CWC 2019: The oldest player in each team

We are less than a week away from the 12th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup. With a change in format and reduction in the number of teams, the upcoming edition of World Cup might be the most exciting tournament in the history of the World Cup.

The host England will enter the tournament as favorites along with India. While the defending champions, Australia will look to defend their title successfully. Teams like Afghanistan and Bangladesh are no pushovers in this edition. Since the results of every single game can change the context of the top four, no opposition or match can be taken for granted in this World Cup.

With 15 players in the squads of each team, let us look at the oldest players in each of the ten teams.

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#10 Liam Plunkett (England)

DOB - April 6, 1985

Age - 34

Liam Plunkett

Ever since the 2015 World Cup, Liam Plunkett is the go-to player for Eoin Morgan during the crunch situations in the ODIs for England. Plunkett's back of the length strategy and his wily slow cutters makes him one of the best bowlers in the middle-overs (11-40).

The 34-year old fast bowler is almost nearing the end of prime stages of his career. With his pace taking a hit in the last 18 months, this year's World Cup might be the final tournament for the speedster in England shirt. Besides, the emergence of Jofra Archer and Tom Curran might force England to left out Plunkett at the end of the World Cup.

In the warm-up match against Australia, Plunkett used his experience to perfection by claiming four wickets in his nine overs. Plunkett's strength of picking up wickets in the middle-overs will play a significant role in England's success at the World Cup.

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#9 Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)

DOB - January 1, 1985

Age - 34

Mohammad Nabi

Mohammed Nabi is one of the principal architects behind the incredible success journey of Afghanistan. The all-rounder from Afghanistan is now one of the key figures in the T20 world. He has T20 stints with almost all of the existing T20 leagues around the world.

With 112 ODIs, Nabi is the most experienced player in the Afghanistan squad. Hence, the experience of the 34-year old all-rounder will be crucial for Afghanistan's success at the World Cup.

Even in the warm-up match against Pakistan, Nabi picked up three vital wickets and scored crucial 34 runs with the bat. His all-round heroics helped Afghanistan to script a memorable victory.

#8 Ross Taylor (New Zealand)

DOB - March 8, 1984

Age - 35

Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor is arguably one of the best batsmen in the history of New Zealand cricket. In ODIs, he is the leading centurion for New Zealand with 20 centuries. This year's World Cup will be the fourth mega tournament for the New Zealand veteran.

Ever since the 2015 World Cup, Ross Taylor's batting has reached a top-notch level. In 56 innings, Taylor has scored 2892 runs with eight centuries and 17 half-centuries. His incredible average of 68.86 in the last four years is only behind the Indian captain, Virat Kohli.

With such healthy records and vast experience, the 35-year old will be the backbone for New Zealand's middle-order in the World Cup. Since this World Cup might be his last mega-tournament, Taylor will look to end the tournament on a good note.

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#7 Mashrafe Mortaza (Bangladesh)

DOB - October 5, 1983

Age - 35

Mashrafe Mortaza

Mashrafe Mortaza, the skipper of Bangladesh cricket team, will be playing his last World Cup this year. His recent entry into the politics might force him to retire from cricket at the end of the World Cup.

Unlike the previous World Cups, Bangladesh will enter this year's tournament as one of the 'dark horses.' In the last two years, the team has tasted some huge victories under the leadership of Mortaza.

With 209 ODI caps, Mortaza will once again lead his team with the ball. The 35-year old veteran will look to end his International career on high by reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup.

#6 Shaun Marsh (Australia)

DOB - July 9, 1983

Age - 35

Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh, the 35-year old Western Australian batsman, recently shocked his home state by switching to Melbourne Renegades for the next edition of Big Bash League. It is hard to believe the fact that this year's World Cup will be the first pinnacle tournament for Shaun Marsh.

Marsh's international career is often highlighted by his several inconsistent performances and numerous comebacks to the team over the years. However, this time, the Australian management has trusted him and assigned him to the middle-order in this World Cup.

This year's World Cup will be a perfect opportunity for Marsh to display his full talent and register himself a place in the legacy of Australian cricket.

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#5 Jeevan Mendis (Sri Lanka)

DOB - January 15, 1983

Age - 36

Jeevan Mendis

Jeevan Mendis is one of the surprise inclusions in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad. Despite not playing an ODI for the last three years, Mendis made a comeback to the ODI squad owing to his consistent performances in Sri Lanka's regional ODI tournament.

Aged 36, Mendis is the oldest player in the Sri Lanka squad. However, his International appearances are limited with just 55 ODIs and 22 T20Is. Though he was named in the 2015 World Cup squad, an unfortunate hamstring injury ruled him out of the entire tournament.

Since this might be the final opportunity for Mendis in ODIs, he will look to perform well in his first and last World Cup.

#4 MS Dhoni (India)

DOB - July 7, 1981

Age - 37

MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni, the former Indian skipper, will be playing his fourth World Cup this year. Aged 37, this World Cup might be a swansong for Dhoni. Despite his age, he is still an irresistible force behind the stumps. He is still mesmerizing the fans with his lightning-fast stumpings and brilliant run outs.

Besides, he guides the bowlers well in the pressure situations. In terms of batting, he looked in good form in the recently concluded IPL. Overall, Dhoni's immaculate knowledge and vast experience will play a pivotal role in India's success at the World Cup.

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#3 Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan)

DOB - October 17, 1980

Age - 38

Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez, the all-rounder from Pakistan, is currently at the last phase of his cricketing career. Last year, he announced his retirement from Test cricket. With age not on his side, this World Cup might be the final tournament for Hafeez in Pakistan colors.

Ever since his bowling action came under scrutiny, Hafeez has lost his magical touch and consistency. His inconsistent performances in the last few years have often seen him in and out of the Pakistan setup.

Since this is the final opportunity for Hafeez at the international stage, he will look to end his career on a good note.

#2 Chris Gayle (West Indies)

DOB - September 21, 1979

Age - 39

Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle, the Universe Boss, will be playing his final World Cup this year. Aged 39, Gayle is the senior player in the West Indies squad. Irrespective of the age factor, Gayle is still one among the most dangerous batsmen in this World Cup.

His recent explosive knocks in the ODI series against England and IPL showed that the big man has plenty left in his tank. Gayle's cautious approach at the start of the innings makes him even more dangerous than any other batters in the World Cup.

If Gayle repeats his heroics of England series in the World Cup, then there is nobody who can stop the big man from lifting the trophy.

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#1 Imran Tahir (South Africa)

DOB - March 27, 1979

Age - 40

Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir is coming off from a very successful IPL campaign. He was the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2019 as he picked up 26 wickets from 17 matches. He mixes up his deliveries very well with leg spinners, flippers, and googlies. His wicket-taking ability at any stage of the game makes him one of the most dangerous bowlers in this year's World Cup.

Aged 40, Tahir is the oldest player in this World Cup. Hence, it is no surprise that World Cup 2019 will be Tahir's final ODI assignment for South Africa. Therefore, we might expect Tahir to claim more wickets and run more miles at the fall of wickets.