Last Updated on 3 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Which bowler is the fastest to 200 ODI wickets? | Bowlers who were the fastest to 200 ODI wickets
Mitchell Starc has written another chapter in the wonderful story that is his One Day International (ODI) career, breaking the quickest to reach 200 wickets in terms of matches played.
Starc blew Zimbabwe away in the second ODI in Townsville to reach 199 wickets in his 101st match. He achieved the feat in his 102nd, surpassing the previous record of 104 games held by Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq.
Fastest to 200 ODI wickets
Below is the list of bowlers who were quickest to reach 200 ODI wickets, headed by Australia’s left-arm spearhead.
Mitchell Starc: 101 matches
Starc made his debut in 2010 against India, and he has been a prolific wicket-taker right throughout his ODI career. He has been particularly brilliant in World Cups, taking a combined 49 wickets in the 2015 and 2019 editions respectively. This includes some all-time classic moments against New Zealand in the group stage and Final of the 2015 tournament.
Saqlain Mushtaq: 104 matches
Starc went past legendary Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq. Saqlain pioneered mystery spin, mastering the art of the doosra to bamboozle many a batsman on his way to 288 ODI wickets in 169 matches at an average of just 21.78 and economy of 4.78.
Brett Lee: 112 matches
Starc’s fellow countryman, Brett Lee, achieved the feat in 112 matches. Lee is widely considered one of the greatest bowlers in the history of ODIs thanks to the combination of his remarkable speed and consistency.
Lee went on to take a superb 380 wickets in 221 matches at an average of 23.36 and economy rate of 4.76. He was particularly outstanding in the 2003 World Cup, playing a key role in helping Australia lift the trophy in South Africa.
Allan Donald: 117 matches
South Africa tearaway Allan Donald reached 200 wickets against Zimbabwe in the 1999 World Cup. The pace bowling legend achieved the feat in 117 matches, all part of his status as one of the Proteas’ best ever fast bowlers.
Donald finished his career with 272 wickets in 164 matches at a superb average of 21.78 and economy rate of just 4.15.
Waqar Younis: 118 matches
The great Waqar Younis was a master in ODI bowling. Not many could get the ball hooping around like he did, which made Pakistan a very competitive unit due to their ability to limit teams at the death.
Waqar finished his illustrious ODI career with 416 wickets in 262 matches at an average of 23.84 and superb economy rate of 4.68 considering the stages he often bowled in.
