#CricketInNumbers: Key statistics, records of Windies in the World Cup
The ICC World Cup 2019 will start from May 30, in England and Wales. Before the tournament, West Indies will look to make the most out of the ODIs against world number one side England and the tri-nation series involving Bangladesh and Ireland. Windies have a young squad, with several talented players in their ranks. We look at statistics of Windies in this event.
How have Windies fared in ICC World Cup events?
West Indies have won the World Cup on two occasions (1975 and 1979). In 1983, they ended as the runners-up after losing to India. They made an exit from the group stage a total of four times (1987, 1992, 1999 and 2003). Windies reached the quarters stage on two occasions (2011 and 2015). They reached the Super Eight in 2007 and semis in 1996.
Highest and lowest World Cup scores of West Indies
The highest ever innings score of West Indies in the World Cup came in 2015, when they amassed 372/2 against Zimbabwe at Canberra. Interestingly, their lowest total came against Kenya in Pune during the 1996 edition (93).
Chris Gayle and Winston Davis hold individual records
Chris Gayle (215 versus Zimbabwe, 2015) has the highest individual score by a Windies batsman. He hit 16 sixes and 10 fours in this splendid knock. Interestingly, Gayle also has the second highest individual score in the World Cup. Winston Davis (7/51 versus Australia, 1983) has the best bowling figures notched by a Windies cricketer. Kemar Roach (6/27 versus Netherlands, 2011) comes second.
Brian Lara and Courtney Walsh had enormous impact
Legend Brian Lara is the highest run-scorer for West Indies in the World Cup (1,225). He smashed two hundreds and seven fifties in 34 matches. Sir Vivian Richards is the only other Windies player to score 1,000-plus runs (1,013). Courtney Walsh holds the record for the most number of wickets in the World Cup for Windies (27). Andy Roberts took an impressive 26 scalps.
Some other records held by WI cricketers
Viv Richards has the most number of hundreds for WI in the event (3). 26 dismissals by Dinesh Ramdin remain the highest for the side by a wicket-keeper. Lara managed to take the most number of catches for WI (16). Gayle and Maron Samuels hold the record for the highest partnership (372 versus Zimbabwe, 2015). Clive Llyod has the most appearances as skipper (17).
Key issues facing WI and our prediction
West Indies lost successive ODI series against India (3-1) and Bangladesh (2-1) on their Asian tour at the end of last year. The side is an inexperienced one and would find it difficult in England. But there are some promising players and the idea will be to play to their strengths and enjoy at the same time. They won't reach the semi-finals.
