Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world and if people can’t get to see a cricket game, then the next best thing is to hear the cricket score live as the game is being played. When stats are being given on a cricket score they will usually include which bowlers took which wickets and well each batsman did. One of the coveted stats that every bowler hopes to attain is that of having taken the most wickets, not only in individual games but all time. Apart from the full test matches, one day International cricket has become very popular and here is a list of the top 10 highest wicket taking bowlers in one day cricket with the country they played for, total wickets taken and number of matches they played.
10
Sanath Jayasuriya – Sri Lanka – 322 Wkts – 444 Matches
Born 30 June 1969, this cricketer’s career spanned from 1989 – 2011 and captained the Sri Lankan team from 1999 – 2003. An all-rounder he is the only player to have scored over 1200 runs and get more than 300 wickets in one day internationals. In 1996 he was named cricket’s most valuable player.
9
Shahid Afridi – Pakistan – 327 Wkts – 329 Matches
Born on 1 March 1980, his international career was from 1996 when he played his first one day international against Kenya and ended in 2012 having gained the distinction of hitting the most sixes of any players in the history of one day internationals.
8
Ani Kumble – India – 337 Wkts – 271 Matches
Born 17 October 1970 Kumble started his international career in the early 1990s and is now the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
7
Brett Lee – Australia – 357 Wkts – 205 Matches
Born 8 November 1976 and during his International career was known as one of the fastest bowlers in the game. He retired from International cricket in 2012.
6
Glenn McGrath – Australia – 381 Wkts – 250 Matches
McGrath holds the record for taking the most test wickets of all fast bowlers, the three bowlers above him, for all time test wickets, are all spin bowlers.
5
Shaun Pollock – South Africa – 393 Wkts – 303 Matches
This all-rounder captained the South African team from 2000 until 2003, the year when he was voted the Cricketer of the Year.
4
Chaminda Vaas – Sri Lanka – 400 Wkts – 322 Matches
Born 27 January 1974, Vaas is considered the best fast bowler ever for Sri Lanka and was most successful as a new ball bowler.
3
Waqar Younis – Pakistan 416 Wkts – 262 Matches
This player is the youngest test captain for Pakistan and the third youngest ever, anywhere. He is now the current coach of the Pakistan team.
2
Wasim Akram – Pakistan – 502 Wkts – 356 Matches
This cricketer is credited with introducing the reverse spin bowling technique and in 2009 he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
1
Muttiah Muralidaran -Sri Lanka – 534 Wkts – 350 Matches
Some of this cricketer’s greatest moments were when in 1996 Sri Lanka won the world cup and again in 1998, when Sri Lanka, for the first time, beat England at the Oval.