The men who were missed

The injury to Doug Bollinger ruled him out of what could be his only World Cup before he played a game, but Australia would have been sighing in relief. Bollinger's misfortune gave them the opportunity to recall Michael Hussey, recently recovered from hamstring surgery. Hussey is No. 4 in the ICC rankings for one-day batsmen, and between the previous World Cup and this one, he scored 2643 runs at an average of 48. Only Ricky Ponting made more for Australia during that period but even he averaged less than Hussey did. Australia are likely to make middle-order space immediately to accommodate Hussey, and when they do, he will disappear from the top of our list of players with most runs between World Cups without playing in the next World Cup.

Damien Martyn could have played the 2007 World Cup if he wanted, and picked up a third consecutive winners' medal. But he didn't. He didn't even stay until the Ashes were regained in 2006-07, surprising team-mates by retiring suddenly after the second Test in Adelaide. Australia travelled to the Caribbean without Martyn, who had scored 2414 runs at an average of 39 between the 1999 tournament and the one in the West Indies, and still steamrolled everyone they played against.

One of Australia's victories in 2007 was against England in the Super Eights game in Antigua. England were forced to improvise at the top of the order during the tournament, opening with Ian Bell, because of Marcus Trescothick's absence. Trescothick had suffered a recurrence of his stress-related illness during the 2006-07 Ashes, returned to England before the series began, and was unavailable for the World cup and beyond. He had been England's highest runscorer in ODIs between World Cups, with 2174 runs at an average of 39. Trescothick did not play for England again.

Until Virat Kohli displaced him from middle order shortly before the 2011 World Cup, Suresh Raina was a regular in India's XI. Now he's on the sidelines and is uncertain of getting a game during the home campaign. Raina began his one-day career in 2005 but is yet to play a World Cup game, after being cut from the squad in the lead up to the 2007 tournament in the West Indies. Between that World Cup and this one, Raina's scored 2027 runs at an average of 39.

Most runs between World Cups without playing in the next World Cup

Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50		Series
MEK Hussey (Aus)	2007-2011	79	72	2643	85	48.05	0	23		2010/11
DR Martyn (Aus)	2003-2006	85	79	2414	100	39.57	1	21		2006/07
MS Atapattu (SL)	2003-2007	78	71	2183	111	34.65	1	14		2006/07
ME Trescothick (Eng)	2003-2006	62	61	2174	130	38.82	8	9		2006/07
Abdul Razzaq (Asia/Pak)	2003-2007	105	91	2162	107*	33.78	1	10		2006/07
SV Carlisle (Zim)	1999-2002	80	78	2102	121*	28.79	2	8		2002/03
SK Raina (India)	2008-2011	75	65	2027	116*	38.98	3	13		2010/11
DC Boon (Aus)	1992-1995	59	59	1963	98*	37.75	0	16		1995/96
H Masakadza (Zim)	2007-2010	63	63	1941	178*	31.81	3	11		2010/11
Yasir Hameed (Pak)	2003-2006	50	50	1917	127*	39.12	3	11		2006/07
ME Waugh (Aus)	1999-2002	53	50	1864	173	42.36	6	8		2002/03
PV Simmons (WI)	1992-1996	71	69	1860	122	29.06	2	12		1995/96
M Kaif (India)	2003-2006	77	71	1854	102*	33.70	1	13		2006/07
Mohammad Yousuf (Asia/Pak)	2007-2010	52	50	1812	117	43.14	3	12		2010/11
CL Hooper (WI)	1992-1996	62	57	1778	111	40.40	1	13		1995/96
Salman Butt (Pak)	2007-2010	45	45	1763	136	41.97	5	11		2010/11
Aamer Sohail (Pak)	1996-1998	58	58	1697	105	31.42	1	12		1999
GS Chappell (Aus)	1979-1983	58	56	1685	138*	36.63	2	11		1983
CG Greenidge (WI)	1983-1987	39	39	1683	133*	46.75	5	8		1987/88
Shoaib Malik (Pak)	2007-2010	55	51	1664	128	36.17	2	10		2010/11

Carl Hooper began his West Indies career in 1987 and ended it in 2003, a period that included five World Cups. Hooper, however, played in only three despite being one of West Indies' most talented batsmen, and missed the tournaments in 1996 and 1999. Between the World Cups of 1992 and 1996, Hooper was one of only two West Indians to average more than 40 in ODIs - Brian Lara was the other. Hooper, however, withdrew from the squad headed for the subcontinent at the last minute.

Between the 1996 and 1999 tournaments, Hooper and Lara were again the only West Indians with ODI averages of more than 40. Hooper, who was vice-captain at the time, again dropped a bombshell on West Indies' campaign in England by retiring weeks before the World Cup, without offering concrete reason. Hooper came out of retirement at the age of 35 and eventually led West Indies in the 2003 World Cup. He was sacked after West Indies' first-round exit from the tournament in South Africa.

Best batting average between World Cups without playing in the next World Cup (qualification: 20 innings)

Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50		Series
G Boycott (Eng)	1979-1981	17	17	790	105	52.66	1	8		1983
Mohammad Shahzad (Afgh)	2009-2010	14	14	643	118	49.46	3	3		2010/11
SM Pollock (Afr/SA)	2007-2008	19	16	487	130	48.70	1	3		2010/11
MEK Hussey (Aus)	2007-2011	79	72	2643	85	48.05	0	23		2010/11
MD Crowe (NZ)	1992-1995	21	20	754	107*	47.12	1	6		1995/96
CG Greenidge (WI)	1983-1987	39	39	1683	133*	46.75	5	8		1987/88
MG Bevan (Aus)	2003-2004	27	23	736	84*	46.00	0	5		2006/07
CH Lloyd (WI)	1983-1985	32	25	765	89*	45.00	0	5		1987/88
CJ Ferguson (Aus)	2009-2011	28	24	660	71*	44.00	0	5		2010/11
DS Lehmann (Aus)	2003-2005	22	16	569	107	43.76	1	4		2006/07
M Amarnath (India)	1987-1989	25	25	875	102*	43.75	2	5		1991/92
HH Dippenaar (Afr/SA)	2003-2006	48	45	1649	125*	43.39	4	10		2006/07
Mohammad Yousuf (Asia/Pak)	2007-2010	52	50	1812	117	43.14	3	12		2010/11
WJ Cronje (SA)	1999-2000	20	19	642	83*	42.80	0	5		2002/03
AP Kuiper (SA)	1992-1996	13	12	299	61*	42.71	0	2		1995/96
HH Streak (Afr/Zim)	2003-2005	32	29	811	68	42.68	0	6		2006/07
ME Waugh (Aus)	1999-2002	53	50	1864	173	42.36	6	8		2002/03
CG Greenidge (WI)	1987-1991	41	40	1482	117	42.34	2	9		1991/92
ML Hayden (Aus)	2007-2008	16	15	634	92	42.26	0	6		2010/11
RG Twose (NZ)	1999-2001	42	38	1430	103	42.05	1	10		2002/03
Salman Butt (Pak)	2007-2010	45	45	1763	136	41.97	5	11		2010/11

No one took more ODI wickets between the 2003 and 2007 World Cups than Brett Lee. He took 145 during this period at an average of 23.48. Brad Hogg was Australia's next highest wicket-taker with 84. Weeks before the 2007 World Cup, though, Lee suffered an ankle injury that ruled him out of the tournament, leaving Australia with an inexperienced attack in Carribean conditions. Such was Australia's depth, however, that Glenn McGrath broke the record for most wickets in a World cup - 26 - while Shaun Tait and Brad Hogg were third and fourth on the wicket-takers list.

Pakistan had also suffered a blow close to their departure for the West Indies in 2007 with Abdul Razzaq sustaining a knee injury. Razzaq had been a critical component of their limited-overs set up between the 2003 and 2007 tournaments, scoring 2162 runs and taking 91 wickets. Pakistan didn't absorb his loss well and crashed out in the first round after losing to Ireland. Razzaq's career went off the rails thereafter. He was dropped for the 2007 World Twenty20 and signed with the ICL, ruling him out of international cricket until amnesty was granted. He is once again a part of Pakistan's 2011 World cup team. Pakistan were also without Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif in 2007. The official line was that they were unfit but there were also doping-related concerns.

Most wickets between World Cups without playing in the next World Cup

Player	Span	Mat	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Ave	Econ	4	5		Series
B Lee (Aus)	2003-2007	85	4366	3406	145	5/22	23.48	4.68	6	3		2006/07
IK Pathan (India)	2004-2007	73	3555	2980	115	5/27	25.91	5.02	3	1		2006/07
AB Agarkar (India)	1999-2003	71	3520	2952	95	4/25	31.07	5.03	4	0		2002/03
Abdul Razzaq (Asia/Pak)	2003-2007	105	4243	3549	91	4/29	39.00	5.01	4	0		2006/07
SK Warne (Aus)	1999-2003	68	3582	2663	89	4/48	29.92	4.46	1	0		2002/03
J Garner (WI)	1984-1987	56	2956	1480	87	5/31	17.01	3.00	1	2		1987/88
MD Marshall (WI)	1983-1987	64	3295	1868	81	4/23	23.06	3.40	3	0		1987/88
MA Holding (WI)	1983-1987	57	2979	1727	77	5/26	22.42	3.47	2	1		1987/88
Waqar Younis (Pak)	1989-1992	44	2046	1414	77	6/26	18.36	4.14	4	5		1991/92
Shoaib Akhtar (Asia/ICC/Pak)	2003-2006	52	2599	2040	75	5/54	27.20	4.70	3	1		2006/07
C Pringle (NZ)	1992-1995	42	2159	1643	68	5/45	24.16	4.56	1	1		1995/96
KD Mills (NZ)	2003-2007	48	2441	1998	67	4/14	29.82	4.91	3	0		2006/07
D Gough (Eng)	2000-2002	46	2455	1800	66	4/29	27.27	4.39	2	0		2002/03
RS Kalpage (SL)	1992-1996	66	3066	2238	63	4/36	35.52	4.37	2	0		1995/96
JN Gillespie (Aus)	2003-2005	47	2453	1681	63	5/32	26.68	4.11	1	1		2006/07
JR Hopes (Aus)	2007-2010	75	2821	2115	63	5/14	33.57	4.49	0	1		2010/11
I Sharma (India)	2007-2010	45	2035	1947	63	4/38	30.90	5.74	3	0		2010/11
SJ Harmison (Eng)	2003-2006	41	2211	1829	62	5/33	29.50	4.96	2	1		2006/07
NW Bracken (Aus)	2007-2009	49	2456	1847	62	5/47	29.79	4.51	2	1		2010/11
A Nehra (India)	2009-2011	45	2033	2002	62	4/40	32.29	5.90	3	0		2010/11

Had Ryan Harris not been on Australia's long list of injured fast bowlers, he too would have been in their squad in India. Harris now possesses the best average for a bowler between World Cups without playing in the next World Cup. He's taken 41 wickets in 17 ODIs at an average of 16.12 since his debut in January 2009, including five-fors in his second and third games. He has never been wicketless in a game.

Harris is the first of some illustrious names in the table below, but an obscure one is the most intriguing. Former West Indies fast bowler Tony Gray has appeared in several previous Lists with bowling themes and he's in this one as well because of his exceptional, but extremely brief, career. Gray played 19 ODIs between 1985 and 1987 and took 31 wickets at an average of 17.41. He missed the 1987 World Cup, though, and played only six more one-dayers, ending his career in March 1991 with 44 wickets at 18.97, to go with his 22 Test scalps at 17.13. It is said that injuries and the emergence of prospects like Ian Bishop curtailed Gray's career.

Best bowling average between World Cups without playing in the next World Cup (qualification: 500 balls)

Player	Span	Mat	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Ave	Econ	4	5		Series
RJ Harris (Aus)	2009-2010	17	845	661	41	5/19	16.12	4.69	0	3		2010/11
J Garner (WI)	1984-1987	56	2956	1480	87	5/31	17.01	3.00	1	2		1987/88
AH Gray (WI)	1985-1987	19	928	540	31	4/36	17.41	3.49	2	0		1987/88
AIC Dodemaide (Aus)	1988-1988	12	655	360	20	5/21	18.00	3.29	0	1		1991/92
A Flintoff (Eng)	2007-2009	18	811	600	33	5/19	18.18	4.43	0	2		2010/11
Waqar Younis (Pak)	1989-1992	44	2046	1414	77	6/26	18.36	4.14	4	5		1991/92
RJ Hadlee (NZ)	1984-1987	38	1870	1082	58	5/32	18.65	3.47	1	1		1987/88
LS Pascoe (Aus)	1979-1982	27	1440	978	50	5/30	19.56	4.07	4	1		1983
E Schiferli (Neth)	2007-2009	14	676	452	23	4/23	19.65	4.01	3	0		2010/11
LL Tsotsobe (SA)	2009-2011	19	946	717	36	4/22	19.91	4.54	4	0		2010/11
SR Clark (Aus)	2007-2009	14	563	344	17	2/8	20.23	3.66	0	0		2010/11
IR Bishop (WI)	1988-1991	35	1774	1199	59	5/27	20.32	4.05	4	1		1991/92
Hamid Hassan (Afgh)	2009-2010	12	626	459	22	4/26	20.86	4.39	1	0		2010/11
CJ McKay (Aus)	2009-2010	15	780	632	30	5/33	21.06	4.86	1	1		2010/11
TM Alderman (Aus)	1988-1991	42	2081	1253	59	5/32	21.23	3.61	1	1		1991/92
JE Emburey (Eng)	1987-1989	14	742	575	27	4/39	21.29	4.64	1	0		1991/92
GB Troup (NZ)	1980-1983	13	692	469	22	4/19	21.31	4.06	3	0		1983
JK Lever (Eng)	1976-1979	14	714	406	19	4/29	21.36	3.41	1	0		1979
MS Kasprowicz (Aus)	2003-2005	27	1408	965	45	5/45	21.44	4.11	1	2		2006/07
BA Williams (Aus)	2003-2004	19	861	605	28	5/22	21.60	4.21	1	2		2006/07
TM Alderman (Aus)	1981-1982	14	792	459	21	5/17	21.85	3.47	0	1		1983