There are some cricketers who have entertained the crowds and contributed to team’s success alike throughout their career. They are nearing the end of their career and want to end it in style. Here is that list of elite cricketers who want to stamp their class on this world cup.
SACHIN TENDULKAR
This great man deserves to be part of a world cup winning team. Last time his teammates (read bowlers that too only in finals) let him down. He showed signs of returning to his old dominating form in the recent series against West Indies. In this world cup his role would be different, in the middle order, to keep run rate moving without losing wickets. I would not be surprised if Indian team management asks him to open in this world cup. Never discount Sachin especially in a world cup. I want Sachin to be with the same kind of ego when he decimated Shane Warne in the test series in India few years ago. He also took calculated measures against McGrath in few one-dayers between the two teams. Suddenly he lost out that battle with McGrath. This time around he should dominate whoever be, whatever the bowler’s reputation. Attack! Attack! Attack! This should be the mantra wherever he bats.
BRIAN LARA
In Test cricket he is the KING among his contemporaries. In one-dayers too he have a good record, but not that great. Clearly he wanted to be a part of a world-cup winning team and desperately wants to revive the West Indies cricket. His first two stints as captain were disastrous. But in his third and final stint he is very much determined to make most of it. In recent times he is concentrating more on building his team than on his own batting. Never misjudge that development; he would suddenly play a brilliant innings out of blue. Such was (is) his genius.
ANIL KUMBLE
This genial cricketer is an automatic choice for the test cricket. But he was in and out of one-day team despite having moderate success in this form of cricket. Slowness in the field and inability to play few shots unlike Bhajji is often counted against him. Adding to that he is currently not in best of form. But his typical determination to excel against all odds will spur him to display some useful performances. He likes to sign off in a style.
SANATH JAYASURIYA
He has already tasted a world cup title win. He would want to add another one. His team is playing good cricket now and they are one of the favorites to win this world cup. He too was in good form now, after coming back from temporary retirement. One can expect some fireworks, last time, from his blade in this world cup.
INZAMAM-UL-HAQ
Like Jayasuriya he too was part of a world-cup winning team. Currently he is not in best of form even though he played a match-winning knock in a recent test match against Proteas. He is determined to end this world cup and his career in a positive note. His experience will surely count and he is a pressure absorber in the middle for his team.
GLEN McGRATH
Pigeon is aiming to finish his illustrious career with a hat-trick of world cup titles. Little bit of sting is missing these days from him; still he is the best bowler of his side. The typical Aussie bloody-mindedness will make him surge through this tournament.
ADAM GILCHRIST
The arrogance from the blade of this humble cricketer never ceases to end. If he can plunder best of the bowlers in huge Australian grounds, then he will certainly make mockery of them in smaller Caribbean grounds. He will be very important for his team’s revival after their surprise drubbing against English team and Kiwis. These two teams will have some special treatment from him, I guess.
STEPHEN FLEMING
He is considered to be the best captain among his contemporaries. His cool-headedness and strategies have always upstaged his more fancied oppositions. If Kiwis want to progress till the last in this tournament, consistent contribution from his blade is very essential. I am sure there will be a sizeable contribution from his bat.
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