List of Cricket World Cup five-wicket hauls

Mohammed Shami has the most five-wicket hauls (four) across all World Cup tournaments.

In cricket, a five-wicket haul (also known as a "five–for" or "fifer")[1] refers to a bowler taking five or more wickets in a single innings. This is regarded by the critics as a notable achievement,[2] and there have been only 71 instances of a bowler taking a five-wicket haul in World Cup tournaments. The Cricket World Cup is the international championship of One Day International (ODI) cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), and is held once in every four years.[3][4] [a][6] In addition, players from four associate members of the ICC have taken five-wicket hauls in World Cups.[b][6]

Starting with the inaugural edition in 1975, a total of 59 players have taken five-wicket haul in the championship as of 2023.[7] Australia's Dennis Lillee became the first player take a five-wicket haul when he took five wickets for 34 runs against Pakistan in the third match of the world cup.[8] His compatriot Gary Gilmour picked up two consecutive five-wicket hauls—in the semi-final against England and the final against West Indies—in the edition. The first of the two, six wickets for 14 runs, was named the "Best Bowling Performance" in ODIs in an all-time list released by the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 2002.[9] Joel Garner is the only other player to take a five-wicket haul in a World Cup final. He took five wickets for 38 runs against England in the 1979 tournament final; the performance ensured West Indies' victory and helped them retain the title.[10]

The 1992 edition was the only tournament where no five-wicket hauls were taken, while the 2003 tournament had a record 12 five-wicket hauls taken by 11 different players.[11] Indian Mohammed Shami has taken four and Australia's Mitchell Starc has taken three five-wicket hauls while seven others—Gilmour, Ashantha de Mel, Glenn McGrath, Vasbert Drakes, Shahid Afridi, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi —have taken two in the history of the tournament. McGrath's seven wickets for 15 runs against Namibia remains the best bowling figures World Cup matches.

  1. ^ "Swinging it for the Auld Enemy – An interview with Ryan Sidebottom". The Scotsman. Glasgow. 2008-08-17. Archived from the original on 2015-06-27. Retrieved 2013-12-27. ... I'd rather take fifers (five wickets) for England ...
  2. ^ Pervez 2001, p. 31.
  3. ^ Bhardwaj 2011, p. B–307.
  4. ^ Pervez 2001, p. 91.
  5. ^ a b Williamson, Martin. "A brief history ..." ESPNCricinfo. Archived from the original on 2013-11-15. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
  6. ^ a b "World Cup five-for per country". Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  7. ^ "World Cup five-for per player". Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  8. ^ "World Cup / Records / List of five-wickets-in-an-innings". ESPNCricinfo. Archived from the original on 2015-02-20. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  9. ^ "Top 100 Bowling Analysis of all time". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-27. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  10. ^ "Photos / Latest Photos". ESPNCricinfo. Archived from the original on 2014-03-12. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  11. ^ "World Cup five-for per tournament". Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.


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