Congratulations to Team Australia for winning the world cup 2015.
World cups are known for many dramatic exits of established players. This World Cup also witnessed such events. Here is a list of players who have played/most probably played their last World Cup. As cricket fans, we are definitely going to miss them.
1. Kumar Sangakkara
Legendary Srilankan player announced his retirement to the ODI and T-20s cricket matches after 2015 world cup. He has played 404 ODI matches and scored 14234 with an average of 41.98. He also has 25 centuries and 93 half-centuries in his armour. Sangakkara has taken 501 dismissals (402 ct. + 99 st.) in 404 matches. Those are some numbers, isn’t it?
2. Mahela Jayawardene
Another Sri Lankan legend and former captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team has announced his retirement from all international forms of the game recently. He is a specialist batsman and has played 448 ODI matches scoring 12650 with an average 33.37 and has scored 19 centuries and 77 half centuries.
3. Michael Clarke
The world cup winning captain has also announced his retirement. “Pup” has a remarkable record of scoring 7911 runs in 245 ODI matches with an average of 44.44. 8 centuries and 57 half centuries. Congratulations Clarke for the memorable world cup.
4. Shahid Afridi
Popularly known as Boom Boom, Afridi has announced the retirement for ODI cricket matches. Flamboyant Pakistani all-rounder has played 395 matches scoring 8019 runs at an average of 23.52. He also holds the distinction of having hit the most number of sixes in the history of ODI cricket. He has 6 centuries and 39 half-centuries in his stats. He has also taken 395 wickets with an average of 34.35. Thank you for entertaining us Shahid Afridi.
5. Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakistan’s crisis man, current Test and ODI captain of the Pakistan national cricket team has announced the retirement. He has scored 5122 runs in 162 matches with an average of 43.40 and 42 half centuries. He is the top scorer in ODI cricket among those players who haven’t scored a century in ODI.
6. Daniel Vettori
Former new Zealand captain cool has also played his last World Cup. He has taken 302 wickets with an average of 31.82. He has scored 4 half centuries.
7. Brendan Taylor
He has signed a three-year Kolpak deal with Nottinghamshire, subject to the approval of the English Cricket Board (ECB). This deal makes him ineligible to play international cricket for Zimbabwe. So this is his last world cup tournament. He played 167 ODI matches and scored 5259 with an average of 34.83. 8 centuries and 32 half centuries has come from his bat. All the best Taylor.
8. Younis Khan
Pakistani cricketer and former captain, Younis Khan is likely to announce his retirement soon. He has scored 7165 runs in 258 ODI matches with an average of 31.88. He has scored 7 centuries and 48 half centuries.
Most probably these players also will not play the next world cup.
9. Grant Elliott
He has won the hearts of the people with his performance in this World Cup. Yes, he is 36 years old and most probably, this will be his last World Cup. He has scored 1609 runs in 67 ODIs at an average of 35.76. He has scored 2 centuries and 9 fifties.
10. Kyle Mills
The Kiwi fast bowler is 36 years old and it is unlikely that he will play another World Cup. He has taken 240 wickets in 170 matches with an average of 27.02.
11. Tillakaratne Dilshan
The Dil-scoop specialist is already 38 years old. He has an excellent record of scoring 9796 runs in 314 matches with an average of 39.66. He has also taken 102 wickets.
12. Rangana Herath
Another Sri Lankan ace test spinner, Rangana Herath is 37 years old. Although he has played more in tests, he has taken 74 wickets in 71 matches.
13. Brad Haddin
The World Cup winning Australia’s wicketkeeper, who got an entry to the team late in his career is also playing his last World Cup. He is 37 years old and has taken 181 dismissals in 126 matches and also scored 3122 runs with an average of 31.53.
14. Imran Tahir
He has impressed a lot of people with his clinical spin bowling in this World Cup. He is 36 years old and has taken 70 wickets in 38 matches with an average of 20.51.
16. Chris Gayle
Yes, you saw it right, the giant Carribean Six hitter is 35 years old and keeping in mind about his fitness, it is safe to assume that this was his last World Cup. With the credit of first World Cup double century, he has scored 9221 runs in 269 with an average 37.17.
17. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Sad but true, Dhoni is unpredictable. He may announce his retirement after the T20 World Cup next year. So, this might be the last time we saw him playing the ODI World Cup. He has a remarkable record of scoring 8499 runs in 262 matches with an exceptional average of 52.46. And also responsible for 320 dismissals(244 catches + 85 stumpings). We will definitely miss the Captain Cool in the next World Cup.
