2019 World Cup: The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, hosted by England and Wales, was a cricketing spectacle that captivated millions around the globe. Known for its thrilling finishes, unpredictable weather, and a dramatic final that ended in a Super Over, the tournament had no shortage of iconic moments. But while batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Kane Williamson dominated headlines, the bowlers quietly shaped the tournament’s narrative.
2019 World Cup: With flat pitches, short boundaries, and the white ball often refusing to swing, bowlers were challenged like never before. Yet, a few rose above these odds to deliver match-winning performances. These weren’t just wicket-takers—they were the masters of pressure, rhythm, and skill.
2019 World Cup: Selection Criteria
To determine the top 5, we considered:
- Total wickets taken
- Average and economy rate
- Impact in key matches
- Strike rate and consistency
- Role in team’s progress
1. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
| Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 27 | 5/26 vs New Zealand | 18.59 | 5.43 | 20.51 |
2019 World Cup: What made Starc lethal was his ability to deliver under pressure—whether with the new ball or at the death. His toe-crushing yorkers dismantled batting lineups, and his spell against New Zealand (5/26) was among the best of the tournament.
Impact Highlight: Starc’s spell against England in the group stage—where he dismissed Ben Stokes with a reverse-swinging yorker—was widely regarded as one of the balls of the tournament.
2. Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand)
| Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 21 | 4/37 vs Afghanistan | 19.47 | 4.88 | 23.07 |
2019 World Cup: New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson was a revelation. With express pace regularly clocking above 145 km/h, he added a fear factor to New Zealand’s traditionally swing-reliant bowling attack.
Ferguson was more than just speed. His variations, slower balls, and cutters made him deadly in the middle overs, breaking crucial partnerships and building pressure. He played a pivotal role in taking New Zealand to the final.
Impact Highlight: His 3/50 in the final against England, including the key wicket of Jos Buttler, nearly turned the game in New Zealand’s favor.
3. Jofra Archer (England)
| Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 20 | 3/27 vs South Africa | 23.05 | 4.57 | 30.00 |
Jofra Archer made his World Cup debut in 2019 and immediately became England’s pace spearhead. With 20 wickets, he was not only England’s top bowler but also one of the most effective in the tournament.
Archer bowled the Super Over in the final, under the weight of enormous pressure, and held his nerve. Throughout the tournament, his pace, bounce, and accuracy made him a constant threat—even on batting-friendly surfaces.
Impact Highlight: Archer’s first-over spell against South Africa in the tournament opener set the tone for England’s championship run.
4. Jasprit Bumrah (India)
| Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 18 | 4/55 vs Bangladesh | 20.61 | 4.41 | 28.0 |
India’s Jasprit Bumrah was the most economical fast bowler in the tournament among those who played 8 or more games. His discipline and unmatched ability to deliver pinpoint yorkers made him the most difficult bowler to score off.
Bumrah’s true value lay not in just wickets, but in the pressure he created, often choking runs during the death overs and forcing batsmen into mistakes against others.
Impact Highlight: His late double-strike against Bangladesh helped India seal a close win and reach the semifinals.
5. Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)
| Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 20 | 5/59 vs India | 24.20 | 6.70 | 21.6 |
The “Fizz” was back in form in 2019, and the World Cup showcased his return to rhythm. With 20 wickets in just 8 matches, Mustafizur Rahman became the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament—an incredible feat considering Bangladesh didn’t even make the semifinals.
Known for his deadly cutters and slower deliveries, Mustafizur was especially effective on tired English pitches. He picked up two 5-wicket hauls—the only bowler in the tournament to do so.
Impact Highlight: His 5/59 against India was one of the most disciplined and deceptive spells of the tournament.
Statistical Comparison of the Top 5
| Player | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | 5-wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | 27 | 18.59 | 5.43 | 20.5 | 2 |
| Lockie Ferguson | 21 | 19.47 | 4.88 | 23.0 | 0 |
| Jofra Archer | 20 | 23.05 | 4.57 | 30.0 | 0 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 18 | 20.61 | 4.41 | 28.0 | 0 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | 20 | 24.20 | 6.70 | 21.6 | 2 |
Bowlers Who Just Missed the List
- Mohammad Amir (Pakistan): 17 wickets at 21.64 average. A huge comeback after being left out initially.
- Chris Woakes (England): 16 wickets and a match-winning performance in the final.
- Matt Henry (New Zealand): Key spells in semifinal vs India and final vs England.
A Tournament for the Quick Men
While the World Cup was filled with hundreds and power-hitting, the true difference-makers were bowlers who knew how to manage the game under pressure. Whether it was the raw pace of Starc and Archer or the calculated deception of Mustafizur and Bumrah, these bowlers reminded the world that fast bowling is still very much alive and essential to success in modern cricket.
The 2019 World Cup will forever be remembered for its thrilling finale—but just beneath the surface of that dramatic final were the hands of bowlers who controlled the tempo, created chaos, and, ultimately, carved their names into cricketing history.
