10 Best Bowling Performances - ICC Champions Trophy

Shaun Pollock, South Africa v England, Quarter-Final, 10 October 2000, Nairobi

South Africa never relinquished its firm grip on England in this ICC Champions Trophy quarter-final from the moment Shaun Pollock removed key batsman Marcus Trescothick for 26. The left-hander had scored the bulk of a 33-run opening partnership with Alec Stewart but England struggled for inspiration thereafter. Graeme Hick (65) and Andrew Flintoff (25) then gave England hope before Pollock again dealt a crucial blow to break the fifth-wicket stand with the score on 154. Fittingly, Pollock collected the final wicket to end with three for 27 from 9.1 overs. South Africa chased the 183-run target for the loss of just two wickets.

Shayne O'Connor, New Zealand v Pakistan, Semi-Final, 11 October 2000, Nairobi

At 237 for six with 25 balls remaining, Pakistan looked on course for a winning total in their semi-final against New Zealand. Left-arm pace bowler Shayne O'Connor then swept away the last four wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for 252 with four balls left unused. O'Connor had already removed opener Imran Nazir as he finished with five for 46 off 9.2 overs. That collapse ultimately proved crucial as New Zealand got home by six wickets with an over to spare.

Muttiah Muralidaran, Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Group Stage, 12 September 2002, Colombo

Sri Lanka's star man made his mark on the opening match of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy - a competition that would see the hosts share the title - with three wickets in an emphatic victory over Pakistan. The ‘home' team's pace bowlers did the early damage but Murali then turned the screw, bowling the dangerous Younus Khan (35) on his way to 3-29 from 10 overs. Sanath Jayasuriya made light-work of the run-chase by slamming 102 not out in Sri Lanka's 201 for two in 36.1 overs. 

Glenn McGrath, Australia v New Zealand, Group Stage, 15 September 2002, Colombo

If Australia were already up against it at the halfway stage, having seen its opponent make 296for seven, that was nothing compared to the situation they faced by the 13th over of the reply. New Zealand found its innings lying in tatters at 51 for six with Glenn McGrath claiming five wickets for 37 runs. McGrath's work for the day was done and he did not bowl another over in the innings as New Zealand were bowled out for 132 - a humiliating loss by 152 runs ensuing. 

Aravinda de Silva, Sri Lanka v Australia, 27 September 2002, Colombo

Sri Lanka spun Australia to distraction in this ICC Champions Trophy semi-final with Muttiah Muralitharan inevitably to the fore, claiming three for 26 from 9.4 overs. But it was Murali's ally, Aravinda de Silva, who won the man-of-the-match award for the remarkable figures of 1-16 from his 10 overs. Predominantly a batsman, De Silva's off-spin also proved useful on a number of occasions in limited-overs cricket. Chasing 163, Sri Lanka had little trouble reaching the target - winning by seven wickets and with 10 overs in hand. 

Mervyn Dillon, West Indies v Bangladesh, Group Stage, 15 September 2004, Southampton

West Indies pace bowler Mervyn Dillon picked up four wickets in his opening five overs to help reduce Bangladesh to 26 for five as its pursuit of 270 was over before it began. Two of the right-armer's victims were bowled as his pace proved too hot for the Bangladeshi batsmen to handle. After an eight-over opening burst, Dillon returned to pick up a further wicket to end with five for 29. Chris Gayle helped to finish the job off with two for 12 in a 138-run win, having struck 99 with the bat as West Indies posted 269 for three.

Shahid Afridi, Pakistan v Kenya, Group Stage, 15 September 2004, Edgbaston

After rain washed out play the previous day, there was no escape for the Kenya on the reserve day as Shahid Afridi instigated a collapse that saw them go from 67 for one to 94 all out. Afridi had Maurice Ouma (23) caught behind following a second-wicket partnership of 65 with Kennedy Otieno (33). Afridi bowled each of his four remaining victims, including last man Peter Ongondo, to finish with figures of 6-1-11-5. Pakistan eased to the target for the loss of three wickets. 

Farveez Maharoof, Sri Lanka v West Indies, Qualifying Group, 14 October 2006, Mumbai

It seemed a long road back for West Indies after it was dismissed for 80 and slumped to a nine-wicket loss in this qualifying match for the ICC Champions Trophy 2006. Yet the West Indies recovered sufficiently to finish as runners-up in the tournament. Their chastening experience at the hands of Farveez Maharoof clearly galvanised the men from the Caribbean after the right-armer's movement beguiled a succession of batsmen in Mumbai. Maharoof claimed six wickets as West Indies lost its last seven batsmen for 29 runs. Maharoof holds the best analysis in the history of the tournament - 9-2-14-6.

Glenn McGrath, Australia v New Zealand, Semi-Final, 1 November 2006, Mohali

Not for the first time, Glenn McGrath demolished New Zealand's top order to lead his side to a one-day victory. McGrath took three wickets as New Zealand slumped to 35 for six in pursuit of 241. Daniel Vettori (71) did offer the Black Caps hope, supported by Jacob Oram (43) and Kyle Mills (21), but their calamitous start proved costly as they were finally bowled out for 206. McGrath bowled right through his spell at the top of the innings, finishing with 10-2-22-3. Brett Lee (two for 31) and Nathan Bracken (two for 36) offered invaluable support. 

Stuart Broad, England v New Zealand, Group Stage, 29 September 2009, Johannesburg

England's group match with New Zealand seemed likely to peter out when the Black Caps had reached 84-0 inside 13 overs in pursuit of just 147. Stuart Broad then removed Brendon McCullum, after a quickfire 48, to trigger a flurry of wickets that left New Zealand hearts fluttering. The chasing side eventually got home by four wickets - with plenty of overs to spare - but it was not for the want of trying on the part of Broad, who finished with four for 39 from 8.1 overs.

source: icc-cricket.com