Top 5 death bowlers in ODI cricket today

3. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Reams have been written about the Sri Lankan slinger’s unplayable deliveries especially during the end of the innings when runs are most in demand. As things stand, he is truly one of the best ‘death bowlers’ in the world at present.

Blessed with a slinging round-arm action and able to generate high speeds, Malinga’s stock delivery is the toe-crushing yorker he sends down almost at will, as if he can read the batsman’s mind like an open book. His variety of slower bouncers and the back-of-hand slower ball have also proven to be highly effective.

In recent times, however, Malinga has been guilty of spraying the ball all over the wicket – remember how Kohli assaulted him at Hobart in 2012?

However, he still remains Jayawardene’s first-choice to bowl during the last five overs in ODI cricket, and continues to excel in that role.