Playing in the World Cup is a dream of every cricket player. Every player, batsman or bowler, wants to perform in the World Cup and help his team clinch the title. However, only a handful of them make it to their side that features in this global tournament.
The likes of Glenn McGrath, Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga are among the leading wicket-takers in the tournament. They have been instrumental in their team’s victory on many occasions. Among the current set of players, Mitchell Starc tops the chart with 49 wickets to his name.
On that note, let’s have a look at the bowlers with the most number of wickets in a single edition of the World Cup:
1. Mitchell Starc (AUS)
The first bowler to feature in this article is the left-arm pacer, Mitchell Starc. The Sydney-born achieved this feat in the latest World Cup 2019, held in England and Wales. In the World Cup 2019, the lanky pacer picked up 27 wickets in 10 innings with the ball.
The 30-years old had a sumptuous bowling average and strike rate of 18.59 and 20.5 respectively. Starc had two five-fors and two four-wicket hauls in this tournament. Australia, though, lost the semi-final against England and were knocked out.
2. Glenn McGrath (AUS)
Glenn McGrath, another Australian pacer, is the second bowler to be a part of this list. The New South Wales bowler accomplished this milestone in the ninth edition held in the Caribbean land. The 50-years old snared 26 wickets in 11 innings for the Kangaroos.
McGrath boasted of having a magnificent bowling average of 13.73 and a sensational strike rate of 18.6 in this tourney. No other bowler has taken more wicket than McGrath’s 71 in the World Cup. Australia won this World Cup, with Glenn McGrath playing an important role.
3. Chaminda Vaas (SL)
The left-arm pacer, Chaminda Vaas, sits at the third position. The Mattumagala-born manoeuvred this achievement in the 2003 edition, held in three different nations. The pacer grabbed 23 wickets at a marvellous bowling average of 14.39 and strike rate of 22.9 with the white cherry.
His best bowling performance came against Bangladesh, where he took six wickets by conceding only 25 runs. The 46-years old had a five-for and a four-wicket haul in the cup. Australia, though, defeated them in the semi-finals and Vaas memorable run came to an end.
4. Muttiah Muralitharan (SL)
The legendary off-spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan, grabs the fourth position. The Kandy-born also took 23 wickets in 10 innings throughout the competition. He had an excellent average of 15.26, with wicket coming at 22 balls apiece.
The 48-years old conceded runs miserly, as he had an economy of 4.14 with the ball. His best performance came against Ireland, where he took four wickets in just five overs. His team, Sri Lanka, was handed a heartbreaking defeat by the mighty Aussies in the Finals of World Cup, 2007.
5. Shaun Tait (AUS)
The speedster, Shaun Tait, is the third bowler to end a World Cup edition with 23 wickets. The Adelaide-born reached the landmark in the ninth season of the championship. The pacer had a bowling average of 20.30 and a strike rate of 22.0 in 11 innings.
His best bowling performance came at Gros Islet, where he took four wickets against the Proteas in the second semi-finals. He took the big wickets of AB de Villiers and Herschelle Gibbs, destroying the African batting line-up. Australia went on to win the prestigious title, with Tait playing a salient role.
