Five masterstrokes that you might have missed from the World Cup 2019

World Cup 2019 was one of the most closely fought editions in the history of the World Cups. With the final four uncertain even until the 45th over of the last league game, it was no surprise that the biggest sporting event in cricket had to be so close and intense in the lead up to its business end.

Despite a couple of teams underperforming in the edition, it was still one of the most followed editions merely owing to the uncertainty in the result of any game in the tournament.

Be it Bangladesh's win against South Africa at The Oval or Afghanistan nearly pulling off an upset over Pakistan in a humdinger at Leeds, or the nervy final between England and New Zealand, this edition had it all in terms of anticipation of a result that gave the fans unmatched entertainment.

Such games are usually a result of a few smart moves that attract spectators to be more engrossed with the game. Throughout the tournament, there were a few masterstrokes that proved to be decisive in changing the course of that particular game.

Here we take a look at five masterstokes which proved to be standout in the entire World Cup.

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#5 South Africa opening the bowling with Imran Tahir against England

Bairstow was caught behind in the first over

On the opening day of the mega-tournament, South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first on a bright and sunny morning at The Oval. Well aware of the threat of England’s opening duo, Faf du Plessis pulled a rabbit out of the hat by introducing Imran Tahir to open the attack for South Africa.

It was something that neither of the opening batsman could have expected to face on their World Cup debut for England in their own backyard. However, it worked for the Proteas as Tahir induced en outside edge off Bairstow’s bat which was safely pouched by Quinton de Kock in just the second delivery of the World Cup.

It was an inspiring plan which was well executed by the South Africans to make early inroads into the deep English batting-order. Tahir's celebration was a sight to behold as he became the first spinner to pick a wicket in the first over in the history of the World Cup.

#4 West Indies targeting Pakistan with short-pitch bowling

Pakistan batters failed to negate West Indies' short-ball barrage

In Match 2 of the World Cup at Trent Bridge, Pakistan came up short against West Indies after they were caught napping against a short-ball barrage that marked an awful start for the 'Men in Green' in the tournament.

After opting to bowl first, West Indies made full use of their bowling strength as they tested the Pakistan batters' technique against the pacy short-pitched bowling. Sarfaraz Ahmed's men were left reeling with a couple of early blows in their inning.

The likes of Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas, and Sheldon Cottrell used the short balls to telling effect and bounced Pakistan out for merely 105 in what panned out to be a dismal batting display by Pakistan.

It was a plan well executed by the west Indies as they eased their way to an easy 7-wicket win, denting Pakistan with a huge blow to start off their World Cup campaign.

#3 Virat Kohli placing himself at third slip against South Africa

Kohli pouched the catch at third slip

In India's opening encounter of the World Cup at Southampton, the Men in Blue were asked to bowl first on a pitch that had enough on offer for the seamers to exploit and bring to their advantage. With a menacing opening burst from Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India sought an opportunity to remove the dangerous Quinton de Kock.

In the sixth over of South Africa's innings, Virat Kohli made an instinctive field change and placed himself at the third slip. in the very next ball, de Kock attempted a flashy cover drive but the ball slightly deviated as it took the outside edge and went straight to the Indian skipper at third slip.

Kohli was stunned by the speed of the ball as it came at a quick pace but in the end, the Indian skipper did well to cling on, which gave the Indian bowlers and added impetus to run through the middle order.

#2 England attack India's wrist spinners at Edgbaston

Kuldeep Yadav didn't have a great outing especially against England

For any spinner, it is his confidence that allows him to be threatening and pick wickets for the team. With confidence comes the ability to flight the ball and entice the batter to go for a big hit. However, when that confidence is shattered, the spinner is not even half good a bowler when compared to his best.

The England opening duo did exactly the same when they didn't allow Indian wrist spinners to take control of the situation, as Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy dictated terms in a Do-or-Die encounter for the hosts.

Both the openers looked assuring in their approach and took a heavy attack to India's X-factor in the middle-overs. The plan was indeed successful as England stitched a huge opening stand of 160 to nearly bat India out of the game.

It had a direct impact on India's strategy as England went on to register a comfortable win, on the back of a magnificent show with the bat.

#1 New Zealand bowl out Colin de Grandhomme in the final

de Grandhomme gave England a crucial blow in form of Joe Root

In an eventful final, possibly one of the greatest of all-time, New Zealand posted 241 in their 50 overs leaving the hosts to chase down 242 in order to script history in one of their best chances to claim the silverware. However, England got off to a disappointing start, losing four wickets, even before they got to 100 on the board.

On a pitch where bowling line and length was the key, Kane Williamson's masterstroke was that he squeezed out 10 overs from all-rounder, Colin de Grandhomme. Grandhomme stuck to his simple lines without experimenting a lot in his quota of ten overs. He bowled all his ten overs in a single spell and gave away only 25 runs along with a prized wicket of Joe Root that piled the pressure on the hosts.

It proved to be crucial in the later stages of the game as there wasn't much on offer for the left-arm spinner Mitchel Santner, but with de Grandhomme bowling out his quota, Santner was not required to bowl much.