ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the biggest sporting event is scheduled to kick off on 19th February 2011. Here is a review about England, New Zealand & Bangladesh Cricket World Cup Squads:
England:
For the first time since 1992, England are considered among the favourites at the start of a World Cup. After winning the T20 Championship, they would be looking to repeat their success in the ODI format too. Following his strong performance in the Ashes, the selectors decided to include Matthew Prior, their third keeper in the last one year, in the squad ahead of Steve Davies or Craig Kieswetter.
Stuart Broad is expected to be fit in time for the start of the Cup and was included in the squad along with pacers James Anderson and Tim Bresnan while Ajmal Shahzad beat Graham Onions and Chris Tremlett for the last pacer’s spot. Kent spinner James Tredwell was also selected as the backup spinner while Paul Collingwood was also retained in the squad despite being dropped for the first two ODI’s against Australia while Luke Wright and Michael Yardy were the other all-rounders.
Squad: Andrew Strauss (Captain), James Anderson, Matthew Prior (Wicketkeeper), Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright, Paul Collingwood, Michael Yardy, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Tim Bresnan, Ajmal Shahzad, Stuart Broad.
New Zealand:
Despite their recent struggles and run of losses, the Kiwi selectors decided to retain the bulk of the squad that were swept away in the ODI series in Bangladesh and India. Jacob Oram returns from injury while the selectors also named uncapped all rounder Luke Woodcock in the 15 member squad that would travel to the sub-continent.
Hamish Bennett, who made his Test debut recently against India, was also included in the squad along with opener Jamie How. All rounders Nathan McCullum, Scott Styris, Jesse Ryder and James Franklin all made the cut while pacers Daryl Tuffey and Andy McKay missed out.
Squad: Daniel Vettori (Captain), Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum (Wicketkeeper), Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Scott Styris, Jacob Oram, Nathan McCullum, Luke Woodcock, James Franklin, Hamish Bennett, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills.
Bangladesh:
Bangladesh, who managed to stitch series victories against the Kiwis and Zimbabwe, named an unsurprising 15 member squad for the World Cup. The only question left to be answered was whether injury prone pacer Mashrafe Mortaza would be included in the squad. But the selectors decided to leave him out after he injured his right knee in December. Shakib Al Hasan will continue captaining the squad in the absence of Mortaza while Tamim Iqbal was named his deputy. The selectors continued to persist with the out of form Mohammad Ashraful, as the minnows will look to play party-poopers and cause an upset or two in home conditions.
Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicketkeeper), Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Ashraful, Raqibul Hasan, Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Rubel Hossain, Shaiful Islam, Nazmul Hossain.
Tags: Bangladesh, Countdown, Cricket, Cricket World Cup, England, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, New Zealand, ODI Cricket, Squads, World Cup
