On Sunday, during the first ODI between Australia and Sri Lanka at Colombo, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc became the fastest bowler to reach the 100-wicket mark. Here's a look at the top ten list of bowlers to reach 100 wickets in quickest time.
Mitchell Starc: The left-arm is now the quickest to the mark. He reached 100 wickets in the game on Sunday, which was his 52nd match. In terms of days, Starc took 5 years and 306 days to reach the mark, having made his debut on October 20, 2010.
Saqlain Mushtaq: Starc took over from the former Pakistan off-spinner, who got to the landmark in 53 games, against Sri Lanka. In terms of days, Mushtaq got to the landmark in just 1 year and 225 days. He got to the figure on May 12, 1997, having made his debut on September 29, 1995.
Shane Bond: The Kiwi is the third on the list, having got to the landmark in 54 games, against England. He took 5 years and 12 days to reach the 100-wicket mark, on January 23, 2007. The former New Zealand speedster made his debut on January 11, 2002.
Brett Lee: The retired Australian paceman got to the 100-wicket mark in 55 matches, in a game against England. He took three years and 16 days to reach the mark, on January 25, 2003. He made his debut on January 9, 2000.
Imran Tahir: The South African spinner got to the landmark in 58 matches, in a match against West Indies, on June 15, 2016. The leggie made his debut on February 24, 2011. He thus took 5 years and 112 days to reach the landmark.
Waqar Younis: The Pakistan speedster-turned-coach took 59 matches to reach 100 wickets. He got there against Zimbabwe on February 1, 1993. Younis made his debut on October 14, 1989, taking a total of 3 years and 110 days to reach the landmark.
Irfan Pathan: The Indian all-rounder, who is out of contention at present, also got there in 59 matches, against Pakistan. Pathan got to the 100-wicket mark on April 19, 2006 having debuted on January 9, 2004. Pathan reached the landmark in 2 years and 100 days.
Morne Morkel: The South African paceman reached 100 wickets in 59 games too. He did so against New Zealand on January 23, 2013. Morkel made his debut on June 6, 2007. He took 5 years and 230 days to reach the mark.
Dennis Lillee: Amidst the list, Lillee stands out. He reached 100 wickets in 60 matches way back on June 9, 1983 against Zimbabwe. Lillee made his debut on August 24, 1972. He took 10 years and 289 runs to reach the figure since too many ODIs were not played back then.
Shane Warne: The Aussie spin wizard also completed 100 wickets in 60 matches, against West Indies on December 6, 1996. Having made his debut on March 24, 1993, he reached the landmark in three years and 257 days.
--By A Cricket Analyst
