5 Cricketers Who Made History in ICC World Cups

The ICC Cricket World Cup is the pinnacle of one-day international cricket, where players from around the world come together to showcase their skills and compete for the coveted title. Over the years, there have been standout performances and remarkable contributions that have etched players’ names in the annals of cricketing history. In this article, we will delve into five cricketers who made history in ICC World Cups with their exceptional performances.

1. Ben Stokes – 2019

England’s journey to their maiden World Cup title in 2019 was nothing short of spectacular. While several players played pivotal roles, Ben Stokes stood out as a true all-rounder. The Christchurch-born star, playing in his first ODI World Cup, amassed 465 runs and picked up seven wickets in 11 matches.

One of his standout performances came in the opening game against South Africa, where he displayed his mettle with both bat and ball. Stokes scored a crucial 89 off 79 balls and chipped in with two wickets, helping England secure a comprehensive 104-run victory.

2. Shaun Tait – 2007

                                                                   Shaun Tait (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Shaun Tait was renowned for his sheer pace and ability to dominate batsmen. His journey to the 2007 World Cup was unexpected, as he was a late inclusion due to an injury to Brett Lee. 

Australia, known for their aggressive brand of cricket, clinched their fourth World Cup title in 2007, and Tait was a vital part of their pace attack. He finished as the joint second-leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with 23 wickets in 11 matches. His memorable four-wicket haul against South Africa in the semi-final played a crucial role in Australia’s journey to the final.

3. Imran Tahir – 2011

                                                                      Imran Tahir (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Imran Tahir, the leg-break bowler, had a successful ODI career with South Africa from 2011 to 2019. He made his mark in the 2011 ODI World Cup, starting with a four-wicket haul in his debut match against the West Indies. Despite South Africa’s quarter-final exit, Tahir was impressed with his wicket-taking ability. In five matches of the tournament, Tahir scalped 14 wickets, ending as the second-highest wicket-taker for his team.

4. Tim Southee – 2011

                                                                     Tim Southee(Photo Source: crictracker)

Tim Southee‘s disciplined bowling was a standout feature of the 2011 World Cup. New Zealand reached the semi-finals, thanks in part to Southee’s contributions. Playing his first World Cup, he finished as the second-leading wicket-taker with 18 wickets in eight matches.

One of his memorable performances came against Pakistan, where he dismissed key batsmen and contributed to a resounding 110-run victory.

5. Jofra Archer – 2019

                                                                  Jofra Archer (Photo Source: Espn Images)

Jofra Archer‘s rapid ascent to international cricket just days before the 2019 World Cup was a remarkable story. England entrusted him with reinforcing their pace attack, and he didn’t disappoint. Archer’s 20 wickets in 11 matches at an economy rate of 4.57 played a pivotal role in England’s maiden World Cup win.

In the opening game against South Africa, he exhibited his potential by taking 3/27, setting the tone for his tournament. His nerve-wracking final over in the championship match against New Zealand, where he successfully defended 15 runs, will be etched in cricketing history as one of the most thrilling moments.