Cricket World Cup History: 3 highest wicket-takers in the tournament 

With the ICC World Cup, the biggest cricketing event on the planet having commenced just under a week ago, all eyes are on the squads of all 10 participating teams.

One key point every analyst has discussed in detail is that the World Cup is taking place in England this year. This would mean that the role of pacers become extremely important due to the green, bouncing, swinging tracks one can expect.

Coincidentally, statistics further go on to prove that fast-bowlers have been more valuable as well as successful throughout the 11 World Cups in history. 2 out of the 3 highest wicket-takers in the history of this prestigious tournament have all been pacers.

Here are the 3 highest wicket-takers in World Cup history.

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#1 Glenn McGrath

Glenn McGrath, one of the most celebrated legends of the game is a World Cup maestro. During the 4 World Cups McGrath took part in, he picked up a mind-boggling 71 wickets merely 39 matches. These also include two 5-wicket hauls as well as nine 3-wicket hauls throughout the 4 World Cups he has been a part of.

Furthermore, in the 1999 edition of this tournament, McGrath picked up 18 scalps, helping Australia win their second title. His valuable contributions did not stop there. In 2003, when the World Cup traveled to South Africa, Glenn McGrath was a huge asset to the Australian squad picking up 21 vital wickets. In this edition of the tournament, McGrath ended as the 3rd highest wicket-taker and once again played a huge role in his country being able to defend the title.

However, McGrath made sure his last World Cup would be the most memorable. The Australian team travelled to the West Indies in 2007 where Australia looked to defend their title for the second consecutive time. Through the course of this tournament, Glenn McGrath's bowling was lethal. He broke the spine of almost every batting line-up he faced, taking a spectacular total of 26 wickets - the most in any single edition of the tournament and ensured Australia completed a record hat-trick of titles.

#2 Muttiah Muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan after taking a wicket in the 2011 World Cup

Arguably the best spinner Sri Lanka has ever produced, Muttiah Muralitharan comes in at the 2nd position on this list. Being a spinner and on this list is a huge achievement by itself as majority of World Cups have taken place in conditions not suitable for a spinner. Regardless of this, spin wizard Muralitharan was able to take a spectacular total of 68 wickets in the 40 matches he played, including 11 3-wicket hauls.

Muralitharan was a part of the Sri Lankan squad for 5 world cups, with the first one being the 1996 edition. The year Sri Lanka were titled 'Champions' for the first time. Even though Sri Lanka won the World Cup that year, Muralitharan did not leave the mark he would've hoped for. He was only successful in taking a mere 7 wickets in 6 matches. This was followed by yet another disappointing edition in 1999, where he took just 6 wickets in 5 games. However, the 2003 World cup in South Africa was where he was a different threat. He improved his tally to an impressive 17 wickets in 10 matches.

From then on, he did not stop. In the 2007 edition of this pristine tournament, Muttiah Muralitharan displayed his expertise by claiming 23 wickets in just 10 games, resulting in him being the leading wicket-taker for his team and also leading them to the finals. 4 years later, when the tournament reached India and Sri Lanka, Muralitharan continued to enjoy his purple patch from the previous edition. The spinner collected 15 wickets in 9 games, became the highest Lankan wicket-taker in the 2011 World Cup and led his team to yet again final.

Muttiah Muralitharan also happens to be the highest ever wicket-taker in ODIs with 534 wickets to his name.

#3 Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram celebrating after claiming a wicket in the 1999 Cricket World Cup.

One of the greatest left-arm pacers to have ever graced a World Cup, Wasim Akram enters this list at number 3. He represented Pakistan in 5 World Cups, claiming a brilliant tally of 55 wickets in the 38 matches he participated in. However, the start to his World Cup Journey was rather dismal. In his debut World Cup in 1987, he was only able to take 7 wickets in 7 games. Proving that he learns from his mistakes, the next time Akram took to the field for a World Cup game, he was a changed bowler. In the 1992 World Cup, Wasim Akram was the star bowler, taking a total of 18 wickets in just 10 matches. His spectacular performance helped his team get over the line and lift the cup for the first time.

After an extremely successful tournament, Akram once again seemed lost when the 1996 World Cup came around. He was not able to play the role of the dominant bowler for his team, taking a mere 3 wickets in 5 matches. Once again, forgetting all about his disappointing last edition, he was an unbelievable threat in the 1999 Cup. Playing for his country as the leader of the bowling attack, Akram picked up an impressive 15 wickets, while also helping his team reach the finals of yet another tournament. Come his last appearance in a World Cup in 2003, Wasim Akram wanted to leave on a high which he managed to do. He had a spectacular tournament individually picking up 12 wickets. However, his team did not support him well enough and Pakistan witnessed an early exit.

Wasim Akram is the 2nd highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 502 wickets.