County Championship 2023: Most Wickets Takers in Division One of English Domestic Cricket
As the County Championship 2023 gets underway, cricket fans all over England and Wales are eagerly awaiting the performances of their favourite players. One key statistic that will be closely followed is the County Championship 2023 Most Wickets Taker.
The player who scores the most runs in the County Championship will not only earn bragging rights but also contribute to their team’s success. In this article, we will take a closer look at the contenders for the most wickets taker in the County Championship 2023.
County Championship 2023: Most Wickets
| Player | MAT | INNS | OVR | RUNS | WK | BBI | AVG | ECN | SR | 4W | 5W | MD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Chris Rushworth | 5 | 12 | 177.2 | 541 | 35 | 3/76 | 15.46 | 3.05 | 30.40 | – | – | 40 |
| 2. Mohammad Abbas | 6 | 13 | 233.2 | 571 | 32 | 2/30 | 17.84 | 2.45 | 43.75 | – | – | 70 |
| 3. Brett Hutton | 6 | 11 | 167.2 | 537 | 29 | 6/45 | 18.52 | 3.21 | 34.62 | – | – | 30 |
| 4. Daniel Worrall | 5 | 12 | 189.4 | 608 | 28 | 4/38 | 21.71 | 3.21 | 40.64 | 1 | – | 41 |
| 5. Jordan Clark | 6 | 14 | 166 | 556 | 28 | 4/58 | 19.86 | 3.35 | 35.57 | 1 | – | 34 |
| 6. Jamie Porter | 6 | 13 | 176.4 | 549 | 27 | 4/51 | 20.33 | 3.11 | 39.26 | 1 | – | 34 |
| 7. Simon Harmer | 6 | 13 | 251.3 | 787 | 26 | 4/141 | 30.27 | 3.13 | 58.04 | 1 | – | 62 |
| 8. Samuel Cook | 5 | 12 | 176.3 | 453 | 24 | 2/38 | 18.88 | 2.57 | 44.13 | – | – | 44 |
| 9. Dane Paterson | 5 | 11 | 178.1 | 538 | 24 | 5/46 | 22.42 | 3.02 | 44.54 | – | – | 29 |
| 10. Lewis Gregory | 4 | 8 | 131 | 491 | 23 | 7/84 | 21.35 | 3.75 | 34.17 | 1 | 1 | 21 |
Also Read: County Championship 2023: Most Runs Scorer in Division One of English Domestic Cricket
Most Wickets in County Championship 2023
Chris Rushworth is leading the charts as the most wickets taker in County Champinship 2023. Playing for Warwickshire he has 30 wickets to his name from just 5 games. He has an excellent economy of 3.15 and average of 14.20.
Following him closely is the Pakistani pace man Mohammad Abbas. The Hampshire bowler has been in great touch with the ball in hand and in 11 innings and 6 games has claimed 29 wickets at an economy of 2.23
Brett Hutton is third on this list with again 29 wickets to his name as well. He has played 5 games for Nottinghamshire and worked wonders with the ball in hand. Having just appeared in 10 innings, he has the chance of clinching the title of most wickets taker in County Champinship 2023.
Most Wickets taker in County Championship history
One of the key metrics by which bowlers are judged in the County Championship is the number of wickets they take in a season. The record for the most wickets in a single County Championship season is held by Tich Freeman, who took a staggering 304 wickets in the 1928 season. However, in recent times, no bowler has come close to breaking that record. Here are the top 5 bowlers with the most wickets in County Championship history:
- Wilfred Rhodes – 4204 wickets
Wilfred Rhodes is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the County Championship. The left-arm spinner played for Yorkshire for over 30 years between 1898 and 1930, and during that time, he took a remarkable 4204 wickets at an average of just 16.72. Rhodes holds the record for the most wickets in County Championship history, and it is a record that is unlikely to be broken anytime soon.
- Tich Freeman – 3778 wickets
As mentioned earlier, Tich Freeman holds the record for the most wickets in a single County Championship season. However, he also had an impressive overall record in the competition, taking a total of 3778 wickets at an average of 18.42. Freeman played for Kent for over 20 years between 1914 and 1936, and he was one of the finest spinners of his generation.
- Brian Statham – 2529 wickets
Brian Statham is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of English cricket. He played for Lancashire for over 20 years between 1950 and 1968, and during that time, he took a total of 2529 wickets at an average of just 16.36. Statham’s record is a testament to his skill as a bowler, and he remains one of the all-time greats of the County Championship.
- Derek Underwood – 2462 wickets
Derek Underwood was a legendary left-arm spinner who played for Kent for over 20 years between 1963 and 1987. During that time, he took a total of 2462 wickets at an average of just 20.28. Underwood was known for his accuracy and his ability to get the ball to turn sharply, and he was a key player in the Kent team for many years.
- Jim Laker – 1939 wickets
Jim Laker is another legendary spinner who played for Surrey for over 20 years between 1946 and 1959. During that time, he took a total of 1939 wickets at an average of just 18.41. Laker is perhaps best known for his remarkable performance in the 1956 Ashes series, where he took 19 wickets in a single match, including all 10 wickets in the second innings.
Conclusion
The County Championship has a rich history, and the competition remains an important platform for the development of young cricketers. Over the years, many great bowlers have made their mark in the County Championship, and the top 5 bowlers with the most wickets in the competition are a testament to the skill and dedication required to excel in first-class cricket. As the County Championship continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see if any
