In a little over a week’s time, the bulk of the cricketing world will descend upon Pakistan and UAE to play in the ICC Champions Trophy. The famed tournament gets a reboot for the first team since 2017, and it will feature the top eight ranked sides in world cricket who will battle it out for this coveted trophy.
Over the years, 8 editions of the Champions Trophy have been played thus far, with the first competition being held in 1998. There have been six different champions so far in the competition, with Pakistan being the defending champs. Over the years, we have seen splendid bowling performances in this competition, with many bowlers proving their consistency. Here’s a look at the top five wicket takers in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Kyle Mills
The unassuming pacer from New Zealand tops the list as the all time leading wicket taker in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy. Kyle Mills has played 15 games in this competition, and has picked up 28 wickets. He has a staggering average of 17.25 and a solid strike rate of 24.10 in the Champions Trophy. Mills played in five different editions of the competition, but has unfortunately never won this competition.
Lasith Malinga
The lynchpin of Sri Lanka for the first half of the 2010s, it is no surprise to see Lasith Malinga in second spot on this list of all time wicket takers in the Champions Trophy. He played 16 games in the competition and picked up 25 wickets. Malinga had an average of 30.64 and a strike rate of 34.56 in the Champions Trophy, and also picked two four-fers in the competition. Malinga has played in every edition of the Champions Trophy since 2006, showing his longevity in the gentleman’s game.
Muttiah Muralitharan
Arguably the greatest bowler of all times, Muttiah Muralitharan is third on this list of all time wicket takers in the Champions Trophy. He was the leading wicket-taker in 2002 when India and Sri Lanka shared the trophy due to a washout in the final. Muralitharan played 17 games in the Champions Trophy, and picked up 24 wickets. He boasted an average of 20.16 and a strike rate of 33.54 in this competition. Muralitharan was also extremely miserly with his spells, having an economy rate of 3.6 in the Champions Trophy.
Brett Lee
The 2000’s was dominated by the Australian cricket team and part credit on that domination can be given to their talismanic pacer Brett Lee. He roared like an engine and dished out quick thunderbolts, creating a reputation of being one of the most feared bowlers of his time. Brett Lee played 16 games in the competition and picked up 22 wickets, averaging 26.86 at a strike rate of 33.59. He was the part of the Australian squad that won the trophy in 2006 and then once again in 2009.
Glenn McGrath
The legendary Australian pacer is fifth on the list of all time wicket-takers in the ICC Champions Trophy. He played 12 games in the competition and managed to pick up an impressive 21 wickets. McGrath boasted an average of 19.61 in this competition and had a strike rate of 29.14. He was also Australia’s leading wicket-taker in the 2006 edition of the Champions Trophy when they won the final against West Indies at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
