An ODI World Cup is the biggest stage for any team and player representing his country. It is a dream of any player to play in ODI WC for his country. But not many gets chance to do so even in their entire career. The pressure in an ICC event is always immense and always difficult to perform at the big stage.
However, there are some great cricketers who delivered some match winning performance not in one game but throughout the competition. Everyone knows that Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most runs in ODI World Cup history. Meanwhile, it is Glenn McGrath, who has taken most wickets in the ICC event. But do you know which bowler has taken most wickets in a single edition. Here we will check at that stat.
Most Wickets in a Single edition of ODI World Cup
| Bowler | Edition | Mts | Wkts | BBI | Econ | 4/5 |
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 2019 | 10 | 27 | 5/26 | 5.43 | 2/2 |
| Glenn McGrath (AUS) | 2007 | 11 | 26 | 3/14 | 4.41 | 0/0 |
| Chaminda Vaas (SL) | 2003 | 10 | 23 | 6/25 | 3.76 | 1/1 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) | 2007 | 10 | 23 | 4/19 | 4.14 | 2/0 |
| Shaun Tait (AUS) | 2007 | 11 | 23 | 4/39 | 5.52 | 1/0 |
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 2015 | 8 | 22 | 6/28 | 3.50 | 1/1 |
| Trent Boult (NZ) | 2015 | 9 | 22 | 5/27 | 4.36 | 1/1 |
| Brett Lee (AUS) | 2003 | 10 | 22 | 5/42 | 4.73 | 0/1 |
| Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 2001 | 8 | 21 | 5/16 | 3.62 | 2/2 |
| Glenn McGrath (AUS) | 2003 | 11 | 21 | 7/15 | 3.56 | 0/1 |
5. Shaun Tait (AUS) – 23 wickets in 2007 WC
Australia won the 2007 ODI World Cup beating Sri Lanka in the final. In that edition, Shaun Tait was on fire. He was Australia’s second-highest wicket taker and joint-second-highest in the tournament. Tait played 11 games and took 23 wickets at a brilliant strike rate of 22.04, with a best of 4/39.
4. Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) – 23 wickets in 2007 WC
Sri Lanka reached the final of the 2007 ODI World Cup and one of the prime reason for their journey was Muthiah Muralidaran. He ended up as their highest wicket-taker and joint-second most in the competition. Murali played 10 games in the 2007 edition and took a total of 23 wickets at an economy rate of 4.14 and an average of 15.26, including a best of 4/19.
3. Chaminda Vaas (SL) – 23 wickets in 2003 WC
The 2003 World Cup took place in West Indies and Sri Lanka reached the semi-finals. Chaminda Vaas was Sri Lanka’s main strike bowler in that competition. He played 10 games and took 23 wickets at an average and economy rate of 14.39 and 3.76, respectively. He also took one four-wicket haul and one fifer with a best of 6/25.
2. Glenn McGrath (AUS) – 26 wickets in 2007 WC
The previous record for the most wicket in a single ODI world cup was held by Glenn McGrath. He ended the 2007 WC as the highest wicket-taker and helped Australia to lift the trophy. McGrath played 11 games in that competition and dismissed 26 batters at an incredible average of 13.73 and a strike rate of 18.65, with a best of 3/14.
1. Mitchell Starc (AUS) – 27 wickets in 2019 WC
Mitchell Starc is one of the best pacer in the modern-day cricket. His record especially in ODI World Cups is remarkable. He took 22 wickets in just 8 games in 2015 when Australia won. But in 2019, he broke McGrath’s record, despite Australia finishing in the semis. Starc played 10 games in that competition and picked up 27 wickets, with two four-wicket hauls and two fifers and a best of 5/26.