This article explores the most disciplined bowling performances in One Day International history, highlighting the bowlers who maintained the lowest economy rates across various conditions and venues.
Best Economy Rate in ODIs
| Player | Team | Innings | Economy | Balls Bowled | Runs Conceded | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joel Garner | West Indies | 98 | 3.09 | 5330 | 2752 | 146 |
| Max Walker | Australia | 17 | 3.25 | 1006 | 546 | 20 |
| Mike Hendrick | England | 22 | 3.27 | 1248 | 681 | 35 |
| Bob Willis | England | 64 | 3.28 | 3595 | 1968 | 80 |
| Sir Richard Hadlee | New Zealand | 112 | 3.3 | 6182 | 3407 | 158 |
| Michael Holding | West Indies | 102 | 3.32 | 5473 | 3034 | 142 |
| Bernard Scholtz | Namibia | 64 | 3.36 | 3371 | 1889 | 100 |
| Simon Davis | Australia | 39 | 3.37 | 2016 | 1133 | 44 |
| Andy Roberts | West Indies | 56 | 3.4 | 3123 | 1771 | 87 |
| Tony Dodemaide | Australia | 24 | 3.4 | 1327 | 753 | 36 |
| Chris Old | England | 31 | 3.41 | 1755 | 999 | 45 |
| Derek Underwood | England | 24 | 3.44 | 1278 | 734 | 32 |
| Colin Croft | West Indies | 19 | 3.47 | 1070 | 620 | 30 |
| Curtly Ambrose | West Indies | 175 | 3.48 | 9353 | 5429 | 225 |
Note: Bowlers who’ve bowled a minimum of 1000 balls are considered.
Key Insights on Best Bowling Economy Rates in ODI Cricket
All-Time Career Economy Records in ODIs
West Indies’ Andy Roberts has the best bowling economy rate in the ODI World Cup. He claimed 26 wickets at 3.24 in 16 innings.
West Indies’ Joel Garner has the best career economy rate in ODIs. He picked up 146 wickets at an economy of 3.09 in 98 innings.
Namibia’s Bernard Scholtz is the only bowler from an associate team to maintain an economy rate below 3.50 in ODIs.
Ireland’s Peter Chase has the highest economy rate in ODIs. He took 34 wickets at 6.57 in 24 innings.
Best Economy Rates by Venue and Conditions
Bob Willis has the lowest economy rate at home in ODIs, having picked up 46 wickets at 3.09 in 32 innings in England.
However, Shaun Pollock has to be mentioned here, as he holds the record for the most wickets in home ODIs, doing so at an economy rate of 3.50.
Garner boasts the lowest economy in away ODIs, having taken 64 wickets at 3.27 in 45 outings.
Australia’s Dennis Lillee has the best economy rate at a single ground in ODIs, taking 42 wickets at 3.22 in 21 innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Michael Holding had an economy of 2.94 while taking 33 wickets in 19 innings in England, the lowest economy by a bowler in a country in ODIs.
See here which bowler has the most ODI wickets in a single cricketing venue.
Situation and Milestone Based Bowling Stats
Willis has the lowest economy rate as a captain in ODIs, going at 3.33 while taking 36 wickets in 29 innings for England.
Garner has also recorded the lowest economy against an opponent team in ODIs, having taken 36 wickets at 3.13 against England in 22 innings.
Richard Hadlee has the best economy rate in a calendar year in ODIs. He snared 30 wickets at 2.80 in 20 innings in 1983.
Australia’s Sean Abbott has registered the lowest economy in an ODI innings, going at 0.20 while taking two wickets for a run in five overs against New Zealand in 2022. Four of Abbott’s five overs were maidens.
Quiz: Which player has picked the most wickets as captain in ODI history?