ICC ODI World Cup 2023: 5 highest run-getters in WC history

The likes of Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara and AB de Villiers dominated the 50-over World Cups during their playing days.

The ODI World Cup has evolved considerably since it was first played in the 60-over format in 1975. Ever since 1987, the tournament has been remained a 50-over event and it will be no different when the 10 best teams in the world assemble in India in just over two weeks time for the 2023 edition of the tournament.

Ahead of the quadrennial event, here's a look at the 5 highest run-getters in the tournament's history from outside of India:

5. Chris Gayle (2003-2019)

Whenever the name of Chris Gayle comes up for discussion, his performances in the T20 format get spoken of, more than the other two formats. However, the Jamaican featured in more ODI World Cups than several West Indian greats, having played in six editions of the tournament, starting from 2003.

In those editions, Gayle made 1186 runs in 35 matches at an average of 35.93 and a strike rate of 90.53. He also became the first men's player to score a double hundred in a ODI World Cup game when he made 215 runs off 147 balls against Zimbabwe at Canberra in the 2015 edition of the tournament.

World Cup stats: Matches: 35, Runs: 1186, Average: 35.93, Strike rate: 90.53, Fifties: 6, Hundreds: 2, Highest score: 215.

4. AB de Villiers (2007-2015)

The dynamic AB de Villiers played in three ODI World Cups for South Africa. He reserved his best, however, for the last of his appearances in 2015 when he played one of the most breathtaking innings in the tournament's history by smashing 162 not out off 66 balls against the West Indies at Sydney.

While de Villiers could not lift the ODI World Cup during his time as a player, he emerged as his country's leading run-getter in the tournament's history with 1207 runs in 23 matches at an average of 63.52.

World Cup stats: Matches: 23, Runs: 1207, Average: 63.52, Fifties: 6, Hundreds: 4, Highest score: 162 not out.

3. Brian Lara (1992-2007)

"The Prince of Trinidad" and one of the greatest batters of all time, Brian Lara played in five ODI World Cups for the West Indies between 1992 and 2007. The southpaw amassed 1225 runs in 34 matches at an average of 42.24 and a strike rate of 86.26.

At the 1996 World Cup, when the world felt it was South Africa's tournament to lose Lara smashed 111 runs off 94 balls to knock the Proteas out in the quarterfinal stage of the tournament.

Seven years later, he once again brought his best out against South Africa, scoring 116 runs in the opening match of the 2003 edition of the tournament in the rainbow nation.

In his final World Cup game at home- which also turned out to be last ODI for the West Indies- Lara looked at the crowd and asked, "Did I entertain?" and it would be safe to say that more than 90 per cent of the cricket watching public both at the venue and those watching at home said yes.

World Cup stats: Matches: 37, Runs: 1532, Average: 42.24, Strike rate: 86.26. Fifties: 7, Hundreds: 2, Highest score: 116.

Brian Lara brought out his best in two World Cup matches against South Africa, in 1996 and in 2003.

2. Kumar Sangakkara (2003-2015)

The Sri Lankan southpaw could not win the tournament while representing his country in four editions of the tournament, coming closest twice in 2007 and 2011 when he and his side made the final.

But as a batter, Sangakkara was a consistent performer on the biggest stage, amassing 1532 runs in 46 matches at an average of 56.74 and a strike rate of 86.55.

His golden run in the tournament, however, came in his last ever ODI tournament- the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand where he made four hundreds in four consecutive matches- one each against Bangladesh, England, Australia and Scotland.

World Cup stats: Matches: 37, Runs: 1532, Average: 56.74, Strike rate: 86.55, Fifties: 7, Hundreds: 5, Highest score: 124.

1.Ricky Ponting (1996-2011)

Ricky Ponting is not just one of the most successful players in World Cup history, but the Tasmanian also had a key role to play with the bat when Australia dominated the tournament for three successive editions between 1999 and 2007.

In total, Ponting amassed 1743 runs in 46 World Cup matches at an average of 45.86 with six half-centuries and five fifties. His most telling contribution in a World Cup match came on the grandest stage of them all- the final of the 2003 edition when he made an unbeaten 140 runs off 121 balls to help Australia sink India by 125 runs and win the tournament.

World Cup stats: Matches: 45, Runs: 1743, Average: 45.86, Strike rate: 79.95. Fifties: 6, Hundreds: 5, Highest Score: 140 not out.

Also read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: 5 highest run-getters for India in WC history