Cricket World Cup 2019: Ricky Ponting tops list for most number of catches at World Cup

With just over two weeks remaining for the the ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales to begin, we take a look at the top 10 players, who have picked up the most number of catches at the quadrennial showpiece event.

Ricky Ponting (Matches: 46, Innings: 46, Catches: 28)

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They say catches win matches, and who would know it better than former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who has one of the safest pair of hands. He picked up just one catch in his inaugural World Cup but snared six catches in the 1999 World Cup. It was in the 1999 edition in a group game against Bangladesh at Chester-le-Street that Ponting equalled the world record for most catches in a World Cup encounter. In 2003, he broke the record for most catches in a single edition, which was eight, then held by Anil Kumble (1996) and Daryll Cullinan (1999). In the 2007 edition, he finished with seven before adding three more in his final World Cup in 2011.

Sanath Jayasuriya (Matches: 38, Innings: 38, Catches: 18)

Besides doubling up as a bowler, Sri Lanka left-handed batsman Sanath Jayasuriya was also a more than useful fielder. In the 38 matches he played, the 1996 World Cup winner has picked up 18 catches to that puts him second on the list.

Chris Cairns (Matches: 28, Innings: 28, Catches: 16)

New Zealand allrounder Chris Cairns was a proven match-winner in his time both bat and ball. He has taken a total of 16 catches from 28 World Cup games.

Inzamam-ul-Haq (Matches: 35, Innings: 34, Catches: 16)

If you look at Inzamam ul Haq, you would not associate him with sharp fielding or catching, but the Pakistan great legend has scaled 16 catches overall in his World Cup career.

Brian Lara (Matches: 34, Innings: 34, Catches: 16)

Former West Indies batman Brian Lara occupies the fifth position in the list. The Trinidadian cricketer, who has played 34 innings in World Cup matches, has taken 16 catches in these innings which is the third joint-highest number in the list alongside Inzamam-Ul-Haq and Chris Crains.

Here’s the top 10 list of players with most number of catches at the World Cup: