A Christmas Wish List for Every Cricket World Cup Nation
The Cricket World Cup is fast approaching, with the first games taking place on February 14, 2015.
Australia and New Zealand are co-hosts of the 11th edition of the event, with 14 different venues staging 49 fixtures leading up to the final in Melbourne on March 29.
With the tournament just around the corner, and with it being the festive season too, we thought the time was right to work out what each of the 14 competing nations would ask Santa Claus for this year.
So what exactly do the teams want for Christmas? Well, we've been making a list, and it's been checked at least twice. Now is the time to see if you agree that it's nice.
Feel free to leave your thoughts via the comments section.
Afghanistan
1 of 14
Afghanistan will be making their World Cup debut—and they will be hoping to do more than just make up the numbers in Pool A.
Their wish will be to knock off a big name during the round-robin stage, after qualifying for the tournament by finishing second in the World Cricket League Championship. They have at least had some experience of appearing in a major tournament before—they played in the ICC World Twenty20 in 2012.
The Afghans have only played 41 one-day games in their history, recording 22 wins. The only full member of the International Cricket Council that they have beaten is Zimbabwe (twice).
Australia
2 of 14
The big Christmas wish for Australia? Getting their captain, Michael Clarke, fit to lead them in the World Cup.
The batsman has been hampered by injuries throughout his career, but the last 12 months have been particularly tough for Clarke. Already bothered by a bad back, his home summer was cut short by a hamstring problem sustained in the first Test against India, a problem that required surgery to fix.
It is hoped Clarke will still be ready for the 50-over competition, per the Daily Mail, with the co-hosts kicking off their campaign against Ashes rivals England on opening night.
Bangladesh
3 of 14
Shakib Al Hasan is a key player for Bangladesh and there is nothing they would wish for more than their all-rounder being in top form for the World Cup.
The former captain marked his comeback from suspension at the start of the series against Zimbabwe in November by starring in his country's maiden ODI victory in 2014.
He has scored six one-day hundreds, helping to make him Bangladesh's leading run-scorer in the 50-over format, and he has also taken 182 wickets with his left-arm spin. At 27, Shakib is still firmly in his prime.
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England
4 of 14
With Alastair Cook axed as skipper and replaced by Eoin Morgan with the World Cup looming on the horizon, England now need a clear plan of action in their Christmas stocking.
For starters, they must work out who will replace the absent Cook at the top of the order, while captain Morgan desperately needs a return to form. There is also uncertainty over Ravi Bopara's role, not to mention a need to discover just who exactly is going to bowl at the death.
Since losing in the 1992 final to Pakistan, England have been woeful at World Cups. Right now, there is little indication they are on course to buck the trend of disappointing exits at the tournament.
India
5 of 14
While some may be wanting snow at Christmas, India will be wishing for a sunny forecast ahead of the World Cup.
Dry pitches would be extremely useful for the reigning champions, who at least will be well prepared for conditions as they play in a tri-series against Australia and England as a warm-up for the main event.
And warm is just what skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his plethora of slow-bowling options would like it to be as they look to retain the trophy they won on home soil back in 2011.
Ireland
6 of 14
Ireland have sprung major surprises at the last two World Cups—is it asking too much at Christmas for them to produce one more?
In 2007, they managed to tie with Zimbabwe and then stun Pakistan to qualify from Group D and make the Super Six stage. Then, four years later, they upset the odds against England thanks to a record-breaking century from Kevin O'Brien.
Now they will head to a third straight tournament hoping to once again topple a major nation. Could history repeat itself when they face Pakistan on March 15 at the Adelaide Oval?
New Zealand
7 of 14
New Zealand will be wanting an answer to a question this Christmas—where exactly should they bat Brendon McCullum?
The last time the Black Caps skipper played ODI cricket for his country he was in the middle order, but in an interview with Stuff.co.nz, per ESPN Cricinfo, the right-hander admitted he may return to his former role of opening the innings.
McCullum will be a key man for the Kiwis as they look to make the most of having the added bonus of home advantage. If they win Group A, it opens up a potential route to a semi-final at Eden Park in Auckland.
Pakistan
8 of 14
Pakistan will be wishing for Saeed Ajmal to be the same devastating bowler when he makes his return to international cricket.
The spinner was suspended in October after analysis deemed his action illegal. However, after bio-mechanical work, Ajmal recently made his comeback in action for Pakistan A in a fixture against Kenya.
However, he still needs to clear another assessment, per abc.net, by the ICC before he can represent his country again. Pakistan will be desperately hoping he is free to feature and add to his 183 ODI wickets.
Scotland
9 of 14
Top of Scotland's list for Christmas has to be the chance to record a shock win over England.
The two neighbouring countries meet at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on February 23. It will be their fourth meeting, with England victorious the last time they faced off, albeit in a rain-reduced 20-over contest in Aberdeen earlier this year.
Scotland last qualified for a World Cup in 2007, losing all three games in Group A. They also failed to get out of the opening stage in their previous appearance, back in 1999.
South Africa
10 of 14
All South Africa want for Christmas is to record a long-overdue victory in the knockout stages of a World Cup.
Despite making the semi-finals three times in their six appearances, the Proteas have never actually tasted success at the tournament outside of the different round-robin stages used through the years.
In 2011, they were hot favourites to see off New Zealand in the quarter-finals, only to collapse with the bat and suffer a surprising 49-run defeat to the Black Caps in Mirpur, Bangladesh. Could Australia and New Zealand prove to be happier hunting grounds in 2015?
Sri Lanka
11 of 14
Sri Lanka will be full of festive cheer if they could be certain Lasith Malinga is going to be fully fit in February and March next year.
The pace bowler underwent ankle surgery in September and missed the recent series against England. While his team-mates coped admirably without him on home turf, they will be hoping he is ready to play a part in their bid to reach a third successive World Cup final.
Malinga is one of the best bowlers around in limited overs cricket, his sling-armed action and ability to brilliantly disguise his slower ball making him a handful for even the very best batsmen to deal with.
United Arab Emirates
12 of 14
The United Arab Emirates, like associate colleagues Afghanistan, will know their perfect present would be to pull off an upset at the World Cup.
They have reached the main event once before, back in 1996. Their most notable moment at that tournament came against South Africa, with captain Sultan Zarawani opting not to wear a helmet when facing Allan Donald. He had his floppy hat knocked from his head, though thankfully he suffered no serious damage.
Now making their return to the top table, the UAE will want to make the most of their second trip to a World Cup. They are in Pool B, kicking off their campaign against Zimbabwe in Nelson on February 19.
West Indies
13 of 14
Peace on Earth is often a wish at Christmas. All West Indies should want, however, is peace to break out in their ranks.
The West Indies Cricket Board and their players were involved in a pay dispute that cut short the tour of India. The upheaval has continued with Dwayne Bravo losing the one-day captaincy, the selectors instead appointing Jason Holder as skipper.
It is a sad state of affairs for a team that won the first two editions of the World Cup, in 1975 and 1979, and also lost the 1983 final to India.
Zimbabwe
14 of 14
While Christmas may be a time to relax for many, Zimbabwe have been busy during the festive period searching for a new coach. What they want now is to find the right man for the job.
Stephen Mangongo was sacked from the role by Zimbabwe Cricket on December 18, paying the price for a dismal tour of Bangladesh that saw the team fail to register a win in any format of the game.
The new man will have work to do, and little time to do it, as he looks to get the players ready for a major tournament. Zimbabwe have had some moments of success in their World Cup history but have gone backwards since making the Super Six stage in both 1999 and 2003.
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