More woeful at the World Cup
Part two of our look at players who didn't quite light up the tournament: this time, bowlers
29-Nov-2014
James Anderson couldn't replicate the highs of the 2010-11 Ashes at the World Cup that followed • AFP
James Anderson
4 wickets at 70.50 in 2011
A few months before the 2011 World Cup, Anderson was at the peak of his powers as he helped England to a famous Ashes series win in Australia. But by the time he reached the subcontinent those efforts were taking their toll and he was feeling the strain. During England's topsy-turvy campaign he managed just one telling spell, getting the ball to reverse against South Africa and extracting AB de Villiers and JP Duminy in a narrow victory. He would only play once more before the exhaustion proved too much, and he was omitted against Bangladesh and for the quarter-final against Sri Lanka.
4 wickets at 70.50 in 2011
A few months before the 2011 World Cup, Anderson was at the peak of his powers as he helped England to a famous Ashes series win in Australia. But by the time he reached the subcontinent those efforts were taking their toll and he was feeling the strain. During England's topsy-turvy campaign he managed just one telling spell, getting the ball to reverse against South Africa and extracting AB de Villiers and JP Duminy in a narrow victory. He would only play once more before the exhaustion proved too much, and he was omitted against Bangladesh and for the quarter-final against Sri Lanka.
Manoj Prabhakar
3 wickets at 53.33 in 1996
Prabhakar had a quiet but by no means miserable start to the 1996 World Cup, even taking 3 for 39 against West Indies in Gwalior. But all most people remember about Prabhakar in that tournament was the pounding he took at the hands of Sanath Jayasuriya during Sri Lanka's chase of 272. Looking at the scorecard now - Jayasuriya making 79 off 76 - the ferocity of that initial onslaught isn't apparent. After three overs, Sri Lanka were 42 for 0 and a typically enthusiastic Tony Greig was saying on air that the game could be done by 15 overs. Prabhakar's first two overs disappeared for 33 and, famously, he switched to bowling offspin after that. He ended with 4-0-47-0 and was booed at his home ground. It turned out to be his final international appearance.
3 wickets at 53.33 in 1996
Prabhakar had a quiet but by no means miserable start to the 1996 World Cup, even taking 3 for 39 against West Indies in Gwalior. But all most people remember about Prabhakar in that tournament was the pounding he took at the hands of Sanath Jayasuriya during Sri Lanka's chase of 272. Looking at the scorecard now - Jayasuriya making 79 off 76 - the ferocity of that initial onslaught isn't apparent. After three overs, Sri Lanka were 42 for 0 and a typically enthusiastic Tony Greig was saying on air that the game could be done by 15 overs. Prabhakar's first two overs disappeared for 33 and, famously, he switched to bowling offspin after that. He ended with 4-0-47-0 and was booed at his home ground. It turned out to be his final international appearance.
Daniel Vettori
2 wickets at 129.50 in 2003
Vettori was among the few frontline spinners expected to make an impact in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, though he had never played an ODI in the country before. He was certainly among the more busy bowlers in the tournament, sending down 65 overs in seven matches, but his wicket-taking skills went missing. Vettori managed just two wickets (Ramnaresh Sarwan and Jacques Kallis), and as a result, his average shot up to 129.50 - the most for any bowler with more than 25 overs in the tournament. Even though his economy was below four, more remarkably he failed to make a dent even against the smaller teams - Bangladesh, Canada and Zimbabwe.
2 wickets at 129.50 in 2003
Vettori was among the few frontline spinners expected to make an impact in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, though he had never played an ODI in the country before. He was certainly among the more busy bowlers in the tournament, sending down 65 overs in seven matches, but his wicket-taking skills went missing. Vettori managed just two wickets (Ramnaresh Sarwan and Jacques Kallis), and as a result, his average shot up to 129.50 - the most for any bowler with more than 25 overs in the tournament. Even though his economy was below four, more remarkably he failed to make a dent even against the smaller teams - Bangladesh, Canada and Zimbabwe.
Allan Donald
1 wicket at 133 in 2003
The 2003 World Cup came towards the end of a glittering career for Donald. In three previous World Cups, he had picked up 37 wickets from 22 matches. His fourth, at home, could have been an ideal swansong. However, the start of the tournament signalled the end of his career. In the first match, against New Zealand, Donald leaked 52 runs in 5.5 overs and never really recovered. He was taken for 54 runs in the next match, against West Indies, and only played one more game, against Canada. It was also his last ODI.
1 wicket at 133 in 2003
The 2003 World Cup came towards the end of a glittering career for Donald. In three previous World Cups, he had picked up 37 wickets from 22 matches. His fourth, at home, could have been an ideal swansong. However, the start of the tournament signalled the end of his career. In the first match, against New Zealand, Donald leaked 52 runs in 5.5 overs and never really recovered. He was taken for 54 runs in the next match, against West Indies, and only played one more game, against Canada. It was also his last ODI.
Chris Cairns
2 wickets at 103.50 in 1996
Cairns had a World Cup to forget in 1992, when he managed only two wickets in five games at 80.50 and struggled to hold down a regular place. Things got worse in the 1996 event, when he was a more established player. He again managed only two wickets, in six games, at 103.50. In the quarter-final against Australia, his 6.5 overs were taken for 51 runs as New Zealand lost despite making what was then their highest score in 63 ODIs against their neighbours. He improved his World Cup record in 1999 though, bagging 12 wickets at 27.75.
2 wickets at 103.50 in 1996
Cairns had a World Cup to forget in 1992, when he managed only two wickets in five games at 80.50 and struggled to hold down a regular place. Things got worse in the 1996 event, when he was a more established player. He again managed only two wickets, in six games, at 103.50. In the quarter-final against Australia, his 6.5 overs were taken for 51 runs as New Zealand lost despite making what was then their highest score in 63 ODIs against their neighbours. He improved his World Cup record in 1999 though, bagging 12 wickets at 27.75.