In world cup fantasy game, five-wicket hauls are extremely rare. For one bowler to be able to take five wickets is no easy feat. Besides, in the entire history of world cup cricket, a five-wicket haul has only been achieved 49 times.
Taking a five-wicket haul means a win for the bowler’s team nearly 80%, validating its huge value for any team. Bowlers frequently say that carrying the game ball and leading a team off the stadium is one of the best feelings in CWC fantasy.
You might recall them for their brilliance on the field. You might recall them swinging the ball around corners or thrashing attacks with their lethal pace. Here are five bowlers who took just two five-wicket haul for their country in world cup cricket game.
Gary Gilmour – Australia
At his mid-1970s peak, Gary Gilmour was a penetrative left-arm swing bowler and a talented hitter. During his short world cup span of 1975, he participated in two innings and bowled 24 overs giving 8 overs maiden. Gilmour took 11 wickets with best bowling innings 6/14. In these two matches, he achieved two 5-wickets haul. Gilmour’s average was 5.63 and 2.58 economy at a strike rate of 13.0.
Vasbert Drakes – West Indies
The West Indian right-arm pacer, VasbertDrakes was capable of genuine pace off a short run-up. During his one-time world cup participation in 2003, he played in 6 innings. Drakesbowled 51.5 overs giving 7 overs maiden. He took 16 wickets with best bowling innings 5/33. In these six matches, he achieved two 5-wickets haul. His average was 13.00 and 4.01 economy at a strike rate of 19.4.
Ashantha de Mel – Sri Lanka
He was a brisk right-arm bowler with the ability to gain genuine outswing, Ashantha de Mel was Sri Lanka’s leading pace bowler after Sri Lankan team got the test status. During his world cup participation from 1983 to 1987, de Mel played in 9 innings. He bowled 90.2 overs giving 13 overs maiden. He took 18 wickets with best bowling innings 5/32. In these nine matches, he achieved two 5-wickets haul. His average was 24.94and 4.97 economy at a strike rate of 30.1.
Shahid Afridi – Pakistan
Of ShahidAfridi it can be said that neither the Pakistani cricket nor the international cricket world has and never will see another like him. His career strike rates are nearly unmatched. His specialty was leg-break googly. Afridi participated in world cup from 1999 to 2015. During his span, he played in 24 innings, bowling 184.0 overs and giving 7overs maiden. Afridi took 30 wickets with best bowling innings 5/16. In these 24 matches, he achieved two 5-wickets haul. His average was 27.70 and 4.51 economy at a strike rate of 36.8.
Glenn McGrath – Australia
The greatest bowler of Australia during his time, Glenn McGrath played in world cup during span of 1996 to 2007. During his world cup participation, McGrath played in 39 innings. He bowled 325.5 overs giving 42 overs maiden. He took 71 wickets with best bowling innings 7/15. In these 39 matches, he achieved two 5-wickets haul. His average was 18.19 and 3.96 economy at a strike rate of 27.5.
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