Top 5 bowlers with most wickets for Australia in ODI cricket

Only two Australian bowlers have taken more than 350 ODI wickets.

Along with England, Australia are also one of the oldest nations to play international cricket. Australia played the first-ever ODI match in 1971. They defeated England at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Australian cricket team has since then produced many legendary cricketers who have lifted their nation’s status in the cricketing world to win the ODI World Cup title record six times.

Apart from batters, their bowlers have also helped them to win matches and tournaments for their nation. On that note, let’s take a look at bowlers with most wickets for Australia in ODIs.

Top five bowlers with most wickets for Australia in ODI cricket:

5. Mitchell Starc – 239 wickets

Mitchell Starc is one of the finest left-arm seamers in world cricket at this moment. The veteran cricketer has played a huge role in helping Australia win the ICC ODI World Cup 2015. Starc took 22 wickets in that tournament.

The left-arm seamer made his ODI debut against India in Visakhapatnam in October 2010. Since then, Starc has played 122 matches and taken 239 ODI wickets till now. The veteran pacer has a good bowling average of 22.88, including 12 four-wicket hauls and nine five-wicket hauls in the ODI format so far.

4. Mitchell Johnson – 239 wickets

One of the greatest bowlers to play cricket for Australia, Mitchell Johnson is their fourth-highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket. Johnson made his ODI debut against New Zealand in Christchurch in December 2005. He played his last match against New Zealand in Melbourne in March 2015.

In a 10-year-long ODI career, Johnson played 153 matches and scalped 239 wickets at an average of 25.26. He claimed nine four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls in his illustrious career.

3. Late Shane Warne – 291 wickets

Late Shane Warne was one of the legendary leg-spinners ever to play international cricket from Australia. He was the first and still the only Australian spinner to take over 250 wickets in 50-over cricket.

Warne made his ODI debut against New Zealand in Wellington in March 1993. In his legendary ODI career, Warne bagged 291 wickets in 194 matches. The former cricketer picked 12 four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul in ODIs. Sadly, he passed away in 2022.

2. Glenn McGrath – 380 wickets

Fondly known as “Pigeon,” Glenn McGrath was one of the most accurate bowlers to play the game. The legendary pacer made his ODI debut in December 1993 and played till ODI World Cup 2007 final.

He took a total of 381 wickets in 250 ODI matches, in which he played 249 for Australia and one for ICC ODI XI, for whom, he took one wicket, whereas his other 380 came for Australia. He picked nine four-wicket hauls and seven five-wicket hauls in ODIs.

He also holds the record for most wickets (71) and best bowling figures (7/15) in ODI World Cup history.

1. Brett Lee – 380 wickets

Brett Lee is one of the greatest fast bowlers to play international cricket for Australia. Lee was known for his lethal pace with accuracy. After McGrath, Brett Lee became the second bowler to pick more than 350 wickets for his nation.

Lee made his ODI debut in the year 2000 and played till July 2012. He represented Australia in 221 ODIs, in which he took 380 scalps at an average of 23.36. He took 14 four-wicket hauls and nine five-wicket hauls in ODIs.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.