Marco Jansen’s big chance to join ‘fastest to 50 ODI wickets’ elite during Champions Trophy
South African allrounder Marco Jansen is moving steadily towards claiming his first 50 wickets in ODIs. It is a significant milestone, and with 41 already to his credit, he looks likely to reach the mark during the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
He has currently played 26 ODIs, which means at best he will reach the magical 50-wicket mark in 28 or 29 games.
That’s quite quick, but how does it compare to the fastest-ever players to take 50 wickets in ODIs? Let’s take a moment to look at the seven fastest players to this key milestone.
7. Kuldeep Yadav – 24 ODIs for 50 wickets
Kuldeep Yadav, India’s left-arm wrist spinner, made a name for himself with his ability to turn the ball sharply and deceive batters with his variations. He reached the 50-wicket milestone in just 24 matches, proving his effectiveness as a match-winner for India.
His performances in the middle overs have been crucial for the Indian team, and his success has made him one of the most reliable spinners in limited-overs cricket. Kuldeep reached the milestone during an Asia Cup game against Hong Kong in 2018 when he returned figures of two for 42. Still going strong with 107 ODIs played, Yadav is moving relentlessly toward the 200-wicket mark.
6. Hasan Ali – 24 ODIs for 50 wickets
He hasn’t played an ODI since 2023 but at just 30-years-old Ali is still very active. Significantly, with the Champions Trophy on the horizon it’s worth remembering that it was Hasan Ali who ended the 2017 tournament as the leading wicket taker with 13 scalps at an average of 14.69.
Primarily used as a reliable seam option in the middle overs of ODIs Ali had a knack for picking up wickets at crucial moments. He reached 50 ODI wickets in just 24 matches, with his accuracy and clever variations his superpower.
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5. Dennis Lillee – 24 ODIs for 50 wickets
One of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Dennis Lillee was a dominant force in the 1970s and early 1980s. Known for his aggressive approach and deadly pace, Lillee reached 50 wickets in just 24 ODIs, a remarkable feat in an era when ODIs were not as frequent as today. His ability to trouble the best batters in the world made him a legend of Australian cricket.
Lillee reached the 50 milestone in the 100th ODI ever played when Australia beat India by nine wickets at Sydney in 1980, a game that saw him take the wickets of Yashpal Sharma and Kirti Azad.
4. Mitchell McClenaghan – 23 ODIs for 50 wickets
New Zealand’s Mitchell McClenaghan was a left-arm fast bowler known for his aggressive and attacking style of bowling. He reached 50 wickets in just 23 matches, making him one of the fastest to achieve the feat. His ability to generate extra bounce and swing the ball made him a potent weapon for New Zealand in limited-overs cricket.
Despite injuries cutting his international career short, his impact in ODIs was undeniable. McClenaghan last ODI came in 2016 as ended his international career 82 wickets from 48 games.
3. Ajit Agarkar – 23 ODIs for 50 wickets
Ajit Agarkar remains one of India’s quickest bowlers in history and was a vital cog in their ODI setup in the early 2000s. He reached the 50-wicket milestone in just 23 games with his uncanny ability to strike early with the new ball a trademark of his game. He was also good at making crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs.
His quick arm action and ability to generate movement made him a key bowler for India for several years. Agarkar reached the 50-wicket milestone in 1998 when he dismissed Alistair Campbell and Craig Wishart in a game against Zimbabwe in Harare that saw the home side beat a powerful India side by 37 runs.
2. Sandeep Lamichhane – 22 ODIs for 50 wickets
Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal’s cricketing sensation, made history by reaching 50 wickets in just 22 ODIs. As one of the finest spinners to emerge from an associate nation, Lamichhane’s leg-spin and variations have troubled batters worldwide.
His rise to prominence has not only been a significant achievement for Nepal but has also highlighted the growing talent in associate cricket. At the time of reaching the 50-wicket mark, Lamichhane had only faced other associate nations. He has subsequently gone on to take a total of 121 wickets, including against established nations like Pakistan and the West Indies.
1. Ajantha Mendis – 19 ODIs for 50 wickets
Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis holds the record as the fastest bowler to reach 50 ODI wickets, achieving the milestone in just 19 games. His unorthodox spin bowling, featuring carrom balls and deceptive variations, made him an instant success in international cricket.
Mendis announced himself to the world with a stunning performance in the 2008 Asia Cup final against India, where he took 6 for 13. While his international career was relatively short-lived, his early success remains one of the most remarkable in ODI history. His final ODI was in 2015 against New Zealand, and he ended his ODI career with 152 wickets from 87 games at an average of 21.86.
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