ICC World Cup Bowling Records: Best Bowling Figures

There have been some of the most spectacular bowling performances in the history of One-Day International cricket at the World Cup. Because of their exceptional control of the ball and capacity to swing and seam it, some of the most well-known bowlers have been able to destroy batting line-ups.

When playing against Namibia in Potchefstroom in 2003, Glenn McGrath recorded the best bowling figures in the history of the ICC Cricket World Cup. He did this while competing in the tournament. He ended up with 7 out of 15. McGrath is one of only four men in the tournament’s 43-year history to have produced seven-wicket hauls at any point in the competition.

This accomplishment puts McGrath in elite company. An article published by Sportstar takes a look back at some of the most fantastic bowling performances that have ever occurred during the Cricket World Cup.

Glenn McGrath – Against Namibia in Potchefstroom, 2003 (7 overs, 15 runs, 7 wickets, four maidens)

Glenn McGrath set the ICC Cricket World Cup record bowling stats during Australia’s match against Namibia in the penultimate group game of the 2003 tournament. Australia amassed a score of 301/6 before running through Namibia’s batting line-up and dismissing them for a total of 45 runs, resulting in a victory margin of 256 runs.

When Namibia’s opener Jan-Berrie Burger was bowled by McGrath in the first over, he got things flowing and got Namibia off to a good start. Following those six more wickets in his seven overs, he concluded with a total of 7/15, including four maiden overs.

Andy Bichel – Against England in Port Elizabeth, 2003 (10 overs, 20 runs, 7 wickets)

Another famous spell cast at the 2003 ICC World Cup. Five of the seven dismissals were former, current, or soon-to-be captains. To add salt to the wound, Bichel grabbed seven of the eight England wickets that day, and Australia won by only two wickets with two balls remaining. Before Andy Bichel‘s intervention, England cruised at 66 for no loss in 9.4 overs. Australia‘s comeback was led by Bichel, who was instrumental in reducing England’s score to 87 for 5. Australia had the upper hand as he returned to the attack and ended a 90-run sixth wicket stand between Alec Stewart and Andrew Flintoff.

Tim Southee – Against England in Wellington, 2015 (9 overs, 33 runs, 7 wickets)

Tim Southee of New Zealand is the most recent player to achieve this feat at an ICC Cricket World Cup match. He took seven wickets in an innings during the match.

At Wellington, New Zealand’s opponents were England, and he shook up their batting order to help dismiss them for only 123 runs, finishing with 7/33 as he contributed to New Zealand’s victory by eight wickets. After achieving clean bowling against the openers Ian Bell and Moeen Ali, he went on to collect the wickets of James Taylor, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, and Steven Finn, all of whom scored a combined total of eight runs.

Winston Davis – Against Australia in Leeds, 1983 (10.3 overs, 7 wickets, 51 runs)

When Winston Davis took seven wickets at the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup, he set a new record for most wickets in a One-Day International match. This was especially impressive given that it was his first time competing in the World Cup.

The defending champion West Indies beat the tournament’s newcomers, Australia, largely thanks to Davis’s 10-wicket performance in just 10.3 overs (back when matches were 60 overs each). Nearly two decades would pass before McGrath would break his mark.

Gary Gilmour – Against England in Leeds, 1975 (12 overs, 6 wickets, 14 runs, 6 maidens)

Only the second five-wicket haul in World Cup history, and the 31st ODI match overall, this feat was accomplished. It happened in the first World Cup semi-final, and it’s the most cost-effective five-wicket haul ever. While the England batting line-up expected to face Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thompson, Gary Gilmour stole the show.

Headingley’s refreshing air helped the left-arm swing bowler Gilmour deliver 12 consecutive overs with impressive results: 6 for 10 in nine. Australia was chasing a target of 94 and bowled out England for 93. In came Gilmour, and his 28 not out was the winning run for Australia. An outstanding effort by every measure, this ranks among the best in World Cup annals. In the championship game against the West Indies, Gilmour again took a five-wicket haul, but it was in vain this time.