The upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will be the 13th edition of the Cricket World Cup. It is scheduled to be hosted by India from 5 October to 19 November 2023.
The previous 2019 World Cup included record-breaking batting performances and exhibitions of extraordinary achievements. The World Cup’s One-Day International format, though, also gives bowlers a lot of liberty. The competition has witnessed numerous incredible bowling performances, including four- and five-wicket hauls. Even seven wickets have been taken in one innings by some players.
Having said that, here we present a list of players with the most five wicket hauls in the ICC World Cup, starting from 1992.
Most Five Wicket Hauls in World Cup: An Overview
In cricket, a five-wicket haul (also known as a “five–for” or “fifer”) is regarded by critics as one of the most notable achievements, and there have been only 64 instances of a bowler taking a five-wicket haul in World Cup tournaments.
As of 2019, 56 players had claimed a five-wicket haul in the competition dating back to the first edition in 1975. Dennis Lillee of Australia became the first player to record a five-wicket haul against Pakistan in the third World Cup game, taking five wickets for 34 runs.
In the edition, his native countryman Gary Gilmour recorded two straight five-wicket hauls—against England in the semifinal and the West Indies in the championship. In an all-time list published by the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack in 2002, the first of the two, with six wickets for 14 runs, was awarded the “Best Bowling Performance” in ODIs.
Only one other player, Joel Garner, has taken five wickets in a World Cup final. In the 1979 tournament final against England, he claimed five wickets for 38 runs, ensuring West Indies’ victory and helping them retain the championship.
The first tournament without a five-wicket haul was the 1992 edition, but a record 12 five-wicket hauls were recorded by 11 different players in the 2003 event. In the history of the competition, Mitchell Starc of Australia has taken three five-wicket hauls, while Gilmour, Ashantha de Mel, Glenn McGrath, Vasbert Drakes, Shahid Afridi, and Mustafizur Rahman have each taken two. The highest bowling numbers in World Cup games still belong to McGrath’s seven wickets for 15 runs against Namibia.
| Player | Five Wickets | Innings | Wickets | Best Figure | Span |
| Mohammad Shami (IND) | 4 | 17 | 52 | 7/57 | 2013-2023 |
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 3 | 18 | 49 | 6/28 | 2015-2019 |
| Gary Gilmour (AUS) | 2 | 2 | 11 | 6/14 | 1975-1975 |
| Vasbert Drakes (WI) | 2 | 6 | 16 | 5/33 | 2003-2003 |
| Mustafizur Rahman (BAN) | 2 | 8 | 20 | 5/59 | 2019-2019 |
| Ashantha de Mel (SL) | 2 | 9 | 18 | 5/32 | 1983-1987 |
| Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 2 | 24 | 30 | 5/16 | 1999-2015 |
| Glenn McGrath (AUS) | 2 | 39 | 71 | 7/15 | 1996-2007 |
| Mitchell Marsh (AUS) | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5/33 | 2015-2015 |
| Ravi Rampaul (WI) | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5/51 | 2011-2011 |
| Austin Codrington (CAN) | 1 | 4 | 6 | 5/27 | 2003-2003 |
Mohammad Shami created the record for most five-wicket hauls in ICC World Cup
Mohammed Shami set the record for the most five-wicket hauls in a single edition of the World Cup. Shami has three fifers to his name in the ongoing mega event on Indian soil. Gary Gilmour (1975), Ashantha de Mel (1983), Vasbert Drakes (2003), Shahid Afridi (2011), and Mustafizur Rahman (2019) have two five-wicket hauls apiece to their names.
Mohammed Shami set the record for most wickets for India in a single edition of the ODI World Cup. He went past Zaheer Khan, who had taken 21 wickets from nine matches back in the 2011 mega event.
Mohammed Shami further solidified his status as a cricketing virtuoso by achieving a historic milestone as the first bowler ever to secure four five-wicket hauls in World Cup matches. His exceptional performance against New Zealand showcased his bowling mastery, as he systematically dismantled the Kiwi batting lineup, concluding with an outstanding figure of 7/57. Not only did these remarkable bowling figures signify a personal triumph for Shami, but they also etched a new record for the best ODI bowling figures by an Indian cricketer.
Shami’s journey to this record-breaking achievement commenced in the 2019 World Cup, where he claimed his inaugural fifer against England. Carrying his dominance into the 2023 edition, he continued to shine with five-wicket hauls against New Zealand and Sri Lanka during the league stage. The pivotal semi-final clash against New Zealand then provided the platform for his fourth five-wicket haul, surpassing the previous record held by Australia’s Mitchell Starc.
Mitchell Starc 3 fifers in World Cup
The bowler with the most five-wicket hauls at the World Cup is Mitchell Starc of Australia. In just two World Cups, the left-arm fast bowler has three five-wicket hauls to his name. Starc has played 18 innings, taken 49 wickets overall, and his best performance was 6/28. He will play in the upcoming 2023 ICC World Cup in India and is now the World Cup’s fifth-highest wicket-taker.
Picture this: the sun sets over the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2015, and the tension is palpable as Australia faces New Zealand in the World Cup final. Enter Mitchell Starc, the left-arm fast bowler who possesses the rare ability to swing the ball both ways. In this high-stakes clash, Starc’s magic unfolded, leaving the Kiwi batsmen in disarray. His impeccable figures of 6/28 were etched into the World Cup history books, setting the tone for Australia’s triumph.
But that’s not all; Starc’s heroics aren’t confined to one tournament. In just two World Cups, this 32-year-old speedster has claimed three five-wicket hauls, making him the undisputed leader in this category. His raw pace and ability to make the ball dance through the air make him a nightmare for any batsman, especially in conditions conducive to swing. And the best part? He’s got plenty more World Cups left in his tank, so stay tuned for more records to tumble!
Gary Gilmour – Australia: The Swing Virtuoso of the ’70s
Rewind to the 1975 World Cup, and you’ll find Gary Gilmour, a fast bowler from down under, weaving his magic on English soil. Gilmour’s defining moment came against England, where he produced a breathtaking spell, dismantling the English lineup with figures of 6/14. It was an exhibition of swing bowling at its very best.
But Gilmour wasn’t a one-tournament wonder. He repeated his heroics in the final against the West Indies, taking five wickets for just 48 runs. His ability to swing the ball both ways, coupled with laser-like accuracy, made him a bowler par excellence. Gilmour played a pivotal role in Australia’s World Cup triumphs in 1975 and 1983.
Vasbert Drakes – West Indies: The Bounce King
Fast forward to the late ’90s and early 2000s, and the West Indies had a pace sensation named Vasbert Drakes. With a penchant for extracting bounce from even the flattest of tracks, Drakes was a force to be reckoned with. In the 2003 World Cup, he left a trail of destruction, notching up a five-wicket haul against South Africa, conceding just 33 runs.
But that wasn’t all; he repeated his magic against Kenya in the Super Sixes stage, taking five wickets for 42 runs. Drakes combined raw speed with pinpoint accuracy, making life miserable for batsmen. His contribution was instrumental in the West Indies’ journey to the 2003 World Cup final.
More Five-Wicket Masters:
These three bowlers aren’t the only ones to have woven magic on the World Cup stage. Let’s take a look at some other bowlers who have achieved multiple five-wicket hauls in ICC World Cups:
- Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) – 2
- Ashantha de Mel (Sri Lanka) – 2
- Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 2
- Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 2
- Mitchell Marsh (Australia) – 2
- Ravi Rampaul (West Indies) – 2
- Austin Codrington (Canada) – 2
These bowlers, each with their unique skills and flair, have been instrumental in their teams’ success in World Cups. They aren’t just wicket-takers; they are the architects of some of the most memorable moments in the history of cricket’s greatest spectacle.
In conclusion, the ICC Cricket World Cup is not just about the towering sixes and elegant cover drives; it’s also about the raw power, precision, and artistry of the bowlers. These five-wicket heroes have carved their names with fire and determination, leaving an indelible mark on the grand stage of cricket’s ultimate extravaganza. As we look ahead to future World Cups, one can only imagine the feats and records yet to be achieved by the bowlers who keep us on the edge of our seats.
FAQs
Q. Who has taken the most 5 wicket hauls in history?
A. Muthiah Muralitharan has the highest number of five-wicket hauls, with 77 across Test and ODI cricket.
Q. Who has taken the most wickets in an ICC World Cup tournament?
A. Australia’s Glenn McGrath has an incredible record of 71 World Cup wickets in 39 innings and is unlikely to be ever surpassed.
Q. Which Indian has taken most wickets in World Cup?
A. Zaheer Khan, known for his impeccable swing and mastery over seam movement, tops the list of Indian bowlers with the most wickets in World Cup matches. Participating in four World Cups from 2003 to 2011, Zaheer claimed 44 wickets in 23 matches.
Q. Who has taken 2 six wicket haul?
A. Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka is the only bowler to have taken two six-wicket hauls in T20Is.
Also read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: All the squads in one place
Thank you for reading.
