CWC 2019: 5 Nations who have won the most number of World Cup matches

ICC World Cup 2019 is around the corner as the cricket enthusiasts embrace the idea of watching top cricketing nations collide for world supremacy this summer. England and Wales have been given the privilege to host the quadrennial tournament, with the co-hosts entering the tournament as favourites for the trophy.

The upcoming World Cup is going to be the 12th edition of the tournament, and it is fair to say that up until this point, we've had a good share of iconic moments. While some nations can boast of being crowed as world champions on multiple occasions, there are a few, who've come close to winning the trophy on numerous occasions but failed at the final hurdle.

Winning a World Cup requires will, persistence and consistency. Being triumphant at cricket's biggest stage generates a good amount of joy, bliss and glee as the players as well as the fans simply worship the spectacle that we all lovingly call the World Cup.

While the overall success rate is undoubtedly a major talking point, the consistency too is something which defines a nation's status in the elite group. Winning World Cup matches is what every player aspires and is what makes cricketers be reckoned as 'legends'.

Without further ado, here we list down top five nations who have won the most number of World Cup matches:

#5 England

England v Pakistan - 5th Royal London ODI

The co-hosts of the 2019 ICC World Cup have had a battle with luck when it comes to the grandest stage. England have reached the final thrice but to their displeasure, not even once have they managed to land the majestic trophy.

England have a power-packed squad heading into the World Cup, and with the likes of Jos Buttler, Jason Roy and Ben Stokes at their disposal, the English fans are optimistic of their side's chances of winning the competition this year.

England have been on the victorious side on 41 out of 72 World Cup fixtures they've been a part of and will feel immensely unlucky to have not won the cup, despite making it to the final on three occasions.

Eoin Morgan will be looking to better that number during the upcoming tournament as he hopes to become the first man ever to captain an English side to World Cup glory. A triumphant campaign this summer will definitely help him enter the history books as England's greatest ODI skipper.

#4 West Indies

England v West Indies - 5th One Day International

West Indies were the most dominant side back in the 1970s as they won the first two World Cups. The Caribbeans went through the first two editions of the World Cup without conceding a single defeat and even managed to reach the final in the third edition where they were defeated by India.

Men like Clive Lloyd, Vivian Richards and Michael Holding were instrumental in guiding their nation to consecutive World Cup titles. The West Indies have played a total of 71 World Cup fixtures till date and have managed to be victorious on 41 occasions. The team haven't come close to winning the cup in recent times but their awe-inspiring history is nothing less than spectacular.

West Indies might not be the favourites this time around but the presence of players such as Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Jason Holder does present an outside chance for the former champions.

#3 India

Indian Cricket Team

The Men in Blue have been the pioneers of this beautiful sport and their startling record at the World Cup supports the aforementioned statement to perfection. India have won the World Cup twice and hold a commendable record at the big stage.

Virat Kohli and his men will look to draw a great amount of inspiration from the fact that India have won 46 World Cup matches out the 76 they've been a part of. This impressive number places them in the third position on the list of nations who won have the most number of World Cup matches.

They famously scripted history in 1983 when Kapil Dev led India to World Cup glory. The Men in Blue then lifted their second World Cup in 2011 when they defeated Sri Lanka in the final at Wankhede.

Expect this number to increase this summer when the Men in Blue travel to England and Wales for the 12th edition of the World Cup

#2 New Zealand

New Zealand v Sri Lanka - Game 2

The Kiwis may never have won the World Cup, but their performances at the big stage have been admired by the ardent cricket followers. New Zealand have reached the semi-finals on seven occasions but have a disheartening success rate in the last-four stage as they have managed to reach the final only once.

Many might argue about New Zealand's ability to win the cup, but as far as their record at the World Cup is put into question, there is just one thing to describe it which is 'phenomenal'.

The Black Caps have played in 79 World Cup fixtures, out of which they have managed to win 48, which places them in the second position of this illustrious list.

New Zealand may not have won the cup, but with 48 wins under their belt, they have been one of the most consistent sides in the history of the tournament.

#1 Australia

Australia v New Zealand - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup: Final

We have the reigning world champions, who have won the tournament a record five times, in the first place. Australia have dominated the World Cup and their position on top of this list won't surprise many.

Ever since the inception of the World Cup, Australia have played uniformly well which is why they hold such a dominant record at the quadrennial tournament. The Aussies have been part of every single World Cup till now and have played more games than other nation, courtesy of their ability to reach the knockout phase on a regular basis. Australia have thus far played 84 World Cup fixtures, winning 62 of those.

Their record at the World Cup is astonishing and it truly makes them the most successful nation in the history of cricket, as far as World Cup glory is considered.