Cricket World Cup Stats: 5 current players with most wickets in World Cups

The ICC World Cup 2019 is just around the corner as the ten teams will be eager to put their best foot forward and strengthen their claim for the trophy. England and Wales will be hosting this edition of the tournament, which will be the 12th edition of the biggest competition in ODI cricket.

Five-time champions and defending champions Australia will be looking to win a record sixth title while England and South Africa will eye their maiden title win. With the pitches on offer bound to assist large scores, the bowlers will be put under the pump that makes this edition of the World Cup an exciting affair.

While the bowlers have not enjoyed the best of the past years with the short boundaries and big blades making matters easy for the batsmen, there have been some exemplary performances from bowlers such as Glenn McGrath, Muttiah Muralitharan, Wasim Akram amongst others who have fared well.

In this article, we have a look at five bowlers who will be participating in this edition of the World Cup and have the most wickets in the history of the tournament.

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#5 Dale Steyn - 23 wickets from 14 matches

Can Dale Steyn cement his place in the pace attack?

The South African speedster has been one of South Africa's best seamers in the past and will yet again look to bring his best to the fore and complement the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi in the pace department.

Dale Steyn made his World Cup debut in 2011 when he picked up 3/24 off his 7.3 overs against West Indies and enjoyed a wonderful tournament, finishing as South Africa's best seamer with 12 wickets from six matches.

In the 2015 World Cup, Steyn partnered Morne Morkel in the pace department as he bowled with accuracy and pace to finish with 11 wickets from eight games at an economy of 5.02 that took his team all the way till the semi-finals.

Overall, Steyn has picked up 23 wickets from 14 games at an average of 23.39 and an economy rate of 4.67 and will be raring to go this edition as well.

#4 Wahab Riaz - 24 wickets from 12 matches

Wahab Riaz's contest with Shane Watson is one of the best moments in World Cup history

A pacy left-arm seamer who banks on procuring pace and bounce to trouble the best of batsmen, Wahab Riaz has failed to cement his place in the ODI setup but has made an impact when picked in the team.

Riaz first played in a World Cup match for Pakistan in 2011 and did not stamp his authority right away as he picked up just 8 wickets in five games at an average of 33.5. A constant presence in the Pakistan setup in the leadup to the 2015 World Cup, Riaz was touted to have a top tournament.

The pacer indeed enjoyed a tremendous tournament as he went on to pick 16 wickets from just seven matches and finished as Pakistan's highest wicket-taker, underlining his dominance in the 2015 edition of the World Cup.

In two editions, Riaz has 24 wickets from twelve games at an average of 21.91 and will be looking to form a potent partnership with Mohammad Amir in the upcoming World Cup.

#3 Imran Tahir - 29 Wickets from 13 matches

Imran Tahir's form could have a massive impact on South Africa's campaign

One of the most consistent wrist spinners in the history of the game, Imran Tahir's bag of tricks have fetched him a whole lot of wickets in the recent past. Tahir debuted in 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and had a remarkable season as he picked up 14 wickets from five matches at an economy of just 3.79.

Tahir continued his top show in the next two years as he scalped a total of 33 wickets across the next two years. He donned the role of South Africa's lead spinner for the 2015 edition of the World Cup.

The ace spinner brought all his experience to the fore in the 2015 edition and claimed a total of 15 wickets from eight games and finished the tournament as South Africa's second-highest wicket-taker, only two wickets behind Morne Morkel.

With the tracks in England bound to assist some spin, Tahir will be banked on to make optimum use of the conditions and stifle the batsmen with his skill.

#2 Tim Southee - 33 wickets from 17 matches

Tim Southee will be banked on to get his team some early breakthroughs

A seasoned pacer who has often produced some quality spells with a genuine mix of swing and pace, Tim Southee has a total of 185 wickets from 139 ODIs and will be sharing the new ball with Trent Boult in this edition of the World Cup.

However, what makes Southee's role in the New Zealand camp vital is the fact that the right-arm pacer will be playing his third World Cup and has a total of 33 wickets from 17 matches that paints a pretty picture of his effectiveness in the tournament.

Southee had a breakthrough edition in 2011 when he brought his best to the plate and picked up 18 wickets from just eight matches at an economy of 4.31 and had a moderate couple of years prior to 2015.

In the 2015 edition, Southee formed an alliance with Trent Boult as New Zealand finished runners-up and in the end, the right arm pacer had 15 wickets to his name from nine matches.

As yet another World Cup approaches, New Zealand's campaign will be highly dependent on Tim Southee's efficiency.

#1 Lasith Malinga - 43 wickets from 22 matches

Lasith Malinga will be playing his fourth World Cup for Sri Lanka

A widely acclaimed bowler for his accuracy and toe-crushing yorkers, Lasith Malinga's trade has travelled far and wide, with the Sri Lankan seamer making waves with his variations all across the world.

On the World Cup front, Malinga is one of his country's best bowlers with a total of 43 wickets across three editions of the competition, with his best showing coming in the 2007 World Cup when he finished with 18 wickets from eight matches.

Malinga was in his element in the next two editions as he scalped a total of 13 wickets and 12 wickets in the 2011 and 2015 editions respectively and also finished as the highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in the 2015 ICC World Cup.

Having been recalled to the squad for the 2019 World Cup, Malinga will be hoping to lead the bowling attack and bring his experience to the fore.