World Cup 2019: One benched player from each team who should be included in the playing XI

The opening week of the World Cup 2019 has featured a number of close matches while a number of lop-sided games have also handed over easy victories to the teams in this competition.

While teams such as New Zealand and India have managed to remain unbeaten so far, Sri Lanka and South Africa have have had a bumpy start to their campaigns. Yet, with a numbr of matches yet to come, there is always room for improvement.

Every team has a strong squad at its disposal and might want to change a few things as far as their team combinations are concerned. Some of the benched players, who haven't played a single game in the tournament so far, are big impact players and could be expected to win games for their team.

With all the teams having played a minimum of two games in this World Cup, we have a look at one benched player from each team who deserves a place in the playing XI of their respective teams.

#10 Sri Lanka - Jeffrey Vandersay

The Sri Lankan selectors surprised a lot of people when they selected only one specialist spinner in the World Cup squad, Jeffrey Vandersay. While the team does have Jeevan Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva and Milinda Siriwardana in the squad, Jeffrey Vandersay is the lone specialist spinner in the side. Sri Lanka fielded an all pace attack in the game against Afghanistan which did do well for them.

However, with pitches expected to offer some turn in the later stages of the tournament, Sri Lanka will need to give Vandersay some time out in the middle to ensure that he makes an impact later on.

#9 Afghanistan - Asghar Afghan

After being removed unceremoniously from captaincy, Asghar Afghan was left out of the playing XI in Afghanistan's first three games. However, at the back of three straight defeats, the Afghanistan team management might consider bringing the veteran back in the playing XI.

Batting has been the real cause of concern for Afghanistan and with the middle order lacking consistency, Asghar Afghan's experience could be the need of the hour that could change fortunes for the side.

Also read - Most ducks in world cup

#8 Bangladesh - Rubel Hossain

Bangladesh's lack of wicket-taking options was exposed against England when the hosts plundered 386 runs on a batsman-favored strip. While Saifuddin has picked up wickets, he has also failed to bowl tight lines and has leaked a lot of runs.

Rubel Hossain's pace and more importantly, experience of playing in English conditions could be a major shot in the arm for Bangladesh as they look to collect some more wins in their campaign.

#7 Pakistan - Shaheen Shah Afridi

After suffering an embarrassing defeat against West Indies in their opening game, Pakistan regain form and stunned the tournament favorites, England, at Nottingham.

However, Pakistan's iconsistency in the bowling department has been a pressing matter of concern. Hasan Ali, in particular has not only leaked runs but has also failed to pick up a single wicket from two games.

Pakistan has a promising pacer in Shaheen Shah Afridi waiting in the wings and they might want to give the youngster a go. Afridi has had a good start to his international career taking 24 ODI wickets in 14 matches and can replace Hasan Ali in the playing XI.

#6 West Indies - Kemar Roach

In the dying moments of the West Indies' second game of the tournament, legendary fast bowler Michael Holding, who was in the commentary box, criticised the team's tactics of not playing Kemar Roach.

Roach has been the spearhead of the West Indies' pace attack in the last couple of years but Oshane Thomas and Sheldon Cottrell have been preferred over him. However, against a strong batting line-up such as Australia's, West Indies missed some experience in the middle and Roach could just about be the answer to their issues.

#5 South Africa - Beuran Hendricks

South Africa's World Cup 2019 has got to be the worst start possible. Apart from being beaten in all three matches and all the controversies surrounding AB de Villiers, the Proteas have lost their most experienced bowler, Dale Steyn, because of an injury.

South Africa's fast bowlers, barring Rabada, have looked hapless which presents a case for the inclusion of Dale Steyn's replacement, Beuran Hendricks in the playing XI.

Hendricks might have played just two ODIs but has the reputation of being a wicket-taker and might just be the right kind of bowler that South Africa need at this point of time.

#4 England - Tom Curran

If you look at England's pace attack, it seems to be pretty one-dimensional. The likes of Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer are express but they don't really have the variations to succeed in the death overs, something that they would have made note of in the game against Pakistan.

Tom Curran is a death-over specialist and was particularly selected in the squad for his death-bowling credentials. It would not be a surprise if he gets picked in the next couple of games.

#3 New Zealand - Tim Southee

There was never any doubt about Tim Southee's place in the New Zealand line-up. However, unfortunately, Southee was sidelined before the start of the tournament owing to a calf injury and the likes of Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson were rewarded with their chances.

The duo have made full use of it which meant that Southee has had to warm the benches. Now that Tim Southee is believed to be back to full fitness, Southee's experience could come to good use in tough conditions, but his place in the XI in not yet certain as of the current moment.

#2 Australia - Jason Behrendorff

Australia boasts of an extremely strong pace-attack with the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins enjoying a good show thus far. However, the team will have a lot of rethinking to do post the matches against West Indies and India.

Nathan Coulter-Nile might have excelled with the bat but with the ball in hand, he has looked very patchy. Jason Behrendroff's ability to move the ball both ways early on could add an extra feature to Australia's bowling unit and could well be making his World Cup debut soon.

#1 India - Ravindra Jadeja

Competition for places in the Indian playing XI is so tight that someone like Ravindra Jadeja is kept out of the playing XI. With Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal doing exceedingly well in the past, Jadeja has found it difficult to get into the side.

However, in the two warm-up games leading to the World Cup, the all-rounder impressed both with the bat as well as ball and seemed to have sealed a spot in the playing XI, but couldn't make it.

Yet, Kuldeep Yadav has just one wicket to show from two games and with Jadeja impressing on field as well against Australia, his three-dimensional style of play could add depth to the Indian squad.

Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️

Edited by Prasen Moudgal