Most Catches in Cricket World Cup History
Most Catches in Cricket World Cup History – Ponting holds the overall record for most catches taken by a fielder in World Cup matches across his career. The phrase “catches win matches” is a popular cliche used in cricket, and it holds true to a great extent. A fantastic catch can change the game’s momentum in a matter of seconds and shift the balance in favor of the team that takes it.
Also Read: Most Sixes In ODI World Cup History
However, there have also been some unfortunate drop catches in the Cricket World Cup, such as the one made by Herschelle Gibbs, who dropped Australian captain Steve Waugh in the 1999 Cricket World Cup semifinals.
Waugh’s famous words to Gibbs, “You’ve just dropped the World Cup,” still haunt the South African team. Despite this, some outstanding fielders have taken amazing catches in the Cricket World Cup, and we’ll now look at the top five fielders who have taken the most number of catches in ICC World Cup history.
Also Read: Bowlers With Most Wickets in ODI World Cup History
Most Catches in Cricket World Cup History
A brilliant catch can turn the match around, especially in the cricket world cup, where it becomes even more memorable. In this regard, let’s take a look at the fielders who have taken the most catches in the history of the Cricket World Cup.
#1. Ricky Ponting
- Ricky Ponting World Cup Matches: 46
- Ricky Ponting World Cup Catches: 28
Ricky Ponting, the former Australian cricket captain, is famous for his excellent fielding skills as well as his batting talent. He holds the record for the most catches in Cricket World Cup history with 28 catches in 46 matches.
Ponting was a superb all-round fielder, able to field brilliantly in any position.
#2. Sanath Jayasuriya
- Sanath Jayasuriya World Cup Matches: 38
- Sanath Jayasuriya World Cup Catches: 18
Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya is considered one of the greatest ODI players of all time, contributing in all facets of the game. He was a destructive batsman in the first 15 overs and picked crucial wickets with his left-arm spin throughout his career.
Jayasuriya was also a brilliant catcher and took a lot of catches, especially in his follow-through while bowling. He did not miss any opportunity to dismiss the batsman with his catches. In the 38 matches he played in the Cricket World Cup, he took 18 catches, proving himself as a valuable fielder as well.
#3. Chris Cairns
- Chris Cairns World Cup Matches: 28
- Chris Cairns World Cup Catches: 16
The Kiwi hard-hitting all-rounder was a quintessential white-ball cricketer, and every team would have wanted him on their side. Cairns was responsible for bowling the vital overs for his team and batted at 6 or 7, scoring runs at a strike rate of 100 even in the 90s.
Moreover, Cairns was an excellent fielder, and the ball always seemed to follow him around the field. With his big frame, batsmen found it challenging to hit the ball over him, especially when he fielded at extra cover and mid-wicket. In 28 Cricket World Cup matches Cairns took 16 catches, making him fourth on the list of players with the most catches in the history of the ICC World Cup.
#4. Chris Gayle Most Catches in Cricket World Cup History
- Chris Gayle World Cup Matches: 32
- Chris Gayle World Cup Catches: 16
Chris Gayle, the Universal Boss, holds the fifth spot for most catches in the ODI Cricket World Cup. Although Gayle is known for hitting monster sixes with his heavy bat, he was a fine catcher during the early stages of his career, especially in the slip when a spinner bowled.
Chris Gayle stood in the first slip for many years and took a lot of catches, his bucket hands making no mistake when an edge came to him. As a result, in the 5 World Cups he has played so far, Gayle has taken 16 catches in 32 matches, placing him in the top five for most catches in ODI CWC history.
Most Catches In World Cup By Each Season
:
| Rank | Player | Team | Span | Matches | Innings | Catches | Max Catches in an Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 1996-2011 | 46 | 46 | 28 | 3 |
| 2 | Joe Root | England | 2015-2023 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 4 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | India | 2011-2023 | 37 | 37 | 20 | 2 |
| 4 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 1992-2007 | 38 | 38 | 18 | 2 |
| 5 | David Warner | Australia | 2015-2023 | 29 | 29 | 17 | 2 |
| 6 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 2003-2019 | 35 | 35 | 17 | 2 |
| 7 | Faf du Plessis | South Africa | 2011-2019 | 23 | 22 | 16 | 3 |
| 8 | Chris Cairns | New Zealand | 1992-2003 | 28 | 28 | 16 | 3 |
| 9 | Eoin Morgan | England | 2007-2019 | 29 | 29 | 16 | 3 |
| 10 | Inzamam-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 1992-2007 | 35 | 34 | 16 | 3 |
| 11 | Brian Lara | West Indies | 1992-2007 | 34 | 34 | 16 | 2 |
Who has taken the most catches in Cricket World Cup history?
Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, has taken the most catches in Cricket World Cup history with 28 catches in 46 matches. He is followed by Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya with 18 catches in 38 matches and England’s Joe Root with 16 catches in 12 matches.
What makes Ricky Ponting the best fielder in Cricket World Cup history?
Ricky Ponting is widely regarded as the best fielder in Cricket World Cup history due to his exceptional catching skills and his ability to field anywhere on the field. He took 28 catches in 46 matches, which is the most in the tournament’s history. His anticipation and athleticism made him a live wire on the field and he hardly dropped catches.
Rivcky John
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