South Africa may not have won an ODI World Cup ever but they have produced many legendary bowlers in the game, especially in the limited-overs format. South African bowlers have helped the team become one of the most dominant teams in the ODI format.
There have not been many spinners produced by the South African, but their pace factory has always delivered many fast-bowling legends in the game. On that note, we will take a look at South Africa’s top 3 wicket-takers in the ODI World Cup history.
1. Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir became a legendary South African leg-spinner in a short span of time. He has played only 22 games in the ODI World Cup and has picked up 40 wickets at an average of 21.17. He has registered a fifer in the grand event which came against Australia in the 2015 edition of the tournament. He picked up 5 wickets after conceding only 45 runs that too on a neutral venue.
2. Allan Donald
Former legendary South African fast bowler Allan Donald is one of the most lethal right-arm pacers the game has ever witnessed. Donald has appeared in 25 ODI World Cup matches and picked up 38 wickets at an average of 24.02. Donald impressed a lot of fans in his debut ODI match where he picked up a fifer against India in November 1991. Donald played 164 ODI matches in his career and picked 272 wickets at an average of 21.78, which included 2 fifers as well.
Former legendary South Africa captain Shaun Pollock is one of the greatest all-rounders of the game. Pollock’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball helped the team win many matches. He has played 31 ODI World Cup matches and picked up 31 wickets at an average of 31.29. Pollock is also the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in the ODI format, with 393 wickets in 303 ODI matches he played in his career.