World Cup numbers are special and fascinate cricket fans. There are greats in the books who are remembered for the splendid gigs across editions.
Blame it on mathematics, but bad days in office too lead to records. For instance, Nathan Astle, New Zealand’s star in the 1990s, has the most number of ducks in the tournament.
As we near the 2019 World Cup — that starts on May 30 in the UK — here are a few special numbers from the showpiece event.
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124: The highest batting average, held by Lance Klusener of South Africa. The all-rounder played in two editions. 1999 and 2003. Zulu, as he is fondly called, is remembered for his consistency in the ‘99 edition in the UK. He scored 281 runs at an average of 140.50. With the ball, he was the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps.
387.50: The highest strike-rate in an innings belongs to James Franklin of New Zealand. He had smashed 31 runs in eight balls against Canada in Mumbai in the 2011 edition. Two fours and three sixes had taken him to 26 off five balls. The remaining five runs came off three more deliveries.
3.24: This economy rate has been on top of the table for 36 years. Andy Roberts holds the distinction of being the most economical bowler in the history of the tournament. In three Cup acts (1975-1983), he returned with 26 wickets in 16 matches.
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105: Number of runs conceded by New Zealander Martin Snedden against England in 1983. At least, he dismissed Allan Lamb and Mike Gatting, perhaps the only saving grace in the 12-over spell at the Oval.
21: The number of dismissals by Adam Gilchrist in World Cup 2003. The former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman, who took 21 catches, holds the record for most dismissals in a single edition of the tournament. He had taken six catches against Namibia in Potchefstroom.
23.8: It is the best bowling strike-rate in the tournament history; held by Lasith Malinga. The Sri Lankan has 43 wickets in 22 matches at an economy of 5.32; his best figures being 6/38.
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59: The number of extras Pakistan bowled in an innings in World Cup 1999. Against Scotland in Chester-le-Street, the star-studded bowling attack, comprising Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, conceded five byes and six leg-byes. There were 33 wide balls and 15 no balls. Luckily for Pakistan, the raw and rusty Scottish side folded for 167 in its chase of 262.
61.42: Among the Indians, this is the highest batting average. The record holder is Rahul Dravid. The former India captain was the highest-scorer in 1999 with 461 runs. Dravid in appeared in three editions — ‘99, 2003 and 2007.
44: Most wickets among the Indians in World Cups. Both Javagal Srinath (34 matches) and Zaheer Khan (23 matches) have claimed 44 wickets in the tournament. The left/right bowling combination helped India a great deal in World Cup 2003.
32: The number of dismissals M.S. Dhoni holds in World Cups. It is the most among all Indian stumpers. The World Cup winner of 2011 has 27 catches and five stumpings in 20 matches.
46: The number of matches David Shepherd stood as an umpire for 20 years (1983-2003). It is the most by any umpire in World Cups. Steve Bucknor (1992-2007) is second in the list with 45 matches.
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