Getting most ducks in Cricket is one of the most embarrassing moments for any cricketer, and even the legends of the game aren’t immune. While their accomplishments in other aspects of the game often overshadow these statistics, they hold the unfortunate distinction of having the most ducks in international cricket history.
Summary Table: Top 10 Players with Most Ducks in International Cricket
| Rank | Player | Country | Ducks | Matches | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 59 | 495 | 67 |
| 2 | Courtney Walsh | West Indies | 54 | 337 | 30* |
| 3 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 53 | 586 | 340 |
| 4 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 49 | 376 | 61 |
| 5 | Stuart Broad | England | 49 | 344 | 169 |
| 6 | Daniel Vettori | New Zealand | 46 | 442 | 140 |
| 7 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 45 | 460 | 257* |
| 8 | James Anderson | England | 45 | 401 | 81 |
| 9 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 47 | 652 | 374 |
| 10 | Zaheer Khan | India | 44 | 309 | 75 |
This list underscores that even some of cricket’s greatest players are not immune to the dreaded duck.
Here are the Top 10 Players with Most Ducks in Cricket:
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan tops the list with 59 ducks, holding the record for the most ducks in cricket. Despite his extraordinary achievements as the highest wicket-taker, Murali struggled with the bat, often failing to make significant contributions. In 495 matches across all formats, he scored just 1,936 runs, with a highest score of 67.
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2. Courtney Walsh
Courtney Walsh, one of the greatest fast bowlers, also features prominently on the list of most ducks in cricket. With 54 ducks in 337 matches, Walsh’s batting average of 7.39 reflects his struggles. His main strength was his devastating fast bowling, which earned him over 500 Test wickets, overshadowing his batting woes.
3. Sanath Jayasuriya
Surprisingly, Sanath Jayasuriya, known for his aggressive opening batting, appears on this list with 53 ducks. His high-risk approach often led to early dismissals. Despite this, Jayasuriya amassed over 21,000 runs in his career, demonstrating that his batting prowess far outweighed his most ducks in cricket.
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4. Glenn McGrath
Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath, renowned for his precision, also struggled with the bat, accumulating 49 ducks during his career. He is one of the players with the most ducks in cricket. His highest score of 61 is a stark contrast to his frequent low scores. Nonetheless, his impact with the ball was substantial, making him a key figure in Australia’s bowling lineup.
5. Stuart Broad
England’s Stuart Broad shares the fifth spot with 49 ducks. While Broad has shown flashes of brilliance with the bat, including a Test century, his inability to consistently contribute with the bat has earned him a place among the top players with the most ducks in cricket history.
6. Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori, a highly effective all-rounder for New Zealand, also faced batting challenges, recording 46 ducks across formats. He is one of the player with most ducks in cricket. Despite these failures, Vettori’s overall career with over 6,900 runs and significant contributions with the ball highlight his effectiveness as an all-rounder.
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7. Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram, one of Pakistan’s greatest fast bowlers, accumulated 45 ducks in international cricket. Although his batting often let him down, Akram’s ability to score big runs, as seen in his Test score of 257*, showcased his potential as a lower-order batsman.
8. James Anderson
James Anderson, a prolific fast bowler for England, also has a notable number of ducks, totaling 45. While his batting record may be less impressive, Anderson’s contributions with over 600 Test wickets demonstrate his importance to the team.
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9. Mahela Jayawardene
Despite his elegant batting and impressive career run tally, Mahela Jayawardene has 47 ducks in his international career. His calm demeanor at the crease and exceptional batting skills have overshadowed these occasional failures, cementing his status as one of Sri Lanka’s finest.
10. Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan, India’s pace spearhead, rounds off the list with 44 ducks. While his primary role was as a bowler, he frequently found himself dismissed cheaply. However, Zaheer’s significant contributions with the ball made him a highly respected cricketer.
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