The missing XI: High-profile exclusions who might not go to the World Cup

Friday, 26 April 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The missing XI from the 2019 World Cup, as voted by ESPNcricinfo readers

ESPNcricinfo: Over the past two weeks, as the ten sides announced their provisional World Cup squads, ESPNcricinfo sought readers’ opinion on the unluckiest players to miss out from each team. Every other squad had an omission or two that divided opinion, none more than Sri Lanka, followed by India, Australia and Pakistan. Here is the missing XI, assembled based on the votes. It comes with the caveat that some of them might still make it to the final squads come May 23, given the ICC has allowed teams to make changes to their provisional squads until then.

Rishabh Pant was the table-topper from across sides, polling in over 36200 votes at last count, and Chris Morris tallied the highest percentage of votes (62%) for any player. Peter Handscomb and Mohammad Amir were up there too, both unanimously the most hard done by in fans’ opinion. Jofra Archer, who is yet to play an international, was seen by 57% of fans as England’s most high-profile omission, but could yet make the final 15 if he shines in his debut series against Pakistan. And Kieron Pollard, who hasn’t played an ODI since 2016 but is still producing the goods in the ongoing IPL, was the most voted West Indies star. Sunil Narine, also a part of this XI, had been forced out of West Indies’ provisional World Cup plans due to a torn ligament in his right middle finger that has limited the amount of certain deliveries he can bowl in a spell. Narine has been advised rest and rehabilitation once his involvement in the IPL ends.

The common theme that emerged across teams is the hardships of being a reserve wicketkeeper. Among our missing XI, Pant and Handscomb were deemed surplus to requirements, and they are just two of three keepers in a line-up that also featured Niroshan Dickwella.