Dream Team: 11 men who were involved in World Cup as players first and coaches later

The commentary box or coaching are the two most popular avenues for playing to meander into post their playing days.

The commentary box or coaching are the two most popular avenues for playing to meander into post their playing days. Shiamak Unwalla lists a XI comprising of men who played the World Cup and later went on to coach a side in the quadrennial cricketing showpiece.

1: Gary Kirsten

Player: South Africa,1996-2003

Coach: India, 2011

Kirsten had a distinguished World Cup record for South Africa — 806 runs at an average of 47.41 with one century and five fifties. His innings of 188 not out was the highest ever individual score in a World Cup till Chris Gayle slammed 215 a few weeks ago against Zimbabwe. The left-handed Kirsten makes for the perfect opener, who can both guide the side as well as take the bowling on.

Kirsten went on to become on the finest coaches in the game. He was India’s coach when the team won the ICC World Cup in 2011.

 

2: Gordon Greenidge

Player: West Indies, 1975-1983

Coach: Bangladesh, 1999

The West Indian great was at his dominating best in World Cup. He played 15 matches, scored 591 runs, and enjoyed an average of 45.46 with two tons and four half-centuries. As opener of the side, he will be able to take charge of proceedings early on and ensure the team is off to a flier.Greenidge will partner Kirsten in this line-up — a left-right combination at the top of the order.

Greenidge coached Bangladesh to their maiden World Cup victory over Pakistan in 1999 — a feat that brought him to tears. Sadly, he was unceremoniously axed soon after.

3: Marvan Atapattu

Player: Sri Lanka, 1999-2003

Coach: Sri Lanka, 2015

Had Marvan Atapattu played more than two World Cups, he might well have gone down as one of Sri Lanka’s most successful batsmen in the tournament. He only played 15 matches, but amassed 521 runs at 43.41 with two centuries and three fifties. In the event of an early wicket, Atapattu will be the perfect No. 3 to hold the innings together.

4: Greg Chappell (captain)

Player: Australia, 1975

Coach: India, 2007

Greg Chappell played five World Cup matches, and scored 129 runs with one fifty. Given that he played in the inaugural edition when one-day cricket was still evolving and a far cry from what it is now, Chappell’s s lacklustre returns are understandable. Chappell was one of the most dominant batsmen of his era, and is the ideal No. 4 in our team of coaches. He is the captain this side who can also bowl a few overs if needed.

He coached India to the first 400-plus total in World Cup history. Unfortunately, it was the same year India lost to Bangladesh and bowed out in the very first round. Chappell resigned after the debacle.
 

5: Andy Flower (wicket-keeper)

Player: Zimbabwe, 1992-2003

Coach: England, 2011

Flower played 30 World Cup matches, scoring 815 runs at 32.60 with one century and five half-centuries. As a ‘keeper, he also took 11 catches and affected three stumpings. He will be a handy No. 5, and also keep wickets for the side.

Flower coached England in World Cup 2011, and while they were unable to make it to the semi-finals, most of the matches played by England were thrilling ones. A loss to Ireland removed some of the sheen from their performances.
 

6: Duncan Fletcher

Player: Zimbabwe, 1983

Coach: India, 2015

Fletcher could only play six matches in the 1983 World Cup, in which he scored 191 runs at an appreciable average of 47.75, with two half-centuries. He also managed to take seven wickets with his right-arm medium pace. He did well enough in his limited opportunities to warrant a place at No. 6 in this team. His medium-pacers will also come in handy in the middle overs in this team.

Fletched took over from India’s much-loved coach Gary Kirsten. However, the road so far has been a rocky one, especially in Test cricket. Fletcher was at the helm when India won the Champions Trophy in 2013, but he has done little of note since. He is India’s coach in the ongoing World Cup, where India has done exceptionally well so far.
 

7: Darren Lehmann

Player: Australia, 1999-2003

Coach: Australia, 2015

Lehmann was a useful cricketer for Australia with both bat and ball. In 19 matches he scored 360 runs with three half-centuries. He took six wickets at 25.83 as well. Lehmann will make for a handy finisher coming in at No. 7, and will also contribute with his left-arm spin.

Lehmann is coaching Australia in the 2015 World Cup.
 

8: Tom Moody

Player: Australia, 1987-1999

Coach: Sri Lanka, 2007

The Australian all-rounder is a two-time World Cup-winner, having been a part of the Australian team in both 1987 and 1999. In 18 matches, Moody scored 329 runs at 29.90 with three fifties. He also took 14 wickets at 32.85. Coming in at No. 8 in this XI, he will provide the necessary depth to the side. He will alsocoming on as the first-change bowler.

Moody also coached Sri Lanka to the final in 2007, where they were beaten by Australia.
 

9: Roger Harper

Player: West Indies, 1987-1996

Coach: West Indies, 2003

The West Indian off-spinner was known more for his exceptional fielding. He did have a decent World Cup stint between 1987 and 1996, during which he played 14 World Cup matches and took 18 wickets at 270.11at an impressive economy rate of 3.69. Though he was also known for his big hitting down the order, Harper failed to do anything of note with the bat. He is the lone designated spinner in the side.

Harper coached West Indies till the 2003 World Cup, but did so without a lot of success.
 

10: Andy Roberts

Player: West Indies, 1975-1983

Coach: West Indies, 1996

The fearsome West Indian pacer was typically dominating in the three World Cups he played. In 16 games, he took 26 wickets at a deadly average of 21.23 and a strike rate of just under 40. He will form a potent new-ball partnership with the next man on this list.

 

 

11: Waqar Younis

Player: Pakistan, 1996-2003

Coach: Pakistan, 2011-2015

Waqar missed the 1992 World Cup due to injury, so was unable to play more than 13 games. He did well enough to take 22 wickets at 21.18. He will open the bowling with Roberts, giving more than a few batsmen sleepless nights in the process.

Waqar coached Pakistan to the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup before he was sacked, and then hired again in time for the 2015 World Cup.

So how is the balance of the side? The new ball operation is in the capable hands of Andy Roberts and WaqarYounis, with Tom Moody, Duncan Fletcher and Greg Chappell in support roles as medium-pacers. Roger Harper is the specialist spinner, with Darren Lehmman as a back-up. And as for the batting, the depth goes right up to No 8.A strong XI capable of being a threat to the best of sides.
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek and cricket fanatic. You can follow him on Twitter @ShiamakUnwalla)

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