There is a saying in big tournaments, batters win you matches but bowlers take you all the way and win you the competition.
Over the years, the 50-over ODI World Cup has seen some world class fast and spin bowlers put in some spectacular performances with the ball which has helped their teams excel at the game's biggest stage.
Here are the top five wicket-takers in ODI World Cup history:
5.Mitchell Starc (2015-2019)
Australia's Mitchell Starc may have featured in just two ODI World Cups so far, but his impact at these tournaments can be measured by the fact that he has taken 49 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 14.81 and an economy rate of 4.64.
Starc was adjudged the Player of the tournament of the 2015 World Cup for his contribution towards Australia lifting the 50-over World Cup for the fifth time in their white-ball history.
World Cup stats: Matches:18, Wickets: 49, Average: 14.81, Economy Rate: 4.64. Best bowling figures: 6 for 28.
4.Wasim Akram (1992-2003)
Arguably the greatest left-arm pacer to play the game, Wasim Akram featured in four World Cups for Pakistan and was the Player of the final at the 1992 World Cup where he took 3 for 49 in 10 overs, that included the wickets of Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis in successive deliveries which turned the match in his side's favour.
Overall, Akram took 55 wickets in 38 matches at an average of 23.83 and an economy rate of 4.04. He also led Pakistan to the final of the 1999 World Cup, where they lost to Australia.
World Cup stats: Matches: 38. Wickets: 55. Average: 23.83. Economy Rate: 4.04. Best bowling figures: 5 for 28.
3.Lasith Malinga (2007-2019)
One of the most unique bowlers the game has seen with a devastating yorker in his armoury, Lasith Malinga was Sri Lanka's X factor in each of the four ODI World Cups that he was a part of.
Malinga took 56 wickets in 29 matches at an average of 22.87 and an economy rate of 5.51 with best bowling figures of 6 for 38.
World Cup stats: Matches: 29, Wickets: 56, Average: 22.87, Economy Rate: 5.51, Best bowling figures: 6 for 38.
2.Muttiah Muralitharan (1996-2011)
The Sri Lankan off-spinner is second on the list of highest wicket-takers in ODI World Cup history. Muralitharan took 68 wickets 40 matches at an average of 19.63 and economy rate of 3.88.
At his best, the 51-year-old bamboozled the best batters around the world and was part of the side that won the World Cup in the subcontinent in 1996.
World Cup stats: Matches: 40. Wickets: 68. Average: 19.63. Economy Rate: 3.88. Best bowling figures: 4 for 19.
1.Glenn McGrath (1996-2007)
Metronomic accuracy with an ability to bowl on a coin on the pitch ball after ball, it must not come as a surprise to many that Glenn McGrath leads the list for highest wicket-takers in ODI World Cup history.
The New South Welshman took 71 wickets in 39 matches at an average of 18.19 and an economy rate of 3.96. His best bowling figures in an ODI World Cup match came against Namibia at Potchefstroom in the 2003 edition when he took 7 for 15 .
McGrath was part of the side that won the World Cup in 1999, 2003 and 2007 and won the Player of the Tournament award in the last of his three appearances.
World Cup stats: Matches: 39, Wickets: 71, Average: 18.19, Economy Rate: 3.96. Best bowling figures: 7 for 15.
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