Cricket has been a contest between bat and ball under an environment, conducive to fair contest. The environment refers to pitch, weather conditions and other aspects which impact a game. Sometimes these conditions favor bowling, at other times they’re suited for batting. However, whenever ODI Cricket is played, it is seen as a batsman friendly format. While a batsman gets more time, a bowler gets 6 balls every time he is on his run up. Today, let’s talk about who have made the most from what are 60 balls or the 10 overs they have got. Let’s see who all are into the top 10 of most ODI wickets.
10. Anil Kumble (India)
Former Indian Cricketer, Anil Kumble was the highest wicket taker in 1996 Cricket World Cup. Kumble, nicknamed Jumbo, is 10th on the list of cricketers with most ODI wickets in career. Anil, only Indian in the top 10, took 337 wickets from 265 innings of 271 ODI matches which he played.
Kumble got these wickets at an average of 30.89 while the strike rate was 43. His economy rate throughout the career would be 4.30 in a career spanning 17 years. Anil Kumble’s best bowling figures, 6.1-2-12-6 (6/12) came against West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
In the match, West Indies won the toss to put India into bat. India scored 225/7 from their 50 overs which saw Vinod Kambli scoring a 90 ball 68. West Indies, in reply, were bowled out for 123. Anil Kumble was declared man of the match for his 6 wicket performance.
9. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)
Current Sri Lanka Skipper, Separamadu Lasith Malinga is the fastest to 50 ODI wickets in Cricket World Cups. Lasith, nicknamed Slinga Malinga for his bowling action, is 9th Cricketer with most ODI wickets in Career. Apparently, he’s also the third highest ODI wicket-taker from Sri Lanka.
Malinga has taken 338 wickets from 220 innings of 226 matches which he’s played. He got these wickets at an average of 28.87 while the strike rate was 32.3. His career economy rate so far is 5.35 in an ongoing career of 15 years.
Lasith’s best ODI bowling came against Kenya at an ICC Cricket World Cup match in 2011 at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. In the match, Kenya won the toss to make the first use of pitch. They were bowled out for 142 which saw Malinga grabbing 6/38. Sri Lanka won the match with 9 wickets intact.
8. Brett Lee (Australia)
Former Australian Pacer Brett Lee was among the fastest bowlers of all time. His fastest delivery was 161.1 kph, recorded against New Zealand. Brett, nicknamed Binga for his accuracy, is 8th Cricketer with most ODI wickets in Career. Apparently, he’s also the second highest ODI wicket-taker from Australia.
Lee took 380 wickets from 217 innings of 221 matches which he played. He got these wickets at an average of 23.36 and strike rate of 29.4. His career economy rate was 4.76 in a career of 12 years.
Lee’s best ODI bowling came against South Africa at a home series match in 2006 at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne. In the match, Australia won the toss to make the first use of pitch. They were bowled out for 245 where Andrew Hall grabbed 4/35. South Africa, in reply, bundled out for 186. Brett Lee, man of match, took 5/22 from his 10 overs.
7. Glenn McGrath (Australia)
Former Australian medium pacer Glenn McGrath was among the most accurate bowlers of all time. His corridor of death deliveries have won many matches for his team. McGrath, nicknamed pigeon, is 7th Cricketer with most ODI wickets in Career. Apparently, he’s also the highest ODI wicket-taker from Australia.
McGrath took 381 wickets from 248 innings of 250 matches which he played. He got these wickets at an average of 22.02 while the strike rate was 34.0. His career economy rate was 3.88 in a career of 14 years.
Glenn’s best ODI bowling came against Namibia at an ICC Cricket World Cup match in 2003 at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom. In the match, Australia won the toss to make the first use of pitch. They scored 301/6 off their 50 overs which saw Matthew Hayden scoring 73-ball 88. Namibia, in reply, were bowled out for 45. McGrath, man of match, took 7/15 from his 7 overs.
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6. Shaun Pollock (South Africa)
Former South African medium pacer Shaun Maclean Pollock was among the pioneers for his team. Pollock, nicknamed Polly, is 6th Cricketer with most ODI wickets in Career. Apparently, he’s also the highest ODI wicket-taker from South Africa.
Shaun took 393 wickets from 297 innings of 303 matches which he played. He got these wickets at an average of 24.50 while the strike rate was 39.9. His career economy rate was 3.67 in a career of 12 years.
Shaun’s best ODI bowling came against West Indies at a home ODI series match in 1999 at Buffalo Park, East London. In the match, South Africa won the toss to put West Indies into bat. They scored 292/9 off their 50 overs which saw Shivnarine Chanderpaul scoring 136-ball 150. Pollock took 6/35. South Africa, in reply, were bowled out for 249.
5. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Former Pakistan Leg-spinner Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi was was more known for his blitzkrieg with bat. Shahid, the boom boom Afridi, is 5th Cricketer with most ODI wickets in Career. Apparently, he’s also the third highest ODI wicket-taker from Pakistan.
Afridi took 395 wickets from 372 innings of 398 matches which he played. He got these wickets at an average of 34.51 while the strike rate was 44.7. His career economy rate was 4.62 in a career of 19 years.
Shahid’s best ODI bowling came against West Indies at an away ODI series match in 2013 at Providence Stadium, Guyana. In the match, West Indies won the toss to put Pakistan into bat. They scored 224/9 off their 50 overs which saw Shahid Afridi scoring 55-ball 76. West Indies, in reply, bundled out for 98 with Afridi talking 7/12 from his 9 overs.
4. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
Former Sri Lankan medium pacer Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas has taken two hat-tricks in ODI Cricket. Vaas, nicknamed Vasy, is 4th Cricketer with most ODI wickets in Career. Apparently, he’s also the highest ODI wicket-taker from Sri Lanka.
Chaminda took 400 wickets from 320 innings of 322 matches which he played. He got these wickets at an average of 27.53 while the strike rate was 39.4. His career economy rate was 4.18 in a career of 14 years.
Vaas’ best ODI bowling came against Zimbabwe at a home ODI series match in 2001 at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo. In the match, Sri Lanka won the toss to put Zimbabwe into bat. They were bowled out for 38 which saw Vaas taking the best ODI bowling figures 8/19. Sri Lanka, in reply, chased the total within 5 overs.
3. Waqar Younis (Pakistan)
Former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis has taken 13 5-wicket and 14 4-wicket hauls in ODI Cricket. Waqar is third Cricketer with most ODI wickets in Career. Apparently, he’s also the second highest ODI wicket-taker from Pakistan.
Younis took 416 wickets from 258 innings of 262 matches which he played. He got these wickets at an average of 23.84 while the strike rate was 30.5. His career economy rate was 4.18 in a career of 14 years.
Younis’ best ODI bowling came against England at an away ODI series match in 2001 at Headingley, Leeds. In the match, Pakistan won the toss to put England into bat. They bundled out for 156 where Waqar took the best ODI bowling figures 7/36. Pakistan won the match.
2. Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has taken 6 5-wicket and 17 4-wicket hauls in ODI Cricket. Wasim is second Cricketer with most ODI wickets in Career. Apparently, he’s also the highest ODI wicket-taker from Pakistan.
Wasim took 502 wickets from 351 innings of 356 matches which he played. He got these wickets at an average of 23.52 while the strike rate was 36.2. His career economy rate was 3.89 in a career of 19 years.
Akram’s best ODI bowling came against Zimbabwe at a home ODI series match in 1993 at National Stadium, Karachi. In the match, Pakistan won the toss to put Zimbabwe into bat. They bundled out for 143 which saw Wasim taking his career best ODI bowling figures 5/15. Pakistan, in reply, chased down the target within 34 overs.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Former Sri Lankan off-break bowler Muttiah Muralitharan has taken 10 5-wicket and 15 4-wicket hauls in ODI Cricket . Muralitharan, nicknamed Murali, is the Cricketer with most ODI wickets in Career. Apparently, he’s also the highest ODI wicket-taker from Sri Lanka.
Murali took 534 wickets from 341 innings of 350 matches which he played. He got these wickets at an average of 23.08 while the strike rate was 35.2. His career economy rate was 3.93 in a career of 18 years.
Muralitharan’s best ODI bowling came against India at an away ODI series match in 2000 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. In the match, India won the toss to put Sri Lanka into bat. They scored 294/5 from their 50 overs which saw Jayawardene scoring 123-ball 128. India, in reply, bundled out for 224 with Murali taking 7/30.