By Neto Baptiste
Antigua and Barbuda’s Alzarri Joseph is now the fastest West Indies bowler and 20th fastest overall to 100 One Day International (ODI) wickets.
Joseph achieved the feat after claiming two wickets for 73 runs in the West Indies’ super over loss to Netherlands in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers on Monday, getting to 101 wickets in 60 matches at an average of 27.7.
The 26-year-old fast bowler bettered the mark previously held by former player, Ian Bishop, who reached 100 wickets in 61 matches back in December of 1995. Another Antiguan, Sir Curtly Ambrose, also needed 61 matches to reach the milestone back in January of 1992.
Other West Indies bowlers in the top 50 are Joel Garner who reached the mark in 67 matches back in 1985; Jerome Taylor who achieved the feat in 68 matches back in 2014; and Kemar Roach who claimed his 100th ODI scalp in 2018 after 68 matches.
The International record is held by Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane who broke the 100 barrier in April this year after just 42 matches. Rashid Khan of Afghanistan is second with 100 wickers in 44 appearances, while Australia’s Mitchell Starc is third after having reached the mark back in 2018 after just 52 matches.
