Stats: Top 10 wicket-takers in World Cup history

Glenn McGrath

Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath leads the list of bowlers to have taken the most number of wickets across 10 editions of the World Cup. McGrath picked up 71 wickets in 39 World Cup games at an average of 18.19. He recorded his best figures against Namibia in the 2003 World Cup when he took 7 for 15 at Potchefstroom. But one of his more significant efforts came in the 1999 World Cup against the West Indies at Old Trafford, Manchester, where he recorded figures of 5 for 14 in 8.4 overs to help dismiss them for 110.

McGrath is closely followed by Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, with a tally of 68 wickets in 40 matches at an average of 19.63. Murali played in 5 editions of the World Cup and is, interestingly, one out of the only two spinners in the list. The next three slots are filled by three left-arm pacers from the subcontinent. Pakistan’s Wasim Akram is in third position with 55 wickets in 38 matches at an average of 23.83. The left-arm pacer played an instrumental role in his country’s World Cup triumph in 1992 when he took 3 for 49 in 10 overs in the final against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

At No.4 in the list is Chaminda Vaas, who like Murali, was part of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup win. Vaas took 49 wickets from 31 World Cup matches at an average of 21.22. India’s Zaheer Khan is in fifth place with 44 wickets in 23 matches at an average of 20.22. He was one of the key reasons for India lifting the trophy in 2011. He is tied at fifth place with compatriot Javagal Srinath, who took the same number of wickets in 34 matches at an average of 27.81.

South Africa’s Allan Donald is next in the list, having taken 38 wickets in 25 matches at an average of 24.02. The presence of Jacob Oram in the list can be termed as a surprise, but the all-rounder is in eighth place with 36 scalps in 23 games. Brett Lee is at No.9, while there is a tie for the tenth spot by 3 players: Brad Hogg, Imran Khan and Shaun Tait, each of whom took 34 scalps at the mega event.

Top 10 wicket-takers in World Cup history

Rank	Player Name	Matches	Wickets	Average
1	Glenn McGrath	39	71	18.19
2	Muttiah Muralitharan	40	68	19.63
3	Wasim Akram	38	55	23.83
4	Chaminda Vaas	31	49	21.22
5	Zaheer Khan	23	44	20.22
	Javagal Srinath	34	44	27.81
7	Allan Donald	25	38	24.02
8	Jacob Oram	23	36	21.33
9	Brett Lee	17	35	17.97
10	Brad Hogg	21	34	19.23
	Imran Khan	28	34	19.26
	Shaun Tait	18	34	21.50