With the 2019 World Cup just 15 months away, teams all around the world have given a glimpse of what is to come in England. Teams, post-Champions Trophy, are more or less done with their experimentation, and now have a plan ahead on the basis of the available personnel.
On the other side, it is a matter of certainty for some players to accept that time is running out for them to come back into the reckoning for the plans of 2019 World Cup.
Here, we look at some of the quality players who might miss out of the multi-lateral event starting next (2019) year.
Ravindra Jadeja –
With the recent form displayed by Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, it is a matter of certainty that the Ravindra Jadeja might not feature in the ODI outfit next summer in England.
Jadeja has been out of favour since the Champions Trophy of 2017. Since the World Cup in Australia, his average, economy, and strike rate has been on the higher side. Whereas, the likes of Chahal and Kuldeep have filled in their boots with wickets in their recent outings.
Ravichandran Ashwin –
Ashwin played 93 first-class fixtures in which he bagged 454 wickets at an average of 26.38 and with the bat he averages at 33.76. Photo Credit: Getty Images.Just like Jadeja, MSD’s go-to spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin might have to face the axe with recent form displayed by the young wrist-spinning duos. Also, his big-hitting capabilities and fielding-cum-fitness standards favour towards Jadeja being included in the stand-by squad.
Ashwin, off-late, made a statement about adding the leg-spinner into his arsenal coming IPL season to keep his hopes alive for a spot in the 2019 World Cup side. Logically, it might be a case of over expectation – to see him take the ball in England next summer from here on.
Yuvraj Singh
It is a well-established fact by now that Yuvraj Singh has seen his better days as far ODI cricket is concerned. Yuvi last featured during the West Indian tour post CT2017 and has found it difficult to make the cut into the Indian side after failing the Yo-Yo Test.
With deep reserves of younger promising talents in the team, namely, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane, it might difficult for Yuvi further to feature in the upcoming mega-event.
Yasir Shah –
Much like the duo of Chahal and Kuldeep have made it difficult for Ashwin and Jadeja to make a comeback into the Indian side, a similar story has taken place in Pakistan spin circuit.
A player of the quality of Yasir Shah is not in the reckoning in the limited-overs format for Pakistan to accommodate young Shadab Khan in the ranks. Yasir last played an ODI in England back in 2016.
Moises Henriques –
One of the many gems produced by Australian cricket whose international career couldn’t quite lift-off due to injuries is Moises Henriques. The quality allrounder, in his 30s, is now out of favour.
Australia now is looking at the services of Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, and BBL sensation Ben Dwarshuis instead of Henriques. He last featured in an ODI for Australia in the Champions Trophy in England.
James Pattinson –
Since making his debut in 2011, Pattinson has only featured in 36 games for Australia across all formats. Whenever Pattinson plans to make a comeback into national colours, he sustains a major career-halting injury.
In ODIs, Pattinson last featured against England in 2015. Which means one has to hope for a miracle to see him feature in the four-pronged pace attack of Australia starring Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins.
James Faulkner –
Once claimed as the best finishers in world cricket, and one of the finest all-rounders, Faulkner, is now finding it difficult to even break into the Australian squad. His finishing abilities, as well as death bowling skills, have tapered off recently.
Faulkner last featured in the ODI series against India last year sporadically before facing the brunt in the national side. The all-rounder had a lukewarm BBL this season for the Melbourne Stars, where they finished last on the table.
Lasith Malinga –
A limited-overs setup for the Lankans without Malinga might have been hard to imagine a few years back, especially after the departure of their three batting stars. However, the possibility of Malinga missing out of Sri Lanka’s World Cup campaign looks realistic now.
Sri Lanka has overlooked Malinga for a couple of series now. The selectors have rested their trust in the likes of Chameera, Lakmal, and Pradeep. Further, batsmen have learnt the art of dealing with Malinga over the years. His fitness hasn’t been in great shape either off late.
Wayne Parnell –
Since making his debut in 2009, Parnell was provided ample opportunities by the selectors to cement his place as a quality all-rounder. However, despite all the opportunities, Parnell has not able to consolidate his position as a regular in the team.
Parnell last featured in the Champions Trophy in England. Since then, the services of Andile Phehlukwayo has been preferred over the hot-and-cold left arm bowling all-rounder. It looks difficult for Parnell to feature in the upcoming World Cup.
Mitchell McClenaghan –
Even though he has been in and out of the New Zealand squad, things look bleak for Mitch when it comes to his chances in the World Cup of 2019. Having played his last game for the Kiwis in 2016, it appears that the Black Caps prefer the services of Southee, Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry instead of Big Mitch.
It looks unlikely that McClenaghan would be included in the plans for World Cup 2019 after receiving the shock of going unsold in the IPL.
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