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The 2019 edition of ICC Cricket World Cup approaches slowly and steadily. The event will begin on 30 May and take place till 14 July 2019. England and Wales will host the tournament.
The hosts would wish to taste World Cup success for the first time at home conditions. The previous two World Cup tournaments favoured the hosting nations as India and Australia managed to win the 2011 and 2015 editions of the tournament respectively.
The World Cup has made star players into superstars and the same into legends over the years. There would be numerous breakout stars and epic records when the event concludes. As of now, star players like Virat Kohli, Thisara Perera, Jos Butler and Trent Boult seem promising to get the spotlight during the magnificent cricket fiesta.
There may well be some surprise retirements during that event. The tournament might possibly feature the last World Cup appearance of some veteran performers such as Chris Gayle, Hashim Amla, Ross Taylor and MS Dhoni.
Many cricketers target the World Cup stage for a final tour de force before calling it a day. Here in this article, we will see five of the best performers during the 2015 World Cup who won't play the upcoming one due to their retirement shortly thereafter.
#5 Morne Morkel
Morne Morkel's sensational form benefited South Africa massively during the 2015 World Cup. The Proteas fast bowler stole the show with his impressive abilities, scalping up 17 wickets in 8 innings.
His impressive list of wickets includes star players like MS Dhoni, Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara and Brendan Taylor among the rest. His best performance in the competition was against Ireland at Manuka Oval. He got 3/34 in the 9 overs he bowled.
Morkel announced international retirement on 26 February 2018. The talisman pacer was South Africa's highest wicket-taker on the tournament.
#4 AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers failed in leading South Africa to their maiden World Cup victory but he successfully captured the hearts of millions who saw the event. His outstanding performances became unfruitful in the end and got many viewers were left heartbroken.
The 2015 World Cup Proteas captain notched up a total of 482 in 7 innings he batted with an average of 96.40 and an outstanding strike rate of 144.31 becoming South Africa's top run-getter in the tournament.
His 162* off 66 balls with seventeen boundaries and eight sixes at a strike rate of 245.45 against West Indies in the Sydney cricket ground was his best at the event. It was undoubtedly a showcase of his superhuman abilities.
Mr. 360 showcased the best version of himself during the master class tournament. Everyone expected him to perform during the 2019 World Cup. Shockingly, he announced a retirement while being in his absolute prime a year before the upcoming edition of the marquee event.
#3 Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara led Sri Lanka to the finals of World Cup 2011 as a captain where they were defeated at the hands of India. He returned to the 2015 World Cup as an extremely motivated individual and his performances as a batsman were overwhelming.
With the bat, the southpaw amassed 541 runs at an average of 108.20. It was the 2015 tournament's top average. He fell just 6 runs short of the most runs in the tournament by Martin Guptill who scored a double century during his sublime run of form throughout the tournament.
Sangakkara created a record by becoming the first player to score four consecutive centuries in a World Cup. His highest score in the tournament came against Scotland at Bellerive Oval. He made 124 runs from 95 balls with thirteen boundaries and four maximums in the match.
He announced his ODI retirement shortly. The 2015 World Cup featured Sangakkara's priceless achievement as a cricketer despite the team's inadequacy to win the cup. The former Sri Lankan megastar has given his fans some huge World Cup moments to relish.
#2 Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum is arguably the best New Zealand captain till date. He is the first Blackcaps skipper to lead the side to a World Cup final. The Kiwis may win a World Cup in the future but that will not take away anything from the feat he achieved.
When he was handed the captaincy duties, the team was in a mediocre state. He changed the team into a competitive unit and led them to the finals of the 2015 edition of World Cup.
During the course of the tournament, a good number of players flourished under his leadership. Martin Guptill became the first ever double centurion for New Zealand in that World Cup and Boult picked up 22 dismissals equaling the top wicket-taker Mitchell Starc in the process.
McCullum was the second highest run-getter for New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup. He scored 328 in the nine matches he played. His highest score of 77 in the tournament came against England. The same is also the fastest 50 (51 runs off 18 balls) in the World Cup.
He retired from international cricket on 24 February 2016. The nation may see many brilliant future captains but none will match his uniqueness - a fearless batsman with excellent leadership skills.
#1 Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke was exceptional as a captain during the 2015 edition of the World Cup. He led his side with excellence and won the event. He was not exceptional with the bat in the competition but still managed to get runs when needed. 74 was his highest score in the tournament and it came in the finals against New Zealand.
His exceptional leadership skills benefited Australia the most. The Aussie captain bade adieu from all forms of international cricket shortly after the tournament.
Are there any other World Cup heroes in the recent past who will not play the 2019 World Cup? Comment below
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