The Spin Attack of World Cup Teams of 2019

The last couple of years has seen a resurgence of leg-spin in white ball cricket. Teams are building up their bowling attack around the wrist spinners given the growing scoring rates in the ODIs and T20s. Arguably, it is going to be the most vital aspect of the World Cup 2019.

Let's have a look at how the World Cup teams are stacking up in their leg-spin department.

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#1 Afghanistan

Arguably the most exciting team currently in world cricket; Afghanistan's rise has been a tale of hard work, grit, determination and consistency. The team has the capability to upset any side in the world. In the recently concluded Asia Cup 2018, Afghanistan proved their mettle by defeating Bangladesh and knocking out Sri Lanka. They even came close to defeating Pakistan and tied a match against India.

It has all been possible because of their strong bowling line-up consisting of the experienced Mohammad Nabi and the mystery leg-spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. This spin trio has made teams toil to chase down even a modest total of 250 runs. Rashid has been their star player and Mujeeb has proved to be unplayable upfront.

It will be very interesting to see how they will perform on a big stage like the World Cup. Many cricket pundits have started to bet for the Afghanistan team to be the dark horse of the tournament courtesy their leg-spinners.

#2 Australia

The defending champions are struggling to find their way

It's been more than 10 years now since the legendary Shane Warne retired from the game and yet the Aussies are finding it difficult to get another leg-spinner to fill his shoes. The last one to be remembered is Brad Hogg who was used as a replacement to Warne and later on became a regular member of the team after the former's retirement.

But, currently, the Australian side is struggling not only with their ball-tampering scandal but also with some good leg-spinners. Nathan Lyon has been around for a while now, but he is a finger spinner and does not have a good record in the limited overs. The other names that pop-up is that of Adam Zampa, Mitchell Swepson and Cameron Boyce.

Out of these three, Zampa and Swepson have the most likeable chances to get into the limited overs side. With other teams getting their spin combinations ready for the World Cup, it is now a high time for the defending champions to zero-on their leg-spinners for the big tournament in 2019.

#3 Bangladesh

Shakib-Al-Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraj

Bangladesh has been performing brilliantly in multi-nation tournaments since 2015. They were quarter-finalists in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and finalists in Asia Cup 2016 and 2018. They have a good blend of players who can perform on any given day.

Bangladesh boasts of spinners like Mehidy Hasan Miraj and Nazmul Islam and the highly experienced Shakib-Al-Hasan. They don't feature any leg-spinners in their side, but still, this spin trio of Bangladesh is capable enough to upset any team.

With World Cup approaching in 2019, they would be eager to repeat their heroics of the previous ICC tournaments and bring glory to Bangladesh.

#4 England

Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid - spin twin for England

The England side has seen a resurgence in their limited-overs cricket after the disappointing 2015 World Cup. The Eoin Morgan-led side are now the hot favourites to lift their maiden ICC World Cup.

The turnaround has been possible due to their change in approach towards the game. They have now a quality spin duo in Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali. England team previously were unable to pick wickets in the middle overs and that led to their misery. But with the entry of this spin twins, England are getting regular break-throughs.

Rashid has been their wicket-taker with his leg-spin bowling and is equally complemented by Moeen Ali with his finger spin. Having a quality leg spin bowling option in the side has proved to be really helpful for this England side in their recent success.

#5 India

Kuldeep and Chahal have been vital in India's recent success

Since its humiliating defeat at the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final against the arch-rivals Pakistan, the Indian team made big changes to their squad by dropping the spin duo of Ashwin and Jadeja and replacing them with the wrist-spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Since their inclusion to the side, the results have been good for Team India in the limited overs format. The problem of not getting breakthroughs in the middle overs was solved and the bowling looked much more dominant than ever, equally, complemented by the pacers.

India go to this World Cup as the overwhelming favourites, courtesy their wrist spinners who have been in tremendous form and have been contributing well in the team's recent success against every opponent.

#6 New Zealand

Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner

Primarily known for its fast bowling, New Zealand has produced some match-winning spinners like Deepak Patel, Daniel Vettori and currently Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi. Santner has been an asset for his team with his off-spin and batting abilities, whereas, Sodhi has been the wicket-taker with his wrist spin.

Ish Sodhi has proven to be a great find for New Zealand, especially in the limited overs format. His bowling abilities also got him a contract with the IPL team Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 auctions.

New Zealand would be hoping him to do well at the World Cup in 2019 and would also expect Santner to complement him from the other end. The spin duo of Santner and Sodhi would be vital for New Zealand in the tournament.

#7 Pakistan

Shadab Khan is the regular feature in Pakistan team with his leg-spin bowling

Pakistan team's strength has been their bowling, whether it is a pacer or a spinner, they have all come good at times. The current Pakistani team boasts come quality fast bowling and spin options.

Shadab Khan has emerged as one of their premier leg-spin bowlers in the last couple of years. Since the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, his stature in the team has grown rapidly in a very quick period. Yasir Shah has also been around for quite a while now but is mainly restricted to the longer format of the game and is looking doubtful to make it to the next year's World Cup. The other names that have also garnered attention is that of the young Mohammad Nawaz.

However, with only one regular leg-spinner - Shadab Khan it would be interesting to see that how the other spinners like Nawaz and also Shoaib Malik would complement him with their finger-spin at the 2019 World Cup.

#8 South Africa

Tahir has been outstanding for South Africa

The Proteas have their wrist spin options sorted out with the likes of Imran Tahir and the chinaman Tabraiz Shamsi. Tahir has been the much more experienced campaigner and has some few tricks up his sleeves. He has also been in a terrific form by picking up a hat-trick in and a five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe recently.

Shamsi, on the other hand, is a chinaman bowler who has a good experience of playing the franchise cricket worldwide and has also been a regular member of the South African side now. His inconsistency in getting wickets has been the main problem and would like to resolve it before the tournament.

It will come down to these two wrist-spinners if the Proteas have to turn around their fortunes this time.

#9 Sri Lanka

Akila Dananjaya has been the shining star for Sri Lanka

Once a World Cup champion and a constant threat to every team in ICC Tournaments, Sri Lankan team is now struggling to find it's way. They are currently left with very few options in their spin attack recently. The only name currently to pop up in their spin bowling options is that of Akila Dananjaya. He has been a ray of hope in what has been a darker phase for the Lankans.

Akila has the ability to bowl off-break, leg-spin and turn the ball otherwise and has been very successful. But the thing that doesn't go in his favour is that he is not supported well by the other spinners in the team.

Lakshan Sandakan is their chinaman bowler who has the ability to fox the batsmen with his variations. Sri Lanka would be hoping these two perform at the big stage next year and bring glory to the country.

#10 Windies

Samuel Badree for Windies

The two time World Champions, Windies looks the most vulnerable team in the World Cup. The likes of Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree, who are proven match winners in the limited overs, are not considered in the national side and their only option is to go back to the off-spinner Devendra Bishoo.

Windies probably have the most weak bowling attack and moreover the most weak spin bowling attack in the whole tournament. It wouldn't come as a surprise if they are knocked out early from the tournament.

Samuel Badree could provide a much-needed impetus to their spin attack with his wrist spin. But it would be interesting if he is considered for the national side since he is not featuring in the limited overs side that is playing against India.