They say batters win you matches while bowlers win you tournaments. Talking about bowlers, South Africa has always been a special contributor with a handful of fiery fast bowlers who have rocked and rolled their way through various franchise tournaments across the face of the planet. Raving about franchise tournaments, what better than IPL can serve as a proper example?
When it comes to the IPL, South Africa definitely has a few big monikers that has been actively a reckoning force in the Indian cash-rich league. A few big names that are currently doing significant rounds are that of Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen while the previous big names include that of Charl Langeveldt, Dale Steyn and the list goes on. Here are four South African bowlers who registered economy rates of less than 7 in their career-long bowling in the IPL.
Shaun Pollock – 6.54
Pollock was just a part of one IPL season and he featured for the Mumbai Indians. He played 13 games, bagging 11 wickets where his best figures were that of 3 for 12. His economy rate like ever was well under control as in the explosive game of T20 cricket, he managed to conceded runs at just 6.54 runs per over.
Roelof van der Merwe – 6.74
A man who was a part of the tournament for 4 staggering years and was a part of 2 franchises featuring the likes of Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore, racked up the magical figure of 6.74 as his economy rate from bowling the 73.5 overs. He also claimed 21 wickets and was an abled all-rounder in the ranks of the team that he was a part of.
Dale Steyn – 6.91
The Steyn Gun was always a treat for any cricket fan and his 363 overs in IPL is probably out of the most alarming numbers dished out by the icons of the sport and he conceded only 2508 runs at an economy rate of 6.91. Not only did he impress with his economy rate but his haul of 97 wickets from the 95 games that he played was another additional dimension of his ferocity.
Johan Botha – 6.91
A part of the IPL for 6 years and a feature of three franchises, Johan Botha was instrumental with the cherry in his hands as he weaved magic at an economy rate of 6.91 from the 115 overs that he bowled in the tournament. He also registered 25 wickets from the 34 games that he was a part of in the tournament.
