The ICC Champions Trophy, which began as the ICC KnockOut Tournament in 1998, has seen some notably exceptional bowler performances over its storied past. Let’s look at the highest wicket takers in Champions Trophy history.
Let me lead you through the players who are the highest wicket takers in the champions trophy history, the ones who have made their mark on this selective competition, and who, I have followed closely throughout their careers and played in many editions of it, are now ready for you to read about them.
Most Wicket Takers in Champions Trophy History
1. Kyle Mills (New Zealand) – 28 Wickets
Kyle Mills is the king among the bowlers in the world of Champions Trophy by taking 28 wickets in his professional career from 2002 to 2013. Besides the number of wickets he has taken, what really astonishes me is that he achieved it with an average of 17.25 and also an economic rate of just 4.29.
I could state that the things I admired in Mills from his performances are that he could swing the ball both ways and he was able to keep the line and length consistently that were the major factors of his being a deadly weapon in England.
His best figures, in this case, were 4/30 where he showed his ability to break the top batting order completely.
2. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 25 Wickets
The wieghtlifting trend of Sri Lanka, Lasith Malinga, took home the medal of 25 wickets during the 2006-2017 period. His special bowling gave him the title of the most dangerous bowler in the tournament’s history.
In 16 matches, Malinga was able to maintain an average of 30.64. The reason why he stood out the most was through the death overs where he consistently took key wickets when it was required the most by his team.
His biggest achievement of 4 wickets for 34 runs was also his most debilitating part in the tournament.
3. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 24 Wickets
The master of spin bowling, Muttiah Muralitharan, obtained 24 wickets from his Champions Trophy career from 1998 to 2009.
Economically, he was one of the best spinners in the game, with a 3.60 rate in limited-overs cricket. After thoroughly reviewing his bowling, I can disclose that his strength is turning the ball on any surface he is on, as well as a variation that makes it hard for the batsman to score.
His 4/15 showcase his impressive success in the competition.
4. Brett Lee (Australia) – 22 Wickets
The Australian express bowler Brett Lee notched up 22 wickets in his Champions Trophy career.
His amazing speed and ability to swing the ball at high speeds made him a constant threat. Lee played an important role in Australia’s success with an average of 26.86 and an economy rate of 4.79.
The very fact that he was performing well across the different years of the tournament says a lot about how adaptable he was to conditions over time.
5. Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 21 Wickets
The legendary Glenn McGrath was successful in picking up 21 wickets throughout his Champions Trophy journey.
Astonishingly, what he achieved during his era is that he has an average of 19.61 and an economic rate of 4.03, the best of records in the sport. Focusing on his straight line and full length delivery, McGrath was able to achieve a slight seam movement that made him extremely effective against batsmen.
He ran through batting lines convincingly by putting up an excellent performance with his best being 5 wickets for 37 runs.
6. James Anderson (England) – 21 Wickets
England’s leader in fast bowling, James Anderson bagged 21 wickets in his Champions Trophy career.
His capability of swinging the ball both ways, especially under the English conditions, was one of his biggest advantages.
With an impressive record of 21.76 and an economy rate of 4.50, Anderson continuously provided his team with breakthroughs at the start of the innings.
7. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 20 Wickets
The South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis took 20 wickets in his Champions Trophy career.
What he could achieve with the ball is nicely shown by his 5/30 stats in the championship.
Kallis could significantly affect the match throughout his career in the tournament by not only being an excellent batsman but also being able to bowl out opponents efficiently, which has made him a valuable player for the team.
8. Mervyn Dillon (West Indies) – 19 Wickets
Mervyn Dillon, the fast bowler from the West Indies, was able to claim 19 wickets in just 7 games, with a brilliant average of 16.68.
His economic rate being 4.66 and highest figures being 5/29 shows how effective he was in the tournament.
Examining his bowling style, I noticed that the ability to use the power of bounce on several surfaces was a great threat for him.
9. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) – 18 Wickets
The left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas from Sri Lanka totaled 18 wickets in his Champions Trophy career.
Swinging the ball and seam movement control put him on top of the list as one of the most economical bowlers throughout the tournament. His 3.93 economy rate throughout his career was an impressive achievement as well.
His ability to mix up his overs with tight bowling was key to Sri Lanka performing well.
10. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) – 18 Wickets
Daniel Vettori, the crafty left-hand spinner, took 18 wickets during his career in Champions Trophy.
His 3.65 economy rate was just commendable, which is a great reflector for his talent to hold back batsmen while picking up important wickets.
Vettori was a very tactical bowler with a great variety who was an important part of New Zealand’s bowling in the tournament.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Sixes in ICC Champions Trophy
Honorable Mentions:
Other bowlers who have affected the tournament’s affairs considerably are also considered. Chris Gayle (17 wickets), Shane Watson (17 wickets), and Shane Bond (17 wickets) are noteworthy for their input. There was also some remarkable bowling in the 2017 edition, with bowlers like Hasan Ali who made his mark with 13 wickets in just 5 matches.
During its long history, the Champions Trophy has gone through times where every patch had been rocked by several strategies in bowling. From the typical swing bowling of the 1990s and the unveiling of the mystery spinner to the variations in modernity, the contest was won by the bowling arm changing shape.
The mutual fact of both successful pacers and spinners engineering this is very descriptive about the fundamental role of a strong and balanced bowling line up in a high-profile event.
The playable advancements made by these bowlers have become an important part of this development. They have not only helped their teams but also influenced the new generation of players. Their achievements remain as the mark of excellence in limited-overs cricket and, especially in the high-pressure tournament conditions, they have been the example for the next generation.
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