Cricket World Cup 2015: Top 10 Run-Scorers, Wicket-Takers, Averages and More

Kumar Sangakkara continued to light up the Cricket World Cup in the land Down Under, as he became the first man ever to score four centuries in four successive one-day international matches.

His magnificent knock of 124 against Scotland helped Sri Lanka to an emphatic 148-run win and he was ably supported by a belligerent showing from Tillakaratne Dilshan, who made 104. The innings was given some late initiative by a brisk 51 from skipper Angelo Mathews and a score of 363/9 was too much for the Associate nation to chase down.

It was a bittersweet day for Scotland’s Josh Davey, though. While his team were on the end of a heavy loss, his three wickets mean that he’s now the leading wicket-taker at the competition.

Here’s a look at how this clash in Hobart has affected some of the individual classifications at this World Cup and a closer examination of the standout performers from an entertaining day of cricket. 

Top 10 Gross Run-Scorers

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Player	Team	Runs
Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	496
Tillakaratne Dilshan	Sri Lanka	395
Shikhar Dhawan	India	333
AB de Villiers	South Africa	318
Hashim Amla	South Africa	295
Brendan Taylor	Zimbabwe	295
Sean Williams	Zimbabwe	289
Chris Gayle	West Indies	279
Faf du Plessis	South Africa	277
Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	277

All statistics via ESPN Cricinfo. 

Top 10 Batting Averages

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Player	Team	Average
Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	124.00
Virat Kohli	India	87.66
AB de Villiers	South Africa	79.50
Tillakaratne Dilshan	Sri Lanka	79.00
David Miller	South Africa	75.33
Sean Williams	Zimbabwe	72.25
Shaiman Anwar	UAE	67.50
Shikhar Dhawan	India	66.60
JP Duminy	South Africa	66.50
Glenn Maxwell	Australia	64.25

All statistics via ESPN Cricinfo. 

Top 10 Strike Rates

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Player	Team	Runs	SR
Dinesh Chandimal	Sri Lanka	52	216.66
Andre Russell	West Indies	77	208.10
Tawanda Mupariwa	Zimbabwe	18	200.00
Farhaan Behardien	South Africa	10	200.00
Brendon McCullum	New Zealand	249	193.02
Glenn Maxwell	Australia	257	190.37
Kusal Perera	Sri Lanka	24	184.61
Rilee Rossouw	South Africa	128	164.10
Brad Haddin	Australia	119	163.01
Thisara Perera	Sri Lanka	62	155.00

All statistics via ESPN Cricinfo. 

Top 10 Wicket-Takers

Martin Hunter/Getty Images

Player	Team	Wickets
Josh Davey	Scotland	14
Trent Boult	New Zealand	13
Tim Southee	New Zealand	13
Mitchell Starc	Australia	12
Daniel Vettori	New Zealand	12
Mohammed Shami	India	12
Ravichandran Ashwin	India	11
Jerome Taylor	West Indies	11
Morne Morkel	South Africa	11
Wahab Riaz	Pakistan	11

All statistics via ESPN Cricinfo. 

Top 10 Bowling Figures

Ross Setford/Associated Press

Player	Team	Runs	Wickets
Tim Southee	New Zealand	33	7
Mitchell Starc	Australia	28	6
Trent Boult	New Zealand	27	5
Mitchell Marsh	Australia	33	5
Imran Tahir	South Africa	45	5
Sohail Khan	Pakistan	55	5
Steven Finn	England	71	5
Daniel Vettori	New Zealand	18	4
Kyle Abbott	South Africa	21	4
Mitchell Johnson	Australia	22	4

All statistics via ESPN Cricinfo. 

Top 10 Economy Rates

Ross Setford/Associated Press

Player	Team	Runs	Wickets	Econ
Michael Clarke	Australia	14	1	2.80
Daniel Vettori	New Zealand	136	12	3.00
Jeevan Mendis	Sri Lanka	18	2	3.60
Mirwais Ashraf	Afghanistan	63	2	3.66
Mitchell Starc	Australia	122	12	3.77
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	India	19	1	3.80
Rahat Ali	Pakistan	107	5	3.82
Trent Boult	New Zealand	178	13	3.86
Ravichandran Ashwin	India	183	11	3.89
Sohaib Maqsood	Pakistan	24	1	4.00

All statistics via ESPN Cricinfo. 

Standout Performers

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Serene Sangakkara Showing No Signs of Slowing Down

As Sri Lanka gear up for their quarter-final clash, it’s harrowing to think that this could be the final time we see Kumar Sangakkara in the ODI arena.

The 37-year-old has been in magnificent form at this tournament and notched his fourth century in as many matches, but as noted here by Gerard Whateley of ABC, his stunning displays haven’t prompted a change of heart:

"

Sangakkara confirms he'll retire from ODI post #CWC15 "It's not about form, it's about time and place and what you think is right"

— Gerard Whateley (@GerardWhateley) March 11, 2015"

For the rest of us, it’s simply a case of enjoying this fine player while we can. Sangakkara was sumptuous once again in this match against the Scots and, as noted by BBC Test Match Special, his overall performance saw him break myriad records:

"

Sangakkara on @bbctms "Records DO matter... those are certain things that you chase, you like to keep those goals" pic.twitter.com/Z6cNsxAn2P

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 11, 2015"

"

Yet another record for Sangakkara;the first person to 500 ODI dismissals, and he's passed @gilly381's WC record of 52 pic.twitter.com/8v1BipoSWC

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 11, 2015"

As an avid competitor, you suspect that while these individual feats will be cherished by the Sri Lanka star, he’ll want to go out on the highest note possible: by helping his team win the World Cup. The last two tournaments have seen Sangakkara and Co. come up short at the final hurdle and he’ll be desperate to steer his team to victory here.

Given his immaculate consistency, you’d be foolish to write this team off too. India cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to this facet of Sangakkara’s play in the aftermath of another masterclass:

"

4 in a row, Congrats @KumarSanga2 Amazing batting and super consistency #CWC15

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 11, 2015"

Players like Tillakaratne Dilshan—who has been superb, but overshadowed by his team-mate’s stellar efforts—can play a vital supporting role with the bat, but it’s imperative Sri Lanka show a little bit more guile with the ball if they’re to be considered genuine contenders for glory at this competition.

Davey Tops Wicket-Taking Charts

At this point in the tournament there will have been few cricketing scholars that would have had predicted Scotland’s Josh Davey as the man leading the way in wickets taken. Given the Associate nation have lost all of their games at the tournament so far, it’s quite a remarkable feat from the fast bowler.

As noted by BBC Test Match Special, the 24-year-old admitted that he has surprised himself with his displays:

"

Josh Davey,@cricketworldcup's leading wicket-taker on @bbctms:"It's surprising, but it's a fairly decent achievement" pic.twitter.com/JvU2FnQZXK

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 11, 2015"

While some of Scotland’s play has left much to be desired, Davey has been a consistent thorn in the side of opposition batsmen. He has a knack for getting the ball in the right areas to snaffle opposing wickets and is rarely fazed by the reputation of the batsman at the other end of the crease.

As noted by ByTheMin Cricket, he took some pretty big scalps in this match, too, finishing up with figures of three for 63:

"

Josh Davey is top wicket-taker in the World Cup. Today, he got Sangakkara and Jayawardene out in successive balls. Grandkids-telling stuff.

— ByTheMin Cricket (@ByTheMinCricket) March 11, 2015"

If the Scottish batting line-up had accrued levels that had given their bowlers a bit more of a chance, this is a team that could have potentially ruffled a few feathers of the Test-playing nations. Sadly that balance has yet to materialise and with one final clash to come with co-hosts Australia, they will depart this tournament winless.

But Davey is definitely a player worth keeping an eye on and someone who has showcased the requisite quality to make an impact on the county scene next season with Somerset. Prior to that, he’ll be hoping to prise out a few more high-profile names when Scotland square off against the Baggy Greens.