Hyderabad: The much-anticipated 2019 World Cup is just around the corner. The showpiece event of the ICC is known for producing emerging stars ( Inzamam-ul-Haq in 1992 World Cup) of the world cricket. Over the years cricket fans have witnessed many uncapped stars leaving everyone spellbound, thanks to their exploits in the World Cup.
The marquee event is known for being the launchpad of emerging stars who dominate the world cricket with sheer excellence.
So, like previous editions, the 12th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup also will see many young and uncapped players who have been selected to their squads on the basis of their talent and skill set.
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These players could emerge as a surprise package for their teams going into World Cup.
So, here we will have a look at four such players.
Tom Blundell
The aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman is known for his range of sweeps, a key weapon to counter the attack of spinners. Tom Blundell, who has played two Tests and three T20Is for New Zealand till date, is yet to get his national cap.
He enjoyed a dream start to 2017. In a span of three days, he earned his maiden call-up to the New Zealand squad, as a replacement for the injured Luke Ronchi, for the third T20I against Bangladesh in Mount Maunganui. A couple of weeks later, Blundell was called up for the Chappell-Hadlee ODI series at home against Australia.
2015-16 was the breakthrough season of his first-class career as he scored 1073 runs in 28 matches across all formats. He followed it with 537 runs in 17 matches in the 2016-17 season.
Though his selection in the final XI is not certain, he could be a surprise package for New Zealand in the World Cup considering his exploits in domestic cricket.
Abu Jayed
This 25-year-old medium pacer's selection to the Bangladesh World Cup squad over experienced Taskin Ahmed has already created a controversy. Like Blundell, this right-arm Bangladesh fast bowler is yet to get his debut match in ODI cricket.
However, his impressive performances in New Zealand during the Test series caught the attention of Bangladesh selectors.
In the Wellington Test, second of his career, he picked up three wickets. Before his call-up to Bangladesh squad for the Down Under tour, Jayed got off to a flying start to his career by claiming three wickets each against Windies in North Sound and Kingston respectively.
However, Jayed's ability to adapt to the overseas conditions makes him noteworthy selection to Bangladesh squad for the 2019 World Cup.
Shaheen Afridi
The baby faced fast bowler from Pakistan is being regarded as the next big thing of world cricket. The 19-year-old lanky pacer is already comfortable in the green shirt of the national side.
He was on PCB's radar for almost three years. Afridi was decorated for great achievements well before his teenage years, with an international cricketer for an elder brother, Riaz Afridi.
On his ODI debut against Afghanistan, the left-arm pacer made the ball talking claiming two wickets for 38 runs in 10 overs.
Going into the World Cup he could appear as Pakistan's hottest property with swing, pace bouncers and cutters in his armoury.
Rassie van der Dussen
The 30-year-old South Africa batsman didn't waste a single opportunity to prove his worth as a batsman. He played in South Africa, England, Ireland, Netherlands, Canada and the Caribbean before he finally caught the national selectors' eye and made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in October 2018.
Van de Dussen's ability to adapt to a variety of conditions has made him a dynamic, adaptable batsman at the top of the order or in the middle.
A naturally attacking batsman, der Dussen set a buzz by putting swashbuckling performance for the Proteas. In 9 matches, he scored 353 runs at a whopping average of 88. His success in ODIs made him impossible to ignore.
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After spending years to prove his worth der Dussen finally made a cut in South Africa squad for the 2019 World Cup.
His experience of playing at different conditions is expected to help South Africa in the quadrennial event.
These four stars could be little unknown to cricket fans, but they have the prowess to prove their worth in England and Walse World Cup starting on May 30.
