The ICC Cricket World Cup has given us some brilliant bowling performances over ODI history. Bowlers are often outshone by their batting counterparts, but it is indeed a bowler who has had more of an influence on World Cup wins by way of possessing the ability to perform in crunch moments with game-winning spells. You have had some legendary bowlers too who have carved an unforgettable mark on cricket’s biggest stage, starting from Glenn McGrath’s incredible consistency to Mitchell Starc’s deadly pace and Lasith Malinga’s lethal yorkers. We present to you a list of the best bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup history with their appearances, wickets, bowling averages, best performances, and other records.
Highest Wicket Taker in World Cup History
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling |
| 1 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 39 | 71 | 18.19 | 7/15 |
| 2 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 40 | 68 | 19.63 | 4/19 |
| 3 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 28 | 65 | 19.74 | 6/28 |
| 4 | Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 29 | 56 | 22.87 | 6/38 |
| 5 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 38 | 55 | 23.83 | 5/28 |
| 6 | Mohammed Shami | India | 18 | 55 | 13.52 | 7/57 |
| 7 | Trent Boult | New Zealand | 22 | 53 | 24.13 | 5/27 |
| 8 | Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 31 | 49 | 21.22 | 6/25 |
| 9 | Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 28 | 46 | 21.15 | 5/36 |
| 10 | Javagal Srinath | India | 34 | 44 | 27.81 | 4/30 |
Statistics include ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups through the 2023 edition.
1. Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 71 Wickets
Glenn McGrath Former Australian fast-bowling legend Glenn McGrath is the leading wicket-taker in ICC Cricket World Cup history, with 71 wickets from 39 matches. Perhaps Australia’s greatest asset across four World Cups was his brilliant line and length, matched only by remarkable consistency. McGrath was part of Australia’s golden era, winning three successive World Cups from 1999 to 2007.
Career Summary
| Detail | Record |
| Team | Australia |
| Matches | 39 |
| Wickets | 71 |
| Best Bowling | 7/15 |
| Bowling Average | 18.19 |
| World Cup Titles | 3 |
2. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 68 Wickets
As reported in PTI, Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan (68 wickets) holds the previous record for taking too many wickets(40 World Cups), Murali is widely believed to be one of the best spinners in cricket’s history, and he had earmarked that top order with a tight turn and variations over his World Cup career.
Career Summary
| Detail | Record |
| Team | Sri Lanka |
| Matches | 40 |
| Wickets | 68 |
| Best Bowling | 4/19 |
| Bowling Average | 19.63 |
3. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 65 Wickets
Mitchell Starc has gone on to become one of the most lethal World Cup fast bowlers. With his strikes, it makes him one of the leading among the wicket-taker with those milage in only just 28 matches (65 wickets). His match-winning effort at the 2015 and 2023 World Cups led to victories for Australia in each tournament.
Career Summary
| Detail | Record |
| Team | Australia |
| Matches | 28 |
| Wickets | 65 |
| Best Bowling | 6/28 |
| Bowling Average | 19.74 |
| World Cup Titles | 2 |
4. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 56 Wickets
Legendary for his unorthodox sling motion and lethal yorkers, Lasith Malinga has 56 World Cup wickets to his name over four editions. He became skilled at attacking the death overs, which made him one of Sri Lanka’s best ODI bowlers.
Career Summary
| Detail | Record |
| Team | Sri Lanka |
| Matches | 29 |
| Wickets | 56 |
| Best Bowling | 6/38 |
| Bowling Average | 22.87 |
5. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 55 Wickets
Former Pakistani legend Wasim Akram is still one of the best Left-arm fast bowlers ever in history. He played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup victory and took a stunning 55 wickets in 38 World Cup matches.
Career Summary
| Detail | Record |
| Team | Pakistan |
| Matches | 38 |
| Wickets | 55 |
| Best Bowling | 5/28 |
| Bowling Average | 23.83 |
| World Cup Titles | 1 |
6. Mohammed Shami (India) – 55 Wickets
Mohammed Shami became India’s highest wicket-taker in Cricket World Cup history during the 2023 tournament. Despite playing only 18 World Cup matches, he reached 55 wickets with an outstanding average, making him one of the most successful World Cup bowlers ever.
Career Summary
| Detail | Record |
| Team | India |
| Matches | 18 |
| Wickets | 55 |
| Best Bowling | 7/57 |
| Bowling Average | 13.52 |
7. Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 53 Wickets
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has consistently delivered with the new ball in ICC tournaments. His swing bowling and ability to dismiss top-order batters have earned him 53 World Cup wickets.
Career Summary
| Detail | Record |
| Team | New Zealand |
| Matches | 22 |
| Wickets | 53 |
| Best Bowling | 5/27 |
| Bowling Average | 24.13 |
8. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) – 49 Wickets
Chaminda Vaas was Sri Lanka’s pace spearhead for over a decade. His disciplined swing bowling helped him collect 49 wickets in World Cup cricket.
Career Summary
| Detail | Record |
| Team | Sri Lanka |
| Matches | 31 |
| Wickets | 49 |
| Best Bowling | 6/25 |
| Bowling Average | 21.22 |
9. Shaun Pollock (South Africa) – 46 Wickets
South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock combined accuracy with movement to claim 46 wickets in ICC World Cups. He was one of the most economical fast bowlers of his generation.
Career Summary
| Detail | Record |
| Team | South Africa |
| Matches | 28 |
| Wickets | 46 |
| Best Bowling | 5/36 |
| Bowling Average | 21.15 |
10. Javagal Srinath (India) – 44 Wickets
Indian pace legend Javagal Srinath rounds off the top ten with 44 wickets in 34 World Cup matches. He represented India in four World Cups and was the team’s leading fast bowler for more than a decade.
Career Summary
| Detail | Record |
| Team | India |
| Matches | 34 |
| Wickets | 44 |
| Best Bowling | 4/30 |
| Bowling Average | 27.81 |
Also Read: Under-19 World Cup Winners List | Wankhede Stadium
Highest Wicket Takers by World Cup Edition
| Year | Player | Wickets |
| 1975 | Gary Gilmour | 11 |
| 1979 | Mike Hendrick | 10 |
| 1983 | Roger Binny | 18 |
| 1987 | Craig McDermott | 18 |
| 1992 | Wasim Akram | 18 |
| 1996 | Anil Kumble | 15 |
| 1999 | Geoff Allott | 20 |
| 2003 | Chaminda Vaas | 23 |
| 2007 | Glenn McGrath | 26 |
| 2011 | Zaheer Khan | 21 |
| 2015 | Mitchell Starc | 22 |
| 2019 | Mitchell Starc | 27 |
| 2023 | Mohammed Shami | 24 |
Interesting Facts
- The only bowler in World Cup history to take more than 70 wickets is Glenn McGrath.
- Most Wickets by an Australian in a World Cup: 27 – Mitchell Starc (2019)
- In the 2023 edition, Mohammed Shami became India’s highest wicket-taker in Cricket World Cup history.
- Australia have had three of the all-time top ten bowlers.
- Three Sri Lanka bowlers also feature among the leading wicket-takers in World Cup history
Conclusion
The ICC Cricket World Cup has produced some of the best bowlers ODI cricket has ever seen. With 71 wickets, Glenn McGrath holds the record for the highest wicket-taker in World Cup history, but here’s a look at some memorable performances from legends like Muttiah Muralitharan, Mitchell Starc, Wasim Akram and Mohammed Shami on the biggest stage cricket has to offer. With each passing World Cup, the next crop of stars will try to upstage these iconic achievements, but their numbers remain a gold standard by which excellence in ODI bowling is measured.
Cricket Players: Rahul Dravid | Mayank Yadav | Suresh Raina | Mohammed Siraj | Vamika Kohli
