Stats special: Most wickets in ODIs for each country

Tags: Glenn Donald McGrath, Brett Lee, Anil Kumble, Daniel Luca Vettori, Wasim Akram, Shaun Maclean Pollock, Muttiah Muralitharan, Courtney Andrew Walsh, Cricwaves Columns

Published on: Jun 10, 2013

During the course of England’s comprehensive victory over Australia on Saturday at Edgbaston, pace bowler James Anderson became England’s leading wicket-taker in one-day internationals, overtaking Darren Gough.

During the course of England’s comprehensive victory over Australia on Saturday at Edgbaston, pace bowler James Anderson became England’s leading wicket-taker in one-day internationals, overtaking Darren Gough. Anderson now has 237 wickets from 170 matches at an average of 29.58 and with a strike rate of 35.6. Anderson has taken two five-wicket hauls and 10 four-wicket hauls in career so far with a best of 5/23. Anderson made his debut against Australia and Melbourne in December 2002. Here’s a look at the leading ODI wicket-takers for other countries, and their records.

Australia: Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee (380 wickets)

McGrath played 249 matches and averaged under 22. He had an excellent strike rate of 34 with seven five-wicket and nine four-wicket hauls. His best bowling figures were 7/15, and he was among the rare breed, who had an economy rate of under four. Lee, on the other hand, played 221 games, and averaged just over 23. Lee’s strike rate was 29. He grabbed nine five-wicket and 14 four-wicket hauls, with a best of 5 for 22.

India: Anil Kumble (334 wickets)

Jumbo, as he was fondly referred to on the cricket field, featured in 269 games for India, and got his wickets at an average of 31. Being a spinner, his strike rate was slightly on the higher side – 43. Kumble snatched two five-wicket and eight four-wicket hauls during his career. His best figures were 6/12.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (275 wickets)

The ace left-arm spinner has featured in 269 matches for his country, and has claimed his wickets at an average of 32 to go with a strike rate of 46. So far, he has grabbed two five-wicket and six four-wicket hauls. His career best has been an exceptional 5/7.

Pakistan: Wasim Akram (502 wickets)

No surprises here. The former left-arm great played 356 games and grabbed his wickets at a miserly average of 23.5. His strike rate of 36 was equally brilliant. Apart from six five-wicket hauls, Akram also claimed 17 four-wicket hauls. His best figures in an innings were 5/15.

South Africa: Shaun Pollock (387 wickets)

The former Proteas captain just hated giving away runs while picking wickets, which is why his economy rate was well under four. In 294 matches, his scalps game at an average of 24.3 and a strike rate of 40. Pollock’s numbers featured five five-wicket and 12 four-wicket hauls. His best bowling figures were 6/35.

Sri Lanka: Muttiah Muralitharan (523 wickets)

The Lankan spin sensational played 343 games and grabbed his victims at an exceptional average of 23. Murali’s strike rate was 35 and his economy rate 3.9. During his career, he picked up 10 five-wicket and 15 four-wicket hauls, with a best of 7/30.

West Indies: Courtney Walsh (227 wickets)

A legend of Windies cricket, Walsh played 205 matches for his country and averaged 30.5 while maintaining an economy rate of 3.8 and a strike rate of 47. He claimed one five-wicket and six four-wicket hauls. His best figures were amazing, 5/1.

--By A Cricket Analyst

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