CWC 2019: Top 5 fast bowlers who can be the highest wicket-taker in ICC World Cup

The opening match of the World Cup 2019 will see England take on South Africa on May 30.

The upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 will be played in England and Wales and despite the fact that there were close to 350 runs being scored in every innings in the just-concluded ODI series between England and Pakistan, the bowlers, especially fast bowlers will be instrumental in the success of their respective teams.

The pitches in the tournament are expected to help the batsmen score runs, but despite that, the conditions and other factors will be helpful for the fast bowlers to be the main weapons for their teams in the tournament. This World Cup is also interesting because all the top teams have atleast two very good fast bowlers in their lineup to take advantage.

England is known to be a fast bowlers’ paradise and given that many cricketers have made their name in the country in the red ball and white ball cricket, the World Cup is also something where the pacers will be in the limelight as the tournament begins on May 30.

Taking everything into consideration, Team COC presents to you five fast bowlers who can end up as the highest wicket-taker in ICC World Cup 2019.

Here are the 5 fast bowlers who can be the highest wicket-taker in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019
(all images courtesy of Getty Images)

TIM SOUTHEE (NZ)
Tim Southee has been exceptional for New Zealand and was one of the biggest reasons that they reached the finals of the ICC World Cup 2015. In England and Wales, he has a decent record of 25 ODI wickets in 126.5 overs at an economy of 5.55.

Southee can swing the ball easily in the English conditions with the new ball and with the help of Trent Boult and others putting pressure on the other end, he will be effective. His record in 139 ODIs is exceptional with 185 wickets with a best of 7/33, which came against England in 2015 edition.

JOFRA ARCHER (ENG)
Finally, Jofra Archer had made it into the final England squad for the ICC World Cup 2019 amidst all the speculations and questions of team morale, etc. Archer has been brilliant in the T20 leagues and England county cricket. He has 118 wickets in 93 T20 matches and 24 wickets in 17 List-A matches. But what is impressive is his ability to bowl over 90mph constantly with a smooth action.

Archer, who was born in Barbados and for whom the England and Wales Cricket Board tweaked their qualification rules, has been touted as the next star of England cricket and with his batting abilities to boot for, even a successor to Andrew Flintoff. England has a bona fide star in their ranks and every eye will be on him during the tournament.

PAT CUMMINS (AUS)
Pat Cummins will be one of the biggest weapons for Australia, who are looking to defend their World Cup title, given that Mitchell Starc is out of form and he has shown amazing form in the last year or so. Cummins made a successful comeback from a back injury in 2017 and since then has been the leading wicket-taker for Australia in all formats and Australia will be depending on him to come good in England, a place where his speed and movement off the pitch will come in handy.

KAGISO RABADA (SA)
The 23-year-old pacer had an amazing debut for South Africa in ODIs, picking 6/16, the best bowling figures on debut, including a hat-trick against Bangladesh in 2015. Since then, Rabada has gone onto pick 106 wickets in 66 matches so far for South Africa.

He is coming off a wonderful IPL 2019, where he picked 25 wickets in 12 matches for Delhi Capitals and ended as the second highest wicket-taker in this edition of the league. He left the tournament with a back injury, but has recovered from the same and according to Proteas coach, is on track to play in the tournament opener against England on May 30. He is amazing whenever he comes onto the ball and has a cool head in pressure situations.  

JASPRIT BUMRAH (IND)
Jasprit Bumrah burst onto the international cricket scene in 2016 with much aplomb after success for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and since then, has become an integral part of the Indian team’s bowling attack. He has had success in all the three formats internationally and with match-winning and impressive performances in Test matches against England, South Africa, and Australia, Bumrah conquered ODIs as well against Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia at home.

He has the skills and abilities to move the ball in the air and off the pitch as evident from his outings in the Test series against England in 2018, and given that he succeeded, Bumrah will be out there to stamp his authority with the white ball. He will be one of the best talents on the lookout for in his first World Cup outing and will be instrumental for the team’s success in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019.