World Cup 2019: Top 5 stars from 2015 World Cup who will be missed in the 2019 World Cup

The 2015 World Cup was a mega event which was held in Australia and New Zealand. A number of superstars were involved where Australia lifted the World Cup yet again beating New Zealand in the final by 7 wickets which proved to be a dull affair after New Zealand were bundled out for a paltry 183.

There were plenty of upsets as well which includes Bangladesh beating England to qualify for the quarter-finals, Afghanistan qualifying and beating Scotland, Sri Lanka beating a poor England side and New Zealand beating Australia in the group stages. There were plenty of records made when Martin Guptill and Chris Gayle scored double tons and David Warner scoring 178 against Afghanistan.

India was one of the favourites going into the world cup but was beaten by the eventual champions Australia in the semi-finals. Swing bowlers Starc and Boult dominated the World Cup. There were plenty of stars who will not be a part of the 2019 World Cup which will be a huge shame. So here are 5 players who will be missed in the 2019 World Cup.

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#5 Daniel Vettori

Vettori retired after the final of the 2015 World Cup from International cricket

There were a plenty of high profile retirements after the 2015 World Cup which also included the Kiwi great Daniel Vettori. Vettori is probably the most important person for New Zealand cricket has been their best bowler, a safe fielder, a captain, one of the selectors for the New Zealand team, standby coach and at times even their best batsman.

Having dropped the captaincy after the 2011 World Cup, Vettori was able to play up to his full potential this time. He was at level with Imran Tahir for the highest wicket-taking spinner. 15 wickets in 9 matches, no one will ever forget his 4-wicket haul against Afghanistan. With the ball, Vettori led from the front as New Zealand reached the final.

#4 Brendan Taylor

Taylor cited family reasons for his sudden retirement from Zimbabwe Cricket

Although some people might be surprised by this inclusion or some might not even know this great Zimbabwean, he is worthy of all the praise he has earned over the years. Taylor will be remembered for his back-to-back centuries in the group stages against India and Ireland.

He led Zimbabwe from the front with the bat scoring the most runs for his country and was the 4th highest run scorer in the World Cup with 433 runs at an average of 72.17.

Although he broke many Zimbabwean hearts after turning to county cricket instead of staying with Zimbabwe cricket for financial purposes, he returned for the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe where they were unlucky to miss out on a World Cup berth. A legend in every right, Taylor definitely deserved much more than just a group stage exit.

#3 Brendon McCullum

McCullum scored a vital 50 runs in 24 balls against Australia in the group stages where they beat their rivals

Another inspirational leader, McCullum was probably the reason New Zealand reached the final of the 2015 World Cup. It was not his batting or keeping that inspired his team to the pivot, but his leadership and captaincy. Not many had given any chance to this New Zealand side, but they defied all odds and outperformed themselves.

Opening the batting alongside the highest run-getter in the tournament Martin Guptill, he provided explosive starts in the powerplay to take New Zealand to a big total. Batting at a strike rate of an excess of 188, McCullum recorded the fastest World Cup half-century in 18 balls against Sri Lanka. Leading his country, McCullum hung up his boots after the World Cup final.

#2 Kumar Sangakkara

Sanga fought a lone battle but in the end, failed in the 2015 World Cup

Kumar Sangakkara is probably part of a rare group of cricketers which include greats like Sir Don Bradman who retired during their peak. Sangakkara had just set a record of 4 back-to-back centuries in the 2015 World Cup but still failed to take his team to the semi-finals. The 2nd highest run-getter in the tournament decided to retire after the World Cup in 2015 which broke plenty of hearts in Sri Lanka and all over the world.

It seems hard to believe that someone who was at the peak of his career decides to retire. Nevertheless, he was a loyal servant to Sri Lanka cricket and will be missed dearly in the 2019 World Cup by Sri Lankan Cricket fans not only for his amazing batting(Sri Lanka are going to struggle without the consistency of Sangakkara) but also for his inspired captaincy.

#1 AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers announced his retirement from international cricket in May 2018

It is a real shame that one of the greatest cricketers of our generation has had to bid farewell to the game, without achieving the ultimate prize in a cricketer’s career, the ICC World Cup. De Villiers along with his whole team and hundreds of thousands of South Africans were distraught as New Zealand beat South Africa in the semi-final as Grant Elliot hit the winning six. Until that point, South Africa hadn’t put a foot wrong as they cruised till the semi-finals.

ABD led from the front with the bat as he scored 482 runs at an average of 96.4 and a strike rate of 144.31. No will ever forget the innings against West Indies where he scored the record fastest ton in World Cup history during his innings of 162 in 66 balls. It is safe to say that South Africa will miss their talisman this World Cup.