Top 5 Australian Bowlers With Most Wickets In ODIs

Australia played the first-ever ODI match in 1971, defeating England at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.  

The Australian cricket team has gone on to produce several legendary cricketers who have made contributions in helping the team win the ODI World Cup title record six times.  

Known for winning big titles and tournaments, some of the greatest bowlers in the world have come from Australia. Let us take a look at Australian bowlers with most wickets in ODIs.

1. Brett Lee – 380 wickets

Brett Lee is considered one of the greatest fast bowlers to play international cricket for Australia. Known for his lethal pace, Lee sits on top of the list of Austrian bowlers with most wickets. After McGrath, he became the second Aussie to pick more than 350 wickets for his nation. 

Lee made his ODI debut in the year 2000 and played till July 2012. He featured for  Australia in 221 ODIs, taking 380 wickets at an average of 23.36. The speedster claimed 14 four-wicket hauls and nine five-wicket hauls in ODIs.

2. Glenn McGrath – 380 wickets 

Glenn McGrath was one of the most ferocious Australian bowlers, leaving opponent batters in a huff. The iconic fast-bowler made his ODI debut in December 1993 and played till ODI World Cup 2007 final.  

McGrath took a total of 381 wickets in 250 ODI matches, in which he appeared on 249 occassions for Australia and one for ICC ODI XI. He took one wicket for ICC ODI XI, whereas the other 380 came for Australia. 

The legendary bowler took 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.

3. Shane Warne – 291 wickets 

Shane Warne was one of the greatest leg-spinners in international cricket Australia ever produced . He was the first and still the only Australian spinner to take over 250 scalps  in ODI cricket. 

Warne made his ODI debut against New Zealand in Wellington in March 1993. Celebrated as one of the finest Australian bowlers, Warne secured 291 wickets in 194 matches. He picked 12 four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul in 50-over format.

4. Mitchell Johnson – 239 wickets 

One of the finest in international cricket, Mitchell Johnson is the fourth Australian bowler with most cricket. Johnson made his ODI debut against New Zealand in Christchurch in December 2005. He played his last match against the Kiwis in Melbourne in March 2015. 

Johnson played 153 ODI matches for Australia and took 239 wickets at an average of 25.26. He completed nine four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls in his 10-year-long career.

Also Read: 5 Batters With Most Runs In England vs Australia ODIs

5. Mitchell Starc – 239 wickets

Mitchell Starc is one of the most feared fast bowlers currently. 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. 

Starc has a remarkable bowling average of 22.88, including 12 four-wicket hauls and nine five-wicket hauls in the 50-over format so far.