CWC 2019: Best XI comprising players over the age of 35

The World Cup, is arguably the biggest event in any sport. Players and teams from all over the globe gather at one place to fight for the throne. This competition brings out the best from the participants and is an absolute treat to watch. The Cricket World Cup is no different.

The 12th edition of the World Cup, being hosted by England and Wales, is just a month away and the buzz around the tournament has already started. Teams around the world have started their training camps and some of them are set to play international fixtures as they build up to the mega event.

The preliminary squads for the World Cup are out and all teams have a blend of youth and experience. There is always plenty of talk about experience, and there is a reason for that.

Despite players being in their last years of their careers, they hold immense value to their teams. Players like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Muttiah Muralitharan have asserted this fact well with their respective careers.

This year too, there are plenty of big names who are thirty-five or more, and will be a part of this cricket meet. In all probability, it will be the last World Cup for most of these legends. The article looks at a combined eleven of these players, a team which is still very capable of giving any opposition a run for their money.

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Openers: Chris Gayle and Hashim Amla

Not long ago, it seemed to be time up for Chris Gayle with the cricket bat. The “Universe Boss,” as he is often called, of course had different ideas. Gayle, in the four innings that he played against England at home, scored 424 runs in at a SR of 137.43. To make the magnitude of this performance clearer, Eoin Morgan was the next highest run getter in the series, with 264 runs from five innings.

The Jamaican, as most Jamaicans, can single-handedly win games on his day. The West Indies have not a won a World Cup since 1979 and Gayle will look to give in his all to lift the much coveted trophy.

Amla is one of the calmest players with the bat

The Mighty Hash on the other hand, has been a very fine example of consistency. He was the fastest batsman to reach 2000 runs in ODI’s and has successfully done so till reaching 7000 runs. Despite such performances, he often goes unnoticed.

The calmness that Hashim Amla brings to the crease is amazing and more often than not, the team can rely on him. In the absence of AB de Villiers, his responsibility multiplies significantly. The South African team management might ask him to open or bat at three and the cool customer will look to anchor the innings well.

Gayle and Amla are batsmen with totally different batting styles. While Gayle can tonk the ball a long way, Hashim Amla can provide the stability and hence, maintain the balance.

Middle-Order: Shaun Marsh, Ross Taylor, MS Dhoni (c, wk)

The vital number three position goes to the Australian left-hander. He was very frequently, being picked and dropped from the side, but the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner gave him a longer rope.

The trust paid off as Shaun Marsh scored 182 runs against Pakistan in away conditions at an impressive average of 60.67. The fact that Marsh can switch gears quickly, helps any team immensely. Though there is plenty of competition in the Australian middle order, Marsh should find a spot in the eleven.

There has been a different version of Ross Taylor on display in the recent past. The right-handed batsman is hitting the ball as well as ever. He brings in experience, in the otherwise inexperienced New Zealand middle order.

Very recently, Taylor became the highest run-getter for New Zealand in ODI’s going past Stephen Fleming. A career average of almost 50 and a SR of 83.37 would serve his team well in the long tournament.

MS Dhoni will be playing his fourth World Cup and will be a vital cog in the Indian side. His recent knocks against Australia, both away and home, and the IPL are encouraging signs for the Indian team. If Dhoni has a good World Cup, India will be the team to beat.

He is also the captain of this side, an aspect which has very little scope of questioning. As far as MSD, the wicket-keeper is concerned, there is no one who comes close to the lightning quick stumpings of the Ranchi boy.

All-rounders: Shoaib Malik and JP Duminy

Much like everybody else in the list, Shoaib Malik has found sudden form and will look to capitalize on it. With youngsters at the top for Pakistan, Shoaib Malik provides the much-needed solidity in the middle.

Apart from playing the anchor role, Malik has also finished a few matches, which adds another dimension to his batting. The fact, that he also provides his captain with a few important overs in the middle, betters the overall balance of the side.

Jean Paul Duminy turned 35 this April and plays as a batting all-rounder in the side. He has, arguably been one of the most underrated cricketer of his era.

He is very much capable of hitting those big shots out of the field, just what a team wants from a player who gets few deliveries to face. Duminy, the bowler quietly comes and completes his job. He has 68 ODI wickets to his name with an economy of just over five. Overall, he would be a great addition to any team.

With Malik at 6 and Duminy at 7, there is enough depth in the batting. On most days, these two can conveniently bowl ten overs between them and on surfaces that assist spin, both of them can complete their quota.

Bowlers: Mashrafe Mortaza, Dale Steyn, Lasith Malinga, and Imran Tahir

Mortaza in action

Mashrafe Mortaza led his side to the quarterfinals of the previous World Cup, a feat not many expected them to achieve. This year too, he will be leading his side to the event.

A veteran of 205 ODIs, Mortaza has 259 wickets to his name. The Norail born player generally takes the new ball. Though he doesn’t have the express pace, he is very accurate and effective with an economy of just under five runs an over. He can also tonk the ball a long way coming in at eight.

Steyn will be raring to go

The comeback of the Dale Steyn is one remarkable story. He had not only sustained serious injuries, but the age wasn’t on his side either. All of this becomes even tougher for a fast bowler and Steyn, in all literal sense is fast.

Steyn returned to Test cricket as well and the intent was there to see. The IPL franchise of Royal Challengers Bangalore called him as a replacement. Unfortunately, he was ruled out of the tournament due to shoulder inflammation but the champion bowler he is, he shouldn’t take long to be back on track.

Malinga will be vital for his side

One of the finest death bowlers, Lasith Malinga will be a part of the Sri Lankan World Cup squad. Not many thought that the Sri Lankan fast bowler will make the final fifteen and it was primarily because of his injuries.

He was the joint highest wicket-taker when Sri Lanka toured South Africa this March. His form in the IPL as well as the Sri Lankan domestic tournament has been great, and the Sri Lankan fans will be hoping that he weaves his magic all over again.

The ever so energetic Imran Tahir, will be South Africa’s lead spinner. Despite being forty years of age, his passion for leg-spin is unparalleled. He has 162 ODI wickets in the 96 innings' that he has bowled in.

Tahir belongs to the classic leg-spin school of bowling in this era of mystery spinners. The South African sticks to his standard variations and proves to be successful time and again. If Tahir comes good, South Africa stand a good chance to win their maiden World Cup.