The Gabba is one of the oldest cricket grounds located in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia.

Established in 1895, The Gabba is owned by the Queensland Government and has a seating capacity of around 37,000.

Also known as the Brisbane Cricket Ground, The Gabba serves as the home ground of the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Bash League (WBBL) and also for the Queensland Bulls in domestic cricket.

Apart from cricket, The Gabba is known to be a multi-speciality stadium which has staged athletics, rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football, Association football, cycling, baseball, pony, greyhound racing and concerts.

The Gabba hosted its first international cricket match, a Test played between Australia and South Africa in December 1931. Under the leadership of Bill Woodfull, Australia won the Test by an innings and 163 runs.

It later staged its first One-Day International (ODI) that featured England and West Indies in December 1979. 

The Gabba hosted its first-ever T20 international played between hosts Australia and South Africa in January 2006. Since then, it has staged 10 T20Is so far. 

With that being said, let’s have a look at The Gabba T20 records and stats.

The Gabba T20 records and stats

Highest total

The Australia cricket team recorded the highest total at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. During the only T20I of South Africa’s tour of Australia in January 2006, the hosts posted 209/3 in their 20 overs at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. Electing to bat first, Australia rode on Damien Martyn’s 56-ball 96 and Andrew Symonds�unbeaten 54 off just 26 balls to register a record T20I total at the venue. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 114 in 18.3 overs as Australia won the T20I by 95 runs. 

Lowest total

The South Africa cricket team registered the lowest total at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. South Africa were bundled out for 114 while chasing Australia’s 209/3 in the first-ever T20I at the Brisbane Cricket Ground in January 2006. Chasing 210, South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals as they later lost the game by 95 runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher top-scored for South Africa with 29. For Australia, Nathan Bracken, Mick Lewis, James Hopes and Andrew Symonds picked up two wickets each.

Most runs

Former Australia cricketer David Warner has the most runs at The Gabba in the T20I format. Between 2009 and 2022, David Warner amassed 145 runs in four T20Is at the Brisbane Cricket Ground at an average of 48.33 and a strike rate of 143.56. The swashbuckling southpaw slammed two T20I fifties at The Gabba. Former Australia captain Aaron Finch features second on the list with 109 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 115.95. 

Most wickets

Australia spinner Adam Zampa has picked up the most wickets at this venue in T20 international cricket. The leg-spinner has already bagged seven wickets in just four T20Is at an average of 13.57 and an impressive economy of 5.93. Zampa’s 2/19 against Ireland during an ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 group match is his best bowling figures at The Gabba in cricket’s shortest format. His teammate Mitchell Starc is second on the list with six wickets in two T20Is while Pat Cummins has also claimed six scalps in three games at The Gabba.

Highest individual score

Former Australia top-order batter Damien Martyn registered the highest individual score at this ground in T20 international cricket. Opening the batting, Damien Martyn slammed 96 off 56 balls against South Africa in the only T20I of the series in January 2006. His brilliant knock was laced with seven fours and five maximums. Martyn’s scintillating knock helped Australia post a massive total of 209/3 in their allotted overs. Later, Australia bowled out South Africa for 114 to register a 95-run win in Brisbane.

Best bowling figures

Australia’s star pacer Mitchell Starc has the best bowling figures at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. The left-arm pacer recorded match-winning figures of 4/20 against West Indies in the second T20I of a two-match series in October 2022. Defending 178, Mitchell Starc dismissed Kyle Mayers, captain Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder and Odean Smith to restrict West Indies to 147/8 in their allotted overs. Earlier, David Warner’s 75 and Tim David’s 42 powered Australia to 178/7 in their 20 overs as the hosts won the game by 31 runs.

Highest partnership

Australia’s David Warner and Steven Smith hold the record for the highest partnership at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. David Warner and Steven Smith forged an unbeaten 117-run stand for the second wicket while chasing Sri Lanka’s 117 in October 2019. While Warner scored 60 not out, Smith remained unbeaten on 53 to help Australia chase down the target in just 13 overs. Australia won the second T20I by nine wickets and later clinched the three-match T20I series 3-0.

Photo credit: Imago

The World Test Championship is the premier competition in Test cricket akin to the World Cup in ODI and T20 cricket. 

The idea of WTC was introduced in 2019 when the Test-playing nations played against each other for over two years. At the end of the two-year cycle, teams that occupy the top two spots in the points table will qualify to play the Final.

New Zealand won the inaugural edition of the WTC in June 2021 beating India by eight wickets at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. It was Australia who won the title in June 2023, once again beating India by 209 runs, at the Oval in London.

India currently leads the points table in the current edition of the WTC and are well-placed to qualify for the Final to be played in June 2025 in England.

Batters win you sessions, but bowlers win you matches in Test cricket. For any team to win a Test match, it is imperative that they pick up 20 wickets of the opponents within the stipulated five days.

It is sweat and toil for the bowlers as they do the dirty job to help their team get the better of their opposition. Bowling is always a thankless job, especially in the longer format of the game.

Here, we look at the players with the most wickets in WTC history after it was introduced in 2019. 

Most wickets in WTC history: List of players with most wickets in the World Test Championship

Player	Span	Matches	Wickets	Average	Strike Rate	Best Bowling figures
Nathan Lyon	2019-2024	43	187	26.70	58.05	8/64
Pat Cummins	2019-2024	42	175	22.81	46.93	6/91
Ravichandran Ashwin	2019-2024	35	174	20.43	44.79	7/71
Mitchell Starc	2019-2024	38	147	27.08	46.83	6/66
Stuart Broad	2019-2024	33	134	24.09	47.55	6/31
Kagiso Rabada	2019-2024	27	123	22.52	40.30	6/50
James Anderson	2019-2024	36	116	23.81	59.06	6/40
Tim Southee	2019-2024	30	116	28.45	59.34	5/32
Jasprit Bumrah	2019-2024	26	110	20.16	43.32	6/27
Josh Hazlewood	2019-2024	26	109	21.33	45.88	5/8

Nathan Lyon | 187 wickets

Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker in the history of the World Test Championship with 187 wickets from 43 matches. He averages 26.70 with the ball along with a strike rate of 58.05 balls per wicket. He also has 10 five-wicket hauls to his name.

The off-spinner played a stellar role in Australia’s victorious campaign in the WTC 2021-2023 cycle with a massive haul of 88 wickets from just 20 matches. He also picked up five wickets against India in the Final at The Oval, which the Aussies won by 209 runs in June 2023. 

With a tally of 43 wickets from nine games, he is fourth in the current edition of the WTC and holds the key for Australia in the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in November 2024.

Pat Cummins | 175 wickets

Australian skipper Pat Cummins is next on the list with a tally of 175 wickets from 42 matches. The pacer has eight five-wicket hauls with an average of 22.81 runs per wicket and strikes at an excellent frequency of 46.93 balls.

Cummins has led the Australian attack from the front providing timely breakthroughs for the team. He finished second in the list of top wicket-takers in the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021 with an impressive tally of 70 wickets from just 14 matches.

Cummins once again finished in the top five list in the subsequent edition of WTC to take Australia to the title in 2023. He is currently second in the bowling charts in the ongoing WTC cycle with 48 wickets from 12 matches.

Ravichandran Ashwin | 174 wickets

Following closely at third spot is India’s Ravichandran Ashwin with 174 wickets, just one short of Cummins, from 35 matches, including 10 five-wicket hauls. The off-spinner has an impressive average of 20.43 and a strike rate of 44.79, both best among his peers in the top-five wicket-takers list in the WTC.

Ashwin topped the bowling charts in the WTC 2019-2021 cycle with 71 wickets from 14 matches. He finished third in the list of top wicket-takers in the next edition in 2023. Ashwin’s excellent performances lifted India to consecutive Finals in the first two editions, the only team to do so.

In the current WTC cycle too, Ashwin is the top Indian in the list of wicket-takers with 42 wickets from eight matches.

Mitchell Starc | 147 wickets

Mitchell Starc completes the Aussie domination in the list of bowlers with the most wickets in the history of WTC. Starc is placed fourth with 147 wickets from 38 matches.

The left-arm pacer has an average of 27.08 and a strike rate of 46.83 with three five-wicket hauls to his name. He is currently third in the list of wicket-takers in the WTC 2023-2025 cycle with 48 wickets from 11 matches.

Photo credit: Imago

Legendary Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for the fastest ball in cricket history.

During the 2003 ODI Cricket World Cup in Cape Town, Shoaib Akhtar produced the fastest ball in cricket history as clocked 161.3 kph against England in his second over of the game.

Bowling to England’s opening batter Nick Knight, the Pakistani speedster recorded speeds of 153.3 km/h, 158.4km/h, 158.5km/h, 157.4km/h, 159.5km/h and 161.3km/h to bowl a maiden over.

Former Australia speedster Shaun Tait recorded the second-fastest ball in cricket history.

Considered to be one of the fastest bowlers of all time, Shaun Tait became the second bowler to breach the 100 mph barrier against England at the iconic Lord’s in an ODI clash in 2010.

Tail produced a 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) delivery while bowling to England opening batter Craig Kieswetter in his first over. 

The Australian pacer later scalped four wicket wickets to guide the visitors to a 42-run victory.

Apart from Tait, the likes of Brett Lee, Jeffrey Thomson and Mitchell Starc feature on the top five list for the fastest ball in cricket history.

Popularly Known as "Thommo", Jeffrey Thomson produced a 160.6 kph delivery to record the fastest ball in cricket history at that time against the West Indies in Perth in 1975.

Almost three decades later in 2005, former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee etched his name in the elite list.

Lee clocked 161.1 kph delivery against arch-rivals New Zealand in 2005 to break Jeffrey Thomson’s record.

Among Indian bowlers, Umran Malik holds the record for the fastest ball in cricket history.

While representing the Hyderabad franchise in the Indian T20 League, Umran Malik produced a 157.0 kph thunderbolt against Delhi to become the fastest Indian bowler.

In international cricket, former left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan recorded the fastest ball in cricket history by an Indian bowler. Pathan recorded a 153.7 kph delivery against Pakistan in 2007. Get list of fastest ball in cricket history.

Fastest ball in cricket history

Fastest ball in international cricket

Player	Fastest ball	For	Against	Year
Shoaib Akhtar	161.3 kph	Pakistan	England	2003
Shaun Tait	161.1 kph	Australia	England	2010
Brett Lee	161.1 kph	Australia	New Zealand	2005
Jeffrey Thomson	160.6 kph	Australia	West Indies	1975
Mitchell StarcÂ	160.4 kph	Australia	New Zealand	2015
Andy Roberts	159.5 kph	West Indies	Australia	1975
Fidel Edwards	157.7 kph	West Indies	South Africa	2003
Mitchell JohnsonÂ	156.8 kph	Australia	England	2013
Mohammad Sami	156.4 kph	Pakistan	Zimbabwe	2003
Shane Bond	156.4 kph	New Zealand	India	2003

Fastest ball in Indian T20 League

Player	Fastest ball	For	Against	Year
Shaun Tait	157.7 kph	Rajasthan	Delhi	2011
Lockie Ferguson	157.3 kph	Gujarat	Rajasthan	2022
Umran Malik	157.0 kph	Hyderabad	Delhi	2022
Mayank Yadav	156.7 kph	Lucknow	Bengaluru	2024
Anrich Nortje	156.2 kph	Delhi	Rajasthan	2020

Fastest ball in cricket history by an Indian bowler

Bowler	Fastest ball	AgainstÂ	Year
Umran Malik  (Hyderabad)	157.0 kph	Delhi	2022
Mayank Yadav (Lucknow)	156.7 kph	Bengaluru	2024
Irfan Pathan (India)	153.7 kph	Pakistan	2007
Mohammed Shami (India)	153.3 kph	Australia	2014
Jasprit Bumrah (India)	153.3 kph	Australia	2018

Photo credit: Alamy

Legendary Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath holds the record for the best bowling figures in ODI World Cup history.

During an ICC World Cup 2003 clash in Potchefstroom in South Africa, Glenn McGrath recorded brilliant figures of 7/15 against Namibia.

Meanwhile, the likes of Australia’s Andy Bichel, Tim Southee of New Zealand, West Indies�Winston Davis and Gary Gilmour of Australia feature in the top five best bowling figures in the ODI World Cup list.

Among Indian bowlers, fast bowler Mohammed Shami has the best bowling figures in ODI World Cup history. He recorded sensational figures of 7/57 against New Zealand in the first semi-final of World Cup 2023 in Mumbai.

Know the best bowling figures in ODI World Cup history.

Best bowling figures in ODI World Cup history

Player	Team	Against	Best Figures	Ground	Match Date
Glenn McGrath	Australia	Namibia	7-4-15-7	Potchefstroom	February 27, 2003
Andy Bichel	Australia	England	10-0-20-7	Gqeberha	March 2, 2003
Tim Southee	New Zealand	England	9-0-33-7	Wellington	February 20, 2015
Winston Davis	West Indies	Australia	10.3-0-51-7	Leeds	June 11, 1983
Mohammed Shami	India	New Zealand	9.5-0-57-7	Wankhede	November 15, 2023
Gary Gilmour	Australia	England	12-6-14-6	Leeds	June 18, 1975
Ashish Nehra	India	England	10-2-23-6	Durban	February 26 2003
Shane Bond	New Zealand	Australia	10-2-23-6	Gqeberha	March 11, 2003
Chaminda Vaas	Sri Lanka	Bangladesh	9.1-2-25-6	Pietermaritzburg	February 14, 2003
Kemar Roach	West Indies	Netherlands	8.3-0-27-6	Delhi	February 28, 2011
Mitchell Starc	Australia	New Zealand	9-0-28-6	Auckland	February 28, 2015

Glenn McGrath | 7-4-15-7

Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath registered the best bowling figures in ODI World Cup history. Defending 301, McGrath produced a sensational bowling spell of 7-4-15-7 to bundle out Namibia for 45 during an ICC World Cup 2003 clash in South Africa. The right-arm pacer dismissed Namibia’s Jan-Berrie Burger, Morne Karg, Danie Keulder, Gavin Murgatroyd, captain Deon Kotze, Louis Burger and Bjorn Kotze to help Australia secure a massive 256-run victory. 

Andy Bichel | 10-2-20-7

Australia’s Andy Bichel has the second-best bowling figures in ODI World Cup history. During an ICC World Cup 2003 encounter in Gqeberha, Andy Bichel recorded magnificent bowling figures of 10-0-20-7 against arch-rivals England. The former speedster removed Nick Knight, Michael Vaughan, skipper Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff and Ashley Giles to restrict Australia to 204/8 in their 50 overs. Australia later chased down the target in 49.4 overs and registered a thrilling two-wicket win.

Tim Southee | 9-0-33-7

New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee features third on the best bowling figures in the ODI World Cup list. Southee recorded match-winning figures of 9-0-33-7 against England during an ICC World Cup 2015 clash in Wellington. Southee troubled the England batters as he bagged the wickets of Ian Bell, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Taylor and Steve Finn to help bowl out England for 123 in 33.2 overs. New Zealand rode on Southee’s impressive bowling spell to secure a comprehensive eight-wicket victory. 

Photo credit: Alamy

Legendary Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath is the highest wicket-taker in ICC World Cup history.

Considered to be one of the greatest bowlers of all-time, Glenn McGrath took 71 wickets in 39 ICC World Cup matches.

Spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan is second on the list for players with most wickets in ODI World Cup history having accounted for 68 scalps in 40 games.

Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga and Pakistan Wasim Akram feature third and fourth, respectively, on the highest wicket-takers in ICC World Cup list. While Malinga picked 56 wickets in 29 matches, Akram scalped 55 wickets in 38 matches.

Among active cricketers, Australia’s Mitchell Starc is the highest wicket-taker in ICC World Cup history. He has already bagged 54 wickets in just 21 matches. Know the highest wicket-takers in ICC World Cup.

Most wickets in ICC World Cup

Player	Team	Span	Matches	Wickets
Glenn McGrath	Australia	1996-2007	39	71
Muttiah Muralitharan	Sri Lanka	1996-2011	40	68
Lasith Malinga	Sri Lanka	2007-2019	29	56
Wasim Akram	Pakistan	1987-2003	38	55
Mitchell StarcÂ	Australia	2015-2023	21	54
Chaminda Vaas	Sri Lanka	1996-2007	31	49
Zaheer Khan	India	2003-2011	23	49
Javagal Srinath	India	1992-2003	34	44
Trent Boult	New Zealand	2015-2023	22	42
Imran Tahir	South Africa	2011-2019	22	40

Glenn McGrath | 71

Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath is currently the highest wicket-taker in ICC World Cup history. Between 1996 and 2007, McGrath scalped 71 wickets in 39 matches at an average of 18.19 and an economy of 3.96. He bagged two five wicket-hauls including his best bowling figures of 7/15 in the ODI World Cup. McGrath was part of the Australian cricket team that won three consecutive ODI World Cup trophies in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

Muttiah Muralitharan | 68

Legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is second on the highest wicket-takers in ICC World Cup list. Muralitharan featured in five editions of the ODI World Cup in 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. The former off-spinner picked 68 wickets in 40 World Cup matches at an average of 19.63 and an economy of just 3.88. He registered four four wicket-hauls in the marquee ODI World Cups. Muralitharan was a member of the Sri Lanka team that won the 1996 Cricket World Cup.

Lasith Malinga | 56

Former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga features third on the highest wicket-takers in ICC World Cup list. Regarded as one of the greatest limited-overs bowlers of all-time, Malinga bagged 56 wickets in 29 World Cup matches at an average of 22.87 and an economy of 5.51. Interestingly, he is the only bowler in world cricket to have two World Cup hat-tricks. Malinga was part of the Sri Lankan team that finished as runners-up in the 2007 and 2011 ODI World Cups. 

Wasim Akram | 55

Pakistan’s Wasim Akram is the fourth highest wicket-taker in ICC World Cup history. After making his ICC World Cup debut in 1987, Akram finished with 55 wickets in 38 World Cup matches at an average of 23.83 and an economy of 4.04. Widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Akram helped Pakistan clinch the 1992 Cricket World Cup. Under his leadership, Pakistan reached the final of the 1999 Cricket World Cup before losing to Australia by eight wickets.

Mitchell Starc | 54

Australia left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc is fifth on the highest wicket-takers in ICC World Cup list. Having featured in three editions of the ICC World Cup between 2015 and 2023, Starc bagged 54 wickets in just 21 matches at an average of 15.79 and an economy of 4.65. He was an integral member of the Australian team that won the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

Photo credit: Alamy

Bowling at breakneck speeds has always been a sought-after quality since the early days of cricket. From Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee to Shoaib Akthar and Brett Lee, fast bowlers are considered one of the most important members of any cricket team.

Among all these greats, a few have etched their names in history by bowling the fastest balls in cricket history. Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar is the fastest bowler in the world, breaking the 100 miles per hour (mph) barrier against England for the first time in international cricket.

Here, we look at the fastest bowlers in the world.

Fastest bowler in the world

Bowler	Fastest delivery	Against	Year
Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan)	161.3 km/hr (100.2 mph)	England	2003
Shaun Tait (Australia)	161.1 km/hr (100.1 mph)	England	2010
Brett Lee (Australia)	160.8 km/hr (99.9 mph)	New Zealand	2005
Jeffrey Thomson (Australia)	160.6 km/hr (99.8 mph)	West Indies	1975
Mitchell Starc (Australia)	160.4 km/hr (99.7 mph)	New Zealand	2015
Andy Roberts (West Indies)	159.5 km/hr (99.1 mph)	Australia	1975
Fidel Edwards (West Indies)	157.7 km/hr (97.9 mph)	South Africa	2003
Mitchell Johnson (Australia)	156.8 km/hr (97.4 mph)	England	2013
Mohammad Sami (Pakistan)	156.4 km/hr (97.1 mph)	ZimbabweÂ	2003
Shane Bond (New Zealand)	156.4 km/hr (97.1 mph)	India	2003

Shoaib Akhtar - 161.3kmph (100.2mph) | Pakistan vs England, 2003

Nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar bowled the fastest delivery in cricket - 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph) - in a One-Day International (ODI) game against England during the 2003 Cricket World Cup at Cape Town in South Africa.

Bowling his second over of the match to former England opening batter Nick Knight, Akhtar tormented the southpaw by recording speeds of 153.3 km/h, 158.4km/h, 158.5km/h, 157.4km/h, 159.5km/h and 161.3km/h as he completed a maiden over. 

The last ball of the fourth over of the match was bowled at 161.3km/h, etching Shoaib Akhtar’s name in the history books as the world’s fastest bowler.

#OnThisDay in 2003 @shoaib100mph registered his name in the record books by bowling the fastest delivery officially recorded at 100.2 MPH in @cricketworldcup game against England.pic.twitter.com/PE8RuwrW1i

�Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 22, 2021

However, the right-arm fast bowler ended up conceding 63 runs in his nine overs, picking the solitary wicket of Michael Vaughan as Pakistan suffered a 112-run defeat in the 50-over World Cup encounter.

Shaun Tait - 161.1kmph (100.1mph) | Australia vs England, 2010

Shaun Tait is officially considered the second cricketer to breach the 100 mph barrier against England at Lord’s in an ODI encounter in 2010.

The former Australia fast bowler clocked 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) while bowling to England opening batter Craig Kieswetter in his first over. Tait was the wrecker-in-chief for Australia as he bagged four crucial wickets in the match helping the visitors secure a 42-run win.

Brett Lee - 160.8kmph (99.9mph) | Australia vs New Zealand, 2005

Brett Lee was the second bowler to come near the 100mph barrier in international cricket. The former Australia pacer recorded his fastest delivery of 160.8 km/h (99.9 mph) against New Zealand in the fifth ODI at Napier in 2005.

Lee bowled his quickest delivery to ex-Kiwi opening batter Craig Cumming in the very first over of the 50-over match. The Australia speedster ended the game with figures of 1/34 as the visitors claimed a commanding 122-run victory.

Interestingly, Lee had also clocked 161.8 km/h in a Test against the West Indies in Brisbane, Australia in the 2000-01 season. However, the Australian cricket team’s then-official broadcaster, Channel Nine accepted that their recording of 161.8 km/h was certainly a mistake.

Among active players, another Australian pacer Mitchell Starc is currently the fastest bowler in world cricket. The left-arm pacer bowled his fastest delivery of 160.4 km/h against New Zealand on the third day of the second Test at Perth in 2015.

South Africa pacer Anrich Nortje, England fast bowler Jofra Archer and New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson are some of Starc’s fiercest competitors in terms of pace in world cricket at the moment.

Fastest Indian bowler

Jammu and Kashmir pacer Umran Malik, who boasts of incredible bowling speeds, is the fastest Indian bowler. The young bowler clocked a 157 km/h delivery while playing for Hyderabad against Delhi during the Indian T20 League 2022. 

Umran Malik has also bowled the fastest ball in international cricket by an Indian. The right-armer sent in a searing 156 km/h ball against Pakistan during the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.

 

Photo credits: Alamy

Australia left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc is currently the fastest to 200 wickets in ODI cricket.

Since making his One-Day International (ODI) debut against India at Visakhapatnam in October 2010, Mitchell Starc took 102 matches to pick up 200 wickets in the 50-over format.

Starc has now picked 200 wickets in 102 ODIs at an average of 22.31 and an economy of 5.10.

The New South Wales-born cricketer surpassed the previous record held by Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq during the third and final ODI against Zimbabwe at the Riverway Stadium in Townsville, Australia on September 3, 2022. Interestingly, Zimbabwe stunned Australia in the match to register their first-ever win over the mighty Aussies Down Under in any format of the game.

The fastest ever to 200 ODI wickets! But it was a bittersweet moment for Mitch Starc #AUSvZIM | @alintaenergy pic.twitter.com/BWSIbxFeH7

�cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 4, 2022

Meanwhile, legendary Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq took 104 matches to complete 200 wickets in ODI cricket.

Having made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka at Gujranwala in September 1995, Mushtaq reached his 200 ODI wickets milestone versus South Africa in June 1999. 

Mushtaq ended his illustrious international career with 288 ODI wickets in 169 matches at an average of 21.78 and an economy of 4.29.

Former Australia cricketer Brett Lee features third on the list for the fastest to 200 wickets in ODI cricket. The legendary speedster completed his 200 ODI wickets milestone in his 112th match against arch-rivals England at The Oval in 2005.

Lee retired from international cricket with 380 ODI wickets in 221 matches at an average of 23.36 and an economy of 4.76.

Ex-South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald and Waqar Younis of Pakistan complete the top five list.

While Allan Donald reached 200 ODI wickets in 117 matches during an ODI against Zimbabwe at Chelmsford in 1999, Waqar Younis achieved the milestone in 118 matches while playing against arch-rivals India in Bengaluru in 1996.

Among Indians, former fast bowler Ajit Agarkar was the fastest to 200 wickets in ODI cricket. Agarkar took 133 matches to reach his 200 ODI wickets. It came against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2004.

In women’s cricket, legendary India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami owns the record for being the fastest to 200 wickets in ODI cricket. She remains the only female cricketer to have bagged more than 200 wickets in the 50-over format.

Goswami has claimed 252 ODI wickets in 201 matches since making her debut against England in Chennai in 2002.

Fastest to 200 wickets in ODI cricket

Player	Matches	Against	Ground	Match Date
Mitchell Starc (AUS)	102	Zimbabwe	Townsville	3 September 2022
Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK)	104	South Africa	Nottingham	5 June 1999
Brett Lee (AUS)	112	England	The Oval	12 July 2005
Allan Donald (SA)	117	Zimbabwe	Chelmsford	29 May 1999
Waqar Younis (PAK)	118	India	Bengaluru	9 March 1996
Shane Warne (AUS)	125	Pakistan	Lord's	20 June 1999
Makhaya Ntini (SA)	126	Australia	Cape Town	3 March 2006
Lasith Malinga (SL)	127	India	Pallelkele	4 August 2012
Mitchell Johnson (AUS)	129	England	Southampton	16 September 2013
Shoaib Akhtar (PAK)	130	England	Cardiff	30 August 2006

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Featured photo: William WEST / AFP

Former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis holds the record for the most five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket.

Since making his ODI debut against West Indies in 1989, Waqar Younis claimed 13 five-wicket hauls - the most by any player in the history of the One Day International (ODI) format.

Regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers to have played the game, Younis ended his stellar career with 416 ODI wickets in 262 matches at an average of 23.84 and an economy of 4.68.

His best ODI performance came against England after he picked seven wickets for just 36 runs in his quota of 10 overs. 

Younis played his last ODI against Zimbabwe in 2003, ending his illustrious career with 789 international wickets in 349 matches including 35 five-wicket hauls and five 10-wicket hauls.

Sri Lanka cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan is second on the list of most five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket.

The former leg-spinner bagged 10 five-wicket hauls in his impressive ODI career. Between 1993 and 2011, Muralitharan took 534 ODI wickets in 350 matches at an average of 23.08 and an economy of 3.93.

Muralitharan’s best ODI figures of 7/30 came against India in a Champions Trophy encounter at Sharjah in 2000.

Interestingly, Muralitharan holds the record for the most wickets in international cricket. The Kandy-born cricketer picked 1347 wickets in 495 matches at an average of 22.86. He claimed a staggering 77 five-wicket hauls and 22 10-wickets in his legendary career.

Australia speedster Brett Lee and Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi are in the third and fourth spot respectively. Both Lee and Afridi have bagged nine five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket.

While Aussie fast bowler Brett Lee claimed nine five-wicket hauls in 221 ODIs, Afridi recorded the same tally of five-wicket haul in 398 ODIs.

Among active cricketers, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has claimed the most five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket. Starc has eight five-wicket hauls in 99 ODIs so far and is currently on the fifth spot of most five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket. Starc equalled Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who also has eight five-wicket hauls in 226 ODI matches.

Javagal Srinath and Harbhajan Singh have the most five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket among Indian cricketers. While former fast bowler Srinath took three five-wicket hauls in 229 ODIs, off-spinner Harbhajan recorded the same number of five-wicket hauls from 236 ODIs.

Most five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket

Player	Span	Matches	Wickets	AverageÂ	Economy	Five-wicket hauls
Waqar Younis (PAK)	1989-2003	262	416	23.84	4.68	13
Muttiah Muralitharan (SL)	1993-2011	350	534	23.08	3.93	10
Brett Lee (AUS)	2000-2012	221	380	23.36	4.76	9
Shahid Afridi (PAK)	1996-2015	398	395	34.51	4.62	9
Mitchell Starc (AUS)	2010-2021	99	195	22.45	5.15	8
Lasith Malinga (SL)	2004-2019	226	338	28.87	5.35	8
Glenn Mcgrath (AUS)	1993-2007	250	381	22.02	3.88	7
Lance Klusener (SA)	1996-2004	171	192	29.95	4.70	6
Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK)	1995-2003	169	288	21.78	4.29	6
Wasim Akram (PAK)	1984-2003	356	502	23.52	3.89	6

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With cricket becoming more and more competitive every passing year, players hitting milestones, big or small, have become a cause for celebration.

Mohammed Shami recently celebrated one such milestone, becoming the fastest Indian bowler to take 150 wickets in ODI cricket during the first India vs England ODI at the Kennington Oval.

Shami took 80 matches to reach the mark, handily beating Ajit Agarkar’s previous record of 97 matches which stood strong since 2002.

The Indian pacer, however, isn’t the fastest bowler to 150 ODI wickets in international cricket. The record belongs to Australian speedster Mitchell Starc, who beat Shami to the 150-wicket milestone by three matches.

Here’s a list of bowlers, not just among the Men in Blue, who have raced to the 150-wicket milestone in record time.

Mitchell Starc - 77 matches

Mitchell Starc, one of Australia’s most effective and feared pacers, holds the record of being the fastest bowler to 150 wickets. The 6 foot 4 bowler touched the 150-wicket mark in the fifty over format of the game in just 77 matches. 

Starc brought up this milestone in June 2019 during the ICC World Cup in a match against the West Indies. He took five crucial wickets, including Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Craig Brathwaite, Jason Holder, and Sheldon Cottrell, and helped Australia to an impressive 15-run win in the match. 

Saqlain Mushtaq - 78 matches

Pakistani spinner Saqlain Mushtaq took just 78 matches to reach 150 ODI wickets, and held this record from 1998 to 2019 before Starc overtook him. 

Mushtaq breached the 150-wicket mark in the second final of the Silver Jubilee Independence Cup between India, Bangladesh and Pakistan at Dhaka. The match was played against India, and Mushtaq finished with a haul of 3/36 in 9.5 overs. He retired with 288 ODI wickets to his kitty. 

Rashid Khan - 80 matches

Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan took 80 matches to claim 150 One Day International wickets. He touched this mark in February 2022 in a match against Bangladesh at Chattogram. 

Khan finished with impressive bowling figures of 10-0-37-3 in the game, claiming the wickets of Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali and Taskin Ahmed. 

Mohammed Shami - 80 matches

Mohammed Shami made his way into the list in July 2022 during the first of the three ODIs of a India vs England bilateral series played in the UK.

In the game at The Oval, Shami finished with figures of 7-0-31-3, claiming the wickets of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Craig Overton. India won the game by 10 wickets. With this, he became the fastest Indian to 150 ODI wickets.

The Indian, however, did take the most amount of time, in terms of number of years, to reach the milestone among the top five. Shami being in and out of the national team over the years due to various reasons is the underlying cause for the delay.  

Trent Boult - 81 matches

Kiwi pacer Trent Boult comes next on this list, taking 81 matches to notch up 150 ODI wickets. Like Starc, he too etched his name among the fastest to 150 ODI wickets during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. 

Boult finished with numbers 2/44 in a game where New Zealand registered a two-wicket win against Bangladesh at The Oval during the group stage. 

Quickest to 150 wickets in ODIs

NameÂ	Country	No. of matches	Time (Years)
Mitchell Starc	Australia	77	8y 229d
Saqlain Mushtaq	Pakistan	78	2y 109d
Rashid Khan	Afghanistan	80	6y 133d
Mohammed Shami	India	80	9y 187d
Trent Boult	New Zealand	81	6y 329d

Author: Varsha Badrinath

Featured photo: AFP / SHAUN BOTTERILL

Bhuvneshwar Kumar currently holds the record for the most T20I wickets in powerplay overs. 

In T20 cricket, the first six overs of an innings are the powerplay overs, where only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Bowlers have the most difficulty during these six overs as batters usually score the majority of their runs with the help of fours and sixes.

However, there have been a few bowlers who have excelled in not only containing the flow of runs in the powerplay overs but also picked up plenty of wickets.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's dismissal of opposing captain Andrew Balbirnie in the first Ireland vs India T20I saw him go past former West Indies bowler Samuel Badree and New Zealand star Tim Southee, who have 33 T20I wickets in the powerplay overs.

His 34 T20I wickets in 134 powerplay overs have come in 62 innings, at an economy rate of 5.53.

While Trinidad and Tobago-born leg-spinner Samuel Badree picked 33 T20I wickets in the 121 powerplay overs that he bowled in 50 innings, Kiwi fast bowler Tim Southee has bagged 33 wickets in 68 T20I innings, bowling a total of 129 powerplay overs.

Having made his T20I debut against New Zealand in 2012, Badree has scalped 56 wickets in the 52 T20I matches that he played.

On the other hand, Southee has claimed 111 T20I wickets in 92 matches since making his T20I debut against England in 2008.

Bangladesh star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan features fourth on the list of most T20I wickets in powerplay overs. 

The left-arm spinner has picked 27 T20I wickets in the 83 powerplay overs that he has bowled in 58 innings. Having made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in 2006, Shakib has claimed 119 T20I wickets in 96 matches that he has played so far.

Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh and Australia’s Mitchell Starc are next on the list with 26 T20I wickets each in the powerplay overs.

Hazlewood has bagged 26 wickets in 30 T20I innings, having bowled a total of 69 overs in the powerplay. On the other hand, Mustafizur has taken the same number of wickets in the 78 overs that he bowled in 56 innings. Starc has taken 51 inningsand 99 powerplay overs to reach the mark.

Most T20I wickets in powerplay overs

Bowler	Innings	Overs	Wickets
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India)	62	134.0	34
Samuel Badree (West Indies)	58	121.0	33
Tim Southee (New Zealand)	68	129.0	33
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)	58	83.0	27
Josh Hazlewood (Australia)	30	69.0	26
Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)	56	78.0	26
Mitchell Starc (Australia)	51	99.0	26

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