In cricket, there is a misconception that batsmen need to score a high amount of runs to win matches and bowlers and secondary. Bowlers are often neglected in the batsman dominated game of cricket. But bowlers are the real unsung heroes that can change the fate of the match with just one wicket or one dot ball. When the captain is also the key bowler for your team there is added pressure to perform. The captains have to take the blame if anything goes wrong.
The following are the captain with the best bowling figures in ODI’s
1. Mamatha Maben (India)
Former Indian captain Mamatha Maben holds the record for best bowling figures by a captain and overall best bowling figures for India in ODI’s. Maben achieved this record after an astounding performance against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup match in 2004. Maben picked up 6 wickets in 6.2 overs and conceded only 10 runs. She completely wrecked the Sri Lankan opening order with 4 early wickets. Maben’s six-wicket restricted Sri Lanka to a score of 66, which India chased down restfully. She also became the oldest ever woman cricketer to take a five-wicket haul in a Women’s ODI at the age of 33 years.
2. Jhulan Goswami (India)
Indian pacer and the world’s leading wicket-taker in women’s ODI Jhulan Goswami has the second-best bowling figures by a captain after her impressive performance against New Zealand in 2011. Goswami started by sending both the White Ferns openers back to the pavilion. She continued her wrath and picked up 6 wickets in 10 overs and giving away only 31 runs. However, Goswami’s incredible performance was overshadowed by Lucy Doolan’s knock of 76 runs, winning the game for New Zealand.
3. Suthershini Sivanantham (Sri Lanka)
Former Sri Lankan and Canadian captain have the third-best bowling figures by a captain in One Day Internationals. The tricky off-spinner achieved this feat after her show against Pakistan in 2002. Sivanantham picked up 5 wickets in 9.3 overs. But the most impressive part of her performance was that Sivanantham gave away only 2 runs in her 9 overs. Her economical performance led Sri Lanka to a 104 run victory. These figures were the best bowling figures in Sri Lanka ODI history.
4. Heather Knight (England)
Heather Knight is England’s former captain and has represented England in 100 One Day International matches. She also has the fourth-best bowling figure in women’s ODI history after her exhilarating performance against Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Championship in 2016. Knight picked up 5 wickets in her 8.4 overs and allowing only 26 runs to Pakistan. Her Player of the Match performance led her team to a comfortable 7 wicket victory with 109 balls remaining.
5. Sana Mir (Pakistan)
Lastly, we have Pakistani all-rounder and skipper Sana Mir who achieved the fifth-best bowling figures for a captain after her performance against Netherlands in the ICC Women’s Cricket Challenge. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat. Skipper Sana Mir had a disappointing performance with the bat after getting out for a mere 7 runs. Mir redeemed herself with an incredible bowling display, picking up 5 wickets in 9 overs and allowing only 32 runs. Mir’s performance led Pakistan to a 45 run victory.
Stats as on 9th July 2020
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