Top 10 Highest Partnerships in Cricket World Cup

Top 10 Highest Partnerships in Cricket World Cup: Cricket is not an individual’s game but a collective effort by a team to construct their strategies to win a match. Hence partnerships play a crucial role for a team to get to a big total or chase down the target. Constructing huge partnerships on the biggest stage is not a very easy task. Here we present you the top 10 greatest partnerships in the ICC World Cup’s history. 10. J Kloppenburg & K van Noortwijk (228 vs Namibia, 3 March 2003) JF Kloppenburg & KJJ van Noortwijk (228 vs Namibia, 3 March 2003). (Photo Source: Reuters) These totally unknown players who took the biggest stage as a chance to expose themselves to the world. They did make a huge contribution to the team with their stroke filled partnership where both eventually ended up being centurions. However this did not prolong their careers as they bid their farewell to cricket. What a way to finish careers. 9. Upul Tharanga & Tilakaratne Dilshan (231* vs England, 26 March 2011) Upul Tharanga & TM Dilshan (231* vs England, 26 March 2011). (Photo Source: AFP) If there is one dominating first wicket partnership, it has to be this. Given a modest 230 runs target by England in the quarter-finals of the ICC cricket world cup 2011, the pair took charge and chased the entire total in just 39.3 overs. Both the players hit centuries and Sri Lanka got a sweet memory and hopes of winning the world cup rose again. Though their hopes were dampened by India in the finals. 8. Ricky Ponting & Damien Martyn (234* vs India, 23 March 2003) Ricky Ponting & Damien Martyn (234* vs India, 23 March 2003). (Photo Source: Reuters) Will there be any bigger stage to score an unbeaten double hundred partnership than ICC Cricket World Cup Finals? The pair did exactly that against a spirited Indian team which was on a roll of 9 consecutive victories. Having been demoralized by opening partnership,the Indian bowlers could not make the most of the wicket and the Australians countered that in style to become the World Champions. 7. Rahul Dravid & Sachin Tendulkar (237* vs Kenya, 23 May 1999) Rahul Dravid & Sachin Tendulkar (237* vs Kenya, 23 May 1999). (Photo Source: Getty Images) The pair of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar got going after the openers were back in the pavilion. They did make the match commendable by scoring runs at ease and forcing Kenya’s bowlers to bowl to their strengths. India eventually ended up winning after posting a huge 329/2 in 50 overs largely due to this partnership between Sachin and Dravid. 6. Sachin Tendulkar & Sourav Ganguly (244 vs Namibia, 23 February 2003) Sachin Tendulkar & Sourav Ganguly (244 vs Namibia, 23 February 2003). (Photo Source: Reuters) Can you show me one better pair than this one right here in limited overs format? They had redefined the meaning of partnerships with their diversified batting styles and techniques, their ability to adapt to any situation stands out. This knock was in the group stage against Namibia which was one of the 9 consecutive victories for India in the world cup 2003. 5. Hashim Amla & Faf du Plessis (247 vs Ireland, 3 March 2015) Amla and Du Plessis added the highest runs 247 for the second wicket for South Africa. (Photo Source: AFP) Hashim Amla (159) and Faf du Plessis (109) added a record 2nd wicket partnership for South Africa of 247 runs against Ireland in their World Cup match at Canberra. Faf du Plessis walked in with score on 12/1 with Quinton de Kock out for 1 run. After that, Amla and Du Plessis punished the Irish bowlers to the maximum. They added 247 runs at the rate of 6.82 runs per over and both of them matched each other shot for shot. 4.David Miller & JP Duminy (256* vs Zimbabwe, 15 February 2015) David Miller 138* and JP Duminy 115* added 256* for 5th wicket. (Photo Source: Getty Images) David Miller 138* and JP Duminy 115* saved South Africa some blushes, when they both rescued their team from an embarrassing position against Zimbabwe in their World cup 2015 clash. They took South Africa for 83/4 to 339/4, stitching a partnership of 256* runs in just 178 balls. David Miller remained unbeaten on 138 while Duminy contributed 115 runs. This score was enough for South African bowlers to bring the Zimbabwean batsman in pressure and despite valiant efforts from Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe lost by 62 runs. 3. Upul Tharanga & Tilakaratne Dilshan (282 vs Zimbabwe, 10 March 2011) Upul Tharanga & TM Dilshan (282 vs Zimbabwe, 10 March 2011). (Photo Source: AFP) The only pair to have their the name twice in this list. That sums up the reliance of Sri Lankan team has on their opening pair in 2011 world cup. They always gave their team the right start. The pair of Tharanga and Dilshan however were unable to maintain that consistency in the world cup finals which resulted in them being the runners-up of the World Cup 2011. 2. Sourav Ganguly & Rahul Dravid (318 vs Sri Lanka, 26 May 1999) Sourav Ganguly & Rahul Dravid (318 vs Sri Lanka, 26 May 1999). (Photo Source: Getty Images) I guess no Indian fan will forget this day, where both the youngsters(then) made their mark during India’s world cup campaign against the defending champions Sri Lanka. Having lost the other opener in the very first over, Ganguly and Dravid came to the party with Dada hitting those big sixes out of the ground and Dravid playing elegant cover drives. Eventually the partnership did get to an end with Dravid got run out on 145 in search of extra runs. Ganguly made his career best 183 before getting out in the last over. 1. Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels (372 vs Zimbabwe, 24 February 2015) Chris Gayle and MArlon Samuels added 372, the biggest partnership in World cup and ODIs. (Photo Source:ICC) Chris Gayle (215) and Marlon Samuels (133*) demolished many records in their 372 run partnership. The 372 runs they added are the most added by a pair in ODI cricket beating Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid’s 331* against New Zealand in 1999-00. The 372 runs are also the most in a World cup game. They beat Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid’s 318 against Sri Lanka in 1999 World cup in England. *All stats updated till 25th February 2015.