Bowlers in waiting
Bowlers who have been around for plenty of time but haven't played in cricket's biggest show
19-Dec-2014
Since September 2008, Irfan has played only 16 ODIs • AFP
Irfan Pathan
ODI wickets: 173
Debut: 2004
Irfan Pathan has been Man of the Match in a World T20 final, and has a hat-trick in the first over of a Test, but he has missed out on playing in cricket's biggest tournament. His debut came a year after the 2003 version, and in 2007 he didn't get a game, as India preferred Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel and Ajit Agarkar in an infamously short campaign. By the time the 2011 World Cup came along, Irfan had not been a regular with the one-day side for nearly three years.
ODI wickets: 173
Debut: 2004
Irfan Pathan has been Man of the Match in a World T20 final, and has a hat-trick in the first over of a Test, but he has missed out on playing in cricket's biggest tournament. His debut came a year after the 2003 version, and in 2007 he didn't get a game, as India preferred Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel and Ajit Agarkar in an infamously short campaign. By the time the 2011 World Cup came along, Irfan had not been a regular with the one-day side for nearly three years.
Ravindra Jadeja
ODI wickets: 134
Debut: 2009
India gave Ravindra Jadeja plenty of rope in the lead-up to the 2011 World Cup but he didn't do enough to merit inclusion, losing the allrounder's spot to Yusuf Pathan. In recent years, he has become a permanent member of the limited-overs sides, and though the rise of Akshar Patel threatens his place, barring injury, he should get games at the coming World Cup.
ODI wickets: 134
Debut: 2009
India gave Ravindra Jadeja plenty of rope in the lead-up to the 2011 World Cup but he didn't do enough to merit inclusion, losing the allrounder's spot to Yusuf Pathan. In recent years, he has become a permanent member of the limited-overs sides, and though the rise of Akshar Patel threatens his place, barring injury, he should get games at the coming World Cup.
Ishant Sharma
ODI wickets:106
Debut: 2007
Ishant Sharma has played nearly as many Tests as ODIs, making him something of a rarity. His limited-overs career was on the skid since 2009, but a slew of injuries to India's preferred quick bowlers led to a recall against Pakistan in December 2012. He has played only three of India's last 22 ODIs, but his experience should get him the nod when the World Cup comes around.
ODI wickets:106
Debut: 2007
Ishant Sharma has played nearly as many Tests as ODIs, making him something of a rarity. His limited-overs career was on the skid since 2009, but a slew of injuries to India's preferred quick bowlers led to a recall against Pakistan in December 2012. He has played only three of India's last 22 ODIs, but his experience should get him the nod when the World Cup comes around.
Clint McKay
ODI wickets: 97
Debut: 2009
The emergence of a young bunch of quicks has left Australia with the deepest pace-bowling stocks in world cricket, which makes the competition fierce for a place in the 2015 World Cup squad. McKay could go second on the list of fastest to 100 ODI wickets for Australia - behind Brett Lee, and alongside Dennis Lillee, Shane Warne and Nathan Bracken - but even that sort of record isn't enough to guarantee a starting place. He hasn't played an ODI since January.
ODI wickets: 97
Debut: 2009
The emergence of a young bunch of quicks has left Australia with the deepest pace-bowling stocks in world cricket, which makes the competition fierce for a place in the 2015 World Cup squad. McKay could go second on the list of fastest to 100 ODI wickets for Australia - behind Brett Lee, and alongside Dennis Lillee, Shane Warne and Nathan Bracken - but even that sort of record isn't enough to guarantee a starting place. He hasn't played an ODI since January.
Ryan McLaren
ODI wickets: 77
Debut: 2009
South Africa have never been short of pace-bowling allrounders. Ryan McLaren is currently filling that spot in the one-day side, having been more or less a permanent member in the last two and a half years. Capable of hitting big, delivering ten overs every game, and also offering a death-bowling option, McLaren should be in the XI when South Africa seek to end their drought at the World Cup next year.
ODI wickets: 77
Debut: 2009
South Africa have never been short of pace-bowling allrounders. Ryan McLaren is currently filling that spot in the one-day side, having been more or less a permanent member in the last two and a half years. Capable of hitting big, delivering ten overs every game, and also offering a death-bowling option, McLaren should be in the XI when South Africa seek to end their drought at the World Cup next year.