World Cup-winning benchwarmers
Five players who didn't get a game in their teams' winning campaigns
06-Dec-2014
It was still a few years before Malcolm Marshall would become one of the game's most complete fast bowlers • PA Photos
Malcolm Marshall, 1979
Twenty-one-year-old Marshall couldn't break into the XI, as West Indies played unchanged through the tournament. With Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Michael Holding and Colin Croft forming the pace machine, Marshall had to wait for his time in the limelight.
Twenty-one-year-old Marshall couldn't break into the XI, as West Indies played unchanged through the tournament. With Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Michael Holding and Colin Croft forming the pace machine, Marshall had to wait for his time in the limelight.
Mitchell Johnson, 2007
Much like with Marshall in 1979, the 2007 tournament came in the early days of Johnson's career. It didn't help that Australia put together the most dominant World Cup campaign of all. Even with Brett Lee out injured, Australia could call on Glenn McGrath, Shaun Tait and Nathan Bracken.
Much like with Marshall in 1979, the 2007 tournament came in the early days of Johnson's career. It didn't help that Australia put together the most dominant World Cup campaign of all. Even with Brett Lee out injured, Australia could call on Glenn McGrath, Shaun Tait and Nathan Bracken.
Brad Haddin, 2007
Adam Gilchrist went from the start to the finish of his 96-Test career without missing a game, and there was little chance of him missing a match in the 2007 World Cup, in which he signed off with a brutal 149 in the final. Haddin's first World Cup game came in 2011.
Adam Gilchrist went from the start to the finish of his 96-Test career without missing a game, and there was little chance of him missing a match in the 2007 World Cup, in which he signed off with a brutal 149 in the final. Haddin's first World Cup game came in 2011.
Collis King, 1975
King was part of two World Cup squads, and on both occasions he ended up as a winner. His contributions varied vastly, however. In the 1979 final, King was in such scintillating form that he left even Viv Richards in the shade. In 1975, he was yet to make his international debut, and watched the whole of the first World Cup from the bench.
King was part of two World Cup squads, and on both occasions he ended up as a winner. His contributions varied vastly, however. In the 1979 final, King was in such scintillating form that he left even Viv Richards in the shade. In 1975, he was yet to make his international debut, and watched the whole of the first World Cup from the bench.
Larry Gomes, 1979
Like King, Gomes would play a pivotal role in a World Cup four years after he carried drinks all through one. In 1983, he made three steady fifties to average 64.50 besides filling in the fifth-bowler's slot. In 1979, he, like Marshall, couldn't get a game.
Like King, Gomes would play a pivotal role in a World Cup four years after he carried drinks all through one. In 1983, he made three steady fifties to average 64.50 besides filling in the fifth-bowler's slot. In 1979, he, like Marshall, couldn't get a game.