New Zealand's acer pacer Trent Boult achieved yet another big milestone in the match against Sri Lanka as he becoming the third fastest bowler to reach 50 wickets in the World Cup history. Boult achieved this sensational feat in just 28 innings, leaving behind the likes of Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath, and Mutiah Muralitharan.
The left-arm fast bowler's brilliance came to the fore in New Zealand's crucial World Cup clash against Sri Lanka at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on November 9, Thursday. With the Black Caps' semi-final hopes hanging in the balance, Boult stepped up to produce an exceptional spell, picking up three wickets in quick succession.
Bowling with sharp line and length, Boult dismissed Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka, effectively dismantling the Sri Lankan batting lineup. His three-wicket haul not only set the tone for New Zealand's victory but also propelled him into the elite company of fastest World Cup wicket-takers. Besides this, Boult became only the third New Zealand bowler to reach 600 international wickets.
With New Zealand needing a comprehensive victory to improve their net run rate and boost their semi-final chances, Boult's early impact proved instrumental for the Blackcaps. Tim Southee chipped in with one wicket while Lockie Ferguson and Mitchell Santner bagged two scalps each to leave Sri Lanka teetering at 153/9 after 39 overs.
Meanwhile, behind Mitchell Starc's record-breaking 19 innings to 50 World Cup wickets, Boult's achievement places him among the tournament's all-time greats. Lasith Malinga (25 innings) and Glenn McGrath (30 innings) are the only other bowlers to have reached the milestone in a shorter span of time.
Boult's rapid rise to 50 World Cup wickets is a testament to his exceptional skill, temperament, and ability to deliver on the biggest occasions.
| S.No | Player name | Team | Innings to 50 wickets in World Cup |
| 1. | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 19 |
| 2. | Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 25 |
| 3. | Trent Boult | New Zealand | 28 |
| 4. | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 30 |
| 5. | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 30 |
| 6. | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 30 |
New Zealand playing XI: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson(c), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tom Latham(w), Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson.
Sri Lanka playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Legendary Australian women's cricketer, who became world champion 7 times, announces shock retirement at age 31
'Sharm karo yaar... apne Wasim Akram par yakin nahi apko': Mohammed Shami slams Hasan Raza's ridiculous allegations
