Cricket World Cup

Whether it is scoring a quickfire 35 or bowling 6-7 important overs, the presence of a genuine all rounder is necessary for an ODI team to be competitive. Here is a look at a few of the ‘bit of this and a bit of that’ players to watch out for this World Cup.

Angelo Mathews (SL):

The 23 year old Mathews, after impressive performances for the youth squad, was picked during the Zimbabwe tour of 2008. His career didn’t begin on the best note as he was bowled for a duck as Sri Lanka scraped to victory. However with a quickfire 31 and a half century in the next two matches, he showed glimpses of what was to come in the future.
Only 35 ODI’s old, Mathews has won matches with both bat ball for Sri Lanka. He was involved in a record 9th wicket partnership with Malinga to help Sri Lanka beat Australia from an improbable position and has also taken 6 wickets in 6 overs in an ODI against India. His ability to bat anywhere in the order and bowl with new ball makes him a talent to watch out for.

Shakib-Al-Hasan (BAN):

If Bangladesh has one man to thank for their recent resurgence and rise to eighth in the rankings, it would have to be Shakib-Al-Hasan. The Bangladeshi skipper, who made it to the international arena after demolishing Sri Lanka in an U-19 tournament final, has been an asset to the national team since his debut where he scored an unbeaten 30 to steer Bangladesh to victory against Zimbabwe. He took over the captaincy duties after Mashrafe Mortaza got injured and has gone onto become the best all rounder in the limited overs format if the game.

He finished as not only the leading run scorer but also the leading wicket taker in the recent series against New Zealand. His ability to strangle the scoring with his slow left armers and ability to score big in the middle order makes him a dangerous player and might as well be Bangladesh’s secret to success at the World Cup.

David Hussey (AUS):

David Hussey, after piling runs by the ton, finally got a call into the national squad when he was chosen for the tour of West Indies in 2008. A few poor performances later, Hussey lost his place when several of the top players returned. Despite being a regular in the T20 squad, Hussey remained a fringe player in the ODI’s till recently. However some gritty performances in the Commonwealth Bank series against England makes him a definite starter in the World Cup. Hussey’s bottom hand technique will come of good use while clearing the field during the Powerplays. Apart from his destructive batting, Hussey is a more than a useful off break bowler who can send down quick overs and also a livewire in the field and his contribution in all facets of the game is vital for Australia to have any chance of retaining the World Cup.

Tags: All-Rounders, Angelo Mathews, AUS, Australia, BAN, Bangladesh, Countdown, Cricket, David Hussey, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Shakib Al Hasan, SL, Sri Lanka, World Cup