Top Most Wickets In ODI World Cup
There are a few bowlers who are at their absolute best in a tournament like the World Cup. They thrive on the world’s biggest stage. It is often this factor that separates the great from the good bowlers. Let us look at details on Top Most Wickets In ODI World Cup.
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The ability to rise up to the occasion is unparalleled for such bowlers. Their impact can always be measured through the number of wickets they pick in a World Cup. There have been several bowling greats who have left their mark on the World Cup.
We look at the Top Most Wickets In ODI World Cup:
#5 Mitchell Starc – 49
He is the only bowler on the list to play just two World Cup editions. Mitchell Starc’s numbers in ODI World Cups are insane. He was the highest wicket-taker in two consecutive World Cups in 2015 and 2019. Starc was the player of the tournament in the 2015 ODI World Cup. He has picked 49 wickets in just 18 games averaging almost 3 wickets per game. Starc’s strike rate of 19.1 and average of 14.81 in the ODI World Cup are the best on this list. He will surely move up the ranks post the ODI World Cup in 2023.
#4 Wasim Akram – 55
At number 4 is another left-arm seamer. Wasim Akram is one of the all-time World Cup greats. He produced an epic performance in the 1992 World Cup in Australia. Akram changed the course of the World Cup final in just two deliveries. His reverse swing won Pakistan their maiden and only World Cup so far. Akram picked up 55 wickets across 5 World Cups. He averaged 23.83 with the ball while he picked a wicket with every 35.4 balls in the World Cups.
#3 Lasith Malinga – 56
He produced one of the magical spells in the 2007 ODI World Cup. Lasith Malinga picked 4 wickets off 4 balls to almost pull off a stunning win for Sri Lanka against South Africa. He was instrumental in Sri Lanka making it to two successive World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011. The slinger from Lanka picked 56 World Cup wickets across 4 editions. He averaged an impressive 22.87 while his strike rate of 24.8 was excellent too.
#2 Muttiah Muralitharan – 68
He played a total of 5 World Cups. Muttiah Muralitharan in his illustrious career ended up playing in 3 World Cup finals (1996, 2007, and 2011). He was part of the World Cup-winning team in 1996. Muralitharan spun a web around batsmen during his playing days. He wicked up 68 World Cup wickets across 40 games at an average of 19.63. Murali picked up a wicket every 30.3 deliveries. Interestingly Murali didn’t pick up a five-wicket haul in the World Cup. He had 4 four-wicket hauls to his name.
#1 Glenn McGrath – 71
He finished his World Cup career as the player of the tournament in 2007. Glenn McGrath was one of the top performers in the world beating Australian side across all four editions of the tournament he played in (1996-2007). He finished with a massive 71 wickets to his name in 39 World Cup games. McGrath averaged a tremendous 18.19 with the ball. His strike rate of 27.5 is mighty impressive. McGrath’s 7-15 in the 2003 World Cup remains one of the best figures in World Cups.