Most wickets by a fast bowler in a five-match ODI series

Lasith Malinga has taken many a scalp over his illustrious career so far. Consistency is what separates good bowlers from the great. Performing in one game is an achievement but for a bowler, the biggest challenge is to maintain the performance level in all matches played during the series.

Jasprit Bumrah, with 15 wickets in the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka broke the world record for most wickets in a 5 match ODI series by a pacer and inked his name in the record books.

Here we look at the top five bowlers with the most number of wickets in a five-match ODI series.

#5. Lasith Malinga- 13 wickets against England, 2006

Lasith Malinga emerged in international cricket thanks to his unorthodox bowling action but failed to reap rewards in his initial games. However, the pace bowler blossomed in international cricket for the first time during Sri Lanka's tour of England in 2006.

In the first game of the series, Malinga claimed three wickets which included the prize wicket of Kevin Pieterson and enabled Sri Lanka to defend 257 runs. In the second ODI, the pace bowler wrecked England's top order and sent back M Trescothick and Ian Bell to ensure England crumbled while chasing 320 runs.

In the third and the fourth games, he claimed two wickets each to keep the noose tight and finished the series on a high note by claiming four wickets in the 5th ODI. On a batting friendly surface where three hundreds were scored, Malinga picked three wickets in his last two overs to prevent England from scoring quickly in the death overs.

Malinga's 13 wickets in five matches played a vital role in Sri Lanka's thumping 5-0 win against England.