10 Star Names Who Won't Make the 2019 Cricket World Cup
The curtain may have only just fallen on the 2015 competition but attention is already turning toward the 2019 World Cup.
Which current big names will be a little too long in the tooth for the next 50-over global showpiece in England?
We've got out the Bleacher Report crystal ball and come up with 10 players for whom the one-day bell may have tolled by 2019.
Selection Criteria
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The list only includes players who are still currently playing one-day international cricket. It does not feature players who called it quits at the conclusion of the 2015 tournament such as Michael Clarke, Shahid Afridi and Kumar Sangakkara.
Of course, trying to make predictions on events four years hence requires a little speculation. We've tried to make our judgements based on age, proneness to injury and a potential lack of impact in the 50-over format in English conditions.
James Anderson (England)
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With the red ball, James Anderson has been one of the most dangerous bowlers in the game. As good as he's been in the Test game, though, he's been as bad in one-dayers.
The white ball is like Kryptonite to Anderson. Lacking genuine pace and unable to find seam or swing movement at the World Cup, the 32-year-old became cannon fodder to big-hitting batsmen throughout the competition.
More sporting pitches on home soil may convince the Lancastrian to continue in the 50-over game. Given England's ridiculously congested international schedule, it's reasonable to assume that something must give. In Anderson's case, that's likely to be one-day internationals.
Ian Bell (England)
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Kevin Pietersen was axed despite being England's top scorer on their disastrous Ashes tour of 2013/14. It would be no surprise if the same fate befell Ian Bell, who was England's most prolific batsman at the 2015 World Cup.
The same level of outrage probably wouldn't arise if Bell did get the one-day boot. Piers Morgan isn't likely to become Bell's unofficial social media cheerleader.
The Warwickshire stylist's World Cup was a microcosm of his one-day career. Some beautiful cameos but not enough match-winning scores.
Given the conveyor belt approach to England selection, it would be no surprise to see Bell jettisoned. He'll be 37 at the start of the 2019 World Cup. Bell will likely be one of the first senior players sacrificed as change is called for.
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MS Dhoni (India)
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Despite retiring from the Test arena late last year, MS Dhoni has shown no inclination to follow suit in ODIs.
Speaking after the semi-final loss to Australia, Dhoni told reporters (per NDTV), “I am 33, I'm still running and I am still fit. Next year (at the World T20) will be the right time to decide if I should play World Cup 2019.”
Dhoni doesn't now have the burden of the Test team on his shoulders which could easily prolong his limited-over career.
He'll be 37 by the time of the next World Cup. Although he's making all the right noises about continuing, it would be no great surprise to see India's talisman hang up the gloves before then.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)
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Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara said goodbye to the ODI game at the 2015 World Cup. Many expected Tillakaratne Dilshan to join them in saying farewell, but the veteran opener hopes to keep on going for a few more years.
Speaking to reporters after Sri Lanka's quarter-final loss to South Africa (per Reuters), Dilshan said: "If they (the selectors) think that I have a role to play I will continue to represent my country. With my present form and fitness I guess I can easily play for another two-three years, even till the next World Cup in 2019."
Dilshan will be 42 when the next World Cup starts. Even allowing for his optimism, it seems unlikely English crowds will be treated to the Dilscoop in 2019.
Grant Elliott (New Zealand)
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Following his superb innings against South Africa in the semi-final, Grant Elliott's place in New Zealand cricketing folklore is secure.
The Johannesburg-born batsman will be 40 when the 2019 World Cup comes around, and it's hard to picture him doing a Misbah-ul-Haq.
Elliott has enjoyed a fine one-day career with the Black Caps since making his debut in 2008. His semi-final heroics in Auckland look like being the pinnacle of his achievements.
Chris Gayle (West Indies)
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Chris Gayle turned the clock back in spectacular style when smashing his amazing double hundred against Zimbabwe.
The Jamaican will be 39 when the World Cup rolls into England, though, and his back problems are only likely to get worse.
The West Indies' most exciting batsman has provided plenty of entertainment to crowds around the globe. One last trip to the home of cricket is likely to be a step too far, though.
Mitchell Johnson (Australia)
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Even at 33 years of age, Mitchell Johnson remains one of the fastest and most dangerous bowlers in world cricket today.
Despite his impressive ability to bounce back from adversity (who's laughing now Barmy Army?), it's hard to picture him sending down 95 mph thunderbolts in 2019.
It's not as if there's a shortage of Australian fast-bowling firepower. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are more than capable of playing the Johnson role in the years to come.
Morne Morkel (South Africa)
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Morne Morkel will only be 34 at the start of the 2019 World Cup, but it could still be a tournament too far for the gangly paceman.
The South African stalwart has been troubled by niggling shoulder and thigh injuries in recent years, and a tough international schedule is likely to make such wear and tear worse.
Morkel's main assets are pace and bounce. They've served him well at home but slower English pitches haven't proved as accommodating. Surprisingly, he's never taken a five-wicket haul in a Test match there, and his best figures in an ODI in England are two for 29.
Dale Steyn, despite being a year older, is more likely to be the South African spearhead in England four years from now.
Ross Taylor (New Zealand)
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One of the few disappointing aspects of New Zealand's highly entertaining 2015 World Cup campaign was the form of Ross Taylor.
The 31-year-old looked horribly out of touch for much of the competition, passing 50 just once in nine innings.
His strike rate of only 61.55 was more akin to England's pedestrian efforts than the usual fireworks on show from Brendon McCullum's men.
Of course, a player of Taylor's class cannot easily be discounted. New Zealand's former skipper will be 35 in 2019, plenty young enough to still make an impact.
It wouldn't be a huge surprise, though, if he concentrated on Tests and Twenty20s for the remainder of his international career.
Shane Watson (Australia)
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At times it didn't appear that Shane Watson would be in Australia's ODI team at the end of the 2015 World Cup, let alone 2019.
The veteran all-rounder showed plenty of courage fending off a fearsome spell from Wahab Riaz and was rewarded with selection for the semi-final and final.
Being at the crease while the winning runs were scored in the final looks like being a fitting sendoff for one of Australia's most experienced players.
Watson will be 37 by the time the next World Cup comes around. It's hard to imagine his creaking body surviving another four years on the international treadmill.
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