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If you could chose an all-time World Cup XI, who would make the cut – and why?
Shane Warne recently chose his best ODI side of all time, causing debate due to a number of notable omissions.
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)
An obvious selection, Tendulkar is the most prolific run-scorer in World Cup history by some distance. He is the only man to have made over two thousand runs in the tournament, (2278) at an average of 56.95.
Tendulkar was a World Cup winner in 2011, has made six centuries and belted an especially memorable 98 against Pakistan in 2003, tearing apart Shoaib Akhtar.
2. Adam Gilchrist (Australia)
His overall record at the World Cup is good, but not great: 1085 runs at 36.16. However his selection is brought about because of his performances in World Cup finals. Gilchrist is the only individual to compete in the World Cup three times and win all three of them.
In the 1999 final, Gilchrist belted 54 off 49 balls as Australia erased a small total against Pakistan.
In 2003 he whacked 57 off 48 balls as Australia walloped India.
The 2007 final was Gilchrist’s finest hour. He clobbered a record 149 off 104 balls as Australia smashed Sri Lanka. Gilchrist amassed a century in boundaries!
Gilchrist is the wicketkeeper for the side, holding the World Cup record for most dismissals with 52.
3. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Ponting was captain of Australia when they went on a 35-match unbeaten streak. Pointing was a member of three World Cup winning teams, captain twice and scored 1743 runs at 45.86. He made 140 against India in the 2003 final!
4. Viv Richards (West Indies)
The master-blaster made 1013 runs at 63.31. The great West Indian was genuinely feared and held the record for the highest score in the tournament (181) and final (138) for two decades.
Richards was a more than useful medium pacer as well.
5. Martin Crowe (New Zealand)
Crowe was the main inspiration behind New Zealand’s dramatic surge towards the title in 1992. Written off before the tournament, Crowe’s astute leadership led New Zealand to seven straight victories over Test playing nations, before the Kiwis finally succumbed to eventual champions Pakistan in the semi-final.
Crowe was the leading run-maker at the tournament and across three World Cups made 880 runs at 55 with a strike rate of 83.
Off spinner Dipak Patel opening the bowling and dasher Mark Greatbatch opening the batting were innovations that helped New Zealand enormously in 1992 and such tactics have become common now.
6. Steve Waugh (Australia)
Waugh’s 120 against South Africa in 1999 saved Australia’s bacon. In four tournaments, Waugh won twice and had a healthy average of 48. He was also a big contributor with the ball taking 27 wickets at 30.
His use of the slower ball in 1987 was a key part of Australia’s triumph in the sub-continent.
7. Imran Khan (Pakistan)
South African Lance Klusener posted great numbers at the World Cup. In 14 matches he scored 307 runs at 124 and took 22 wickets. However, Khan was a mainstay for Pakistan for two decades and led his country to success in 1992.
A complete cricketer, Khan took 34 wickets in 28 matches at under 20 and averaged over 35 with the bat, an excellent showing over such a long period of time.
8. Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
Akram’s pace and ability to swing the ball in both directions made him a nightmare for batsman. He took 55 wickets in 36 matches at 23 and his accuracy helped Pakistan win the 1992 tourney. The only left-hander in the side was also a hard-hitting lower order batsman.
9. Shane Warne (Australia)
Warne bowled Australia to victory in 1999. In the famous tied semi-final against South Africa, he took 4/29. In the final against Pakistan he took 4/33. Warne missed the 2003 tournament, but with 32 wickets in 17 games at 19.50 he has a strong case for inclusion.
10. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Played in five World Cups, winning the competition in 1996 and sneering 68 wickets in 40 matches at an average of under 20.
His record is too good to ignore.
11. Glenn McGrath (Australia)
With 71 wickets at 18.19, McGrath is the leading wicket taker in World Cup history and an obvious selection, having won the tournament twice. Perhaps the most impressive feature of McGrath’s World Cup record is his miserly economy rate of 3.96.
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