ICC World Cup 2019: Players Who Will Play Their Last Marquee Event

The upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 is less than a month away, and the fever has finally started to take a grip in the mind of the cricket lovers. England and Wales will host the 12th edition of the premier tournament beginning on May 30 with host England taking on South Africa in the tournament opener at the Oval.

The 12th edition of the quadrennial tournament is the most open tournament in its history as many teams are in line to lift the illustrious trophy. Meanwhile, this World Cup will witness many players across the ten teams making their debut in the World Cup. On the contrary, it will be the last major tournament for a handful of cricketers.

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On that context, let us take a look at the cricketers who will play their last ICC World Cup:

DALE STEYN

World Cup record: M 14 Overs 115 Runs 538 Wkts 23 BB 5/50 Avg 23.39 Econ 4.67 SR 30

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South Africa will depend on their pace attack- regarded one of the best in the world, to end their barren run in the ICC events. Although they boast some exciting talents, the experience of Dale Steyn will come in handy in this high-voltage games. However, the 36-year-old sustained a slight niggle while plying his trade in the Indian Premier League.

While it is likely that Steyn will regain his fitness, there is no official statement from Cricket South Africa about the status of his injury. A fast bowler in the purest form, Steyn will look to make the most out of his experience and help the Proteas end their jinx.

ANGELO MATTHEWS

World Cup record: M 15 Runs 289 HS 51 Avg 36.12 SR 94.13 50 1 Wkts 12 BB 3/41

The 31-year-old Angelo Mathews has had a career marred with injuries. Rated as one of the best all-rounders, a handful of injuries subdued him from showing his talent to the whole world. He has represented Sri Lanka in 2011 and 2015 World Cups, and this is likely to be his last ICC World Cup in full swing.

Lanka’s ninth highest ODI run-scorer, Mathews will be keen to put his 100 percent and help his team notch a few victories. He has been in good form in the recent domestic one-day tournament and will look to carry his form in the quadrennial competition.

ROSS TAYLOR

World Cup record: M 23 Runs 652 HS 131* Avg 36.22 SR 73.34 100 1 50 3

The highest run-getter for New Zealand, Ross Taylor will be playing his last World Cup in England and Wales. The 36-year-old batsman will be key to the success of the Kiwis in this World Cup as he holds the ship in the middle order.

Meanwhile, Taylor has been in good form in recent times and will aim to keep up the good work going in the major event. New Zealand are one of the title contenders, and they will rely on their veteran batsman to fire and lead the charge for them.

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ

World Cup record: M 10 Runs 230 HS 61* Avg 25.55 SR 76.92 50 1 Wkts 11 BB 2/16

Mohammad Hafeez is one the most successful Pakistan cricketers in the fifty overs format of the game. Despite representing Pakistan over the years, this will only be his third World Cup after 2007 and 2011. The all-rounder will have to play a crucial role in Pakistan want to progress fro the round robin league.

However, there is a concern over his fitness as he recently underwent surgery. However, he has passed the yo-yo test before the selectors included him the World Cup squad.

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SHOAIB MALIK

World Cup record: M 3 Runs 92 HS 62 Avg 30.66 SR 82.88 50 1 Wkts 1 BB 1/9

Despite making his debut in 1999-2000 season, Shoaib Malik has only represented Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup. He has played only three games with the highest score of 62 runs and has not featured in the next editions.

The 37-year-old Malik who will be playing his last major tournament will look to give his best shot and finish on a high. Also, his outing will play a crucial role in Pakistan’s faring in the ICC World Cup.

HASHIM AMLA

World Cup record: M 15 Runs 639 HS 159 Avg 42.60 SR 91.41 100 2 50 3

For the 36-year-old Hashim Amla, this is in all likelihood is the last World Cup. He has represented South Africa in the 2011 and 2015 edition of the tournament as well. In 2011, the Proteas bowed out from the quarterfinals of the event while in 2015, New Zealand showed them the exit door in the heartbreaking semifinal game. He has been one of their star players in the marquee event, and the whole country will hope Amla to fire once again as the selectors went for the experience ahead of Reeza Hendricks.

Meanwhile, Amla is the fourth-highest South African run-scorer and his 27 ODI centuries are a national record.

MS DHONI

World Cup record: M 20 Runs 507 HS 91* Avg 42.25 SR 91.18 100 0 50 3

MS Dhoni is arguably the best leader the cricketing world have ever witnessed. His match-reading skills make his stand apart from the rest. He won India an World Cup in 2011 after a gap of 28 years helping Sachin Tendulkar achieve the last landmark in his career. Dhoni played an outstanding 91 runs knock against Sri Lanka in the final to seal the game with a swashbuckling six.

Dhoni will once again be crucial to India’s success this time around. His ability to guide the bowlers from behind the wicket will come in handy for Virat Kohli & Co. There is speculation that the former India skipper might retire from ODIs after the World Cup; thus, Dhoni will want to make this ICC World Cup noteworthy.

CHRIS GAYLE

World Cup record: M 26 Runs 944 HS 215 Avg 37.76 SR 91.11 100 2 50 4

Chris Gayle is the best Windies cricketer of this generation. Moreover, the 39-year-old is the second most successful ODI batsman after Brian Lara with 10,096 runs in 286 games. The Universe Boss has announced that he will retire after this World up which will be his fifth tournament.

However, since Gayle has declared to hung his boots, he has been in terrific form against England and in the Indian Premier League. This has compelled him to reconsider his retirement plans. But Gayle will not feature in any more World Cups which is inevitable. Thus, he will look to play some blinders and create some upsets in the tournament. The southpaw will also work as Jason Holder’s deputy in the marquee event.

LASITH MALINGA

World Cup record: M 22 Balls 170.4 Runs 908 Wickets 43 BB 6/38 Avg 21.11 Econ 5.32 SR 23.8

Lasith Malinga will play his fourth and final World Cup, who was stripped of the captaincy days before the selectors announced the squads. Meanwhile, the fast bowler is in a good frame of mind and is bowling in rhythm and will look to recreate some magic at the biggest cricketing extravaganza.

Malinga is the only bowler to pick four wickets from four deliveries as he almost overhauled South Africa in the 2017 edition of the World Cup. His best figures of six for 38 came against Kenya in the 2011 edition. Malinga will aim to knock a few more to help Sri Lanka beat some top-notch team when the tournament kicks off in England.

MASHRAFE MORTAZA

World Cup record: M 16 Overs 131.2 Runs 649 Wickets 18 BB 4/38 Avg 36.05 Econ 4.94 SR 43.7

Mashrafe Mortaza, who has already announced that this is his last major tournament will be leading Bangladesh in this edition of the ICC World Cup. Moreover, this is his fourth showpiece event after representing the country in 20013, 2007, and 2015.

Mortaza, who is one the fag end of his career will look to deliver his best cricket in England and lead the team from the front.

IMRAN TAHIR

The spinner from South Africa has been in great form recently playing in the Indian Premier League for the Chennai Super Kings. Imran Tahir has represented the Proteas in the 2011 and 2015 World Cup and has done an outstanding job despite finishing the tournament on a poor note.

The 40-year-old will have a significant role to play as South Africa aim to break their World Cup jinx in the upcoming ICC World Cup starting from May 30. Meanwhile, Tahir has announced his retirement from ODIs after this tournament and once can be ready to witness his trademark celebration in England.