Top 10 specialist batsmen with most ODI wickets

5. Sir Viv Richards – 118 wickets

Having scored 6721 runs in 187 ODIs at an impressive strike-rate of 90.2, Sir Vivian Richards is often considered as one of the most destructive batsmen of all-time. Capable of snatching the game away from the opposition with a mere moment of genius, Richards was an instrumental figure in the historic West Indies side which ruled the world in the 70s.

The swashbuckling Caribbean legend with all his batting prowess was an efficient bowler as well. The West Indies possessed a fearsome bowling unit at that time and Richards, who was a mainstay in the side for his batting, didn’t get many opportunities with the ball but when he did, it was pure magic at times. He took a total of 118 ODI wickets.

For a man who oozed aggressiveness with his batting, Richards’ bowling contradicted his personality a bit. A slow tactical bowler, Richards would’ve gone on to take a lot more wickets had he been in a different era.