Who has taken the most wickets in a single ODI World Cup?

Let’s get to the facts right away!

Key Takeaways

• Mitchell Starc (27) and Glenn McGrath (26) have taken the most wickets in a single ODI Cricket World Cup in 2019 & 2007 respectively.
• Among the Top 17 most wicket takers in one CWC (Cricket World Cup), Mitchell Starc had an insane 2015 World Cup – 10.18 average, 17.40 strike rate, and 3.50 economy – the best stats in all departments.
• Shahid Afridi in 2011 took 5 wickets twice & 4 wickets twice as well, the most for any bowler. On the flip side, Glenn McGrath took 4-wickets or above zero times in his astonishing run to 26 wickets in 2007.
• Australians have featured as the top wicket-taker in an ODI World Cup on six out of the 12 occasions. Glenn McGrath & Mitchell Starc both appear twice.

Player	Wickets	World Cup
Mitchell Starc	27	2019 CWC
Glenn McGrath	26	2007 CWC
Chaminda Vaas	23	2003 CWC
Muttiah Muralitharan	23	2007 CWC
Shaun Tait	23	2007 CWC
Mitchell Starc	22	2015 CWC
Trent Boult	22	2015 CWC
Brett Lee	22	2003 CWC
Shahid Afridi	21	2011 CWC
Glenn McGrath	21	2003 CWC

Evolution of the Most Wickets in a Single World Cup (1975-2023)

• 1975: Gary Gilmour (Australia) – 11
• 1979: Mike Hendrick (England) – 10
• 1983: Roger Binny (India) – 18
• 1987: Craig McDermott (Australia) – 18
• 1992: Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 18
• 1996: Anil Kumble (India) – 15
• 1999: Geoff Allott (New Zealand), Shane Warne (Australia) – 20
• 2003: Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) – 23
• 2007: Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 26
• 2011: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Zaheer Khan (India) – 21
• 2015: Mitchell Starc (Australia), Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 22
• 2019: Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 27

List of Top 17 Wicket Takers in a Single ODI World Cup

We filtered with a cut-off of 20 wickets in a single world cup. 17 bowlers have taken 20 or more wickets in a cricket world cup. Here is the complete list.

1. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 27 Wickets, 2019 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 27
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 92.2 Overs (554 Balls)
• Average/SR: 18.59/20.51
• Economy: 5.43
• Best Figures: 5/26
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 2/2

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2. Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 26 Wickets, 2007 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 11
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 80.5 Overs (485 Balls)
• Average/SR: 13.73/18.65
• Economy: 4.41
• Best Figures: 3/14
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 0/0

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3. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) – 23 Wickets, 2003 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 10
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 88.0 Overs (528 Balls)
• Average/SR: 14.39/22.95
• Economy: 3.76
• Best Figures: 6/25
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 1/1

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4. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 23 Wickets, 2007 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 10
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 84.4 Overs (508 Balls)
• Average/SR: 15.26/22.08
• Economy: 4.14
• Best Figures: 4/19
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 2/0

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5. Shaun Tait (Australia) – 23 Wickets, 2007 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 11
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 84.3 Overs (507 Balls)
• Average/SR: 20.30/22.04
• Economy: 5.52
• Best Figures: 4/39
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 1/0

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6. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 22 Wickets, 2015 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 8
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 63.5 Overs (383 Balls)
• Average/SR: 10.18/17.40
• Economy: 3.50
• Best Figures: 6/28
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 1/1

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7. Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 22 Wickets, 2015 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 9
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 85.0 Overs (510 Balls)
• Average/SR: 16.86/23.18
• Economy: 4.36
• Best Figures: 5/27
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 1/1

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8. Brett Lee (Australia) – 22 Wickets, 2003 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 10
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 83.1 Overs (499 Balls)
• Average/SR: 17.90/22.68
• Economy: 4.73
• Best Figures: 5/42
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 0/1

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9. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 21 Wickets, 2011 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 8
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 74.3 Overs (447 Balls)
• Average/SR: 12.85/21.88
• Economy: 3.62
• Best Figures: 5/16
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 2/2

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10. Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 21 Wickets, 2003 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 11
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 87.0 Overs (522 Balls)
• Average/SR: 14.76/24.85
• Economy: 3.56
• Best Figures: 7/15
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 0/1

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11. Brad Hogg (Australia) – 21 Wickets, 2007 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 11
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 82.5 Overs (497 Balls)
• Average/SR: 15.80/23.66
• Economy: 4.00
• Best Figures: 4/27
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 2/0

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12. Zaheer Khan (India) – 21 Wickets, 2011 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 9
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 81.3 Overs (489 Balls)
• Average/SR: 18.76/23.28
• Economy: 4.83
• Best Figures: 3/20
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 0/0

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13. Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand) – 21 Wickets, 2019 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 9
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 83.4 Overs (502 Balls)
• Average/SR: 19.47/23.90
• Economy: 4.88
• Best Figures: 4/37
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 1/0

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14. Geoff Allott (New Zealand) – 20 Wickets, 1999 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 9
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 87.4 Overs (526 Balls)
• Average/SR: 16.25/26.30
• Economy: 3.70
• Best Figures: 4/37
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 2/0

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15. Shane Warne (Australia) – 20 Wickets, 1999 ODI World Cup

• Innings:10
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 94.2 Overs (566 Balls)
• Average/SR: 18.05/28.30
• Economy: 3.82
• Best Figures: 4/29
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 2/0

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16. Jofra Archer (England) – 20 Wickets, 2019 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 11
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 100.5 Overs (605 Balls)
• Average/SR: 23.05/30.25
• Economy: 4.57
• Best Figures: 3/27
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 0/0

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17. Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) – 20 Wickets, 2019 ODI World Cup

• Innings: 8
• Overs/Balls Bowled: 72.1 Overs (433 Balls)
• Average/SR: 24.20/21.65
• Economy: 6.70
• Best Figures: 5/59
• 4/5 Wicket Hauls: 0/2

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Honorable Mentions:

18 Wickets: Lasith Malinga (2007), Tim Southee (2011), Umesh Yadav (2015), Roger Binny (1983), Wasim Akram (1992), Craig McDermott -(1987), Glenn McGrath (1999), Jasprit Bumrah (2019), Zaheer Khan (2003), Mark Wood (2019)

Final Thoughts

Glenn McGrath & Mitchell Starc have become legends in the World Cup due to their bowling exploits.

Starc has a chance to become the undisputed leader of World Cup bowling in 2023, but will we find new faces this time around?

Also Read: Who Has Taken the Most Number of Wickets in the Cricket World Cup? | List of the Highest Wicket Takers in Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup (1975-2019)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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