Highest Strike Rate in ODI World Cup

The World Cup can now be won with the highest strike rate thanks to an increase in run scoring speed. So, batting strike rate has become one of the most importan factor to win the match. Additionally, new batters in World of cricket are now more focussed on scoring quick runs than any other thing on pitch. The T20 format of cricket needs all the credit for changing ODI cricket as well. With new batsmen having better strike rates than the legends of the past, ODI cricket has become faster than it ever has.

Strike rate is the ability of batsmen to score maximum runs on 100 balls. Mostly a strike rate of around 70 to 150 is considered best in cricket. But it all depends on the format of cricket. 

In a big event like the World Cup, batsmen with a better strike rate around 70 to 100 are considered best. Hence, these batters ultimately help their team to score more runs on the pitch and scorecard. As a result, the team’s possibility to win the match is increased by many folds. In this article, we will explore the best batter with the best strike rate in WC history.

Read More: Best batting average in world cup

(Note: Only those batsmen are included who have played a minimum 15 matches in World Cup History).

1. Glenn Maxwell | 169

Glenn Maxwell has the best strike rate of 169 in World Cup career. He played for Australia in two World Cups and scored a strike rate of more than 150 in both events. His batting strike rate in 2015 World Cup was 182 and in the 2019 WC was 150.

He is considered an  important aggressive batter of Australia after David Warner. His ability to score in Powerplay overs is very excellent and outstanding. He always likes to score quick runs which is his major strength. 

2. Brendon McCullum | 169

Brendon MacCullum still holds the record for the highest strike rate in World Cup history in spite of leaving all forms of cricket. He is regarded as one of the century’s most aggressive batters. With his batting and talent, he often helped his team, New Zealand, in winning. His individual batting strike in each World Cup is as follows;

Brendom McCullum is serving as a coach for English team and introduce aggressive bazzball strategy.

3. AB de Villiers | 117

AB De Villiers represented South Africa in 03 World Cups and had a strike rate of more than 100 in all WCs. His aggressive batting style played a role in South Africa’s success in many games. He continuously improved his batting strike rate starting at 100 from 2007 to ending at 144 in 2015 WC. He is also known as a Mr. 360 for his all around batting on the ground.

4. Kapil Dev | 115

In terms of batting, Kapil Dev was far ahead of his time. Overall, he scored 669 runs in 25 matches of the World Cup with an overall strike rate of 115. The strike rate of 115 is the highest strike rate of his era, achieved by Kapil Dev.

He is surely one of India’s all time best all rounders in history. As a batting pillar, he performed really well in almost every World Cup.

India won their maiden world cup under Kapil’s captaincy in 1983.

5. Shahid Afridi | 112

Shahid Afridi is also known as “boom boom” in cricket for his habit of hitting and smashing sixes all around the ground. He single handedly won many matches for Pakistan and he is still widely known as a prominent figure in Pakistan cricket history.

In every World Cup, he had a strike rate more than 100 that shows his aggression at the lower batting order. Here are the batting strike rate stats of Shahid Afridi in every WC.

6. Shane Watson | 108

If you look at the best all rounders in World cricket after the 21st century, then Shane Watson’s name would be on top of the list. His World Cup strike rate of 108 places among the best Australia batters in World Cup history. He scored 643 runs in 22 World Cup matches with a batting average of 53. Here is his stat of Strike Rate in every World Cup.

7. Javagal Srinath | 106

Javagal Srinath was known for his fastest bowling for India. But he also has his name among best strike rate batters in World Cup history. Overall, he has a strike rate of 106 in World Cup career. Despite the fact that he did not score many runs during his WC career, he always made the most of his chances.

8. Virender Sehwag | 106

Virender Shewag has World Cup Strike rate of 106 and ranked at the top of the list of openers with a best strike rate. Sehwag will always be remembered as an aggressive batter for India in cricket. He is also considered as the best opener for India in the World Cup. His individual strike rate in Wc history is as follows;

9. Wasim Akram | 101

Wasim Akram is known as “King of Swing” all over the world for his outstanding bowling skills and variations. He also holds other records, including the best strike rate and captaincy in World Cup history. Infact he was more an all rounder than a bowler, but world know him for his bowling role more than batting role. On several occasions, he played outstaning innings for his team. Here is the strike rate record of the World Cup career of Wasim Akram.

10. JP Duminy | 99

JP Duminy served as an important South African bowler in the middle order batting line up. He really stands out from the other batters thanks to his left-handed batting style. He had an overall strike rate of 99 in his World Cup career and ranked at number 10 position on this list. Here is the record of his World Cup strike rate of JP Duminy.