The biggest flops of 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup listed!

The Sporting News

10 November 2023

The ODI World Cup 2023 is down to its business end. Only a few league matches remain before the tournament moves to the knockouts.

India, South Africa and Australia have officially qualified for the semi-finals and one spot is still open, or is it?

Practically, New Zealand with their massive victory over Sri Lanka have gone to 10 points. Afghanistan and Pakistan can also reach 10 points but unless something miraculous happens, both of them will fall well short on the NRR.

Most of the semi-finalists are as expected. But a team who many predicted to be the title contenders are the defending champions England. In one of the worst title defenses, England have not only failed to retain the trophy but have also underperformed big time.

One of the reasons for this has been batting performance of their captain Jos Buttler. If you would make a flop XI, he would feature at the top.

But who are the other cricketers who can make it to the list of top 10 flop players of the 2023 World Cup. Let's check out!

Top 10 Flop Players of ODI World Cup 2023

Jos Buttler

A captain is as good as good as his/her team, they say. But this can be said the other way around too. Buttler's poor showings in the ongoing World Cup is a reflection of his England's position. The England skipper has no fifty to his name in the eight games he has played in the competition so far. He has scored 111 runs at an average of 13.88 and a strike-rate of 89.52.

Jonny Bairstow

Another England player in this list, Jonny Bairstow, has not delivered how his team expected him to. He has been poor to say the least. Bairstow is not too far behind Buttler in the race of worst performers, albeit he has hit a half-century. In eight innings, the England opener has accumulated 156 runs at an average of 19.50 and a strike-rate of 85.71.

Joe Root

We know what you are thinking. This is not an England playing XI. But it is what it is. Such has been England's horror show in the World Cup. Joe Root started the tournament well, scoring two back-to-back fifties. Since then, he has recorded a highest score of 28. In eight matches, the right-handed batter has gathered 216 runs at an average of 27 and a strike-rate of 90.

Steve Smith

We are finally done with the England players for now. It's the turn of an Australian. Steve Smith has not made his mark in the 2023 World Cup yet. He has received starts but could not convert them into big scores. In seven matches, Smudge has hit 205 runs. As Australia have gone to the semis, he still has games left to turn it around. For now, he deserves an entry in this list.

Temba Bavuma

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was setting the stage on fire and was on a prolific run in the ODI format. Come the World Cup, he has not been able to replicate what he was doing in the bilateral series. Bavuma has amassed 122 runs in six innings at an underwhelming average and strike-rate of 20.33 and 73.94. However, he still have a few matches in his kitty and who knows, the Proteas leader might have saved his best for the last.

Shakib Al Hasan

Another captain marks his entry in this list. Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan came in to the competition with an off-field drama and the shockwaves of it were clearly seen in his performance. He was among the Player of the Tournament contenders for the 2019 World Cup but in this edition, he has looked a pale shadow of himself. In seven matches, he has scored just 186 runs. In his bowling too, he has not been that great, having claimed just nine scalps.

Mohammad Nawaz

Pakistan did not back Mohammad Nawaz much but it's also due to how the all-rounder performed in the five matches he played. Nawad was expected to chip in with wickets in the middle overs and score quickfire runs batting down the order. He did neither. He has scored 81 runs and has taken two wickets as of now.

Dhananjaya de Silva

Sri Lanka all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva failed to use his talent in the World Cup and lost an opportunity to push himself in the reckoning of the best multi-faceted players going around in ODI cricket currently. De Silva has hit only 140 runs in seven innings at an average of 20 and a strike-rate of 76.09. He has not been utilised much as a spinner but still in the limited overs he bowled, he has leaked runs at an economy rate of 6.96 without taking any wicket.

Haris Rauf

Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf has been one of the biggest letdown in the 2023 World Cup. Although, he has managed to take 13 wickets so far but he has conceded runs at an expensive economy rate of 6.80 which has not helped his side's cause in any manner.

Mark Wood

We started the list with an Englishman. We are ending the list with another. England pacer Mark Wood has not been able to deliver the goods for his team. After playing seven matches, Wood has picked up only six wickets that too at an economy rate of 6.46.