Cricket World Cup History: Top 5 bowling figures in World Cup history

The twelfth edition of the most prestigious One Day International Tournament is all set to begin in a few days time. As the top 10 teams prepare for the round robin format of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, let us take a look at the previous 11 editions of the tournament.

After the 11 editions so far, most cricket experts agree to the statement that 'batsmen win you games, bowlers win you tournaments.' Be it the West Indies team that won the first two World Cups or the Australian team that dominated World cricket at the start of the 21st century, successful teams always had quality bowlers in their sides.

With an emphasis on the exploits of the bowlers in previous WCs, let us take a look at the top 5 bowling figures in World Cup history:

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#5 Gary Gilmour (Australia) - 6/14 vs England in 1975 Prudential World Cup

Gilmour had a memorable 1975 World Cup

Australian cricketer Gary Gilmour, who was known for his left-arm swing bowling and a hard-hitting batsman played just 5 ODIs. Even with just a few handful matches to his name, Gilmour made it to the record books.

Gilmour, who made his ODI debut against New Zealand in 1974, did not play a single match in the group stages of 1975 World Cup. Australia unleashed him against England in the semi-finals as he made the most of the swinging conditions and demolished the English batting line-up by picking up six wickets for just 14 runs in the allotted 12 overs.

By sending six of the top 7 English batsmen to pavilion, Gilmour helped Australia restrict England to just 93 runs. Even in the finals, Gilmour picked up five wickets for 48 runs but Clive Lloyd's century ensured that West Indies emerged victorious by 17 runs in the first ever World Cup.

#4 Winston Davis (West Indies) - 7/51 vs Australia in 1983 Prudential World Cup

Davis' record remained unbroken for nearly 20 years

Gary Gilmour's 6/14 was the best bowling figures in World Cup history for nearly 8 years before Winston Davis became the first bowler to pickup 7 wickets in a World Cup match. Davis was a talented pacer but was born in an era when the West Indies had many outstanding quicks in their arsenal.

As a result, he could only play 35 ODIs for the Windies. Despite the limited opportunities, Davis recorded the then best bowling figures in WC history by picking up 7 wickets for 51 runs against Australia.

After the Windies batsmen set a target of 253, the record spell gave the island nation a 101-run win. Davis' record stood strong for nearly 20 years before it got overhauled in the 2003 World Cup.

One interesting thing about the records of Gilmour and Davis was that they both came at Headingley.

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#3 Tim Southee (New Zealand) - 7/33 vs England in 2015 ICC World Cup

Southee demolished the English batting lineup

New Zealand's most successful campaign in the World Cup came in 2015 when the Kiwis co-hosted the tournament along with Australia. One of the main reasons behind New Zealand's journey to the finals was the performances of the Kiwi pacers.

One such Kiwi pacer who lit up the 2015 World Cup with was Tim Southee. Southee ran through the England batting line-up, taking 7 wickets in 9 overs. As a result, England were bowled out for just 123 runs, a total which was comfortably chased down by New Zealand batsman in less than 13 overs.

#2 Andy Bichel (Australia) - 7/20 vs England in 2003 ICC World Cup

Andy Bichel registered his best ODI bowling figures in the 2003 WC against England

Andy Bichel participated in just one World Cup for Australia but he ensured that it was a memorable one. In addition to picking up 16 wickets in 8 matches at an economy rate of 3.46, Bichel got out only once in 3 innings and scored a total of 117 runs.

In the match against England at Port Elizabeth, he picked up 7 wickets for just 20 runs in his quota of 10 overs. The 7-wicket haul ensured that England were restricted to 204 but Australia faltered during the chase before Bichel rescued his side along with Michael Bevan.

Bichel, who came into the middle when Australia were struggling at 135-8, went onto stitch an unbeaten 73-run partnership with Bevan and helped Australia to victory. "It was one of those perfect days," was the description that Bichel gave at the end of the match.

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#1 Glenn McGrath (Australia) - 7/15 vs Namibia in 2003 ICC World Cup

McGrath played a key role in Australia's world dominance

Glenn McGrath, without a doubt, is one of the best bowlers in World Cup history. The Australian great has multiple World Cup records to his name.

McGrath, who is the leading wicket-taker in World Cup history with 71 wickets, has also recorded the best bowling figures in the prestigious tournament.

In Australia's 2003 World Cup fixture against Namibia, the Kangaroos posted a dominant total of 301 in 50 overs. In reply to Australia's might target, the Namibian team could only manage 45 runs, all thanks to McGrath record spell of 7 for 15.

As a result of McGrath's outstanding efforts with the ball, the Namibian team was bowled out in just 14 overs.

While Winston Davis' record stood for nearly 20 years, Glenn McGrath's record has stood strong for 16 years and might even overhaul the 20-year span as the pitches turn more and more batting friendly.