The shortest format of cricket, i.e., T20 cricket, has been rapidly picking up pace and has become one of the most entertaining inventions in the game of cricket so far with regards to engaging audiences. The introduction of the T20I World Cup in 2007 was a success, and eight editions of the cup have been played since then. Australia has been a constant participant in all these editions and has also won it in 2021. This article examines the Australian bowlers who have taken the most wickets in the T20I World Cup thus far.
1. Mitchell Starc
The first player to feature on our list is Mitchell Starc, Australia’s current left-arm fast bowler from Baulkham Hills, Sydney. Starc first played in T20 internationals in 2012 against Pakistan in Dubai. He competed in his first T20 World Cup the same year. So far, he has played in 20 T20I World Cup matches and picked up 27 wickets at an average of 24.44.
2. Adam Zampa
The second player to feature on our list is the right-arm leg break bowler, Adam Zampa. Zampa made his T20 World Cup debut in 2016 and has since appeared in every edition of the tournament until 2022. He has played 14 matches and picked up 23 wickets at an average of 13.30 and an economy of 6.12, with a best bowling figure of 5 for 19.
3. Shane Watson
The third player to appear on the list is Shane Watson, a right-handed batter, and a right-arm medium bowler for Australia. From 2007 to 2016, Watson featured in six T20I World Cups for Australia and played in 24 matches. In 23 innings, he took 22 wickets at an average of 27.63 and an economy of 8.07.
4. Mitchell Johnson
The fourth player to show up on our list is Mitchell Johnson, who was a left-arm fast bowler for Australia. Johnson featured in three T20I World Cups, i.e., from 2007 to 2010. He played in 14 matches and picked up 20 wickets at an average of 17.55 and an economy rate of 6.72.
5. Josh Hazelwood
The fifth player to appear on our list is Josh Hazelwood, who plays as a right-arm fast bowler. Josh debuted for Australia in a T20I World Cup in 2016 and has since played in three more until 2022. In 13 matches, he has picked up 17 wickets at an average of 21.35 and an economy rate of 7.72.
6. Dirk Nannes
The sixth player to feature on our list is Dirk Nannes, a left-arm fast bowler from Melbourne, Victoria. Dirk first made his debut in T20I cricket for the Netherlands in 2009 and then went on to play for Australia in the 2010 T20I World Cup. He played seven matches and took 14 wickets at an average of 13.07, with a best bowling figure of 4 for 18.
7. Pat Cummins
The seventh player to appear on the list is Pat Cummins, one of Australia’s and the world’s leading fast bowlers. In 2012, Cummins featured in his first T20I World Cup for Australia, and until 2022, he has played in 17 T20I World Cup matches. He has picked up 14 wickets at an average of 36.14 and an economy of 7.90.
8. Stuart Clark
The eighth player on our list is Stuart Clark, a right-arm fast medium bowler from Sutherland, Sydney. Clark played for Australia in the inaugural T20I World Cup in 2007 and played in six matches. He took 12 wickets at an average of 12. He had a best bowling figure of 4 for 20.
9. Steven Smith
The ninth player to appear on our list is Steven Smith. Yes! You read that right. Smith is the most surprising entrant on our list, for there have been many other great bowlers who did not feature on this list. He has played in 19 T20I World Cup matches so far and picked up 11 wickets in seven innings at an average of 14.81.
10. Brett Lee
The tenth and last player to register his name on our list is Brett Lee, one of the world’s fastest bowlers ever. Lee played in two T20I World Cups (2007-2009) for Australia and took 10 wickets in eight matches at an average of 26.60. His best bowling figures were 3 for 27.
