World Cup 2019: Overlooked XI

Niroshan Dickwella (Sri Lanka)

The wicketkeeper-batsman was one of several selection shocks in Sri Lanka’s squad as players paid the price for the team’s poor run of one-day results in 2019. Dickwella is Sri Lanka’s second most prolific batsman in the one-day format over the past 12 months, posting 497 runs at 33.13, including four half-centuries. He also boasts a strike rate of 97.83. Only Thisara Perera (561 runs) has performed better with the bat during that period.

Sunil Narine (West Indies)

Narine was considered for the West Indies squad despite not playing 50-over cricket for his country since October, 2016. The off-spinner has a fine record of 92 wickets from 65 ODIs and has shown he can be dangerous at the top of the order in T20 cricket. But a torn ligament in his right middle finger ultimately ruled him out.

Peter Handscomb (Australia)

Handscomb played a key role in Australia’s rich vein of form in one-day cricket, averaging 43 in 13 games this year, including a superb maiden one-day hundred in India. He also went at a strike rate of 98 in that time, but it wasn't enough to hold on to his spot, with senior batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner returning from suspension. Handscomb has done little wrong since earning a recall to the ODI set-up in January, but the selection squeeze meant tough calls had to be made.

Ambati Rayudu (India)

The top-order batsman was ultimately pushed out after India selectors preferred Vijay Shankar for his ability to bat, bowl and field strongly, according to M.S.K Prasad. Rayudu has been India’s fourth-highest run-scorer over the past 12 months, with 639 runs at 42.60, posting a ton and four half-centuries from 20 innings.

Rishabh Pant (India)

With the great MS Dhoni India’s clear first-choice wicketkeeper-batman, Pant was jostling with the more experienced Dinesh Karthik for the back-up role, with selectors opting to go with the 33-year-old. Pant has played just five ODI games for India in the past year, but he is recognised as an immense talent and is the No.1 choice to take the gloves for the Test side.

Ashton Turner (Australia)

Turner impressed in his maiden ODI series against India last month, highlighted by a whirlwind – and matchwinning – knock of 84 not out from 43 balls in Mohali. But with Smith and Warner returning and a squeeze on batting spots, the 26-year-old from Western Australia was left out.

Kieron Pollard (West Indies)

The big-hitting allrounder, like Narine, has not played an ODI for his country since 2016, but he presents an attractive package, giving his handy bowling and terrific fielding. However, West Indies selectors preferred Andre Russell in the squad. Pollard has been in impressive form for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, hitting 208 runs at a strike rate of 169.10 in the T20 tournament so far.

Jofra Archer (England)

The Barbados-born paceman has made plenty of headlines in recent months over his potential selection in England’s squad. The ECB reduced the national qualification period from seven years to three for players, like Archer, who have arrived in the country after their 18th birthday. Archer has, however, been named in England's squad to take on Pakistan in a one-day series in early May and could yet secure selection in the World Cup squad if he fires.

Chris Jordan (England)

An experienced paceman and gun fieldsman, Jordan has been overlooked in England’s squad but has been included for the series against Pakistan. A regular for England in T20I cricket, Jordan has struggled to break into the World Cup favourites’ line-up and played his last ODI in 2016.

Akila Dananjaya (Sri Lanka)

The off-spinner was another big omission from Sri Lanka’s squad, having been the country’s leading wicket-taker in the 50-over format since April last year, collecting 27 wickets at 23.92 apiece. Dananjaya was forced to remodel his action after being reported for a suspect bowling action following a Test against England in November. He has since experienced a dip in form but was expected to be included for the World Cup.

Josh Hazlewood (Australia)

Hazlewood has been on the sidelines since January due to injury, but he had been confident of being fully fit in time for Australia’s World Cup opener against Afghanistan on June 1 in Bristol. But with the Ashes series to immediately follow the World Cup, selectors have opted to get Hazlewood ready for a gruelling five-match campaign against England, starting in August.

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE