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In the extensive history of ODI cricket, achieving a five-wicket haul is considered a significant milestone for bowlers. However, there are exceptional bowlers who, despite their skill and impact, never managed to accomplish this feat. These players, recognized for their mastery and influence, did not secure a five-wicket haul in any ODI match. Despite this, they left a lasting impression on the game with their accuracy, control, and ability to trouble batsmen. Let’s check who are the top 5 bowlers without a five-wicket haul in ODIs.
1. Ravichandran Ashwin – Ravichandran Ashwin, renowned for his remarkable Test cricket career with over 500 wickets, also featured in 116 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Despite his excellence, he achieved a total of 156 wickets in ODIs at an average of 33.20. Notably, Ashwin’s best bowling figures in ODIs were 4/25, highlighting his impactful contributions in limited-overs cricket. However, he fell short of achieving a five-wicket haul in this format.
2. Malcolm Marshall – Malcolm Marshall, a formidable fast bowler known for his speed and accuracy, played 136 ODIs during his illustrious career. Marshall accumulated 157 wickets in ODIs at an impressive average of 26.96. Although he consistently delivered with six four-wicket hauls with the best figures of 4/18, Marshall never managed to achieve a five-wicket haul in ODIs, showcasing the challenges even for legendary bowlers to achieve this milestone in limited-overs cricket.
3. Shane Watson – Shane Watson, a distinguished Australian all-rounder known for his significant contributions with both bat and ball, featured in 190 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Throughout his ODI career, Watson accumulated 168 wickets at an average of 31.79. Despite his impactful performances, Watson’s best bowling figures in ODIs were 4/36, and he achieved three four-wicket hauls during his career. Notably, Watson was unable to achieve a five-wicket haul in ODIs.
4. Carl Hooper – Carl Hooper, a distinguished all-rounder from the West Indies known for his right-handed batting and off-spin bowling, rose to prominence in the late 1980s. He featured in 227 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and claimed 193 wickets during his career, with his best bowling figures being 4/34. Hooper’s all-round contributions were instrumental in numerous victories for the West Indies.
5. Ian Botham – Ian Botham, regarded as one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders, demonstrated extraordinary abilities with both bat and ball. In 116 ODI matches, Botham took 145 wickets at an average of 28.54. His best bowling numbers of 4/31 against Australia demonstrate his bowling efficiency in limited-overs cricket. Despite his impressive achievements, Botham never had a five-wicket haul in ODIs, a notable gap in his stellar career.
