World Cup 2019: Top three players who haven’t lived up to their potential

We are midway through the 2019 World Cup and things are getting clearer as we move forward. After a week of washouts, we finally have some good quality cricket. At the moment it seems the pre-tournament favorites India, England, and Australia are on their way to the semis. They are winning most of their matches and it is just a matter of time before the seal the semis spot.

There is going to be a tussle for the fourth spot and the teams which are slightly ahead in the race are New Zealand and Bangladesh. South Africa, West Indies, and Pakistan need to win all their remaining games - which is a tough task for any team. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka realistically never had much of a chance and they can only upset a few teams in the upcoming weeks.

There are some players from the bottom teams who haven’t performed to their potential in this World Cup. Some of these players are costing their teams whereas some teams are so good that they don’t get affected by an individual’s poor performance. So, let’s have a look at three such players who haven’t performed well in this World Cup.

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#3 Nathan Coulter-Nile - Australia

Nathan Coulter Nile has picked up just two wickets in four games

Even though Nathan Coulter-Nile is the third seamer for Australia, a lot is expected of him and he has failed to deliver up till now in the tournament. In the four games which he has played, he has picked up just two wickets at an average of 111.

In fact he has been better with the bat in hand as he scored a match-winning 92 against West Indies. He himself mentioned that he isn’t in the team to score runs but to take wickets and that’s what he is struggling to do. He has been all over the place with his line and length and that’s why he is finding it difficult to pick up wickets.

He hasn’t been at his best but that hasn’t affected Australia’s performance. They have been winning consistently but they would definitely want all their players in form as they move forward towards the knock-out stage.

#2 Hashim Amla – South Africa

Hashim Amla has struggled for form for the last few months

There is no doubt that Hashim Amla hasn’t been in the best of form for a while now. Before the World Cup, he had a poor run of form which almost cost him his place in the squad. Contrary to that, he looked in great touch in the warm-ups as he scored two half-centuries in as many games. But once the World Cup started he again looked out of touch.

In the four games which Amla played, he has scored just 66 runs at an average of 22 and a low strike-rate of 54.10. He has failed to give good starts to the South African team. His poor form is one of the main reasons as to why the Proteas are struggling. South Africa need to win all their remaining games and they will be hoping that their star player gets back in form sooner rather than later.

#1 Rashid Khan - Afghanistan

Rashid Khan gave away 110 runs in his nine overs against England

When you think of Rashid Khan you think of a spinner who is almost unplayable. Even the best of batsmen have failed to read his variations in the past but at the moment the young man is having a nightmare at the biggest stage. This is cricket’s biggest tournament and maybe the pressure of being the best leg-spinner has got to him.

The 20-year-old is struggling in the World Cup as he has picked up just three wickets in the five games. Against England, he had his worst day on the cricket field as he got hit for 110 in his nine overs. He was hit for eleven sixes and couldn’t buy a wicket that day.

The Afghan team was heavily dependent on the young leggie and his failure has affected them badly. Afghanistan is out of the competition but their fans will be hoping that Rashid helps their team to win at least one game before they leave England.