Cricket World Cup 2019 captains: The Sportsrush presents before you list of players who will be leading their teams in the imminent tournament.
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Clive Llyod (twice), Kapil Dev, Allan Border, Imran Khan, Arjuna Ranatunga, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting (twice), MS Dhoni and Michael Clarke are the cricketers which have led their teams to World Cup titles.
With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is slated to begin on May 30, expect one more name to be added to the list of these legendary cricketers.
There is no denying to the fact that the tournament is being looked forwarded to with plentiful expectations. With the final to be played on July 15, expect the one and a half-months to be an intriguing time period for the cricketing fraternity.
Cricket World Cup 2019 captains
Afghanistan – Gulbadin Naib
In what came as a surprising development, Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib was handed the ODI captaincy after Afghanistan Cricket Board announced split captaincy across formats. Taking the reigns from Asghar Afghan, Naib will entice eyeballs from the word go in the tournament. He has never captain Afghanistan in ODIs.
ALSO READ: Full list of winners of ICC Cricket World Cup from 1975 to 2015
Australia – Aaron Finch
With David Warner’s return, Australia cricketer Aaron Finch’s batting position might still be under the debate. However, what is confirm that he will lead them in the imminent tournament. In 18 ODIs as captain, Finch has scored 751 runs at an average of 44.17 and a strike rate of 79.47 including two centuries and four half-centuries. Under Finch, Australia have won 10 and lost the other eight matches.
Bangladesh – Mashrafe Mortaza
There is no hiding to the fact that Bangaldesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has been a revelation as both a bowler and captain for his country. Having made his ODI debut in 2001, 35-year old Mortaza will be among the senior-most cricketers in this World Cup.
In 73 ODIs as captain, Mortaza has dismissed 91 batsmen at an average of 32.72, an economy rate of 4.97 and a strike rate of 39.4. Under him, Bangladesh have won 40 and lost 21 matches. Mortaza had earlier led Bangladesh in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
England – Eoin Morgan
Having led England in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Morgan will be the third captain who will lead his team for the second time in the showpiece event. The 32-year old southpaw has been instrumental as a leader in resurfacing England as an ODI team.
In 96 matches as ODI captain, Morgan has scored 3,515 runs at an average of 44.49 and a strike rate of 94.13 including seven centuries and 25 half-centuries. Having captained his team for most number of ODIs, England have won 58 and lost 32 matches under him.
India – Virat Kohli
There is no shying away from the certitude that India captain Virat Kohli will have plentiful eyeballs on him during the World Cup. Given his near-unbelievable record in ODIs in recent years, Kohli will be keenly observed in the biggest tournament.
In 68 ODIs captain, Kohli has scored 4,123 runs at an average of 80.84 and a strike rate of 99.42 including 19 centuries and 14 half-centuries. Under him, India have won 49 and lost 17 matches.
New Zealand – Kane Williamson
Having first captained New Zealand in ODIs in 2012, Kane Williamson was named their leader across formats post Brendon McCullum’s retirement in 2016. In 65 ODIs as captain, Williamson has scored 2,801 runs at an average of 46.68 and a strike rate of 80.28 including five centuries and 20 half-centuries.
With 65 ODIs as captain, Williamson is only behind Daniel Vettori (82) and Stephen Fleming (218) in terms of most ODIs as captain for the Kiwis. Under him, New Zealand have won 34 and lost 29 matches.
Pakistan – Sarfaraz Ahmed
Having led Pakistan to ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, Sarfaraz Ahmed has a fair amount of experience of leading his team in a multi-nation ODI tournament in England. Banking on the same, the 31-year old cricketer would be looking to put on display another such inspiring performance.
In 37 ODIs as captain, Ahmed has scored 485 runs at an average of 30.31 and a strike rate of 83.04. Under him, Pakistan have won 21 and lost only 14 matches.
Sri Lanka – Dimuth Karunaratne
Announcing Dimuth Karunaratne as captain for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Sri Lanka made the most boldest decision before the showpiece event. Having led Sri Lanka to a 2-0 series victory in South Africa earlier this year, the southpaw seems to have impressed one and all in the island nation.
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Yet to captain in an ODI, the imminent tournament will unequivocally put forward a stern test for Karunaratne. The last of his 17 ODIs had come during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. The 31-year old cricketer has scored 190 ODI runs at an average of 15.83 and a strike rate of 68.84.
South Africa – Faf du Plessis
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has captained his team in 30 ODIs till now. For South African captains who have led their team in more than 10 ODIs, du Plessis has the best win percentage (83.33). Under him, South Africa have won 25 and lost only five ODIs.
The fact that du Plessis has a better batting record (than as a player) as a batsman is inspiring for South Africa especially in the absence of the retired AB de Villiers. In 30 ODIs as captain, du Plessis has scored 1,284 runs at an average of 55.82 and a strike rate of 94.34 including four centuries and five half-centuries.
West Indies – Jason Holder
Much like du Plessis, West Indies captain Jason Holder has also thrived after being given the responsibility of leading the side. Having led West Indies during 2015 World Cup, Holder would be looking to bank with a much improved side this time.
In 72 ODIs as captain, Holder has dismissed 91 batsmen at an average of 35.28, an economy rate of 5.62 and a strike rate of 37.6 including a couple of five-wicket hauls. More than just a handy option with the bat, the 27-year old cricketer has scored 1,403 runs at an average of 27.50 and a strike rate of 95.05 including seven half-centuries as captain.
Under him, West Indies have won 22 and lost 44 matches.
