Team-Wise List of Oldest and Youngest Players in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 flags off today with all the 10 teams gearing up for the matches. Each team has picked a select 15-member squad for the World Cup, among whom, some may be playing their last tournament while others their first. At 40, Imran Tahir of South Africa is the oldest, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman of Afghanistan is the youngest at 18. Here's a list of players of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 who are the youngest of the oldest in their respective teams. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Schedule in IST, Free PDF Download: Full Timetable of CWC19 Fixtures With Match Timings and Venue Details.

The World Cup is scheduled to begin on May 30 and will be hosted by England and Wales. England and South Africa face each other in the opening match of the tournament. India begins their campaign against South Africa on June 5.

India

Youngest Player – Kuldeep Yadav (24 Years)

At 24 years of age, Kuldeep Yadav is the youngest member in the Indian World Cup squad. In this tournament, the Indian team, with an average age of 29.5 years, is the oldest squad to have ever played at any World Cup, and therefore Kuldeep makes for a surprise inclusion. He had a poor Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 season but was included in the World Cup 15-member squad. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Meet Captains of All 10 Participating Teams.

Oldest Player – MS Dhoni (37 Years)

The former India skipper will be playing his fourth World Cup this year. At the age of 37, this might well be his final appearance at the global showpiece. It’s a no-brainer that Dhoni, now also a mentor to captain Virat Kohli in the field, is the oldest player in the Indian cricket team.

Australia

Youngest Player – Pat Cummins (26 Years)

He may have not made it to this list had Jhye Richardson not been ruled out because of an injury. But with him gone, Cummins is the youngest member of Australia’s World Cup team. A skilled wicket-taker, who can also bat a bit, Cummins is an experienced player despite being only 26-years-old.

Oldest Player – Shaun Marsh (35 Years)

Shaun Marsh is surprisingly playing his first World Cup. At the age of 35, he is also the oldest player in the Australian team. Once a promising young cricketer, Marsh has been inconsistent for the most part of his career despite often showing potential for greatness. His first World Cup may also be his last; this could be his time to play well and have his name etched in cricketing history.

South Africa

Youngest Player – Lungi Ngidi (23 Years)

The South African fast-bowling attack has two of the youngest fast bowlers. But Ngidi edges Kagiso Rabada by a matter of days. At 23 years, Ngidi is the youngest player in the South African World Cup squad. He is making a return from injury and will look to complement his compatriot Rabada in this edition of the tournament.

Oldest Player – Imran Tahir (40 Years)

Imran Tahir is not only the oldest player in the South Africa squad but also the oldest in this year’s World Cup tournament. The leg spinner with a young heart comes to the tournament after winning the purple cap in the Indian Premier League 2019 season. This might be the last time we see him and his trademark run at the World Cup.

Pakistan

Youngest Player -- Shaheen Afridi (19 Years)

He is one of the two 19-year-olds in the Pakistan squad. But Shaheen Afridi beats his teammate Mohammad Hasnain by a single day. Shaheen was born on April 6, 2000, just a day after Hasnain did. The left-arm pacer has impressed everyone ever since he debuted in the Pakistan Premier League (PSL). He will be aiming to make a mark in his first appearance at the World Cup.

Oldest Player – Mohammad Hafeez (38 Years)

Mohammad Hafeez is a 38-year-old Pakistani all-rounder, who is not allowed to bowl. With age catching up, Hafeez retired from Test cricket last year to focus more on the limited-format. But his inconsistency and growing age have kept him away from re-establishing himself in the current Pakistan ODI line-up. This might be his last World Cup and his final shot at glory.

England

Youngest – Jofra Archer (24 Years)

After being initially left out of the England preliminary World Cup squad, Jofra Archer was named in the final 15-member team. The England cricket board did everything possible to make Archer eligible for representing England. At 24 years, he is now the youngest member in the side. Tom Curran, another English fast bowler, is also 24-year-old, but he is 19 days older than Archer.

Oldest – Liam Plunkett (34 Years)

England has an average young side at the World Cup this year and therefore Liam Plunkett at 34 years of age is the oldest player in the 15-member team. With age catching up, Plunkett has drastically lost his pace. He will be desperate to leave his legacy with some exceptional performances in what might be his final World Cup appearance.

Afghanistan

Youngest — Mujeeb Ur Rahman (18 Years)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is not only the youngest player in the Afghanistan World Cup squad but also the youngest player in the tournament this year. The leg-spinner, who has already plied his trade in various international T20 leagues, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), has already become an important member of the Afghanistan team. Making his World Cup debut at such a young age will certainly enrich him with tons of experience.

Oldest – Mohammad Nabi (34 Years)

This Afghanistan World Cup squad is a great mix of young and experienced players. Mohammad Nabi, at the age of 34, is the oldest player in the squad. He is also the highest ODI capped player in the Afghan camp, with 112 ODI matches to his name. The 34-year-old all-rounder will be central to Afghanistan’s progress in the ICC tournament.

New Zealand

Youngest – Ish Sodhi (26 Years)

The Indian-origin leg spinner is the youngest player in the New Zealand World Cup squad. Although not a regular member in the playing XI, Sodhi has always made use of the limited opportunities provided. He has so far picked up 39 wickets in 30 ODI matches and will be expected to play a huge role in the experienced New Zealand bowling attack.

Oldest – Ross Taylor (35 Years)

At 35 years of age, Ross Taylor is an experienced campaigner and the senior-most player of the New Zealand World Cup squad. Although he has made his intentions clear about playing in the 2023 World Cup, he will be 39 by that time and therefore this World Cup presents a perfect opportunity for him to lead the Black Caps to a maiden World Cup title.

Sri Lanka

Youngest – Avishka Fernando (21 Years)

At 21 years of age, Avishka Fernando is the youngest member of the Sri Lanka World Cup squad. The right-handed batsman has already played six ODI matches and made his debut at the age of 18 without any first-class cricket experience. Hailed as a prodigy, Avishka, now a reserve player, is sure to get a shot at the World Cup and he will aim to make it big.

Oldest – Jeevan Mendis (36 Years)

The veteran all-rounder is a surprise inclusion in the Sri Lanka World Cup squad. Despite not playing a single ODI in the last three years, Mendis was named in the 15-member squad. He was earlier a part of the Sri Lanka team at the 2015 World Cup. But a hamstring injury ruled him out.

West Indies

Youngest – Oshane Thomas (22 Years)

The young fast bowler won the race against his teammate Shimron Hetmyer, who is just two months older than him. The West Indies side is a great blend of youth and experience, and Thomas being on the younger side will look to use his raw pace to dismantle batting-orders at the World Cup.

Oldest – Chris Gayle (39 Years)

He is already 39-years-old. But Chris Gayle isn’t stopping anytime soon. He intends to play as long as his shots travel the distance. The universe boss at this age is still a fiery ball hitter. He is the senior-most player in the team from the Caribbean and Gayle will do everything in his might to lift the World Cup before he calls it a day.

Bangladesh

Youngest – Mehidy Hasan (21 Years)

A former Under-19 captain, young Mehidy Hasan is highly regarded in Bangladesh. The 21-year-old off-spinner is already a mainstay in the national team. He will make his World Cup debut this year.

Oldest – Mashrafe Mortaza (35 Years)

For the Bangladesh skipper, this will be the last World Cup. Like the cricket field, Mortaza has also excelled in national politics of Bangladesh where he also serves as the member of the parliament. He captained the national team at the World Cup quarter-finals in 2015 and will hope to take the country some more steps ahead this time around.

While this is a list of only the youngest and the oldest players of each team at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, there are several other young and senior players in all the 10 teams. Every player will be hoping to leave their mark at the World Cup and lead their teams to glory when the tournament gets going.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 30, 2019 02:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).