Published: May 16, 2019, 11:19 AM (IST)
Edited: May 16, 2019, 11:19 AM (IST)
With World Cup 2019 around the corner, we have a look at the players with most number of catches in each editions of the World Cup, from 1975 to 2015. While West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd held on to four catches in World Cup 1975, Ricky Ponting held on to 11 catches during the World Cup 2003.
Clive Lloyd (West Indies) 1975: 4 catches
If leading his team to title triumph was not enough, Clive Lloyd also ended up taking most number of catches as on outfielder. The West Indian, playing five games in the inaugural World Cup, held on to four catches.
Asif Iqbal (Pakistan) and Alvin Kallicharran (West Indies) 1979: 4 catches each
West Indies went on to win their second successive World Cup and Alvin Kallicharran took four catches from as many games and shared the top spot, in the list of most number of catches, with Pakistan’s Asia Iqbal. The two scalped four catches each in as many games.
Kapil Dev (India) 1983: 7 catches
India defied the odds and clinched their first World Cup title and their skipper, allrounder Kapil Dev, played a pivotal role. While his career-best 175 against Zimbabwe was sensational, so was his stunning catch, running backwards, to dismiss Viv Richards in the summit clash. Kapil scalped seven catches in eight matches.
Kapil Dev (India) 1987: 5 catches
While India could not defend their title following their defeat against England, Kapil Dev, second edition in running, emerged at the top of the list of the player with most number of catches in an edition. The Indian held on to five catches in seven games.
Kepler Wessels (South Africa) 1992: 7 catches
While Duckworth/Lewis cruelly ended South Africa’s journey in the semi-final, Kepler Wessels topped the list of players with the most number of catches in the event jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The South African skipper, playing nine games, scalped seven catches.
Anil Kumble (India) 1996: 8 catches
Playing seven games, Anil Kumble held on to eight catches to top the list of most catches for an outfielder in the World Cup jointly hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who went on clinch their maiden World Cup title.
Daryll Cullinan (South Africa) 1999: 8 catches
If they were robbed a place in the final by a stroke of bad luck in 1992 Down Under, South Africa had themselves to blame as they lost the semi-final clash against Australia, on the basis of low finish in the Super 6 than their opponent. Daryll Cullinan, meanwhile, ended the tournament with eight catches in nine matches.
Ricky Ponting (Australia) 2003: 11 catches
Talk about leading from the front. Ricky Ponting scored a whirlwind hundred in the final as Australia defended their title, beating India in the final. The Australian skipper, with 11 catches in 11 matches, also topped the list of fielders with most number of catches in the World Cup, held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Paul Collingwood (England) 2007: 8 catches
While England had yet another below-par World Cup, Paul Collingwood ended up with most number of catches in the World Cup held in the West Indies. The England fieldsman held on to eight catches from nine matches.
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) 2011: 8 catches
It was a story of so near yet so far for Sri Lanka as they lost the final against India. Mahela Jayawardene, who scored a magnificent hundred in the summit clash, topped the list of most catches for an outfielder with eight catches in nine games.
Rilee Rossouw (South Africa) 2015: 9 catches
South Africa came close to make it to the final and failed yet again after a loss against New Zealand in the semi-final. Rilee Rossouw, meanwhile, held on to nine catches from six matches to top the list of the fielder with the most number of catches.
