Top 5 Highest Wicket-Taker in ICC Champions Trophy
The ICC Champions Trophy is an international level knockout tournament, which is also touted as a ‘Mini World Cup’ for the level of excitement and buzz it generates. It began in 1998 and is hosted by the supreme body called the International Cricket Council (ICC). One of the most prestigious one-day tournaments in cricket, it showcases some of the finest talents in in the cricket domain.
While the Champions Trophy has a knack for hosting nail-biting contests and high-scoring matches, it has also witnessed some exceptional bowling performances over the years. Much like the batsmen which generally take the centre-stage, bowlers play a significant role in determining the real turnout of a match.
Several greats of the game have left an indelible mark on the tournament with their ability to take wickets at crucial moments and snatch the game away from the hands of the opposition. Read on to find out the names of the highest wicket-taking bowlers in the ICC Champions Trophy so far.
1. Kyle Mills – One of New Zealand’s finest ODI bowlers, he holds the record for the highest number of wickets in ICC Champions Trophy history until date. In a span of 15 matches, Mills picked up 28 wickets at an economy of 4.29. His ability to extract swing, coupled with pinpoint accuracy was a nightmare experience for batsmen, making him a lethal force in the Kiwis’ bowling unit.
2. Lasith Malinga – The Sri Lankan legend was known for his unique sling-arm action and unplayable Yorkers. Holding the second place, he has secured 25 wickets in 16 matches with an economy of 5.31. His ability to bowl at fast pace in death overs and pick wickets at crucial moments made him one of the most feared bowlers every time he stepped on the field. Malinga’s standout performance was in the 2013 edition, where he played a major role in Sri Lanka’s campaign.
3. Muttiah Muralitharan – Another Sri Lankan teammate, the legendary off-spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan has so far picked 24 wickets in 17 matches played in the history of CT. He has the best economy figures out of the top five bowlers, an impressive 3.60. His unconventional bowling style and the variety in spin variation has always been a cause of trouble for batsmen all across.
4. Brett Lee – Arguably the fastest bowler ever, Brett Lee was an explosive weapon in Australia’s armory squad during the golden era of cricket. He was a major asset for Australia in all the ICC tournaments. Brett Lee on the fourth place has claimed 22 wickets in 16 matches, with a stellar economy of 4.79. Using his super pace and aggressive approach, the flashy bowler has caused immense trouble to the oppositions in his prime.
5. Glenn McGrath – Touted as the greatest Australian fast bowler of his time, McGrath was renowned for his incessant precision for bowling his line and length. He took 21 wickets in mere 12 matches, thus proving his mettle as a world-class bowler. His ability to back himself unabashedly and create pressure on the batsmen often helped gain crucial breakthroughs for Australia. His performances have been highly pivotal in Australia’s dominance as one of the strongest teams in world cricket.
The ICC Champions Trophy has served as a great platform since its inception to allow athletes to display their skills and create a name for themselves. Like batsmen, it has seen several bowlers impress with prowess and rise to prominence over the years.
