This World Cup will perhaps see a longer list than usual of ‘final appearances’ in World Cup cricket. Sure some of the players will continue to play on longer, but it’s very unlikely that any of them would be around for the next tournament in Asia.
Sachin Tendulkar is perhaps top of this list. He will be 34 by the time the tournament is over and would have already played for 18 years. That’s a long time and it is highly improbable he is part of the Indian team as a player next time around. And he could well be the greatest player ever not to have won the World Cup.
Shaun Pollock has played in three World Cups already and the West Indies will be his fourth. An enviable record in all forms of the game, Pollock may be one of the most deserving people to have a World Cup to their name, but may retire without one.
Muttiah Muralitharan has already clocked 14 years of cricket in 35 years of existence! Will he play again at 39? Could be possible since spinners have a longer game-life span, but if Sri Lanka make a big impression this time around, it would be difficult for him to be motivated enough to return. After all, he already has a World Cup to his name! But if Sri Lanka fail, there may just be the urge to have one last go at the Cup…
Ricky Ponting knows what it feels like to lose a World Cup final. He also knows what it feels to win it. He even knows what its like to win it as captain. Will he be able to repeat that win again? Looks doubtful at this time. Will he try it again next time? No. If Australian selection policies over the years are anything to go by, Ponting may not make it to the next World Cup. He’s 33 right now and would only be 37 by the time the next event is around. Remember, Steve Waugh was retired from ODI at 36 and he bid goodbye to Test cricket at 38. If Australia fail this time around, he could well be the scapegoat, though.
Glenn McGrath, Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, Sanath Jayasuriya, Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Rahul Dravid, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Stephen Fleming, Inzamam ul-Haq and Shoaib Akhtar are some more names that may not be around for the next edition. One hopes there are enough big names and players to keep the interest going then!