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The ODI World Cup is held by the International Cricket Council (ICC) every four years and is regarded as one of the largest and most prestigious tournaments in cricket. One country or team will ultimately win the World Cup following a month of intense matches, despite several teams competing to qualify. Cricket’s premier competition, the Cricket World Cup, showcases how successful bowlers and batsmen can be when they work together. Bowlers have significantly contributed to the history of the ICC Cricket World Cup, even though batsmen frequently steal the show. Over the years, a great number of illustrious bowlers have displayed their prowess in the World Cup, with some of them even winning the match. Let’s take a look at the bowlers with the most wickets in a single ODI World Cup.
List of Top 10 Bowlers with Most Wickets in a single ODI World Cup
| Players Name | Number of Wickets | Year |
| 1. Mitchell Starc | 27 | 2019 |
| 2. Glenn McGrath | 26 | 2007 |
| 3. Chaminda Vaas | 23 | 2003 |
| 4. Muttiah Muralitharan | 23 | 2007 |
| 5. Shaun Tait | 23 | 2007 |
| 6. Mitchell Starc | 22 | 2015 |
| 7. Trent Boult | 22 | 2015 |
| 8. Brett Lee | 22 | 2003 |
| 9. Shahid Afridi | 21 | 2011 |
| 10. Glenn McGrath | 21 | 2003 |
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc, Australia’s spearhead, demonstrated his excellent bowling skills at the 2019 World Cup in England. Mitchell Starc took 27 wickets in the event, more than any other bowler in ODI World Cup history. He played in 10 matches, averaging 18.59 and economy of 5.43 with a handful of five-wicket hauls. Mitchell Starc is the only bowler to have taken the most wickets in two tournaments in a row.
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Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath, known for his accuracy and consistency, had a remarkable campaign in the 2007 World Cup held in the West Indies. He played a vital role in Australia’s successful title defense, picking up 26 wickets in just 11 matches. His economy rate of 3.46 was exceptional, and he bowled two five-wicket hauls during the tournament.
Chaminda Vaas
Chaminda Vaas, a skillful left-arm fast-medium bowler, had an outstanding 2003 World Cup. He was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, taking 23 wickets in Sri Lanka’s journey to the semifinals. Vaas’ ability to swing the ball upfront troubled many batsmen, and he recorded a memorable hat-trick against Bangladesh.
Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan, widely considered as one of the finest spin bowlers in history, demonstrated his abilities at the 2007 World Cup. His ability to fool batters with his variations won him 23 wickets during the competition. Despite Sri Lanka’s defeat in the final, Muralitharan’s efforts were outstanding.
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Shaun Tait
Shaun Tait, the Australian fast bowler known for his raw pace, had an impressive World Cup campaign in 2007. In that tournament, Tait took a total of 23 wickets in 11 matches, establishing himself as a key weapon in Australia’s bowling attack. His express pace and aggressive bowling style troubled batsmen, and he played a vital role in Australia’s successful title defense. Tait’s performances showcased his ability to generate genuine speed and make an impact on the world stage.
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc, the left-arm fast bowler from Australia, had a sensational performance in the 2015 ICC ODI World Cup. Starc finished as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, taking an impressive 22 wickets in eight matches. His lethal pace, accuracy, and ability to swing the ball troubled batsmen consistently throughout the competition. Starc’s standout moment came in the group stage match against New Zealand, where he recorded figures of 6 for 28, one of the best bowling performances in World Cup history. His contributions were essential to Australia’s successful campaign, which resulted in their World Cup victory.
Trent Boult
In the 2015 ICC ODI World Cup, Trent Boult, the New Zealand left-arm fast bowler, took 22 wickets in nine matches. His swing bowling and pace troubled batsmen throughout the tournament, contributing to New Zealand’s successful campaign to the final. Although Boult dismissed David Warner early in the final against Australia, New Zealand fell short in their quest for the title. Boult’s performance in the 2015 World Cup showcased his skill and impact as a bowler.
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Brett Lee
Brett Lee, an Australian fast bowler famed for his speed, had an outstanding World Cup performance in 2003. Lee was instrumental in Australia’s victory, collecting 22 wickets in 10 matches. Throughout the competition, his express pace and ability to induce bounce caused problems for batsmen. Lee’s outstanding efforts included a five-wicket haul against Kenya and vital breakthroughs against India in the final. His services were critical to Australia’s successful title defence, cementing his position as one of the greatest fast bowlers of his day.
Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi, known for his aggressive leg-spin bowling, had a sensational World Cup campaign in 2011. He played a vital role in Pakistan’s journey to the semifinals, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets. Afridi’s economy rate of 3.62 showcased his ability to control the game.
Glenn McGrath
In the 2003 ICC ODI World Cup, Glenn McGrath, the legendary Australian fast bowler, was instrumental in Australia’s successful campaign. McGrath finished as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, taking a remarkable 21 wickets in 11 matches. His remarkable accuracy, consistency, and ability to exploit the conditions troubled batsmen throughout. McGrath’s notable performances included a spell of 7 for 15 against Namibia and crucial breakthroughs in the final against India. His remarkable display of bowling played a significant role in Australia’s World Cup victory
