5 Australian bowlers with most wickets in international cricket ft. Mitchell Starc

Australia have been one of the most dominant sides in international cricket over the last two to three decades. There was a time in the 2000s when they were referred to as 'invincibles' due to their splendid record. The Aussies have put together several amazing winning streaks.

It is no surprise that Australia are the most successful team when it comes to winning ICC trophies. They have lifted the ODI World Cup trophy as many as six times - 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015 and 2023. No other nation has won the tournament more than two times. The Aussies also finished runners-up in the inaugural edition in 1975 and 1996.

Australia are also the reigning world Test champions. They beat India in the final of the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) before going on to defeat them in the ODI World Cup final as well. The Aussies won the T20 World Cup in 2021 and finished runners-up in 2010.

One of the key factors behind Australia's dominance in world cricket has been the number of high-class bowlers they have produced both in the pace and spin departments. On that note, let's take a look at the top five Australian bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket.

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#5 Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson was among the best on his day. (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Former left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson is fifth on the list of Australian bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket. He played 256 matches (320 innings) and took 590 wickets at an average of 26.65, with 15 five-fers and three 10-wicket match hauls.

Johnson featured in 73 Tests and claimed 313 wickets at an average of 28.40, with 12 five-fers and three 10-wicket match hauls. In ODIs, he claimed 239 scalps in 153 matches at an average of 25.26, with three five-fers. The 42-year-old was part of 30 T20Is in which he claimed 38 wickets, averaging 20.97, with a best of 3-15.

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#4 Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc celebrates a wicket in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Another left-arm seamer, Mitchell Starc, is fourth on the list of Aussie bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket. He has so far featured in 275 matches (356 innings) and has claimed 673 wickets at an average of 25.60, with 23 five-fers and two 10-wicket match hauls.

Starc has played 89 Tests so far and has claimed 358 wickets at an average of 27.74, with 14 five-fers and two 10-wicket match hauls. In 121 ODIs, he has picked up 236 scalps at an average of 22.96, with nine five-fers. His best of 6-28 came against New Zealand in Auckland in the 2015 World Cup.

The 34-year-old has also played 65 T20I, picking up 79 wickets at an average of 23.81 and an economy rate of 7.74, with a best of 4-20.

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#3 Brett Lee

Brett is among the fastest bowlers to have played international cricket. (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Retired speedster Brett Lee is in the top three on the illustrious list of Australian bowlers with the most international scalps. He played 322 matches (392 innings) and claimed a total of 718 wickets at an average of 26.66, with 19 five-fers.

Lee was part of 76 Tests in which he claimed 310 wickets at an average of 30.81, with 10 five-fers. Further, in 221 ODI matches, he picked up 380 wickets at an average of 23.36, with nine five-fers. The 47-year-old also played 25 T20Is and picked up 28 wickets, averaging 25.50, with a best of 3-23.

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#2 Glenn McGrath

Aussie pace bowling legend Glenn McGrath (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Aussie fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath is second on the list of Australian bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket. He played 376 international matches (493 innings) and claimed 949 wickets at an average of 21.76, with 36 five-fers and three 10-wicket match hauls.

McGrath played 124 Test matches and picked up 563 wickets at an average of 21.64, with 29 five-fers and three 10-wicket match hauls. In ODIs, the right-arm pacer featured in 250 games and claimed 381 wickets at an average of 22.02, with seven five-fers. His best of 7-15 came against Namibia in Potchefstroom in the 2003 World Cup.

The 54-year-old also played two T20Is and claimed five wickets at an average of 15.80, with a best of 3-31.

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#1 Shane Warne

Shane Warne is arguably the greatest leg-spinner to have played the game. (Image Credits: Getty Images)

No surprises here! Spin wizard Shane Warne tops the list of Australian bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket. He played 339 matches (464 innings) and claimed a whopping 1001 wickets at an average of 25.51, which included 38 five-fers and 10 ten-wicket match-hauls.

Warne played 145 Tests and picked up 708 wickets at an average of 25.41, with 37 five-fers and 10 ten-wicket match-hauls. In ODIs, he claimed 293 wickets in 194 games at an average of 25.73, with one five-fer. The late cricketer was Player of the Match in the 1999 World Cup semifinal and final for figures of 4-29 against South Africa and 4-33 against Pakistan. He did not play any T20Is.