Every four years the world’s best white ball cricketers compete for the ultimate honours – that of World Cup glory. Now, in a few months The
2019 Cricket World Cup kicks off in England with what is expected to be a humdinger of a match between the hosts and the top ranked team in the world and South Africa, a side that’s currently ranked number four on the ICC ODI World Rankings.
With so much at stake on the international stage, players and entire teams have either dazzled or faltered horribly over the years in their quest for greatness. Now that World Cup fever is at the contagious stage, it seems an appropriate moment to remember some of the most remarkable limited overs cricketing achievements that have made their way into the ICC ODI World Cup record books.
Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar: king of the ODIs
As far as batting is concerned, Sachin Tendulkar of India is king. He is the highest ever runs scorers in World Cup history, having accumulated 2 278 runs. He’s also the man who has scored the most centuries (6) and half centuries (50) in World Cup ODIs, an incredible feat considering that there are only 50 overs or 300 balls in an innings.
South Africa’s former superstar, the supremely talented AB De Villiers boasts the highest runs average of 63.52, while New Zealander Brendon McCullum’s strike rate of 120.84 is the best in the history of the tournament.
It’s raining sixes: Chris Gayle and AB De Villiers
When it comes to swashbuckling six-shooter style, Chris Gayle of the West Indies has smashed the most sixes in an innings (16). Along with AB De Villiers, he holds the record for the most sixes in the tournament (37).
Kiwi Martin Guptill smashes highest score ever
New Zealand’s Martin Guptill smashed 162 runs off the West Indies bowling attack in 2015 to record the highest score in the ICC World Cup. The top team effort ever was in the same year when Australia racked up a score of 417 runs for six wickets against minnows, Afghanistan.
What’s the lowest score in World Cup history? A measly 36 all out in a match between bottom feeders, Canada and Sri Lanka in 2003.
Glenn McGrath: The Best ODI World Cup Bowler by Far
Glenn McGrath is the best World Cup bowler by some margin. He holds the record for the most wickets (71), achieved at the lowest average ever (18.19). He also has the best bowling figures of all time – seven wickets for 15 runs against Namibia in 2003.
Captain Ponting’s awesome win percentage
As for captains, Ricky Ponting who presided over the Australian team when they were at their most potent, has the most catches (29) in the history of the tournament. He also boasts the best-ever win percentage as captain, with an unassailable 92.85%.
Slinga Malinga and the hat trick balls
Sri Lanka’s unorthodox fast-medium bowler, Latish Malinga is a magician at his craft. He is the only bowler on the planet to achieve two hat tricks in the ODI World Cup. He is also the only player ever to take four wickets in consecutive balls, a feat that destroyed the World Cup dreams of the South African team in 2007.
Australia Dominant?
Since the launch of the tournament in 1975 the Australian team have dominated. In 2003 and 2007 they enjoyed a 100 percent win record. They also racked up the most consecutive wins, having won 27 matches on the trot between 1999 and 2011… but has their star waned in 2019?
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