With the World Cup 2023 underway, fans want to know which active players will be one to watch out for in terms of success in the most important cricketing event. So here are the active players with the most wickets in ODI World Cups:
Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | 4W | 5W |
Mitchell Starc | 25 | 58 | 6/28 | 18.87 | 5.11 | 22.15 | 3 | 3 |
Trent Boult | 27 | 49 | 5/27 | 25.12 | 4.82 | 31.22 | 3 | 1 |
Mohammed Shami | 15 | 47 | 5/18 | 12.74 | 4.90 | 15.59 | 4 | 3 |
Shakib al Hasan | 35 | 41 | 5/29 | 36.43 | 5.12 | 42.63 | 1 | 1 |
Tim Southee | 20 | 37 | 7/33 | 25.89 | 5.40 | 28.75 | – | 1 |
Active players with most wickets in ODI World Cup: Mitchell Starc looks to break all-time record
The leading wicket-taker in the last two editions of the ODI World Cup (2015 and 2019), Mitchell Starc, leads with 58 wickets in just 25 matches.
Starc averages just 18.87 with the ball, with a strike rate of 22.15, while giving away just 5.11 runs per over. The left-arm pacer also has three five-wicket hauls and four-wicket hauls each in 25 innings.
Trent Boult (48 wickets)
Another left-arm pacer on the list, Trent Boult, has a knack for picking wickets in the powerplay. The pacer has been instrumental in New Zealand reaching consecutive World Cup Finals in 2015 and 2019.
Boult averages 25.12 with the ball, with a strike rate of 31.22 while giving away just 4.82 runs per over. The left-arm pacer has three four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul in 27 innings.
Mohammed Shami (45 wickets)
One of the best strike bowlers in the world, Mohammed Shami is India’s leading wicket taker in ODI World Cup.
Despite playing just 15 matches, Shami has more wickets than Southee and Shakib.
Shami takes his wickets at an astonishing average of 12.74, with a strike rate of 15.59, while giving away 4.90 runs per over. The pacer also has three 5-wicket and four 4-wicket hauls.
Shakib al Hasan (41 wickets)
The only active player to be on the list of most runs and wickets in ODI World Cups is Shakib al Hasan.
The veteran Bangladesh all-rounder has played every World Cup since 2007 and is his side’s leading wicket-taker in World Cups and ODIs in general.
Shakib isn’t as effective as others on the list. He averages 36.43 with the ball, with a strike rate of 42.63, while giving away 5.12 runs per over. The left-arm orthodox spinner has one five-wicket and four-wicket haul in 34 innings.
Tim Southee (37 wickets)
Boult’s partner in crime, Tim Southee, is just five wickets behind him. Having played in four ODI World Cups (2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023), Southee is one of the best to ever play for the Kiwis.
Southee averages 25.89 with the ball, with a strike rate of 28.75, while giving away 5.4 runs per over. The right-arm pacer has only one five-wicket haul in 20 innings.