World Cup 2011 Photos

World Cup: Top wicket takers

April 03, 2011 20:42

Modern cricket does offer little respite for the bowlers, but despite the odds, bowlers still give the batsmen nightmares. Here are the leading wicket-takers of the World Cup 2011.

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Modern-day cricket does offer little respite for the bowlers, but despite the odds, bowlers can still give the batsmen nightmares. Here are the leading wicket-takers of the World Cup 2011.
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Shahid Afridi (21 wickets)

When Shahid Afridi started his career in 1996, his batting style tormented most opposition, 15 years hence, the Pakistan skipper has undergone a complete role reversal. In the 2011 World Cup, Shahid Afridi made the most of the conditions as he picked up 21 wickets to end as the most successful bowler. (Getty Images)
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Zaheer Khan(21 wickets)

When the Indian team was announced, it was widely believed that the bowling line-up would be build up around paceman Zaheer Khan. The canny bowler proved his worth as he became the joint leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets in his kitty. (Getty Images)
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Tim Southee(18 wickets)

Tim Southee never had an exceptional match throughout the World Cup but his consistency earned him 18 wickets from the 8 matches he played. (Getty Images)
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Robin Peterson (15 wickets)

South Africa, who were experimental in their approach, found their most successful bowler in the shape of a man who wasn't a regular feature in the side prior to the World Cup.
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Muttiah Muralitharan (15 wickets)

With the World Cup being held in the subcontinent, spinners were always a danger but none more than the man who can spin the ball on any given track. (Getty Images)
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Yuvraj Singh (15 wickets)

Call him a pie-chucker or a lucky part-timer, but Yuvraj Singh spent more time celebrating his wickets than thinking about the designation, which was key to his success at World Cup 2011. (Getty Images)
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Imran Tahir (14 wickets)

Imran Tahir's South Asian descent paid off at World Cup 2011 as the Pakistan born South African spinner picked up 14 wickets at an average of a mere 10 runs per wicket. (Getty Images)
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Umar Gul (14 wickets)

He bowled well with the new ball and was equally good while bowling at the death, Pakistan paceman Umar Gul was a key figure to their success at the World cup 2011. (Getty Images)
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Kemar Roach (13 wickets)

Kemar Roach was as unpredictable as The West Indies' campaign, which is the reason why they displayed such contrasting performances. Taking 13 wickets off 6 matches, Kemar Roach was the ninth leading wicket-taker of the tournament with a hat-trick under his belt. (Getty Images)
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Brett Lee (13 wickets)

Even though he has lost a yard or two on pace, Brett Lee is still the mainstay of the Australian bowling as he showed in the 2011 World Cup. (Getty Images)
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Lasith Malinga (13 wickets)

Lasith Malinga's slingers well and truly tested the opposition batsmen, which also made him the first bowler to pick up two hat tricks in World Cup matches. (Getty Images)
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Harvir Baidwan (13 wickets)

The most surprising entry to the top wicket-takers' list was the Canadian Harvir Baidwan who took 13 wickets in the six group matches that he played. (Getty Images)

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