Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy: The ICC Champions Trophy has been a platform for some of the best bowlers in cricket to showcase their talent. Over the years, many players have taken crucial wickets, helping their teams win matches and leave a mark in cricket history. In this blog, we will highlight the top 5 wicket-takers in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy Top 5 Wicket-Takers
1. Kyle Mills (New Zealand) – 28 Wickets
Kyle Mills, a key bowler for New Zealand, holds the record for the most wickets in ICC Champions Trophy history.
- Matches Played: 15
- Wickets Taken: 28
- Bowling Average: 17.25
- Economy Rate: 4.29
Key Performances:
Mills was crucial in New Zealand’s campaigns, especially in the 2009 edition. His ability to bowl accurate, swinging deliveries made him a key player. His consistency in picking up wickets made him a major threat in every match.
2. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 25 Wickets
Lasith Malinga, one of the most famous death bowlers in cricket, took 25 wickets in the Champions Trophy.
- Matches Played: 16
- Wickets Taken: 25
- Bowling Average: 30.64
- Economy Rate: 5.31
Key Performances:
Malinga’s most memorable performances came in the 2009 tournament, where his deadly yorkers helped Sri Lanka to a strong position. His unique bowling action and ability to bowl under pressure made him a dangerous opponent for batsmen.
3. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 24 Wickets
Muttiah Muralitharan, widely regarded as one of the best spinners in cricket, took 24 wickets in the Champions Trophy.
- Matches Played: 17
- Wickets Taken: 24
- Bowling Average: 20.16
- Economy Rate: 3.60
Key Performances:
Muralitharan’s performance in the 2002 Champions Trophy was remarkable. His ability to turn the ball sharply and deceive batsmen with his variations helped Sri Lanka win the tournament. He was known for his match-winning spells throughout the competition.
4. Brett Lee (Australia) – 22 Wickets
Brett Lee, Australia’s pace spearhead, took 22 wickets in the ICC Champions Trophy.
- Matches Played: 16
- Wickets Taken: 22
- Bowling Average: 26.86
- Economy Rate: 4.79
Key Performances:
Lee’s fiery spells, particularly in the 2006 Champions Trophy, helped Australia win the tournament. His pace and ability to swing the ball made him a deadly bowler. Lee’s aggressive style and key wickets made him a vital part of Australia’s success.
5. Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 21 Wickets
Glenn McGrath, one of the most accurate bowlers in the history of cricket, took 21 wickets in the ICC Champions Trophy.
- Matches Played: 12
- Wickets Taken: 21
- Bowling Average: 19.61
- Economy Rate: 4.03
Key Performances:
McGrath’s consistency and accuracy made him one of the best bowlers in the ICC Champions Trophy. He was known for his ability to hit the right length and extract subtle movement from the pitch. His crucial wickets helped Australia maintain their dominance in the tournament.
Most Wickets in ICC Champions Trophy History List
| Player | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Balls | Overs | Mdns | Runs | BBI | Ave | Econ | SR | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KD Mills (NZ) | 15 | 15 | 28 | 675 | 112.3 | 7 | 483 | 4/30 | 17.25 | 4.29 | 24.10 | 2 | – |
| SL Malinga (SL) | 16 | 16 | 25 | 864 | 144.0 | 9 | 766 | 4/34 | 30.64 | 5.31 | 34.56 | 2 | – |
| M Muralidaran (SL) | 17 | 15 | 24 | 805 | 134.1 | 11 | 484 | 4/15 | 20.16 | 3.60 | 33.54 | 2 | – |
| B Lee (AUS) | 16 | 15 | 22 | 739 | 123.1 | 6 | 591 | 3/38 | 26.86 | 4.79 | 33.59 | – | – |
| GD McGrath (AUS) | 12 | 12 | 21 | 612 | 102.0 | 13 | 412 | 5/37 | 19.61 | 4.03 | 29.14 | – | 1 |
| JM Anderson (ENG) | 12 | 12 | 21 | 608 | 101.2 | 6 | 457 | 3/20 | 21.76 | 4.50 | 28.95 | – | – |
| JH Kallis (SA) | 17 | 15 | 20 | 639 | 106.3 | 3 | 525 | 5/30 | 26.25 | 4.92 | 31.95 | – | 1 |
| M Dillon (WI) | 7 | 7 | 19 | 408 | 68.0 | 10 | 317 | 5/29 | 16.68 | 4.66 | 21.47 | 1 | 1 |
| WPUJC Vaas (SL) | 16 | 16 | 18 | 754 | 125.4 | 19 | 494 | 2/6 | 27.44 | 3.93 | 41.88 | – | – |
| DL Vettori (NZ) | 17 | 17 | 18 | 856 | 142.4 | 12 | 522 | 3/14 | 29.00 | 3.65 | 47.55 | – | – |
| CH Gayle (WI) | 17 | 14 | 17 | 508 | 84.4 | 2 | 380 | 3/3 | 22.35 | 4.48 | 29.88 | – | – |
| SR Watson (AUS) | 17 | 15 | 17 | 576 | 96.0 | 3 | 396 | 3/16 | 23.29 | 4.12 | 33.88 | – | – |