World Cup 2019: Five key players who failed in semi-finals

We have got our two finalists for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The hosts England will take on New Zealand in the final at Lord's, London on July 14. England and New Zealand have never won the ICC Cricket World Cup. The teams who finished at number one and number two spots in the league stage were knocked out in the semi-finals as the Kiwis reached final by defeating the favourites India in a close match while England thrashed the defending champions Australia in a one-sided encounter.

While there were many top-class performances in both of the semi-finals, but some players failed in the decisive matches. Here is a list of six top-class players who failed to deliver in the semi-finals.

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#5 Mitchell Starc (Australia)

Mitchell Starc is the leading wicket-taker of World Cup 2019. Source- latestly.com

Mitchell Starc broke the record of most wickets in a single edition of World Cup against England in the semi-final by taking 27 wickets in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He broke the record of legendary Glenn McGrath who took 26 wickets in World Cup 2007.

There were many expectations from Starc in the semi-final game against England, but he failed to impress. He was able to take only one wicket and gave away 70 runs from his nine overs and left his skipper clueless.

Australia decided to bat first in the second semi-final and scored only 223 runs. The bowlers were required to give their best performance.

Australia expected Starc to give them early wickets. But the best bowler of the tournament gave ten runs per over in his starting five overs.

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#4 Aaron Finch (Australia)

Aaron Finch was dismissed at the golden duck by Jofra Archer. Source- newindianexpress.com

Aaron Finch was announced as the captain of the Australian team after the ban of Steve Smith. His performance improved significantly after this. Finch was also the second-highest run-scorer for Australia in this tournament after his opening partner David Warner. He scored 507 in ten matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Finch also scored two centuries.

Finch lost his wicket at the first ball he played in the crucial knockout match. He also lost the review of the team in the second over of the innings. Australia won the toss and elected to bat first in the second semi-final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Australia expected a good start from both the openers but the skipper lost their wickets very early.

David Warner also lost his wicket after Finch's dismissal. Australia lost quick wickets. Australia was able to score only 223 runs and lost a semi-final match for the first time.

#3 David Warner (Australia)

David Warner lost his wicket early in the semi-final. Source- latestly.com

Since his comeback after the ban, David Warner played exceptionally well and was the highest run-scorer of IPL even after he left midway for his national team.

Warner also performed brilliantly throughout the league stage of the tournament. He was the second-highest run-scorer of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and the leading run-scorer for Australia. He scored 647 runs off ten matches which includes three centuries.

Warner scored only nine runs. He was dismissed by Chris Woakes by a brilliant back of the length in the second semi-final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. David Warner was playing brilliantly throughout the tournament but he failed to perform in the crucial knockout match.

Because of the early dismissals, Australia were able to score just 223 runs. His wicket was the turning point of the match. The crowd also booed David Warner after he lost his wicket.

#2 Virat Kohli (India)

Virat Kohli after he lost his wicket in the semi-final. Source- livehindustan.com

Virat Kohli is the number one ranked batsman in One-Day Internationals. He played brilliantly throughout the tournament. Virat was not able to score a century in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He scored five consecutive half-centuries in the league stage. He was also the second-highest run-scorer for India in the tournament after Rohit Sharma. He scored 442 runs in nine matches.

Virat Kohli is also known as "chase-master" as he is one of the best batsmen for chasing down a target.

The skipper was dismissed at just one run by Trent Boult in the crucial knockout game. India lost the wicket of Rohit Sharma early. Virat has expected to chase down the required target but he failed to perform.

#1 Martin Guptill (New Zealand)

Martin Guptill was removed quickly by Jasprit Bumrah. Source- sportstar.thehindu.com

Martin Guptill was the leading run-scorer of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. But he has had a torrid time at the World Cup 2019 after his latest failure against India in Manchester.

Guptill scored just 167 runs in this tournament with an average of just 20.87. He started the tournament with an unbeaten 73 runs against Sri Lanka. He failed to perform with the bat after that match.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first against India in the first semi-final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Guptill was struggling against both Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

He was hit on the pads in line of the stumps off the first ball of the match from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but he survived. Bumrah bowled a short ball in his second over in which Guptill handed his catch to Virat Kohli in third slip.

He covered his poor batting performance by a direct hit to run out MS Dhoni who was the last hope of India.

Guptill, yet, has a chance to score big in the final of the World Cup 2019 against England.