ICC: The year 2017 was a thrilling chapter in the world of One Day International (ODI) cricket. From stunning upsets to glorious victories, the bowlers played a pivotal role in shaping match outcomes. It was a year where pace and spin collided with equal brilliance, and several bowlers etched their names into the cricketing record books. The ICC ODI Bowler Rankings of 2017 offer a clear reflection of consistent excellence throughout the season.
ICC: In this article, we take a deep dive into the top ODI bowlers of 2017, analyze their performances, and highlight why they were considered among the best in the world.
Understanding the ICC ODI Bowler Rankings
ICC: The ICC (International Cricket Council) rankings are calculated based on a points system that evaluates bowlers on various criteria including:
- Number of wickets taken
- Economy rate
- Match impact
- Opponent strength
- Recent performance vs career average
A rating above 700 is generally considered world-class in ODIs. Rankings are updated frequently and reflect recent performances more heavily than older ones.
Top 10 ODI Bowlers in 2017 – End of Year Standings
ICC: Let’s start with the top 10 bowlers according to the ICC rankings as of December 2017:
Table 1: ICC ODI Bowler Rankings – December 2017
| Rank | Player | Country | ICC Rating | Matches Played (2017) | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hasan Ali | Pakistan | 759 | 21 | 45 |
| 2 | Trent Boult | New Zealand | 729 | 14 | 33 |
| 3 | Josh Hazlewood | Australia | 709 | 13 | 22 |
| 4 | Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 707 | 19 | 43 |
| 5 | Imran Tahir | South Africa | 694 | 17 | 32 |
| 6 | Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 682 | 15 | 30 |
| 7 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | 679 | 23 | 39 |
| 8 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 670 | 10 | 18 |
| 9 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | India | 665 | 19 | 34 |
| 10 | Akila Dananjaya | Sri Lanka | 660 | 10 | 28 |
1. Hasan Ali – The Breakout Star
No one in 2017 made a bigger leap in the bowling rankings than Hasan Ali of Pakistan. He was not only the highest-ranked ODI bowler at the end of the year, but also the leading wicket-taker in the format.
Key Stats:
- Wickets in 2017: 45 in 21 matches
- Average: 17.04
- Best Bowling Figures: 5/34 vs Sri Lanka
Highlights:
- Named Player of the Tournament in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
- Instrumental in Pakistan’s victory over India in the final, picking 3 crucial wickets.
Ali’s celebration became as iconic as his deliveries, and his sharp seam movement and variations baffled top-order batsmen consistently.
2. Trent Boult – Master of the New Ball
New Zealand’s left-arm swing bowler Trent Boult continued to trouble right-handers with his trademark inswing and accuracy.
Key Stats:
- Wickets in 2017: 33 in 14 matches
- Economy Rate: 4.56
- Best Figures: 6/33 vs Australia
Boult’s ability to strike early in the innings gave New Zealand the edge in several tight matches, especially on home soil.
3. Josh Hazlewood – The Metronome
Key Stats:
- Wickets in 2017: 22 in 13 matches
- Economy Rate: 4.63
- Average: 26.4
Hazlewood’s consistency earned him a spot in the top three despite playing fewer matches compared to others.
4. Rashid Khan – Spin Sensation
2017 was the year the cricketing world took serious notice of Rashid Khan. Still a teenager, the Afghan leg-spinner rose to 4th in the world rankings.
Key Stats:
- Wickets in 2017: 43 in 19 matches
- Best Figures: 7/18 vs West Indies
- Bowling Average: 12.4
Rashid’s googly became a nightmare for even seasoned players. His performances laid the foundation for Afghanistan’s growing strength in world cricket.
5. Imran Tahir – The Veteran Performer
South Africa’s reliable leg-spinner Imran Tahir continued his excellence in the ODI format well into his late 30s.
Key Stats:
- Wickets in 2017: 32 in 17 matches
- Economy Rate: 4.88
- Best Figures: 6/24 vs West Indies
6. Kagiso Rabada – South Africa’s Future
Young, fiery, and accurate – Kagiso Rabada cemented his reputation as one of the fiercest pacers in the modern game.
Key Stats:
- Wickets in 2017: 30 in 15 matches
- Average: 24.6
Rabada’s ability to bowl at over 145 km/h with reverse swing made him lethal in the death overs.
7. Jasprit Bumrah – The Yorker Specialist
India’s rise as a white-ball powerhouse in 2017 had a lot to do with Jasprit Bumrah’s evolution into one of the best death-over bowlers in the world.
Key Stats:
- Wickets in 2017: 39 in 23 matches
- Economy Rate: 4.60
- Best Figures: 5/27 vs Sri Lanka
His unusual action, sharp yorkers, and calm demeanor under pressure made him a fan favorite and Virat Kohli’s go-to weapon.
8. Mitchell Starc – The Enforcer
Injuries limited his appearances, but Starc still made an impact whenever he took the field.
Key Stats:
- Wickets in 2017: 18 in 10 matches
- Strike Rate: 27.6
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – The Swing Master
One of India’s most improved ODI bowlers in 2017, Bhuvneshwar Kumar mixed swing with clever slower deliveries to great effect.
Key Stats:
- Wickets in 2017: 34 in 19 matches
- Best Figures: 5/42 vs Sri Lanka
He was especially impactful in the Champions Trophy and series wins at home.
10. Akila Dananjaya – Sri Lanka’s Find
A new name emerged for Sri Lanka in 2017 – Akila Dananjaya. His mysterious action and variety helped him rise in the rankings quickly.
Key Stats:
- Wickets in 2017: 28 in 10 matches
- Best Figures: 6/54 vs India
Dananjaya’s performances were a rare bright spot for Sri Lankan cricket during a challenging year.
A Year for the Bowlers
ODI cricket is often seen as a batsman’s paradise, but 2017 was a year where bowlers frequently turned the tide. From Hasan Ali’s career-defining Champions Trophy to the rise of Rashid Khan, the year was packed with bowling brilliance.
Top 5 Wicket-Takers in ODIs (2017)
| Player | Country | Matches | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hasan Ali | Pakistan | 21 | 45 | 17.04 |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 19 | 43 | 12.4 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | 23 | 39 | 22.25 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | India | 19 | 34 | 25.14 |
| Imran Tahir | South Africa | 17 | 32 | 21.56 |
The ICC ODI Bowler Rankings of 2017 reflected not just numbers, but moments of brilliance that changed games and tournaments.
