The World Cup represents the peak of cricket’s greatness. It’s something every cricketer wishes for.
This is why players are more pumped to take the pitch and represent their country on the grandest platform of all. As a result, we get to see some of the most memorable performances from the guys.
The magnitude of the event brings out the best in some players, both with the bat and with the ball. These performances will go down in history as the best all-around performances in World Cup history.
Let us examine the top 10 best all-round performances in the ODI World Cup:
10. Lance Klusener | 52 Runs and 3 Wickets
In the 1999 World Cup, it was the Lance Klusener show. He was expected to have a breakout tournament, and he delivered on every level.
One of his best performances in the competition came against Sri Lanka. South Africa were 122-8 at one point, and Klusener’s 52 helped them reach a decent total. Klusener also shone with the ball, taking 3 wickets to help South Africa win comfortably.
9. Andy Bichel | 7 Wickets and 34 Runs
The strength of Australia’s team in the 2003 World Cup was such that every player rose to the occasion to win a game during the tournament. Andy Bichel’s turn to deliver came in the game against England.
Bichel’s 7-wicket haul (7-20) broke the back of England’s batting. In response, Australia was reeling at 135-8. This time, Bichel came up big with the bat, scoring 34 runs to help Australia win.
8. Neil Johnson | 76 Runs and 3 Wickets
It was one of the biggest upsets in ODI World Cup history. In the 1999 edition, Zimbabwe was the underdog against a stout South African team. Neil Johnson’s performance with both the bat and the ball was remarkable.
He opened the batting with a superb 76 and took the wicket off the first delivery of South Africa’s innings. He took 3 wickets in total, shocking South Africa. This defeat cost the Proteas two important points and eliminated them from contention for the finals.
7. Yuvraj Singh | 2 Wickets and 57 Runs
He was already having a terrific time at the tournament. Yuvraj Singh made history with a remarkable performance in the 2011 quarterfinals.
Singh took 2 key wickets in the middle overs to keep the Aussies at bay. He stepped into bat with India in a precarious position, losing 5 wickets for 180 odd runs. Singh brought all of his talent and experience to the fore and hammered a stunning 57 to put Australia out of the game.
He was later adjudged the Player of the Tournament for the 2011 edition.
6. Wasim Akram | 33 Runs and 3 Wickets
The 1992 World Cup final was supposed to be Pakistan’s night at the MCG. Wasim Akram delivered another quick-fire cameo (33 off 21 balls) to help Pakistan to a daunting score of 249-6.
At the end of 34 overs, the game was tantalisingly close. Akram, who had earlier taken Ian Botham’s wicket, returned for another spell. In a masterclass in reverse swing, Akram took 2 wickets in a single over to help Pakistan win their first ODI World Cup.
5. Aravinda de Silva | 3 Wickets and 107 Runs
In terms of pure numbers, there cannot be a more impressive performance in a World Cup final. Aravinda de Silva, on the other hand, was born for the big stage.
His off-spin strangled the Australian batsmen. In his ten overs, he had figures of 3-42. Silva’s greatest performance, though, came in the second inning. In the 1996 World Cup final, he hit a brilliant 107 to lead Sri Lanka to victory.
4. Gary Gilmour | 28 Runs and 6 Wickets
This game was even more special because it was the semi-final of the first World Cup in 1975.
With an array of talents on their team, Gary Gilmour was the unlikely hero for Australia, delivering a semi-final-worthy performance as the Aussies defeated their bitter rivals by four wickets and advanced to the playoffs.
Gilmour took 6 wickets for 28 runs with his penetrative left-arm swing bowling as the hosts were swept out for a pathetic total of 93 runs.
Gilmour came out to the crease to play his first ODI inning when Australia was reduced to 39/6. Then he hit an unbeaten 28 as part of a critical 55-run combination with Walters to get Australia over the line.
3. Duncan Fletcher | 69 Runs and 4 Wickets
Given that this was Zimbabwe’s first ODI in the 1983 World Cup and that Australia had already established themselves as a dominant force in world cricket, the Aussies were expected to easily win this game and start the competition on a winning note.
However, Zimbabwean captain Duncan Fletcher had other plans as he led his team from the front with a great all-round effort. Zimbabwe surprised everyone by defeating Australia by 13 runs in the end.
The Zimbabwean captain stayed till the end and guided his team to a decent score of 239 runs in 60 overs, with help from Kevin Curran and Iain Butchart. He played an unbeaten innings of 69 runs in 84 deliveries. Fletcher then picked up the first four Australian wickets, and the Aussies lost their stride.
2. Ian Botham | 53 Runs and 4 Wickets
As the Australians huffed and puffed their way to 145/4 in the 1992 World Cup, the English bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals. With Steve Waugh and Border in the middle, the hosts appeared to be on track for a decent total.
As the fifth wicket fell with the score at 145, England’s second change, Ian Botham, cleaned up the Australian skipper. He then ripped through the Australian lower order, finishing with 4 for 31 as Australia were skittled out for 171 runs in 49 overs.
While chasing the target, Beefy, as Botham was known, was dismissed for 53 after adding 107 runs for the first wicket with Gooch. However, it didn’t matter because his all-around abilities had already won the game for England.
1. Mohinder Amarnath | 26 Runs and 3 Wickets
Mohinder Amarnath is one of the primary reasons why the game is so popular now, particularly in the subcontinent. He delivered two of the best all-around performances in consecutive games. He contributed 26 runs to India’s total of 183.
His medium pace then took over, picking up three crucial wickets. It was only right that he scalped the final wicket and went on a celebratory run as India won the 1983 World Cup final against the mighty West Indies.
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