5 promising cricketers who made their mark in 2019 

#4. Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran

The West Indian talent made news for the wrong reason after he was suspended for ball-tampering during the ODI series against Afghanistan in November. However, Pooran overcame the setback and put up some fine performances in India, a tour during which he was one of the standout performers for the visiting side.

Pooran smashed 75 from 47 balls in the second ODI at Visakhapatnam to go with the 89 from 64 in the decider at Cuttack. Pooran’s big-hitting was as clean as one has witnessed in recent years. In the World Cup match against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street, Pooran made an impressive 118 from 103 even as the Windies went down in their chase of 339. Pooran is clearly one for the future as far as West Indies cricket is concerned.

#3. Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer

The Barbados-born fast bowler made his much-awaited debut this year. And, Jofra Archer proved that all the hype around him was not for nothing. He picked up five wickets in his debut Test at Lord’s against Australia, and even hit Steve Smith on the helmet, forcing him to miss the next Test. Archer claimed his best figures of 6 for 45 in Australia’s first innings at Headingley, which England went on to win courtesy of Ben Stokes’ miraculous second-innings hundred. Archer was the man of the match in the final Test at The Oval, his 6 for 62 blowing the Aussies away and ensuring that England drew level even as Australia retained the urn.

Archer played his role in England’s World Cup triumph as well, with an impressive tally of 20 wickets in 11 games at an average of 24.55, and a strike rate of 30.85. Keeping his calm under extreme pressure, Archer bowled the Super Over that won England the World Cup.