43 that bowled Lanka to an upset win over eventual champions England in this year’s World Cup. Sri Lanka will be eternally grateful to Malinga for having his services around in an era where their fortunes have been on the downslide.

#2. Trent Boult

Trent Boult: In roaring form

Matches - 89, Wickets - 164, Average - 25.06, Economy Rate - 5.05, Best Figures - 7/34

Trent Boult and Tim Southee have carried the New Zealand bowling on their shoulders for the decade. However, while there have been phases when Southee has blown hot and cold, Boult has been consistency personified.

The left-arm pacer has delivered key blows more times than not when the team has needed it. As we speak of this, his dismissals of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in the 2019 World Cup semi-final instantly come to mind.

While Boult’s overall figures in the decade are highly impressive - 164 wickets in 89 games, his performance in New Zealand’s winning games is even better. In these matches, he has 117 wickets to his name in 50 matches at an average of 18.58 and a brilliant strike rate of 23.8. His best of 7 for 34 came against West Indies at Christchurch in December 2017.

Boult celebrates with teammates during ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Semi-Final vs India

Boult had a sensational 2015 World Cup and finished as the joint leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps. But for New Zealand’s meltdown in the final, he could have been a World Cup winner. In 2019 as well, Boult grabbed 17 scalps and again fell agonizingly short of glory.

#1. Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc: A proven champion

Matches - 85, Wickets - 172, Average - 20.99, Economy Rate - 5.02, Best Figures - 6/28

22 wickets in the 2015 World Cup, 27 in the 2019 edition, and both times finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the game’s premier tournament. These numbers should be enough for Aussie left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc to clinch the number one slot in this list.

Although there have been times when Starc has been below par, he has always risen to the occasion when it has mattered the most. Remember his dismissal of Brendon McCullum in the 2015 World Cup final!?

The leader of Australia’s pace attack for tmost part of the decade, his ability to strike deadly blows irrespective of the surface on offer is his biggest strength. He can make things happen even when the game seems to be meandering along. His 172 wickets in 85 games translate into a highly impressive tally.

Mitchell Starc: The big-stage match-winner

If one looks at his performance in matches that Australia have won over the last decade, his numbers are stupendous. Starc has 130 dismissals to his name in 55 matches at an average of 16.64 and a strike rate of 21.8. His best in a winning cause, 6 for 43, came against India at Melbourne in 2015. The decade has witnessed Starc’s complete transformation - from under-performing talent to a big-stage match-winner.