ICC World Cup 2019: Fielding rating of all the ten teams

“Runs saved is equivalent to the runs scored” – As cliched as this saying might sound; it still holds a great value in modern-day cricket. Fielding, although one of the most underrated, is one of the most important aspects of cricket. In the last few years, international teams have laid critical emphasis on their fielding standards and the standards have raised immensely.

The teams undergo extensive drills in order to hone the skills and move faster on the ground. Reflexes, catching, boundary fielding and various other aspects are worked upon. However, despite all the efforts that go into this aspect of the game, international teams have struggled to maintain consistency with the fielding levels. While a few teams are unbelievable and terrific on the field, some others are yet to reach their full potential.

Here is the fielding rating for each of the ten teams in the World Cup 2019:

1. New Zealand – 9/10:

New Zealand, one of the underdogs in the World Cup 2019, is one of those teams which is exceptional on the field. They are amongst the top-rated teams taking part in the tournament this year. The Kiwi squad is stocked with agile players who have all got terrific arms are always on their toes pre-meditating what the batsman might attempt while fielding inside the circle and cover a great distance when around the ropes.

Skipper Kane Williamson sets great example leading the side from the front even on the field. Moreover, Martin Guptill, Colin de Grandhomme, Trent Boult, and all others are extremely agile. Ross Taylor, who is one of the possible weak links in the side is a safe catcher as well. Most men in the Blackcaps side are safe catches even if it is an edge flying sharply across or a skier.

2. West Indies – 7/10:

In general, the Caribbean players are known for the immense impact with the bat and ball but not so much for their activity on the field. The Windies Cricket Board has done well to get some of the big players into the team for the World Cup. With the likes of Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Jason Holder and Shai Hope are a part of the team it looks really strong at least potentially. On their day, these men can easily blow apart even the best sides in the tournament.

While the batting and bowling look good on paper, the fielding unit isn’t completely satisfactory. Chris Gayle is almost 40 now and not really interested in stretching himself on the field. Darren Bravo isn’t the best of fielders and their bowlers are decent fielders. At the same time, they also boast of the likes of Russell and Shimron Hetmyer who are lightning quick. The Caribbean team is an evenly balanced side on the field but definitely not the best.

3. Afghanistan – 6/10

Afghanistan a team that is living the dream will be playing their second World Cup this year. The team had done well in the Qualifiers last year and also won the tournament to enter the main draw of the ICC event. They have got some great fighters in the side who don’t give in no matter what and fight till the very end. However, fielding one of the weak links of this side.

Wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad isn’t really the best behind the stumps. His fitness has been a serious concern but Afghanistna don’t seem to put players through a fitness parameter. Moreover, many of the players do not have the experience of fielding in good conditions, where you dive around and slide behind the ball.

The ball wobbles in the air in this part of the world and high catches get quite difficult. While there are some good fielders in the team, most of them are slow movers and there is a great scope of improvement.

4. Sri Lanka – 6/10

Sri Lankan team has taken a bit too long in the transition and is still searching for answers as the team heads into the mega-event. There has been instability about the leader of the side. Also, the batting has been largely inconsistent while the bowling seems to lack the flare and the fielding isn’t encouraging either.

Most of the fielders in this team aren’t really quick. They’ve got the likes of Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga in the side who are at the twilight of their careers. Most of the bowlers in this team aren’t really bankable on the field and end up committing silly slip-ups dropping high catches and even dollies.

Moreover, with the side not performing as well, it is always an added burden for the fielders as there isn’t enough motivation for them to dive around and save runs for the team.

5. Bangladesh – 6.5/10

The Bangladesh team breached all expectations in the 2015 edition of the World Cup. They managed to surprise everyone by reaching the quarterfinals of the tournament. The team doesn’t look as stable for this edition of the tournament and they’ve got their own set of problems to deal with. However, this is one of those sides that has always been quite unpredictable with the way they play.

Fielding, though, isn’t the strongest fort for Bangladesh as yet. Quite a few players in the team are above 30 while some other key players are injury prone who don’t find it worthy to risk getting injured as against saving a run or two. Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal and a few others aren’t the swiftest.

The team has mostly got utility players who can just about do the job. One cannot really expect Bangladesh to pull off any miracles on the field except for a few surprises here and there.

6. Pakistan – 6.5/10

The Champions Trophy winners of 2017 have had turbulent times of late. They’ve lost a few crucial games, been whitewashed in ODI series and seem to be struggling across all departments. Bowling, which has traditionally been the biggest strength for Pakistan, has been a concern for the team in recent times.

Their bowlers have struggled in the English conditions forcing the selectors to take some harsh calls. Apart from all this, fielding is also a great concern for the side. Many of the fielders in this Asian team don’t even qualify as safe catchers. Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed isn’t the best behind the stumps either and has his share of struggles.

Over the years, we’ve seen Pakistan fielders commit some blunders on the field and the situation isn’t really different now. Just like many of the other teams, they have all utility fielders and not completely the best.

7. South Africa – 8.5/10

Since their readmission into cricket in 1992, one thing that has been eluding the South African team is a World Cup title. The team has got close on several occasions till now and was just two steps away in the previous edition of the tournament as well. While this is a team that often makes it into the knockouts, they’ve always struggled to punch above their weights in difficult situations.

This time around, they are fielding a relatively young and inexperienced team as compared to the previous squads. The side looks good on paper and they are one of the better fielding units in the tournament. Most of their fielders, including the fast bowlers, are really professional and a treat to watch.

However, the side loses out on a few points because they will also have someone like Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir who are relatively slower movers.

8. England – 8.5/10

England is another team like South Africa that hasn’t got its hands on the cup as yet. But these blokes have been hanging around for quite some time now and have featured in every edition of the tournament. Also, this is their best chance to get their hands on the coveted title.

No other England team that played the World Cup in the past has looked as fierce as Eoin Morgan’s unit and that’s why they are considered one of the hot favourites to win the tournament. Fielding-wise, England is quite a good team. Playing in the home conditions will be an added advantage as the players understand the fields and dimensions well.

This side has got some of the safest catchers in the whole tournament. But there are one or two exceptions who don’t cover the turf quickly and thus they lose out on the points ever so slightly.

9. Australia – 9/10

The build-up to this edition of the World Cup for the defending champions might not have been the best. But just at the right moments, the management has managed to stock up the squad with some excellent resources. The Aussies look one of the strongest around in all the three departments of the game. Most of their players are in form with the bat and the bowling is highly capable of delivering match-winning performances.

Their fielding is usually underrated but has been amongst the best in the world for quite some time now. Every single player in this squad is an excellent athlete on the field and they save a lot of runs very naturally. Oppositions dare not take any chances against some of the throwing arms in this Australian team.

It is really exciting watching the likes of Glenn Maxwell and David Warner do their thing on the ground. Even though they are rated at par with New Zealand, the Australian team manages to find a slight edge, which however is not a massive differentiator.

10. India – 7.5/10

In World Cup 2015, Team India fielded one of its best fielding units ever. It seemed as if there was an unbreachable ring on the off-side during the powerplay with the likes of Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina and Ajinkya Rahane forming a formidable defence. The team further had a pacer like Umesh Yadav who is terrific on the field. The rest of the fielders were decent enough and it was a great strength to that team.

But this time around, the standards might have slightly depleted. Virat, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul and Jadeja are the best amongst the lot. There are other decent fielders in the form of Vijay Shankar. However, the side’s bowling unit isn’t great on the field. The likes of Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami aren’t the most reliable.

At least three of them are expected to play all the games in the tournament and we’ve seen them drop some dollies in the past. The English conditions won’t be easy and it will be quite testing for them. The average age of this squad is 29.5 years, the oldest that India ever fielded in a World Cup. While there are some exceptional fielders in this side, the others ones are pretty much average.