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Who won the Player of the Series in the 2019 Cricket World Cup? Complete List of Man of the Tournament in Cricket World Cups

Who won the player of the series in the 2019 Cricket World Cup? It was none other than Kane Williamson!

Can you remember who are all the player of the tournament in Cricket World Cups?

Let us help you. Here is everything you need to know about the player of the tournament trophy.

Key Takeaways

  • The first player of the tournament in the Cricket World Cup (Men’s) was awarded in 1992.
  • Three batters, two bowlers, and three all-rounders have so far won this award in the eight instances so far.
  • New Zealand (2), India (2), and Australia (2) share the most player of the tournaments with South Africa & Sri Lanka winning it once each.
  • The player of the tournament had the following characters: 3 left handers, 4 right handers, and one ambidextrous (Lance Klusener – left hand bat, right hand bowl) .

World Cup Player of the Tournament – At a Glance

PlayerWorld CupWorld Cup Venue
Martin Crowe1992Australia, New Zealand
Sanath Jayasuriya1996India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
Lance Klusener1999England, Wales
Sachin Tendulkar2003South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya
Glenn McGrath2007West Indies (Caribbean Islands)
Yuvraj Singh2011India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
Mitchell Starc2015Australia, New Zealand
Kane Williamson2019England, Wales

*POTM – Player of the Match

List of All 8 Man of the Tournament in Cricket World Cups

1. Martin Crowe (New Zealand), 1992 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 9
  • Runs: 456
  • 100s/50s: 1/4
  • Not Outs: 5
  • Average/Strike Rate: 114.00/90.83
  • Catches: 3

Martin Crowe 1992 WC Matches

  1. 100*(134) vs Australia, 22 February 1992, Auckland, *POTM
  2. 5 (23) & 1 Catch vs Sri Lanka, 25 February 1992, Hamilton
  3. 3*(9) & 1 Catch vs South Africa, 29 February 1992, Auckland
  4. 74*(43) & 1 Catch vs Zimbabwe, 3 March 1992, Napier, *POTM
  5. 81*(81) vs West Indies, 8 March 1992, Auckland, *POTM
  6. 26 (28) vs India, 12 March 1992, Dunedin
  7. 73*(81) vs England, 15 March 1992, Wellington
  8. 3 (20) vs Pakistan, 18 March 1992, Christchurch
  9. 91 (83) vs Pakistan, 21 March 1992, Auckland

Impact

A dream run. A sad ending. Having pulled his hamstring, Crowe was run-out on 91. He watched on the sidelines as a new captain tried to defend a spirited Pakistan. 1992 was a World Cup of firsts. Colored clothing, new ODI strategies, South Africa’s re-entry, rain controversies, round-robin format.

Martin Crowe is fondly remembered by many due to his inspiring captaincy and runs across the board. An average of 114 at 90 strike in 1992 is spectacular!

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2. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), 1996 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 6
  • Runs: 221
  • 100s/50s: 0/2
  • Not Outs: 0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 36.83/131.54
  • Wickets: 7
  • Economy: 4.52
  • Catches: 5

Sanath Jayasuriya 1996 WC Matches

  1. 1/44, 6 (11), 1 Catch vs Zimbabwe, 21 February 1996, Colombo (SSC)
  2. 0/52, 79 (76) vs India, 2 March 1996, Delhi, *POTM
  3. 0/34, 44 (27) vs Kenya, 6 March 1996, Kandy
  4. 2/46, 82 (44) vs England, 9 March 1996, Faisalabad, *POTM
  5. 3/12, 1 (3), 2 Catches vs India, 13 March 1996, Eden Gardens (Kolkata)
  6. 1/43, 9 (7), 2 Catches vs Australia, 17 March 1996, Lahore

Impact

Revolutionized ODI cricket in the Powerplay. Sanath Jayasuriya (with Romesh Kaluwitharana) gave birth to a new brand of aggressive cricket. Chipped in with wickets and catches as well for a complete all-round show.

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3. Lance Klusener (South Africa), 1999 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 9 (8 Innings)
  • Runs: 281
  • 100s/50s: 0/2
  • Not Outs: 6
  • Average/Strike Rate: 140.50/122.17
  • Wickets: 17
  • Economy: 4.61
  • Catches: 1

Lance Klusener 1996 WC Matches

  1. 12*(4), 3/66 vs India, 15 May 1999, Hove
  2. 52*(45), 3/21 vs Sri Lanka, 19 May 1999, Northampton, *POTM
  3. 48*(40), 1/16 vs England, 22 May 1999, The Oval (London), *POTM
  4. Did Not Bat, 5/21, 1 Catch vs Kenya, 26 May 1999, Amstelveen, *POTM
  5. 52*(58), 1/36 vs Zimbabwe, 29 May 1999, Chelmsford
  6. 46*(41), 1/41 vs Pakistan, 5 June 1999, Nottingham, *POTM
  7. 4 (5), 2/46 vs New Zealand, 10 June 1999, Birmingham
  8. 36 (21), 1/53 vs Australia, 13 June 1999, Leeds
  9. 31*(16), 0/50 vs Australia, 17 June 1999, Birmingham

Impact

Perhaps the greatest player of the tournament performance of All-Time. Runs at an insane strike, finishing games left and right, and 17 wickets to top it off. People will remember that run-out in the semi-final that crushed South African cricket for a generation, but should also remember him as a pioneer of lower-order hitting/finishing in ODI cricket.

Also Read: 17 South Africa World Cup Chokes and Heartbreaks: The Complete List (Men’s & Women’s Combined)

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4. Sachin Tendulkar (India), 2003 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 11
  • Runs: 673
  • 100s/50s: 1/6
  • Not Outs: 0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 61.18/89/25
  • Wickets: 2
  • Economy: 4.27
  • Catches: 4

Sachin Tendulkar 2003 WC Matches

  1. 52 (72), 0/9 vs Netherlands, 12 February 2003, Paarl
  2. 36 (59) vs Australia, 15 February 2003, Centurion
  3. 81 (91) vs Zimbabwe, 19 February 2003, Harare, *POTM
  4. 152 (151) vs Namibia, 23 February 2003, Pietermaritzburg, *POTM
  5. 50 (52), 1 Catch vs England, 26 February 2003, Durban
  6. 98 (75) vs Pakistan, 1 March 2003, Centurion, *POTM
  7. 5 (12), 1 Catch vs Kenya, 7 March 2003, Cape Town
  8. 97 (120), 1 Catch vs Sri Lanka, 10 March 2003, Johannesburg
  9. 15 (16), 0/20, 1 Catch vs New Zealand, 14 March 2003, Centurion
  10. 83 (101), 2/28 vs Kenya, 20 March 2003, Durban
  11. 4 (5), 0/20 vs Australia, 23 March 2003, Johannesburg

Impact

If Klusener was the greatest all-round performance, Tendulkar gets the best batting show award. Except for the match again Kenya, New Zealand, and the final, Tendulkar had eight innings of note. The 98 (75) vs Pakistan will go in folklore as one of the greatest innings of all-time in limited overs cricket.

Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar Centuries (The Definitive Guide): Everything You Need To Know About Sachin Tendulkar’s Hundred 100s

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5. Glenn McGrath (Australia), 2007 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 11
  • Wickets: 26
  • (Bowling) Average/Strike Rate: 13.73/18.6
  • 4/5 fer: 0/0
  • Economy: 4.41
  • Catches: 1

Glenn McGrath 2007 WC Matches

  1. 3/14 vs Scotland, 14 March 2007, Basseterre
  2. 2/33 vs Netherlands, 18 March 2007, Basseterre
  3. 1/62 vs South Africa, 24 March 2007, Basseterre
  4. 3/31 vs West Indies, 27 March 2007, North Sound
  5. 3/16 vs Bangladesh, 31 March 2007, North Sound, *POTM
  6. 3/62 vs England, 8 April 2007, North Sound
  7. 3/17 vs Ireland, 13 April 2007, Bridgetown
  8. 2/48 vs Sri Lanka, 16 April 2007, St. George’s
  9. 2/25,1 Catch vs New Zealand, 20 April 2007, St. George’s
  10. 3/18 vs South Africa, 25 April 2017, Gros Islet, *POTM
  11. 1/31 vs Sri Lanka, 28 April 2007, Bridgetown

Impact

Even though McGrath did not take a single 4-fer in this World Cup and was (only) player of the match twice, he was at his consistent best. Took at least a wicket in every match, 2 wickets thrice, and 3-wickets on six occasions. His spell in the semi-final broke South African hearts yet again.

Also Read: Most Wickets in a Single ODI World Cup

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6. Yuvraj Singh (India), 2011 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 9 (8 Innings)
  • Runs: 362
  • 100s/50s: 1/4
  • Not Outs: 4
  • Average/Strike Rate: 90.50/86.19
  • Wickets: 15
  • Economy: 5.02
  • Catches: 3

Yuvraj Singh 2011 WC Matches

  1. 0/42, Did not bat, 1 Catch vs Bangladesh, 19 February 2011, Mirpur
  2. 58 (50), 0/46 vs England, 27 February 2011, Bengaluru
  3. 50* (75), 5/31, 1 Catch vs Ireland, 6 March 2011, Bengaluru, *POTM
  4. 51* (73), 2/43 vs Netherlands, 9 March 2011, Delhi, *POTM
  5. 12 (9), 0/47 vs South Africa, 12 March 2011, Nagpur
  6. 113 (123), 2/18 vs West Indies, 20 March 2011, Chennai, *POTM
  7. 57* (65), 2/44 vs Australia, 24 March 2011, Ahmedabad, *POTM
  8. 0 (1), 2/57, 1 Catch vs Pakistan, 30 March 2011, Mohali
  9. 21* (24), 2/49 vs Sri Lanka, 2 April 2011, Wankhede

Impact

Australia were so dominant for 15 years, they needed a maverick to knock them out of the quarter-finals. Yuvraj did it with clutch performance of 57*(65). Battling cancer behind the scenes, Yuvraj Singh went from good to legendary status in a space of 9 games.

It is only after Yuvraj was left out of the team, that we see what a gem he was to Indian cricket. As all-rounder in the Top 5. Yuvraj-Raina provided India with the balance they needed and with Dhoni, formed one of the greatest middle orders.

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7. Mitchell Starc (Australia), 2015 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 8
  • Wickets: 22
  • (Bowling) Average/Strike Rate: 10.18/17.4
  • 4/5 fer: 1/1
  • Economy: 3.5
  • Catches: 5 Catches

Mitchell Starc 2015 WC Matches

  1. 2/47, 1 Catch vs England, 14 February 2015, Melbourne
  2. 6/28, 1 Catch vs New Zealand, 28 February 2015, Auckland
  3. 2/18 vs Afghanistan, 4 March 2015, Perth
  4. 2/29 vs Sri Lanka, 8 March 2015, Sydney
  5. 4/14, 1 Catch vs Scotland, 14 March 2015, Hobart, *POTM
  6. 2/40, 1 Catch vs Pakistan, 20 March 2015, Adelaide
  7. 2/28 vs India, 26 March 2015, Sydney
  8. 2/20, 1 Catch vs New Zealand, 29 March 2015, Melbourne

Impact

If McGrath has been the most consistent World Cup bowler, Starc has definitely been the most destructive (10.18 average, 17.4 SR, 3.5 economy – geez those numbers are out of the world!). The Australia vs New Zealand match at Eden Park and the first over to Brendon McCullum in the Final encapsulates Mitchell Starc’s career. Fast, inswinging yorkers that can change the momentum in space of a few balls.

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8. Kane Williamson (New Zealand), 2019 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 10 (9 Innings)
  • Runs: 578
  • 100s/50s: 2/2
  • Not Outs: 2
  • Average/Strike Rate: 82.57/74.96
  • Catches: 6

Kane Williamson 2019 WC Matches

  1. Did Not Bat vs Sri Lanka, 1 June 2019, Cardiff
  2. 40 (72), 1 Catch vs Bangladesh, 5 June 2019, The Oval (London)
  3. 79*(99) vs Afghanistan, 8 June 2019, Taunton
  4. 106*(138), 1 Catch vs South Africa, 19 June 2019, Birmingham, *POTM
  5. 148 (154) vs West Indies, 22 June 2019, Manchester, *POTM
  6. 41 (69), 1/39 vs Pakistan, 26 June 2019, Birmingham
  7. 40 (51), 1/25 vs Australia, 29 June 2019, Lord’s
  8. 27 (40), 2 Catches vs England, 3 July 2019, Chester-le-Street
  9. 67 (95), 2 Catches vs India, 9 July 2019, Manchester
  10. 30 (53) vs England, 14 July 2019, Lord’s

Impact

In the prime of his life, Williamson’s 2019 was marked by pure batsmanship and character. Keeping cool in the final and couple of centuries highlighted his campaign. My favorite was the 106((138) against South Africa on a tough pitch, taking NZ from 80/4 to 245/6. He timed the chase with that late cate and slog sweep in the last two overs to perfection.

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Final Thoughts

Whether it is the all-round show of Jayasuriya, Klusener, Yuvraj, the pure batting class of Williamson, Crowe, Tendulkar, or the bowling genius of Australians, McGrath & Starc, it has been just great to watch.

And even though from 1975-1987, we did not have player of the tournament awards, there were still many memorable performances from that era by Kapil Dev Glenn Turner, Vivian Richards, David Boon, and many more!

Which player will capture the hearts and imagination of cricket fans in 2023?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Man of the Tournament in Cricket World Cups

Who won the player of the tournament in the 2019 Cricket World Cup?

Kane Williamson won the player of the tournament award in the 2019 Cricket World Cup.Man of the Tournament in Cricket World Cups List: (Pictured Top from left to right) Martin Crowe, Sanath Jayasuriya, Lance Klusener, Sachin Tendulkar (Pictured bottom from left to right) Glenn McGrath, Yuvraj Singh, Mitchell Starc, Kane Williamson

When was the first man of the tournament given in Cricket World Cups?

The first man of the tournament trophy was awarded to Martin Crowe in the 1992 Cricket World Cup.Portrait photo of Martin Crowe, the man of the tournament in 1992

Which Indian cricketers have won the player of the series award in Cricket World Cups?

Sachin Tendulkar (2003) & Yuvraj Singh (2011) are the only two Indians to win the player of the tournament trophies in the ODI Cricket World Cup.

Other 2023 Cricket World Cup Content

If you liked reading facts about the World Cup, consider checking these articles out:

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 09/29/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).

Most Wickets in a Single ODI World Cup: Who Will Take the Most Wickets in the 2023 ODI World Cup?

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.
PlayerWicketsWorld Cup
Mitchell Starc272019 CWC
Glenn McGrath262007 CWC
Chaminda Vaas232003 CWC
Muttiah Muralitharan232007 CWC
Shaun Tait232007 CWC
Mitchell Starc222015 CWC
Trent Boult222015 CWC
Brett Lee222003 CWC
Shahid Afridi212011 CWC
Glenn McGrath212003 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)

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

Mtichell Starc (27 in 2015 CWC) & Glenn McGrath (26 in 2007 CWC) are the most successful bowlers in the history of the cricket World Cup.Most Wickets in a Single World Cup: (Pictured here from left to right) Chaminda Vaas, Mitchell Starc, Glenn McGrath, Muttiah Muralitharan

How many wickets did Zaheer Khan in the 2011 cricket World Cup?

Zaheer Khan took 21 wickets in the 2011 cricket world cup.

How many bowlers have taken 20 wickets in the cricket world cup?

17 bowlers have taken 20 or more wickets in the ODI World Cup.

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 09/25/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).

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)

Who has taken the greatest number of wickets in the Cricket World Cup (ODI)? Here’s a quick preview: Glenn McGrath has taken the most ODI World Cup wickets (71). Both McGrath & Mitchell Starc have dominated World Cup bowling from every measure.

The World Cup is closer than it appears. Less than 30 days to go for the 2023 Cricket World Cup now, can you believe it?

So, let’s dive right in and find out all about the greatest World Cup wicket-takers.

ODI Cricket World Cup Wicket Takers – By the Numbers

  • The top 5 wicket takers in the ODI Cricket World Cup (CWC) are Glenn McGrath (71), Muttiah Muralitharan (68), Lasith Malinga (56), Wasim Akram (55), and Mitchell Starc (49).
  • From the Top 20 wicket-takers in the ODI CWC, nations most represented are as follows: Australia (5), New Zealand (4), Sri Lanka, Pakistan (3), South Africa, India (2), and Bangladesh (1). Surprisingly, the West Indies do not make the Top 30 in this list.
  • Mitchell Starc has the best average (14.81), bowling strike rate (19.12), and most occurrences of 4 wickets or more (6: 3 – 4-fers, 3 – 5-fers). On the other end of the spectrum, Shakib Al Hasan has the worst average (35.94) and strike rates (42.14).
  • The best figures from this group of 20 are Glenn McGrath (7/15), Tim Southee (7/33), Chaminda Vaas (6/25), Mitchell Starc (6/28), and Lasith Malinga (6/38). Note that Shane Bond also has World Cup figures of 6/23, but his overall wicket tally of 30 ranks him at #26 in this list.
  • Mitchell Starc (49), Trent Boult (39), Tim Southee (34), and Shakib Al Hasan (34) are the only active players still in this list who are expected to play in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

The ODI Cricket World Cup: Who Has Taken the Most Number of Wickets?

PlayerWickets
Glenn McGrath71
Muttiah Muralitharan68
Lasith Malinga56
Wasim Akram55
Mitchell Starc*49
Chaminda Vaas 49
Zaheer Khan44
Javagal Srinath44
Imran Tahir40
Trent Boult*39
Allan Donald38
Jacob Oram36
Daniel Vettori36
Brett Lee35
Wahab Riaz35
Brad Hogg34
Imran Khan34
Shaun Tait34
Tim Southee*34
Shakib Al Hasan*34

*still playing (and may rise up the ranks)

Also Read: How Many Times Has Australia Won the Cricket World Cup? Complete List of Australia’s ICC Trophies—Under-19, World Cups, Gold Medals, Men, Women, T20I, ODI, WTC!, 17 South Africa World Cup Chokes and Heartbreaks: The Complete List (Men’s & Women’s Combined), Rethinking the ODI World Cup format, India vs Pakistan World Cup (The Ultimate Guide): Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Records, and More!, All-Time XI Cricket – World Cup Edition

List of the Top 20 Highest Wicket Takers in the Cricket World Cup

1. Glenn McGrath (Australia), 71

Years Played: 1996-2007

  • Matches/Innings: 39/39
  • Best: 7/15
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 0/2
  • Average/Strike Rate: 18.19/27.53
  • Economy: 3.96
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2. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka), 68

Years Played: 1996-2011

  • Matches/Innings: 40/39
  • Best: 4/19
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 4/0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 19.63/30.30
  • Economy: 3.88

*Also spelled as Muralidaran

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3. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka), 56

Years Played: 2007-2019

  • Matches/Innings: 29/28
  • Best: 6/38
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 2/1
  • Average/Strike Rate: 22.87/24.89
  • Economy: 5.51

Also Read: Lasith Malinga: The Slinga, Slayer, and SuperStar

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4. Wasim Akram (Pakistan), 55

Years Played: 1987-2003

  • Matches/Innings: 38/36
  • Best: 5/28
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 49
  • Average/Strike Rate: 23.83/35.40
  • Economy: 4.04
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5. Mitchell Starc* (Australia), 49

Years Played: 2015-2019

  • Matches/Innings: 18/18
  • Best: 6/28
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 3/3
  • Average/Strike Rate: 14.81/19.12
  • Economy: 4.64
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6. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka), 49

Years Played: 1996-2007

  • Matches/Innings: 31/31
  • Best: 6/25
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 1/1
  • Average/Strike Rate: 21.22/32.04
  • Economy: 3.97
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7. Zaheer Khan (India), 44

Years Played: 2003-2011

  • Matches/Innings: 23/23
  • Best: 4/42
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 1/0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 20.22/27.11
  • Economy: 4.47
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8. Javagal Srinath (India), 44

Years Played: 1992-2003

  • Matches/Innings: 34/33
  • Best: 4/30
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 2/0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 27.81/38.63
  • Economy: 4.32
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9. Imran Tahir (South Africa), 40

Years Played: 2011-2019

  • Matches/Innings: 22/21
  • Best: 40
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 4/1
  • Average/Strike Rate: 21.17/28.77
  • Economy: 4.41
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10. Trent Boult* (New Zealand), 39

Years Played: 2015-2019

  • Matches/Innings: 19/19
  • Best:5/27
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 3/1
  • Average/Strike Rate: 21.79/28.30
  • Economy: 4.61
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11. Allan Donald (South Africa), 38

Years Played: 1992-2003

  • Matches/Innings: 25/25
  • Best: 4/17
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 2/0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 24.02/34.55
  • Economy: 4.17
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12. Jacob Oram (New Zealand), 36

Years Played: 2003-2011

  • Matches/Innings: 23/23
  • Best: 4/39
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 2/0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 21.33/30.38
  • Economy: 4.21
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13. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand), 36

Years Played: 2003-2015

  • Matches/Innings: 32/31
  • Best: 4/18
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 2/0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 21.33/30.38
  • Economy: 4.14
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14. Brett Lee (Australia), 35

Years Played: 2003-2011

  • Matches/Innings: 17/17
  • Best: 5/42
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 2/1
  • Average/Strike Rate: 17.97/23.57
  • Economy: 4.57
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15. Wahab Riaz (Pakistan), 35

Years Played: 2011-2019

  • Matches/Innings: 20/20
  • Best: 5/46
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 1/1
  • Average/Strike Rate: 26.45/28.57
  • Economy: 5.55
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16. Brad Hogg (Australia), 34

Years Played: 2003-2007

  • Matches/Innings: 21/20
  • Best: 4/27
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 2/0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 19.23/27.97
  • Economy: 4.12
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17. Imran Khan (Pakistan), 34

Years Played: 1975-1992

  • Matches/Innings: 28/19
  • Best: 4/37
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 2/0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 19.26/29.91
  • Economy: 3.86
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18. Shaun Tait (Australia), 34

Years Played: 2007-2011

  • Matches/Innings: 18/18
  • Best: 4/39
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 1/0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 21.50/24.08
  • Economy: 5.35
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19. Tim Southee* (New Zealand), 34

Years Played: 2011-2019

  • Matches/Innings: 18/18
  • Best: 7/33
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 0/1
  • Average/Strike Rate: 25.11/28.64
  • Economy: 5.26
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20. Shakib Al Hasan* (Bangladesh), 34

Years Played: 2007-2019

  • Matches/Innings: 29/29
  • Best: 5/29
  • 4-fers/5-fers: 1/1
  • Average/Strike Rate: 35.94/42.14
  • Economy: 5.11
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Honorable Mentions: Shane Warne – 32, Chris Harris – 32, Mohammad Shami – 31, Anil Kumble – 31, Shaun Pollock – 31, Shane Bond – 30, Ian Botham – 30, Shoaib Akhtar – 30, and Shahid Afridi – 30.

Final Thoughts

Although these players have taken the greatest number of wickets in the Cricket World Cup, but more than the numbers, they have given us plenty of memories to remember them by.

Think Wahab Riaz vs Watson, Chaminda Vaas’s hat-trick, Boult vs Starc at Eden Park, Wasim Akram in the final, that Shane Bond spell, Imran Tahir’s celebrations, and much more.

I will leave you with this question for the 2023 ODI World Cup is, “Can Mitchell Starc break the World Cup record for the most wickets?” Comment below!

Related Cricket Content

Check out our entire library of 2023 ODI World Cup content here. Here is a brief snippet.

2023 ODI Cricket World Cup Schedule

2023 ODI Cricket World Cup Squads

Cricket Stats

The top 5 wicket takers in the ODI Cricket World Cup (CWC) are Glenn McGrath (71), Muttiah Muralitharan (68), Lasith Malinga (56), Wasim Akram (55), and Mitchell Starc (49).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Most Number of Wickets in the Cricket World Cup

Who has taken the most wickets in World Cup?

Glenn McGrath (71), Muttiah Muralitharan (68), Lasith Malinga (56), Wasim Akram (55), and Mitchell Starc (49) have taken the most number of wickets in the Cricket World Cup.Most Number of Wickets in the Cricket World Cup: Pictured here (from left to right) Lasith Malinga, Glenn McGrath, Mitchell Starc, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Wasim Akram.

How many World Cup wickets does Mitchell Starc have?

Mitchell Starc has taken 49 ODI World Cup wickets from just 18 matches. He boasts an absurd bowling average of 14.18 & strike rate of 19.12. He has taken 4-wickets thrice and 5-wickets thrice as well.Photo of Mitchell Starc celebrating in the 2015 World Cup final.

Can Mitchell Starc break the World Cup record for the most wickets?

Yes he can. If he is fit and plays in all the games on India’s pitches, then he can take 23 wickets to break Glenn McGrath’s record of 71 wickets. In case Australia reaches the final, he may have as many as 11 matches to break the World record (otherwise, he can play a maximum of 9 matches in the group stage).Pictured here - Bowling action of Mitchell Starc (photo from the 2015 Cricket World Cup).

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 08/13/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).