![West Indies bowlers with best figures in ODIs [Source: @sufi_hayat/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1755061280381_WI_Legend.jpg?type=mq)
West Indies bowlers with best figures in ODIs [Source: @sufi_hayat/X.com]
The West Indies emphatically shattered a 34-year drought, claiming a bilateral ODI series victory against Pakistan with a performance that echoed the dominance of their cricketing golden age. Their decisive 202-run triumph in the crucial third ODI at Tarouba was built on Shai Hope's sublime, unbeaten century and a truly devastating new-ball spell from young fast bowler Jayden Seales.
Seales ripped through Pakistan's vaunted top order and completed a career-best, match-winning haul of 6 for 18. His figures of 6/18 instantly propelled him into the pantheon of West Indies ODI bowling greats. Let's delve into the elite company Seales now keeps by counting down the Top 5 Best Bowling Figures for West Indies in ODI history.
5. Kemar Roach - 6/27 vs Netherlands & Sunil Narine vs South Africa, Providence, 2016
On February 28, 2011, at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla, Kemar Roach produced a devastating spell to power West Indies to a massive 215-run win over the Netherlands in their ICC Cricket World Cup Group B clash.
Chasing 331, the Dutch batting lineup crumbled against Roach’s fiery pace, as he claimed career-best figures of 6 for 27 in 8.3 overs. His lethal strikes dismantled the middle and lower order, leaving the Netherlands all out for just 115 in 31.3 overs, sealing a dominant victory for the Caribbean side and setting an example for Caribbean bowlers with his spell.
Narine, too, achieved the same feat, against South Africa in 2016.
4. Fidel Edwards - 6/22 vs Zimbabwe
On November 29, 2003, at the Harare Sports Club, Fidel Edwards delivered a career-best performance to inspire West Indies to a commanding 72-run win over Zimbabwe in the fourth ODI of the series. Defending a D/L-adjusted target of 223 in 32 overs, Edwards unleashed fiery pace and movement, dismantling the Zimbabwe top order.
Edwards struck twice in his first over and went on to claim 6 wickets for just 22 runs in 7 overs, including key dismissals of Tatenda Taibu and Craig Wishart. His devastating spell reduced Zimbabwe to 47/6, effectively sealing the game.
3. Jayden Seales - 6/18 vs Pakistan
The third bowler to make it to the list is Jayden Seales whose heroics left a strong Pakistan batting attack speechless. He produced a career-best bowling performance to fire West Indies to their first bilateral ODI series win over Pakistan since 1991.
Defending 295 in the decisive third ODI, Seales tore through Pakistan’s top order, reducing them to 23/4 within nine overs. He removed Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, and captain Mohammad Rizwan, all for ducks, before trapping Babar Azam lbw for 9. The right-arm pacer’s relentless pace and accuracy left Pakistan reeling, and he finished with sensational figures of 6/18 in 8.2 overs.
2. Colin Croft - 6/15 vs England
On February 4, 1981, at Kingstown, St. Vincent, West Indies pacer Colin Croft produced one of the most remarkable bowling performances in ODI history to guide his team to a thrilling 2-run victory over England in the 1st ODI of the series.
Defending a modest target of 128, Croft bowled with relentless accuracy and pace, dismantling England’s batting order with figures of 6 for 15 in 9 overs, including the prized wickets of Ian Botham, David Bairstow, and David Gower. His devastating spell reduced England from a steady position to collapse, sealing a memorable win for the hosts.
1. Winston Davis - 7/51 vs Australia
The first one to top the list is the legendary Winston Davis. On June 11, 1983, at Headingley, Leeds, West Indies pacer Winston Davis delivered a historic spell in the Prudential World Cup, helping his side crush Australia by 101 runs in the 7th match of the tournament. Batting first, West Indies posted 252/9, with Larry Gomes scoring a steady 78 and Faoud Bacchus adding 47.
In reply, Australia were dismantled for 151 in just 30.3 overs, as Davis produced magical figures of 7 for 51, including the key wickets of Kim Hughes, David Hookes, Allan Border, and Dennis Lillee. His fiery pace and accuracy ripped through Australia’s middle and lower order, earning him the Player of the Match award and etching his name in World Cup history.
