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Sunday, 11 March 2007

USUAL SUSPECTS – WORLD CUP SPECIAL

These are the cricketers whom their team can always bank on to deliver the goods for them. They are dependable and consistent. They are the key players of their teams.

RAHUL DRAVID
Arguably the best test batsman after Lara among contemporary players. He is ever improving batsman in shorter version of the game. He was once written as unfit for shorter version. But now Indian team cannot prosper without him. After 2003 world cup he is the best match winner for India after Yuvraj Singh (If you have any doubt please check the records. Yuvraj – 9 Man of the Match awards, Dravid – 6 Man of the Match awards). His greatest strength in one-dayers is his versatility to bat at any position successfully. He can anchor an innings at the start of the match as well as finish games while setting the target or chasing the target.

RICKY PONTING
On current form he is the best batsman in the world in recent years. He had succeeded against all types of attack on all conditions except against India in India. He is a big match player. When chips are down, you can certainly expect an enterprising innings from his blade. He is also a great fielder who would save lot of runs and would come up with a blinder of a catch often.

MUTHAIH MURALIDHARAN
Murali would turn the cricket ball on any surface. So Caribbean conditions won’t excite him too much. He is not the sort of player who depends on pitch conditions but on his own ability and belief. At times his reputation alone would fetch wickets for his team. Teams like England, South Africa and NewZealand would be very wary of him. Even other teams would also be little cautious against him.

SHANE BOND
He is the quickest bowler in this tournament in the absence of Bret Lee and Sohaib Akhtar. His striking powers are phenomenal. He picks wickets with both new and old ball. He would get wickets in a heap. He is a real match-winner.

MOHAMMAD YOUSUF
He was hailed as best Pakistani batsman ever (ahead of Javed Miandad) by none other than his captain Inzy. He is the run machine for the Pakistan team. He rotates the strike very well with quick singles and also can clear the rope whenever needed. He is often accused of not finishing the job. This time around he is determined to finish the job for his team.

PAUL COLLINGWOOD
Opposition should fear Collingwood more than Pietersen. He is someone like Dravid or Miandad who would keep the run rate moving without playing any expansive strokes. Whenever he clicks most of the time his team would succeed. He is the best fielder in his side and also a useful medium-pace bowler.

KUMARA SANGAKKARA
He is brilliant with both bat and gloves. He also has a good cricketing brain. By each passing year he is lifting his game to the next level. He relishes all types of conditions and attack.

SHAUN POLLOCK
He along with McGrath is the meanest bowler in world cricket. He is difficult to score off and also picks up lot of wickets at the start of an innings. Whenever top-order fails he would often come up with a match-winning knock.

JAQUES KALLIS
He is Mr. Consistent of South Africa. He is one of the greatest allrounders of current generation. He provides lot of stability to South African batting line-up and would come up with huge scores often. His bowling especially at death would be a huge plus for Proteas.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

i dont think dravid going to be the key, he is been very good support player when opposition got huge score. i thing indian key on yuraj or sachin.

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