The cricket World Cup is around the corner with fans anticipating big things from their favorite teams. The countdown has started and the players are gearing themselves up for an outstanding performance. This is one stage where new stars are born while the established ones are seen for the last time. The upcoming edition will be played among 14 teams with several stars playing for the final time as far as this event is concerned. Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Shahid Afridi and Misbah-ul-haq have already announced that they would be taking on their opponents for the last time in the World Cup. Apart from these four, there are several other greats, who won’t be there in 2019.

MS Dhoni

Is there a better captain or the number five batsman than MS Dhoni in the shorter formats at the moment? The answer is plain and simple no. The Indian maestro has carved a niche for himself in the world cricket with outstanding performances as a skipper and as a wicketkeeper batsman. The journey in Australia and New Zealand will be his last, taking into account the span during which World Cup is played. The right hand batsman played his first mega edition in 2007 but the world saw the real Dhoni when he led India to a historic triumph four years later, that too in front of the home crowd. He is going to lead Team India in Australia and New Zealand for the very last time if we talk about the fifty overs showpiece event. He is the most successful Indian skipper in the history of the game and would like to finish on the winning note once his team starts to defend their World Cup trophy. He has scored 8192 runs at an average of 52.85 in 250 one day internationals played till date. This attacking batsman has hit nine ODI centuries and has added 312 scalps to his account as a wicketkeeper.

Performance in World Cup

Match   12           Runs      270

Average               33.75     Best       91*

Chris Gayle

He has been labeled as the most destructive batsman of the modern era and rightly so. There are no bowlers in the world, who can contain him when he is on song. The left hand batsman has the caliber to win a match single handedly from a dead situation. He has chased down the impossible looking scores while making mockery of the best bowlers in the business. Chris Gayle’s ability to hit boundaries is far better than any one of the present day batters. The 35 year old batsman will represent West Indies for the fourth and the last time in the World Cup. The giant looking batsman has played 258 ODIs till date, scoring 8810 runs at an average of 37.33. He has entertained the cricket fans like no other player, accumulating 21 centuries in the process. Gayle, who was the leader of the side from 2007- 2010, will try his best to help West Indies in lifting the cup after barren run of more than three decades. He has all the experience in the world to help West Indies in posting or chasing competitive totals in the World Cup.

Performance in World Cup

Match   20           Runs      604

Average               31.78     Best       119

James Anderson

He is the brightest spot in the ordinary looking English team which will compete in Australia and New Zealand. The master of swing bowling has been an exceptional performer for England since long and is their main bowler when it comes to taking wickets. The right arm fast bowler can swing the ball both ways, that too on challenging wickets as well. The 2015 cricket World Cup will be his fourth and last as he won’t be available in 2019 keeping his age in mind. Apart from his wicket taking abilities, James Anderson will have to lead the bowling unit with an example from the very first ball of England’s first match in the event. He has taken 257 wickets at an average of 29.10 off 187 one-day internationals till date. The 33 year old bowler is in the last phase of his career and will be hoping for some favorable results for his team. Let’s hope, he is able to deliver for England in one of the most important events of cricketing calendar.

Performance in World Cup

Match   19           Wkts      22

Average               38.00     BBM      4/25

Brendon Mccullum

New Zealand is the leading contender for the World Cup title because of their home conditions. The host nation has a vast pool of talented players and who knows 2015 could be their year. Brendon McCullum has led New Zealand from the front, scoring runs across the formats. The right hand batsman has all the shots in his batting arsenal and his habit of attacking from the first ball has left opposite teams clueless over the years. The senior McCullum can hit the best of deliveries for fours and long sixes. He is in the form of his life at the moment and is hitting bowlers for fun. Apart from his batting, he has the task of guiding his troops to success, which has eluded them in the World Cup so far. The 33-old legendary player will play in his fourth World Cup and there won’t be a bigger prize than the World Cup trophy for his contribution to New Zealand cricket. The New Zealand skipper has played 232 ODIs, scoring 5200 runs at an average of more than 30. McCullum has hit four centuries while his scalp tally as a wicketkeeper is 261.

Performance in World Cup

Match   25           Runs      414

Average               31.84     Best       101

Dale Steyn

This South African pacer has caused havoc in the batting line-ups of his opponents on many occasions. Be it the first over or the last spell of the match, there is no lack of effort from Dale Steyn. He has got every ball in his bowling arsenal, which can be deadly for any well set or a new batsman. The right arm fast bowler bowls at an exceptional pace, which is difficult to negotiate for the batters. Apart from his pace, his immaculate line and length has accounted for his numerous wickets across the formats. Dale Steyn is South Africa’s number one bowler and his captain AB de Villiers will rely on him in Australia and New Zealand. The best part about him is that he doesn’t lose his momentum even if he is hit for boundaries. The 31-year old bowler will play in his second World Cup but if we look at his workload, it looks highly impossible to see him again in 2019. The great fast bowlers are rear species and Steyn is certainly one of them. South Africa has not won the World Cup till date despite boosting the legendary players of modern era. Steyn has the chance of changing history. He has taken 145 wickets at an average of 25.65 in 93 ODIs till date.

Performance in World Cup

Match   6              Wkts      12

Average               14.00     BBM      5/50

Pakistan's Lifeline

Pakistan has not performed well in the recent times because of the new and inexperience players in their side. The upcoming World Cup could prove difficult for them considering the number of youngsters playing for them. Shahid Afridi, captain Misbah-ul-haq and veteran Younis Khan are Pakistan’s most versatile players. These three will have to play an important role in Australia and New Zealand for keeping Pakistan alive beyond the quarterfinal stage. Afridi has played in four World Cups while Younis has represented Pakistan in three. Misbah, the leader of the ship, will mark his second appearance when Pakistan take on India on 15th February. Younis and Misbah will have to bat with responsibility while Afridi has to chip in with his bowling and attacking batting. Misbah (41-year old) and Shahid Afridi (34-year old) have already announced about quitting ODI format after the World Cup while Younis Khan (38-year old) is also on the verge of bidding adieu. Misbah has accumulated 4667 runs at an average of 42.83 in 153 ODIs while Younis Khan has managed 7177 runs (seven centuries) at an average of 31.75 off 259 one-day internationals. Afridi, the all-rounder of the team, has played 389 ODIs, scoring 7870 runs (six centuries) and adding 391 wickets in his bowling column.

Shahid Afridi

Performance in World Cup

Match   16           Runs      209

Best       37           Wkts      28

Average               14.00     BBM      5/50

Misbah-Ul-Haq

Performance in World Cup

Match   08           Runs      248

Average               49.60     Best       83*

Younis Khan

Performance in World Cup

Match   16           Runs      306

Average               23.53     Best       72*

Australian Trio

Team Australia is one of the leading teams in the World Cup because of their exceptional track record and the advantage of playing at home. Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson are the most versatile Aussie players in the current squad and their performance will decide the progress of the group beyond the last eight. Clarke is currently out of the team with hamstring and back injuries but is hopeful of making it to his third World Cup. Shane Watson has played in two World Cups so far while Johnson has been part of the squad once. Clarke is a classic batsman, who can score at a brisk pace. The same could be said about Watson, who is renowned for his attacking batting and clever bowling. Mitchell Johnson, the right arm fast bowler, is bowling at breathtaking pace these days and could be Australia’s trump card on the bouncy tracks. The 34-year old Clarke has scored 7762 runs (eight centuries) at an average of almost 45 and has taken 56 wickets in 238 one day internationals. Shane Watson, who is 33 years of age, has been part of 178 ODIs. The burley allrounder has managed 5421 runs (nine centuries) at an average of 40.73 and has accounted for 164 wickets in his impressive career. On the other hand, Johnson, the 33 year old fast bowler, has taken 221 wickets at an average of 25.72 and has scored 900 runs off 144 ODI games.

Shane Watson

Performance in World Cup

Match   15           Runs      435

Best       94*         Wkts      7

Average               62.14     BBM      1/9

Mitchell johnson

Performance in World Cup

Match   07           Wkts      10

Average               23.10     BBM      4/19

Michael Clarke

Performance in World Cup

Match   18           Runs      669

Average               83.62     Best       83*

Four Lankan Legends

Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara (37-year old cricketers) have already announced their decision to quit after the World Cup while Tillakaratne Dilshan (38 years of age) and Lasith Malinga (31-year old) could be heading to same feat. Dilshan could quit after the event in Australia and New Zealand but Malinga has some time left on his side but playing in another World Cup looks almost impossible for the injury prone fast bowler. These four have held Sri Lankan cricket together for years and we are sure of seeing some memorable performances from them in the upcoming World Cup. Jayawardene has played in four World Cups while Sangakkara’s tally stands at three. Dilshan and Malinga has been part of the World Cup eleven on two occasions. Mahela Jayawardene has scored 12247 runs (100- 17, Average – 33.27) in 434 one-day matches, Sangakkara has managed 13372 runs (100 – 20, Average – 40.64) off 390 ODIs, Dilshan has accounted for 9004 runs (100 – 18, Average – 38.31) in 300 matches and Malinga has taken 271 wickets (Average – 27.21, BBM – 6/38) in 177 ODI matches, which is enough to keep them in the legendary list. These four are gunning to lead Sri Lanka to the World Cup triumph.

Tillakaratne Dilshan

Performance in World Cup

Match   20           Runs      717

Average               34.44     Best       114

Mahela Jayawardene

Performance in World Cup

Match   33           Runs      991

Average               45.04     Best       111

Lasith Malinga

Performance in World Cup

Match   15           Wkts      31

Average               17.87     BBM      6/38