Top 5 bowlers with the most ODI wickets under lights
History was created on the November 27th of 1979 as the fabled Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) hosted Australia and West Indies for the inaugural day-night ODI. Since then, the format has spawned more than 3000 matches under lights. One of the telling aspects of day-night cricket stems from the myriad challenges faced by batsmen when starting their innings under lights.
Also Read: 5 batsmen with most ODI runs under lights
While seamers have traditionally enjoyed the prospect of bowling under lights, spinners have also carved a niche for themselves as Asian pitches tend to crumble during the latter parts of ODIs. Let us take a close look at those bowlers with the most wickets in the second innings of day-night ODIs. Interestingly, the top two spots in this particular list are occupied by spinners.
#5 Glenn McGrath and Shaun Pollock - 94 wickets
With 94 wickets apiece, Glenn McGrath and Shaun Pollock jointly occupy the fifth position. Both seamers possessed immense tactical nous and often subjected opposition batsmen to rigorous examinations of technique.
While the Australian metronome took 94 wickets under lights in 65 ODIs at an average of 22.19 and economy-rate of 3.86, the South African all-rounder needed two more matches to obtain the same number of wickets. However, the latter's average of 21.40 and strike-rate of 3.72 are slightly superior.
McGrath picked three five-wicket hauls under lights, all of which came on Australian soil against Asian opponents. His 5/27 at the SCG in 2005 struck at the heart of Pakistan's run-chase. On the other hand, Pollock's solitary such five-for came against England at Johannesburg in 2000.