Bowling in ODI cricket requires a good amount of skill, stamina and consistency. Each bowler gets a maximum of 60 deliveries to bowl in the ODI format. It is difficult to bowl all deliveries in an accurate manner. Generally, when a new bowler starts playing ODI cricket, it is difficult for him to take wickets.
The reason behind it is that the bowler is playing one-day international cricket for the first time, and some nerves may get the better of him. There are some bowlers as well, who start off on a grand note and pick more than 15 wickets in their first five ODI matches itself. Here’s a list of four such bowlers.
(Stats Credit: Kaustats)
4. Mustafizur Rahman took 16 wickets in his first 5 ODIs
Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman played the first few matches of his ODI career against the Indian cricket team and the South African cricket team. The left-arm pacer brought his ‘A’ game to the table and scalped 16 wickets in just five games.
3. Gary Gilmour took 16 wickets in his first 5 ODIs
Gary Gilmour is one of the two Australian bowlers to feature on this list. Like Mustafizur Rahman, Gary bagged 16 wickets in his first five ODI matches.
2. Ryan Harris
Former Australian cricket team fast bowler Ryan Harris previously held the world record for the most wickets scalped by a bowler in his first five ODI matches. Harris picked up 17 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls against Pakistan.
1. Naseem Shah
Naseem Shah has set a new world record for the highest number of wickets scalped in the first five ODI matches of the career. The right-arm fast bowler has scalped 18 wickets. He has taken a five-wicket haul against Netherlands and New Zealand in his ODI career so far.
