World Cup: Here are the stats you need to know
The ICC World Cup 2019 begins this Thursday, as the teams are all set to put in their best efforts to lay hands on the coveted title. With this being the tournament's 12th edition, a lot has happened so far, both historically and statistically. And here, we have a look at some of the basic and important stats ahead of the tournament.
Sachin Tendulkar: The leading run-scorer
When it comes to scoring runs, there is hardly anyone in world who can match Sachin Tendulkar. He scored 2,278 runs in 45 World Cup matches and leads the chart. Notably, no player from the current lot features in the top five. Top five: Tendulkar: 2,278 (45) Ricky Ponting: 1,743 (46) Kumar Sangakkara: 1,532 (37) Brian Lara: 1,225 (34) AB de Villiers: 1,207 (23)
Glenn McGrath: The leading wicket-taker
Glen McGrath was one of the most important match-winners for Australia, especially at the grandest stage. He holds the record of picking the most wickets in the tournament (71 in 39 matches). Once again, no active player is in the top five. Top five: Glenn McGrath: 71 (39) Muttiah Muralitharan: 68 (40) Wasim Akram: 55 (38) Chaminda Vaas: 49 (31) Zaheer Khan: 44 (23)
Andy Roberts: The man with the best bowling economy
When it comes to bowling, it is not just about taking wickets, but also conceding the least number of runs. In this regard, Andy Roberts of Windies holds the record of being the most economical bowler of the tournament to date. Top five: Andy Roberts: 3.24 (16) Ian Botham: 3.43 (22) Gavin Larsen: 3.52 (19) John Traicos: 3.57 (20) Shaun Pollock: 3.60 (31)
AB de Villiers: The man with the best batting average
Considering the batting average, South Africa's Lance Klusener has a Bradmansque average of 124 in 11 innings. However, if we take minimum 20 innings into consideration, fellow South African AB de Villiers leads the chart with 63.52 in 22 innings. Top five (minimum 20 innings): AB: 63.52 (22) Michael Clarke: 63.42 (21) Viv Richards: 63.31 (21) Rahul Dravid: 61.42 (21) Sachin Tendulkar: 56.95 (44)
Martin Guptill: The run machine
New Zealand's Martin Guptill holds the record of scoring the highest individual World Cup score in a match, of an unbeaten 237 in 163 deliveries. Top five: Martin Guptill: 237* (163) Chris Gayle: 215 (147) Gary Kirsten: 188* (159) Sourav Ganguly: 183 (158) Viv Richards: 181 (125)
McGrath twice as great with the ball
The primary job of a bowler is to pick the most number of wickets in a match. As for this, it's once again McGrath, who holds the record of most wickets in a World Cup tie. He picked 7/15 against Namibia in 2003. Top five: McGrath: 7/15 (7) Andy Bichel: 7/20 (10) Tim Southee: 7/33 (9) Winston Davis: 7/51 (10.3) Gary Gilmour: 6/14 (12)
Gayle and Samuels script highest partnership in World Cup history
Cricket is a team sport, and the batsmen try to lay the foundation through partnerships. As for this, Windies Marlon Samuels and Gayle scripted the highest partnership of 372 runs for the second wicket in 2015. Top five: Chris Gayle-Marlon Samuels: 372 (2nd) Sourav Ganguly-Rahul Dravid: 318 (2nd) Upul Tharanga-Tillakaratne Dilshan: 282 (1st) David Warner-Steve Smith: 260 (2nd) David Miller-JP Duminy: 256* (5th)
