Fastest 300 Wickets In ODI History: ODI cricket or limited-overs cricket has always posed a challenge to a bowler’s acuity, consistency, endurance, and adaptability. Although taking wickets is paramount in limited-overs cricket, reaching the milestone of 300 ODI wickets is regarded as an extraordinary feat in itself. Nevertheless, it is even more spectacular when it is attained in the least number of matches.
Over the years, only a select few legendary bowlers have been able to conquer the world of cricket and achieve the fastest 300 wickets in the history of ODI cricket.
Fastest 300 wickets in ODI History
1. Brett Lee – Fastest to 300 ODI Wickets (171 Matches)
Firstly, at the top of the pack is Brett Lee, who is known as the former Australian speedster and who has the record for the quickest 300 wickets in international cricket.
-
Matches to 300 wickets: 171
-
ODI debut: 2000
-
Year of achievement: 2008
-
Opponent: West Indies
Lee achieved this milestone in just 8 years and 172 days. In such a historic match, Lee delivered 9 overs, gave 36 runs, took 1 wicket, and even bowled a maiden over. His raw pace, swing, and aggressiveness made him one of the most feared fast bowlers at his time.
Read More
2. Waqar Younis – 300 Wickets in 186 ODI Matches
-
Matches to 300 wickets: 186
-
Time taken: 10 years and 166 days
-
Opponent: South Africa
-
Venue: Sharjah
In the same match where he reached this milestone, Waqar bowled 8 Overs, conceded 39 runs, and claimed 2 vital wickets. Pakistan won this match by 67 runs, emphasizing his match-winning performance.
3. Glenn McGrath – 300 Wickets in 200 ODIs
The third-fastest 300 wickets in one-day cricket are held by another Australian great in Glenn McGrath.
-
Matches to 300 wickets: 200
-
Year: 2005
-
Opponent: Pakistan
-
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
It took him 11 years and 57 days to achieve this record. During this historical match, he bowled his total overs of 10, allowed just 34 runs, took 3 wickets, and bowled 3 maiden overs. Australia got victory by 18 runs in this match, and Glen McGrath played a crucial role in this victory.
4. Muttiah Muralitharan – 300 Wickets in 202 ODI
The only spinner in this elite list is Sri Lanka’s legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who is rated as one of the greatest ever bowlers in the history of cricket.
-
Matches to 300 wickets: 202
-
Time taken: 9 years and 154 days
-
Opponent: England
-
Year: 2003
Year: 200 Murali achieved this feat through bowling 10 overs, conceding 45 runs, and taking 1 wicket. Sri Lanka won the match by 31 runs, highlighting his control in the mid overs again.
