Top 5 ODI bowlers since 2015 ICC World Cup

With the ICC World Cup 2019 approaching, the last edition of the tournament almost has an ancient feel to it. Australia no longer field a side brimming with destructive all-round cricketers, England no longer play the game with neanderthal game tactics, India have given up their perennial conservative attitude to pave way for an ultra-aggressive side led by Virat Kohli. Most importantly, there are striking contrasts in the way the format is approached by teams now.

The 2015 World Cup had an average strike rate of 88.97, by far the highest of all editions. This was caused by the then existing PowerPlay rules, docile Australian decks worn out into lifelessness by a long summer of international and domestic cricket and lastly the microscopic grounds in New Zealand.

Since then, though, the introduction of the new field restriction phases allowing five fielders outside the ring in the last ten overs and the acclimatizing of bowlers to two new balls and more balanced pitches have suddenly brought back bowlers into the game. We look at the most successful bowlers across the world in the aftermath of the batting carnage in the World Cup down under.

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#5 Imran Tahir, Matches- 50; Wickets- 79; Average- 26.63; E.R- 4.91

Ever since his debut in the 2011 World Cup, Tahir has easily been the Proteas' most dominant spin bowling force in a format where they have always struggled in conditions not conducive to their fast bowling battery. While earlier he was criticized for bowling the odd boundary ball way too often, since the last World Cup he has been remarkable in the aspect of assuming the role of a senior bowler in the side. His economy rate of under five runs an over is a testament to the control he has brought to his craft.

He has not only limited his role to the trickery of a leg-spinner but a considerably fuller length has allowed him to stem the flow of runs when needed. In the second ODI against Zimbabwe this year, Tahir took his maiden hat-trick and ran through the hosts' middle order while defending a paltry 198. As the format is inching towards a wrist-spinning potency, Tahir's value as an asset to South Africa's chances in England next year is increasing exponentially.

#4 Trent Boult, Matches- 41; Wickets- 82; Average- 24.46; E.R- 5.39

New Zealand v England - 3rd ODI

In a Kiwi side that, although consistent, but still bereft of the ruthlessness of their former leader Brendon McCullum, Boult remains one of the players from the rollicking New Zealand side of 2015 who still possesses the license to attack. Boult is one of the most underrated fast bowlers of the format, his ability to bowl long opening spells with relentless intensity in pursuit of defending low totals is a great addition to Kane Williamson's side that prefers to play a safer brand of cricket.

Boult will relish the prospect of taking the shiny new ball under the English skies, conditions familiar to the ones at home. Like Dale Steyn from a few years back, Boult has staved off a few yards from his pace in search of longevity and effectiveness. His marginally reduced speeds will aid in getting the ball to move in the air with a greater magnitude. A good opening bowler, Boult is effectively good at the back end of the innings specializing in angling the ball away from the batters' hitting arc.

#3 Kagiso Rabada, Matches- 54; Wickets- 86; Average- 26.09; E.R- 5.03

England v South Africa - Royal London ODI

Another South African to make the cut, Rabada was unearthed as a special talent in the early days after the Proteas exited the World Cup yet again. KG had a powerful arrival onto the international scene, taking a hat-trick on debut in his sensational spell of 6/16 against the hosts Bangladesh. Rabada, since then, has carved and retained his identity as one of the most complete fast bowlers in recent times.

Bowling with a strong release powered by his shoulder, Rabada can extract lift from the most passive of pitches. The shorter length bursts are often followed by sharp in-dippers to both the right and left-handed batters bowling from over the wicket, the latter often being shocked by the defying trajectory of his deliveries. In a bowling line-up that has seen many transformations in the last three years, Rabada's constant presence has been reassuring for the South Africans.

Also, to add to his assortment are terrorizing toe-crushers to close the curtains on the innings.

#2 Adil Rashid, Matches- 68; Wickets- 110; Average- 29.90; E.R- 5.50

SLC XI v England - Tour Match

Yorkshire's controversial figure in the 2018 season and England's final answer to years of wrist-spinning voodoo, Rashid has finally come to the fore as one of the leading one day bowlers. His rise to becoming one of the premium spin bowlers was showcased by his performances in the recent series against India where he took out Kohli multiple times, once bowling him with a ripping leg-break that beat the maestro's outside edge.

Almost a decade from his debut, having seen the crests and troughs of professional cricket, Adil Rashid finally knows what his role in the side is. Earlier pushed to fill the role of an all-rounder, he now bats as low as number 10 in the line-up fulfilling the role of a standalone spin bowler. According to a Sky Sports infographic, he has lowered his speed in the air with each passing year since 2015, in perfect correlation with increasing wickets and lowering economy rate.

#1 Rashid Khan, Matches- 52; Wickets- 118; Average- 14.47; E.R- 3.9

BBL - Scorchers v Strikers

No cricketer has had a start in ODI cricket as flamboyant as the wunderkind from Nangarhar. Firstly displayed in the U-19 World Cup, his fizzing wrong 'uns are yet to be picked up even in the more senior level of cricket. Playing him as an inswing medium pacer, playing him as an off-spinner, batsmen in the age of unabashed scrutiny have tried it all, but Rashid's pace packed spinners find a way to beat either side of the bat's edge.

Fastest to 100 ODI wickets surpassing Mitchell Starc's record of 52 matches by 8 whole appearances, Rashid is a statistical amazement. Even more baffling than his average and economy rate is his strike rate, taking a wicket every 22 deliveries. However, Rashid's stats are often proclaimed as skewed by playing a lot of games against associate nations. Myth. Excluding Ireland (not a Test nation at the time of his debut), against Test nations, Rashid has 69 wickets in 31 matches, his average bettering to 13.69 and economy lowering down to 3.71.

His role in Afghanistan's quest for unexpected glory in the 2019 World Cup will be major. His ten overs in every game will be sixty precise deliveries of calculated anxiety induced in the batsmen.