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The most coveted trophy in cricket is the World Cup. It has been 45 years since the first World Cup was played in England in the year 1975. Since then there have been ten more editions of the world cup and ten teams will again battle for the crown this English summer.
Out of the 11 editions of the World Cup, Australia has triumphed on 5 occasions (1987, 1999,2003,2007, 2015), India (1983 and 2011) and West Indies (1975 and 1979 respectively) have lifted the trophy twice and Pakistan and Sri Lanka have won once in 1992 and 1996 respectively.
The 12th edition owill get underway from 30th May, 2019 in England with hosts England playing South Africa at the Oval.
While some cricketers led their teams to the championship title with their performances, few cricketers despite of putting their best efforts, could not get their team past the line. Here is a playing 11 of the World Cup's most impactful players over the years.
#4 Openers:
Sachin Tendulkar (2003)
The Master Blaster was unstoppable in the 2003 edition of the World Cup which was held in South Africa. In 11 innings for India, the opener scored 673 runs at an impressive average of 61.18.
Sachin Tendulkar who apparently did not bat a single ball in the nets in the 2003 World Cup, dominated the bowlers from the word go and had six half-centuries and one century to his credit in the 2003 World Cup.
Riding on his form, the Men in Blue finished runners-up and Sachin was named the Man of the Series. The 673 runs scored by Sachin is till date the record for most runs scored in a single edition in World Cup history.
The highlight of the edition is Sachin dominating the dangerous Pakistani pace trio of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar.
Sanath Jayasuriya (1996)
Sanath Jayasuriya was named the Man of the Series in the 1996 World Cup. The left-handed opener changed the dynamics of ODI cricket in the 1996 World Cup with his opening partner Romesh Kaluwitharana.
In 6 innings in the 1996 World Cup, Jayasuriya scored 221 runs at an average of 36.83 and an impressive strike rate of 131.54. He took full advantage of the fielding restrictions in the first 15 overs and in the day and age when teams were satisfied to score 50 to 60 runs in the first 15 overs, Jayasuriya led Sri Lanka to 117 against India, 123 against Kenya and 121 against England in the first 15 overs.
Jayasuriya blasted to 82 of just 44 balls in the quarterfinals against England and subsequently Sri Lanka won the trophy by beating Australia in the finals.
Jayasuriya changed the way ODI cricket was played and thereafter following his footsteps, cricketers started taking advantage of the field restrictions to score more runs in the first 15 overs.
The left-hander also took seven wickets and took five catches in the tournament. All in all, Jayasuriya's all-round performances were the guiding light for Sri Lanka's triumph in the 1996 World Cup.
#3 Middle Order:
Sir Viv Richards (1979)
West Indies were indeed a dominating team in the 1970s and had two World Cups to their credit in that decade. After winning the 1975 World Cup, West Indies battled England in the finals of the 1979 World Cup to be crowned champions once again.
Batting first in the finals at Lord's against the hosts, West Indies scored 286 runs in 60 overs riding on the innings of Sir Viv Richards. Sir Viv scored an unbeaten 138 of 157 balls which included 11 boundaries and three sixes. England were bowled out for just 194 and West Indies were crowned world champions once again.
Richards scored 217 runs at an average of 108.50 and was the second highest scorer in the 1979 World Cup.
Martin Crowe (1992)
Martin Crowe was the Man of the Series in the 1992 World Cup. Crowe was also the top run-getter in the 1992 edition of the World Cup and he scored 456 runs in 9 innings at an astonishing average of 114 and an impressive strike rate of 90.83.
The Kiwi skipper scored a century against Australia in the opening match and the Kiwis lost a solitary game in the group stages against Pakistan and finished on top of the table.
However, the Kiwis could not make it beyond the semi-finals, the skipper will always be remembered for his contributions with the bat and his out of box thinking as he opening the bowling with a spinner in ODI cricket.
Kumar Sangakkara (2015)
541 runs in 7 innings at an average of 108.20 makes for good reading. Kumar Sangakkara was in the form of his life in the 2015 cricket World Cup. The left-hander was the second highest scorer in the tournament.
The Sri Lankan wicket-keeper is the only cricketer in the history of World Cup cricket to score four consecutive centuries. He reached the three-figure mark against Bangladesh, England, Australia, and Scotland in the 2015 World Cup.
Sri Lanka could not qualify beyond the quarterfinals but Sangakkara entertained cricket fans with his delightful stroke play.
#2 All-Rounders:
Yuvraj Singh (2011)
The 2011 World Cup belonged to India's Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj despite suffering from cancer led India to their second World Cup triumph.
Yuvraj scored 362 runs in 9 innings at an impressive average of 90.50 with a century and four half-centuries to his credit. Yuvi scored runs at vital stages in the tournament and was a reliable middle-order batsman for India.
He was equally effective with the ball and he scalped 15 wickets an average of 25.13 and becomes the go-to man for M.S. Dhoni. Yuvraj, in the 2011 World Cup made valuable contributions and was the Man of the Series.
Kapil Dev (1983)
India were the underdogs going into the 1983 World Cup and had just a solitary win in the previous two editions of the World Cups in 1975 and 1979.
Kapil Dev inspired the Indian team and led them to triumph in the 3rd edition of the World Cup by beating the West Indies who had won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979.
Kapil scored 303 runs in 8 innings at an average of 60.60. His top score was an unbeaten 175 against Zimbabwe when India were restricted to 17/5 at the start of the innings.
He also picked up 12 wickets at an average of 20.41. Be it with the bat or with the ball or in the field, Kapil was at his very best in the 1983 World Cup and led India to their maiden triumph and changed the sport forever
Lance Klusener (1999)
Though Australia were Champions in 1999 edition, the tournament belonged to Lance Klusener.
The left-handed all-rounder averaged 140.50 with the bat and scored 281 runs at a strike rate of 122.17 with 2 half centuries. The hard-hitting all-rounder had 26 boundaries and 10 sixes to his credit. With the ball, he was equally effective as he picked up 17 wickets at an average of 20.58 and was the fourth highest wicket-taker of the competition.
#4 Bowlers:
Gary Gilmour (1975)
Though Gilmour played just 2 matches in the 1975 World Cup, he picked up 11 wickets at an unbelievable average of 5.63.
In the 24 overs he bowled in the World Cup, he had an economy of just 2.58. In the 2 matches he played, he picked up a 5 wickets-haul in both the matches.
The left-handed Gary Gilmour definitely will provide much-needed variety in the pace attack of this team.
Craig McDermott (1987)
The World Cup moved out of England for the first time in the year 1987 as it was the turn of the subcontinent to host the world cup. Spinners were expected to dominate the event. However, Craig McDermott played a vital role in Australia winning their maiden World Cup.
The right-handed fast bowler from Queensland was the highest wicket-taker of the tournament. The Aussie picked up 18 wickets in eight matches at a splendid average of 18.94.
Glenn McGrath (2007)
Glenn McGrath had already announced his retirement from international cricket before taking the flight to West Indies and he played a vital role in Australia winning the World Cup for the third successive time in 2007.
He was very accurate with his line and length in the Caribbean as he picked up 26 wickets at an average of 13.73 and economy of 4.41.
McGrath, by far was the most impressive pace bowler in the mega-tournament and bowed out in the best possible way from international cricket.
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