Cricket World Cup 2019
IT has been 27 years since South Africa first played in a Cricket World Cup. As the world knows, the late global icon Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison. A cricketing conspiracy theorist with priestly and political leanings may suggest that the ?sins? of the fathers have been paid in full now (one year of not winning for every year in jail) and South Africa is free to win what has to date been an elusive trophy.
Born Mohammad Asghar Stanikzai, and also known as Asghar Salamkhail, is a righthanded batsman and a medium-fast bowler. On 2 August 2018, he changed his last name from Stanikzai to Afghan.
A powerful batsman who bowls a bit of part-time spin. He has gigantic shoes to fill in terms of World Cup captains of the past. Hard to dislike him, even though he?s an Aussie.
A superb talent, both with bat and ball, but also somewhat petulant when things don?t go his way. Fun to watch, that?s for sure.
Soft spoken, but a dangerous batsman. Looks a little like Prince Harry at times, but some joke that his redeeming feature is that he?s not even English, but an import from Ireland.
Master batsman, divider of opinion and perfecter of the sclare (a combination of a scowl and a glare). He?s very fond of his designer stubble. Massively edgy, expressive and entertaining.
Fantastic batsman. Sports a beard to make it look like he hasn?t just finished school. Hard to find any fault, it?s clear that Kane is very able.
A plucky cricketer, who?s not afraid of the fight, as his verbal jousting in the past has shown, and occasionally gotten him into hot water. Keeps wicket and is a decent finisher in the middle order.
Like Kohli, a good batsman, and also very aware of his fashion sense. Been known to wear the smallest shirt available. Likes to flex his biceps, even when not batting, which he?s good at. Can be a spectacularly brilliant fielder.
Dimuth Karunaratne has been named as Sri Lanka’s captain after the recent sacking of veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga.
Karunaratne is new to the position but led his team to an historic Test series win in South Africa.
He seems to have the ability to bring the players together, something that Malinga, despite his brilliance with the ball, has not been able to do.
Former skipper Angelo Matthews opted out as captain to focus on his batting.
Hey ma?an this guy is chilled. He?s also very, very tall. A humble man, his bowling isn?t outright lightning fast, but he can get it to swing. He can also hit the ball pretty far, too.
1975
West Indies ruled the cricket world and beat Australia by 17 runs in the final at Lords. Back then it was 60 overs a side and they wore whites and a red ball was used. This was the case up until the 1992 tournament. Clive Lloyd made 102 and Viv Richards exacted three run outs.
1979
West Indies defended the trophy, beating England at Lords by 96 runs, taking the last eight wickets for 11 runs. Viv Richards made 138 and Collis King 86.
1983
India shocked everyone by defeating the West Indies at Lords in a thrilling, lowscoring game, by 43 runs, with Kapil Dev the hero. After India was bowled out for 183, Kapil Dev famously said: ?Team, if this is not a winning total it?s definitely a fighting total!?
2003
More of the same for Australia, thrashing India in South Africa, with Ricky Ponting making a huge hundred.
2007
Australia again, this time in the West Indies against Sri Lanka, the one-sided match finishing in farcical, near-dark fashion.
2011
At last, a different winner in India, led by the inspired MS Dhoni, beating neighbours Sri Lanka by six wickets in India, cheered on by millions of delirious Indian fans.
2015
An antipodean final, pitting winners Australia against neighbours New Zealand. Easy win for Australia by seven wickets.
Proteas star batsman Herschelle Gibbs gave Aussie skipper Steve Waugh a life in the 1999 pool game when he failed to control the ball while attempting to throw it in the air to celebrate a catch.
In 1996, the semi-final between Sri Lanka and India got so heated that it was called off and duly awarded to Sri Lanka.
Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, who could produce wrong ‘uns and flippers at will, was very nearly dropped before the legendary 1999 semi-final against South Africa.
Most wickets in consecutive balls ? 4? Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 2007.
Most wickets? ? 71 Glen McGrath, Australia, 1996 ? 2007.
Most wickets in a tournament ? 26 Glen McGrath, Australia, 2007.
Best bowling in an innings ? 7/15 in 7 overs Glen McGrath, Australia, 1996 ? 2007.
Best bowling average ? 18.19 Glen McGrath, Australia, 1996 ? 2007.
Best bowling economy rate ? 3.24, Andy Roberts, West Indies, 1975 ? 1983.
Best bowling strike rate ? 23.8 Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka, 2007 ? 2015.
Best economy rate in an innings ? 0.40 Dermot? Reeve, England vs Pakistan, 1992.
Best strike rate in an innings ? 4.5 Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 2011.
Most runs conceded in an innings ? 105 Martin Sneddon, New Zealand vs England, 1983.
Most wicketkeeping dismissals ? 54 Kumar Sagakkara, Sri Lanka, 2003 ? 2015.
Most wicketkeeping dismissals in an innings ? 6 Adam Gilchrist, Australia vs Namibia, 2003.
Most tournaments ? 6 Javed Miandad, Pakistan – 1975, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992, 1996.
Most wicketkeeping dismissals in a tournament ? 21 Adam Gilchrist Australia, 2003.
In the 2011 World Cup in India, wicket-keeper Morn? van Wyk had a hard time staying awake during the game.?He had accidentally taken a sleeping pill before the game.
Largest victory by runs ? 275 Australia vs Afghanistan, 2015.
Smallest victory by runs ? 1 Australia vs India, 1987; Australia vs India, 1992.
Most extras conceded in a match ? 59 by Pakistan vs Scotland, 1999.
In the 2003 World Cup, Jonty Rhodes injured himself in the game against minnows Kenya, with the selectors calling on Graeme Smith to take his place.
