ICC Cricket World Cup Highest Wicket Takers : The ICC Cricket World Cup, a quadrennial cricketing spectacle, has been witness to some of the most extraordinary bowling displays in its illustrious five-decade history. With a multitude of world-class bowlers gracing this tournament, let’s delve into the exceptional talents who have etched their names in the annals of Cricket World Cup history as the highest wicket-takers.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) orchestrates the ODI World Cup, an event of paramount significance and prestige in the cricketing world. Teams from across the globe vie passionately for the coveted trophy, and only one fortunate nation has the privilege of lifting it after a month of riveting contests.
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As we gear up for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, featuring ten formidable teams, fans are bracing themselves for another round of exhilarating cricketing action. The anticipation is reminiscent of the excitement that engulfed the 2019 edition, ultimately claimed by England. Cricket enthusiasts follow the sport for the sheer entertainment it provides, and few things in cricket rouse the crowd as much as a perfectly timed boundary or a pivotal wicket. In our preceding articles, we explored the highest run-scorers and the most explosive strikers.
Today, our attention turns to the exceptional bowlers who have indelibly marked their presence in the corridors of ICC Cricket World Cup history. Legends such as Muthiah Muralidaran, Lasith Malinga, and Zaheer Khan have evoked fear in the hearts of batsmen worldwide. Some of these bowlers have remarkably accumulated over 50 wickets in the tournament, delivering mesmerizing performances that include stunning six and seven-wicket hauls.
Players With the Most Wickets in ICC ODI World Cup
The One-day International (ODI) format of the World Cup provides cricketers with the canvas to exhibit their skills and cricketing prowess. Unlike the frantic pace of T20 cricket, ODI matches unfold at a slightly more measured tempo. Here, batsmen exhibit responsibility, refraining from reckless shots from the very first ball. Bowlers, too, seize their moments in the spotlight.
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In the 50-over format, cricket enthusiasts are treated to captivating contests. It is a realm where five and six-wicket hauls are not unusual, and some players boast multiple such accomplishments. As we celebrate the highest wicket-takers in the history of ICC Cricket World Cups, we pay tribute to those who have etched their names into the annals of cricketing legendry through their exceptional performances on this grand stage.
You can check out the list of the top wicket-takers in the Cricket World Cup below.
ICC Cricket World Cup Highest Wicket Takers :
ICC Cricket World Cup Highest Wicket Takers | ||||||
Rank | Player | Wickets | Innings | Runs | Best Figure | Span |
1 | Glenn McGrath (AUS) | 71 | 39 | 1292 | 7/15 | 1996-2007 |
2 | Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) | 68 | 39 | 1335 | 4/19 | 1996-2011 |
3 | Lasith Malinga (SL) | 56 | 28 | 1281 | 6/38 | 2007-2019 |
4 | Wasim Akram (PAK) | 55 | 36 | 1311 | 5/28 | 1987-2003 |
5 | Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 49 | 18 | 726 | 6/28 | 2015-2019 |
6 | Chaminda Vaas (SL) | 49 | 31 | 1040 | 6/25 | 1996-2007 |
7 | Zaheer Khan (IND) | 44 | 23 | 890 | 4/42 | 2003-2011 |
8 | Javagal Srinath (IND) | 44 | 33 | 1224 | 4/30 | 1992-2003 |
9 | Imran Tahir (SA) | 40 | 21 | 847 | 5/45 | 2011-2019 |
10 | Trent Boult (NZ) | 39 | 19 | 850 | 5/27 | 2015-2019 |
11 | Allan Donald (SA) | 38 | 25 | 913 | 4/17 | 1992-2003 |
12 | Jacob Oram (NZ) | 36 | 23 | 768 | 4/39 | 2003-2011 |
13 | Daniel Vettori (NZ) | 36 | 31 | 1168 | 4/18 | 2003-2015 |
14 | Brett Lee (AUS) | 35 | 17 | 629 | 5/42 | 2003-2011 |
15 | Wahab Riaz (PAK) | 35 | 20 | 926 | 5/46 | 2011-2019 |
16 | Brad Hogg (AUS) | 34 | 20 | 654 | 4/27 | 2003-2007 |
17 | Imran Khan (PAK) | 34 | 19 | 655 | 4/37 | 1975-1992 |
18 | Shaun Tait (AUS) | 34 | 18 | 731 | 4/39 | 2007-2011 |
19 | Tim Southee (NZ) | 34 | 18 | 854 | 7/33 | 2011-2019 |
20 | Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) | 34 | 29 | 1222 | 5/29 | 2007-2019 |
21 | Shane Warne (AUS) | 32 | 17 | 624 | 4/29 | 1996-1999 |
22 | Chris Harris (NZ) | 32 | 27 | 861 | 4/7 | 1992-2003 |
23 | Mohammed Shami (IND) | 31 | 11 | 487 | 5/69 | 2015-2019 |
24 | Anil Kumble (IND) | 31 | 18 | 708 | 4/32 | 1996-2007 |
25 | Shaun Pollock (SA) | 31 | 31 | 970 | 5/36 | 1996-2007 |
26 | Shane Bond (NZ) | 30 | 16 | 518 | 6/23 | 2003-2007 |
27 | Ian Botham (ENG) | 30 | 22 | 762 | 4/31 | 1979-1992 |
28 | Shoaib Akhtar (PAK) | 30 | 18 | 765 | 4/46 | 1999-2011 |
29 | Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 30 | 24 | 831 | 5/16 | 1999-2015 |
30 | Phil DeFreitas (ENG) | 29 | 22 | 742 | 3/28 | 1987-1996 |
31 | Kapil Dev (IND) | 28 | 25 | 892 | 5/43 | 1979-1992 |
32 | Courtney Walsh (WI) | 27 | 17 | 547 | 4/25 | 1987-1999 |
33 | Craig McDermott (AUS) | 27 | 17 | 599 | 5/44 | 1987-1996 |
34 | Steve Waugh (AUS) | 27 | 26 | 814 | 3/36 | 1987-1999 |
35 | Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | 27 | 31 | 1060 | 3/12 | 1992-2007 |
36 | James Anderson (ENG) | 27 | 25 | 1081 | 4/25 | 2003-2015 |
37 | Morne Morkel (SA) | 26 | 14 | 506 | 3/33 | 2011-2015 |
38 | Mushtaq Ahmed (PAK) | 26 | 14 | 549 | 3/16 | 1992-1996 |
39 | Andy Roberts (WI) | 26 | 16 | 552 | 3/32 | 1975-1983 |
40 | Damien Fleming (AUS) | 26 | 16 | 583 | 5/36 | 1996-1999 |
41 | Mitchell Johnson (AUS) | 25 | 15 | 557 | 4/19 | 2011-2015 |
42 | Curtly Ambrose (WI) | 24 | 17 | 499 | 3/28 | 1992-1999 |
43 | Abdul Qadir (PAK) | 24 | 13 | 506 | 5/44 | 1983-1987 |
44 | Manoj Prabhakar (IND) | 24 | 18 | 640 | 4/19 | 1987-1996 |
45 | Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK) | 23 | 14 | 494 | 5/35 | 1996-2003 |
46 | Andrew Flintoff (ENG) | 23 | 17 | 534 | 4/43 | 1999-2007 |
47 | Dale Steyn (SA) | 23 | 14 | 538 | 5/50 | 2011-2015 |
48 | Andre Russell (WI) | 23 | 14 | 576 | 4/49 | 2011-2019 |
49 | Jerome Taylor (WI) | 23 | 14 | 634 | 3/15 | 2007-2015 |
50 | Thomas Odoyo (KENYA) | 23 | 24 | 817 | 4/28 | 1996-2011 |