ICC World Cup 2015: 1 former player that teams would love to have in their side

Retirement is something that is unavoidable and teams might struggle replacing players in their line-up.With the World Cup fast approaching, here we look at retired players who could have been of great use for their respective countries if they were still playing today.

#1 Australia - Shane Warne

Australia have a steady opening partnership with David Warner and Aaron Finch at the top, a compact middle-order with a number of options and some of the finest fast bowlers in the world. But if there’s one thing that the Kangaroos miss at the moment, it is a world-class limited overs spinner.

Shane Warne, perhaps the greatest spin bowler in the history of the game, would have been perfect for Michael Clarke-led team. With Nathan Lyon still finding his feet in ODIs, a world beater like Warne could have made the Australians a complete team and even bigger favourites to win the World Cup in home conditions.

#2 South Africa - Jacques Kallis

Any side will love to have that extra player who can contribute with both bat and ball and Kallis is a once-in-a-generation cricketer. The modern legend was a rock solid batsman at the top, holding the innings together and always surprised you with his medium pacers by dismissing key batsmen.

His experience to handle crucial moments of the game and a canny ability to come good when team needs him were the advantages held. A special effort from a calm-head like Kallis could have gone a long way in South Africa overcoming their knockout jinx in World Cups.

#3 India - Sachin Tendulkar

The legendary opener has been the pillar of strength for India at the World Cup and his records speak for his value. No bowler was keen to bowl at the champion batsman once he started finding the sweet spot of the bat. With no major technical flaws in his batting, the Mumbaikar completely dominated the bowlers over a couple of decades and was an absolute gem for India.

Having Sachin in the side would have helped the team in more than just one way: a stable opening combination, a certain belief in the dressing room and more importantly, hope among fans.

#4 Sri Lanka - Muttiah Muralitharan

No introductions are needed to the spin wizard’s incredible talent with his wrists. Spin has been Sri Lanka’s best bet and it is only fair to call it as the primary weapon in their arsenal. With Murali and Rangana Herath, the islanders could have recreate a subcontinental atmosphere Down Under.

Muralitharan’s doosra has always been difficult to read and would have boosted Sri Lanka’s spirits. An in-form Murali would enable them to push for the title after failing at the last hurdle in 2007 and 2011 editions.

#5 England - Kevin Pietersen

No second thoughts, England need KP. That is as simple as that.

While the debate on whether Pietersen was made a scapegoat or deserved the axing still active, one shouldn’t forget England’s lack of firepower at the top for next year’s World Cup. A lot of former players and columnists have called for aggression and attacking willow wielders to replace the defensive batsmen in the top 3.

Having said that and considering the 34-year-old’s dominating style, England could do with the fascinating right-hander to provide blazing starts at the top. He even has a brief history of opening in LOIs and also a successful record in the same. However, the recently ignited controversy following the release of Pietersen’s autobiography rules out any minimal chances of the player’s comeback.

#6 Pakistan - Imran Khan

The Asian side is struggling big time with lack of effective leadership and inspiration at the moment. Imran Khan, a proven captain and the only Pakistani skipper to lift the World Cup would have been the perfect man to handle such a situation.

The all-rounder could have been the right man to lift the dying World Cup hopes of Pakistan. Considering the fact that his 1992 World Cup triumph came in Australia, his innate all-round abilities would have come in handy for the low-on-confidence Pakistan team.

#7 New Zealand - Stephen Fleming

One can question the need to include Fleming with Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson in the set-up. Here is the reason: Fleming is the best captain to have emerged from New Zealand, is a well-known tactician and won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000.

Moreover, Fleming in such a situation would allow Williamson to go back to his No.3 slot and McCullum to No.5. Excellent positions for both batsmen as it suits their game, particularly McCullum towards the finish. To be frank, the left-hander’s responsible knocks had been one of the many talking points of his career and the Kiwis might have aimed to better their semi-final showings if Fleming was still playing with this well-built team.

#8 West Indies - Vivian Richards

The most destructive batsman of the 1980s, Richards was the most feared batsman of his era. For one who redefined the meaning of aggression with the bat even decades before the days of T20 cricket, he would require no second invitation to face modern bowlers with batsman-friendly pitches and field placings. The right-hander would have thrived to take on the bowlers of this generation.

With the level of brittleness in the West Indies line up, Caribbean fans can wish Richards was still active.