5 New Zealand bowlers with most wickets in international cricket ft. Trent Boult
Over the years, the New Zealand team has gained recognition as one of the most consistent sides in world cricket. This is a rather astonishing achievement considering that cricket is not the No. 1 sport in the country and also the fact that the Kiwis have limited resources when it comes to their talent pool.
Despite the above challenges, New Zealand have come up with some impressive performances on the big stage. The Kiwis won their maiden ICC title when they lifted the ICC KnockOut Trophy in 2000 under Stephen Fleming, beating India in a hard-fought final. New Zealand also won the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021 by defeating India again in the summit clash.
They were unlucky not to be crowned ODI world champions in 2019. New Zealand and England tied the nerve-wracking final at Lord's (tied Super Over as well). However, a bizarre boundary count rule meant hosts England were declared winners of the 2019 ODI World Cup.
Over the years, New Zealand have produced some wonderful bowlers, who have played a huge part in the team becoming a force to reckon with on the big stage. On that note, here's a look at five Kiwi bowlers who have claimed the most number of wickets in international cricket.
#5 Chris Cairns
Former all-rounder Chris Cairns is fifth on the list of New Zealand bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket. Cairns featured in 279 matches (292 innings) and picked up 420 wickets at an average of 31.08, with 14 five-fers and one ten-wicket match haul.
The versatile cricketer played 62 Test matches and picked up 218 wickets at an average of 29.40, with 13 five-fers and one 10-wicket match haul. His best innings figures of 7-27 came against West Indies in Hamilton in December 1999. Cairns also picked up 7-53 against Bangladesh in Hamilton in December 2001.
The 54-year-old claimed 201 scalps in 215 ODIs at an average of 32.80 and an economy rate of 4.84. His best of 5-42 was registered against Australia in Napier in February 1998.
#4 Sir Richard Hadlee
Kiwi legend Sir Richard Hadlee is fourth on the list of New Zealand bowlers to have picked up the most wickets in international cricket. He featured in 201 matches (262 innings) and claimed 589 wickets at an average of 22.10, with as many as 41 five-fers and nine 10-wicket match hauls.
Hadlee featured in 86 Test matches and finished with an astonishing tally of 431 wickets, averaging 22.29, with 36 five-fers and nine 10-wicket match hauls. His best innings figures of 9-52 came against Australia in Brisbane in November 1985. The 73-year-old also claimed 7-23 against India in Wellington in February 1976 and 7-116 against Australia in Christchurch in February 1986.
In ODIs, Hadlee featured in 115 matches and picked up 158 wickets at an average of 21.56 and an economy rate of 3.30, with five five-fers. His best ODI analysis of 5-25 came against Sri Lanka in Bristol in the 1983 World Cup.
#3 Trent Boult
Seasoned left-arm pacer Trent Boult is in the top three on list of New Zealand bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket. Boult has so far featured in 253 matches (323 innings) and has picked up 611 wickets at an average of 25.60, with 16 five-fers and one 10-wicket match haul.
Boult has played 78 Tests in which he has claimed 317 wickets, averaging 27.49, with 10 five-fers and one 10-wicket match haul. His best innings figures of 6-30 came against Sri Lanka in Christchurch in December 2018. Boult also picked up 6-32 against England in Auckland in March 2018.
The 35-year-old has picked up 211 scalps in 114 ODIs at an average of 24.38 and an economy rate of 4.99, with six five-fers. Boult's best of 7-34 was registered against West Indies in Christchurch in December 2017. The New Zealand pacer has also picked up 83 wickets in 61 T20Is, averaging 21.43, with a best of 4/13.
#2 Daniel Vettori
Former captain Daniel Vettori is second on the list of New Zealand bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket. The left-arm spinner featured in 442 matches (498 innings) and claimed 705 wickets at an average of 32.42, with 22 five-fers and three 10-wicket match hauls.
Vettori featured in 113 Tests and claimed 362 wickets at an average of 34.36, with 20 five-fers and three 10-wicket match hauls. Vettori's innings best of 7-87 came against Australia in Auckland in March 2000. He also picked up 7-130 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in December 2006.
In ODIs, Vettori claimed 305 wickets in 295 matches at an average of 31.71 and an economy rate of 4.12, with two five-fers. His best of 5-7 came against Bangladesh in Queenstown in December 2007. The New Zealand legend also played 34 T20Is and picked up 38 wickets at an average of 19.68, with a best of 4-20.
#1 Tim Southee
Current skipper Tim Southee tops the list of New Zealand bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket. He has so far featured in 387 matches (472 innings) and has claimed 765 wickets at an average of 29.24, with 20 five-fers and one 10-wicket match haul.
Southee has so far featured in exactly 100 Test matches and has picked up 380 wickets at an average of 29.61, with 15 five-fers and one 10-wicket match haul. His best innings analysis of 7-64 came against India in Bengaluru in August 2012. Southee also picked up 6-43 against England at Lord's in June 2021.
The 35-year-old has also picked up 221 scalps in 161 ODIs at an average of 33.70 and an economy rate of 5.53, with three five-fers. His best of 7-33 came against England in Wellington in the 2015 World Cup. In T20Is, Southee has played 126 matches and has claimed 164 scalps at an average of 22.38, with a best of 5-18. He currently holds the record for having claimed the most wickets in T20I cricket.