CWC 2019: World Cup debutants who rose to the occasion
Drama, excitement, agony, pain – the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup had it all. From heartbreaks to jubilation, it has been one of the most eventful World Cups in the history of this beautiful sport. This tournament was also the biggest stage for players who were playing the first World Cup of their career.
Here are some of the World Cup debutants that impressed the most:
Babar Azam – Pakistan
Pakistan’s best batsman needed no extra validation for his batting class and potential. But, it was only a matter of time before the dashing batsman took over the world’s best cricketing stage. With 474 runs in 8 matches, Babar Azam finished as Pakistan’s highest run-getter in his maiden World Cup outing.
Best performance: A resilient 101* in a tense league match against New Zealand that handed Pakistan a 6-wicket win.
Jonny Bairstow – England
Even as England lost Jason Roy early in the tournament, opener Jonny Bairstow at the other end continued to carry the momentum in England’s top order. With 532 runs in 11 matches, Bairstow ended up as England’s second-highest run-scorer in the World Cup this year. He also finished with the most runs as a World Cup debutant.
Best performance: Incidentally, Bairstow’s best knock also came against New Zealand – a fiery 111 at Durham that left the Kiwi bowlers hapless.
Nicholas Pooran – West Indies
While the world had their eyes set on the Universe Boss Chris Gayle, 23-year old Nicholas Pooran quietly went about doing his job. The youngster accumulated 367 runs in 9 matches, more than any other batsman in West Indies’ explosive batting line-up.
Best performance: In their penultimate league match against Sri Lanka, the West Indies were crumbling chasing 338. Pooran’s 103-ball 111 held the middle order together and kept the team in the hunt for a long time.
Lockie Ferguson – New Zealand
Such was Lockie Ferguson’s impact that even a recovered Tim Southee couldn’t find a place in New Zealand’s playing XI until their last league match. Trent Boult was supposed to lead the Kiwi pace attack in this World Cup, but the attention immediately turned to Ferguson, whose searing right-arm pace rattled the batsmen. Ferguson had a fruitful World Cup debut, collecting 21 wickets – second-highest in the tournament and highest for New Zealand.
Best performance: 4/37 vs Afghanistan – where his serious pace combined with Jimmy Neesham’s inspiring fifer dismantled the Afghans.
Jofra Archer – England
His Twitter prophecy apart, Jofra Archer’s success story has been the highlight of England’s victorious World Cup campaign. Born in Barbados, Archer was initially not included in England’s preliminary World Cup squad. But his destiny was written. In his debut World Cup, Archer became England’s most lethal new-ball weapon and a nightmare for batsmen having to face him upfront. In 11 matches right till the final, Archer ended up claiming the most wickets for England – 20.
Best performance: Archer took five three-wicket hauls, but his best figures of 3/27 came against South Africa in England’s opening fixture at The Oval.
Mustafizur Rahman – Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan wasn’t the only one who led Bangladesh’s somewhat successful World Cup campaign. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman had a remarkable first World Cup, bagging 20 wickets in 8 matches, the highest for Bangladesh in this tournament. He finished as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the World Cup, only 7 behind Mitchell Starc. Best performance: Bangladesh almost caused an upset against India, and it was Mustafizur who got the prized wicket of Virat Kohli. He registered two five-wicket hauls in the tournament, but his 5/59 vs India remains his best.
