Anyone who has followed cricket closely knows that the West Indies dominated the world across all formats in the 1970s and 1980s. They were the team to beat for other nations in the game. Thus, the Caribbean team won the first two ODI World Cups in 1975 and 1979, respectively.
However, there has been some decline in the performance of this team as compared to its initial days, but this country has given the world some legends. Here we will talk about the highest ODI wicket taker in history for the West Indies. This list will feature some of the best bowlers to ever step foot on a cricket field. So let’s check.
5. Chris Gayle – 167 wickets in 197 innings
Some fans will be surprised to see the name of “Universe Boss” Chris Gayle on the bowler’s list. But he was a really decent spin option for his team. Gayle made his ODI debut in September 1999 against India. He made his name as the dangreous opening batter in white-ball cricket. Gayle played 301 ODIs and took 167 wickets in 199 innings, with a best figure of 5/46. He also scored 10480 runs with 25 centuries and 54 half-centuries in ODIs.
4. Carl Hooper – 193 wickets in 203 innings
Another former all-rounder makes this list. Carl Hooper was known for his consistency with both bat and ball. He played his first ODI against New Zealand in March 1987. Hooper featured in 227 ODI matches for the West Indies and took 193 wickets in 203 innings, with the best bowling figure of 4/34. He also scored 5761 runs at an average of 35.34 with seven centuries and 29 half-centuries in the 50-over format.
3. DJ Bravo – 199 wickets in 164 ODIs
Former West Indian all-rounder and the match who has been in big demand in franchises cricket, DJ Bravo is third on this list. Bravo started his career as a bowler and then also did well with the bat for his team. He made his ODI debut in April 2004 against England and picked up 2/31. In his career, he played 164 ODIs and took 199 wickets at an economy rate of 5.41, with the best figure of 6/43. He also scored 2968 runs with two centuries and 10 half-centuries.
2. Curtly Ambrose – 225 wickets in 176 ODIs
Curtly Ambrose was one of the scariest bowlers from the West Indies in the 1990s. He made his name with his pace and accuracy. Ambrose made his ODI debut in March 1988 against Pakistan and took 4/39 in his debut match. He played 176 ODIs in his career and took 225 wickets at an economy rate of 3.48 and an average of 24.12. Ambrose took six 4-wicket hauls and four 5-wicket hauls in his career, with the best of 5/17.
1. Courtney Walsh – 227 wickets in 205 ODIs
The biggest bowling name from the West Indies was Courtney Walsh, who ended up picking the most wickets for his country at international level. The bowler with 519 Test wickets, made his ODI debut in January 1985 against Sri Lanka. Walsh played 205 ODI games for the West Indies and took 227 wickets at an economy rate of 3.83 and an average of 30.47. He took six 4-wicket hauls with the best figure of 5/1.
List of West Indies Highest Wicket Taker in ODI
| Bowler | Span | Mts | Wkts | BBI | Econ | 4w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courtney Walsh | 1985-2000 | 205 | 227 | 5/1 | 3.83 | 6 |
| Curtly Ambrose | 1988-2000 | 176 | 225 | 5/17 | 3.48 | 6 |
| DJ Bravo | 2004-2014 | 164 | 199 | 6/43 | 5.41 | 6 |
| Carl Hooper | 1987-2003 | 227 | 193 | 4/34 | 4.36 | 3 |
| Chris Gayle | 1999-2019 | 298 | 167 | 5/46 | 4.77 | 3 |
| Malcolm Marshall | 1980-1992 | 136 | 157 | 4/18 | 3.53 | 6 |
| Jason Holder* | 2013-2022 | 131 | 153 | 5/27 | 5.51 | 5 |
| Joel Garner | 1977-1987 | 98 | 146 | 5/31 | 3.09 | 2 |
| Michael Holding | 1976-1987 | 102 | 143 | 5/26 | 3.32 | 5 |
| Mervyn Dillon | 1997-2005 | 108 | 130 | 5/29 | 4.61 | 3 |