ICC Champions Trophy Best XI (1998 - 2013)

Spinners

Daniel Vettori

Vettori was incredibly consistent with both bat and ball

M: 17 | R: 299 | Ave: 37.37 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 1 | HS: 79

W: 18 | Ave: 29.00 | SR: 47.5 | Eco: 3.65 | BBI: 3-14

Although he was in the side as the primary spinner, Daniel Vettori, as he has done throughout his career, continued to exceed expectations. 18 wickets at an economy rate of under 4 just highlight how good he was, even while bowling in an era of strong batsmen and big bats.

It was in the 2009 edition that Vettori did his best work as he produced two match-winning performances and helped New Zealand qualify for the final, which they eventually lost to a Shane Watson-powered Australia. Among all bowlers with at least 10 wickets, Vettori has the second-best economy rate.

Muttiah Muralitharan

M: 17 | W: 24 | Ave: 20.16 | SR: 33.5 | Econ: 3.60 | BBI: 4-15

The wizard from Sri Lanka tops that list and showed just why he is widely regarded as one of the best bowlers to have ever played the game. 24 wickets at an economy rate of just 3.60 are numbers that indicate a bowler at the peak of his powers, toying with his prey as a predator would sometimes.

Sri Lanka's sole Champions Trophy triumph, in 2002 came when Muralitharan bamboozled batsmen. He ended the tournament with 10 wickets at an average of just 7 which show just how difficult he was to get away. In the next edition, he picked up nine wickets but his side weren't as successful.