ICC World Cup 2019: 5 modern-day greats who will likely be playing their last World Cup this year
International cricket's biggest festival - the ICC World Cup 2019 - is just a few days away. The excitement among the players and the fans is increasing every day, and the next six weeks are bound to produce some great memories.
However, this year's World Cup may be the last ever for some of the game's heroes, who have entertained the fans all through their careers. Here are five players who will likely be playing their last World Cup in England this year.
#5 Ross Taylor
Ross Taylor, New Zealand's leading run-scorer of all time, is in good form going into the World Cup. He will be the key in the middle overs where his experience will be important in guiding the youngsters.
With the flat pitches and short boundaries in England, Taylor would be dangerous if he gets a good start.
He is 35 years old now, and it will be unlikely to see him playing at the same level four years later. Though he has not spoken about any retirement ideas yet, this may be his last ODI World Cup.
New Zeland may not be the favorites to lift the Cup, but they have always been the dark horses. Runners-up last time, they will be hoping to go a step further this year - and Taylor will certainly have a big role to play in that.
#4 Lasith Malinga
The only bowler with two World Cup hat-tricks, the only bowler with three hat-tricks in ODIs and the only player to have taken four wickets in four consecutive balls in any form of international cricket, will play his last World Cup in England.
The slinger Lasith Malinga is known for his pinpoint yorkers which will be difficult for any best batsman in the world. He has been a part of two World Cup finals - in 2007 and 2011 - losing both. Indian fans will never forget the way he dismissed Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar in the 2011 final.
Malinga's recent form hasn't been great, and his performances have started showing signs of age. But he will be looking to give some inspiration to the rest of the players before he passes the baton to the next generation.