One-cup wonders
Players who had a starring role in the only World Cup that they played
Bishen Jeswant
30-Jan-2015
Peter Kirsten, at the age of 37, dominated what was then a young man's game • Getty Images
Peter Kirsten
South Africa
1992
Kirsten was 37 years old by the time he played his first and only World Cup, in 1992. South Africa could not play the first four World Cups because they were suspended by the ICC between 1970 and 1991 due the government's policy of apartheid. Kirsten was the third-highest run getter in that edition, scoring 410 runs, including four fifties, at an average of 68.3.
South Africa
1992
Kirsten was 37 years old by the time he played his first and only World Cup, in 1992. South Africa could not play the first four World Cups because they were suspended by the ICC between 1970 and 1991 due the government's policy of apartheid. Kirsten was the third-highest run getter in that edition, scoring 410 runs, including four fifties, at an average of 68.3.
Geoff Allott
New Zealand
1999
Allott was the leading wicket-taker at the 1999 World Cup, picking up 20 wickets at an average of 16.3. He is the only New Zealand bowler to have topped the wickets tally at any edition of the World Cup. However, a series of injuries, primarily a persistent back problem, meant that Allott would play his last international match in 2000, at the relatively young age of 29.
New Zealand
1999
Allott was the leading wicket-taker at the 1999 World Cup, picking up 20 wickets at an average of 16.3. He is the only New Zealand bowler to have topped the wickets tally at any edition of the World Cup. However, a series of injuries, primarily a persistent back problem, meant that Allott would play his last international match in 2000, at the relatively young age of 29.
Neil Johnson
Zimbabwe
1999
Johnson had a starring role with both bat and ball during the 1999 World Cup, scoring 367 runs at an average of 52.4, including a hundred and three fifties, while also picking up 12 wickets along the way. He had three Man-of-the-Match citations to show for his efforts. However, Johnson left for South Africa in 2000 thanks to differences with coach Dave Houghton and low pay offers from the Zimbabwe Cricket Union.
Zimbabwe
1999
Johnson had a starring role with both bat and ball during the 1999 World Cup, scoring 367 runs at an average of 52.4, including a hundred and three fifties, while also picking up 12 wickets along the way. He had three Man-of-the-Match citations to show for his efforts. However, Johnson left for South Africa in 2000 thanks to differences with coach Dave Houghton and low pay offers from the Zimbabwe Cricket Union.
Andy Bichel
Australia
2003
During the 2003 World Cup, Bichel picked up 16 wickets at an average of 12.3, the best for any bowler who had taken at least ten wickets. During that edition, he was also part of Australia's two best lower-order stands (eighth to tenth wickets) in all World Cups, sharing 73* and 97-run partnerships with Michael Bevan. Despite this, Bichel's contract was not renewed in 2004, which meant that he was an ODI regular in that strong Australia team for only a brief period between 2002 and 2004.
Australia
2003
During the 2003 World Cup, Bichel picked up 16 wickets at an average of 12.3, the best for any bowler who had taken at least ten wickets. During that edition, he was also part of Australia's two best lower-order stands (eighth to tenth wickets) in all World Cups, sharing 73* and 97-run partnerships with Michael Bevan. Despite this, Bichel's contract was not renewed in 2004, which meant that he was an ODI regular in that strong Australia team for only a brief period between 2002 and 2004.
Gary Gilmour
Australia
1975
Gary Gilmour didn't play a game in the 1975 tournament till the semi-final, after which he left an indelible mark on the tournament's history. He returned figures of 6 for 14 in the semi-final against England and 5 for 48 in the final against West Indies. Glenn McGrath, the highest wicket-taker in World Cups, has only two five-fors from 39 games. Injuries, a dearth of ODIs and poor fitness meant that Gilmour played only one ODI after the 1975 final.
Australia
1975
Gary Gilmour didn't play a game in the 1975 tournament till the semi-final, after which he left an indelible mark on the tournament's history. He returned figures of 6 for 14 in the semi-final against England and 5 for 48 in the final against West Indies. Glenn McGrath, the highest wicket-taker in World Cups, has only two five-fors from 39 games. Injuries, a dearth of ODIs and poor fitness meant that Gilmour played only one ODI after the 1975 final.