The buzz around the quadrennial carnival is quietly
building-up. Teams are busy figuring out respective preferred elevens, legends
of the past are sharing their success mantra, analysts are forecasting possible
winners and fans are engaging in all such peripheral activities. One such
routine exercise is evoking memories from the past to form an all-time great
World Cup XI side; and after an edition concludes, the best players are drafted
into a dream team of performers from the particular world cup. How about enlisting
a pre-tournament set of players who have stood out after the conclusion of the
World Cup of 2011 as a crude summary of the names to watch out for over the
next couple of months?
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Tillakaratne Dilshan has scored the most number of runs (as
an opener) since 2nd April 2011 in ODI cricket and also the most
number of hundreds. Although his form in 2011 and 2012 was marked with string
of low scores but since 2013 he has turned-on consistency in his output in this
form of the game. Having hit a successful patch since the last couple of weeks,
Sri Lanka would be hoping a similar performance over the course of the world
cup from him.
Hashim Amla
At the other end is somebody who seems invincible in most
ways at the moment. His bat is on a record-breaking spree and the numbers
generated in this process are comfortably ahead of his peers. With 54.19,
Hashim Amla has the best average as an opener in this format for the last 4
years (min. 20 matches) at a healthy strike rate of 85.81. South Africa would be
pinning its hopes of a victorious campaign pivoted around the form of Amla.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli walks in at number 3 having notched up the most
number of hundreds at this position (min. 20 matches). He has the 2nd
highest average at this position and also at the same place in the list for
highest run-getters at this position. Although his batting slot for the world cup
is currently unclear, many would like to see him bat where he has recorded many
memorable knocks.
AB de Villiers
There has been a conscious effort by the South African team
management to have the best batsman around the globe bat at 4. An average of
57.68 with an unparalleled strike rate of 102.12 at this position bears
testimony to this backroom plan. It goes without saying that South Africa’s
fortunes in this world cup will largely depend upon the magnificent AB de
Villiers.
Angelo Mathews
Angelo Mathews has quietly built a reputation for himself as
a reliable lower order batsman in this format, alongside being one of the main
bowlers in the side. With an average of 54.13 at 89.48 and 13 unbeaten knocks
in 35 innings at number 5, he provides the cushion lower in the batting
line-up. He has the ability to shift gears and also to anchor an innings in
tough situations. Sri Lanka will be expecting Mathews to lead them from the front.
Umar Akmal
The late middle order batting slots are generally expected
to score those additional 20-25 runs batting first or be the finishers while
chasing totals. In such a team, the abundantly gifted Umar Akmal can be the
number 6 batsman in this line-up. He provided a glimpse of his big tournament
temperament during 2011 and will carry the responsibility of repeating that on
this occasion as well. He has been the 3rd highest run-getter at
this position behind Dhoni & Mathews with a decent average of 38.64 at a
strike rate of 89.79.
MS Dhoni
Not so long ago, MS Dhoni was probably one of the best batsmen
in this form of the game, discounting his keeping. His stunning credentials as
a finisher are well documented and an average of 66.20 at number 6/7 with an
excellent strike rate of 90.95. To accommodate rest of the team, this
keeper-batsman can come at number 7 in this team.
Dale Steyn
The new ball in this side will have to be taken by the impeccable
Dale Steyn. He has claimed 70 wickets in 42 innings during this period at an
average of 22.27 at a strike rate of 30.2. He dries up the runs through tight
lines as evidenced by his economy rate of 4.41. If Steyn fires during the World
Cup consistently, South Africa would be a hard team to beat.
James Anderson
Mirroring those numbers and impact is another swing bowler
in the form of James Anderson. 71 batsmen have been dismissed by him an average
of 22.60 with a wicket every 30.0 deliveries. At 4.51 he has a very good
economy rate for a new ball bowler. England’s performance in the world cup will
largely swing the way Anderson swings it!
Sunil Narine
The guile of Sunil Narine has flummoxed many batsmen across
teams in both the limited overs formats in recent times. Narine fits in
judiciously as the only spinner in this side (considering Australian
conditions), with impressive statistics in the last few years. He has 73
wickets in 52 innings to his name at an average of 26.49 at an economy rate of
4.10.
Mitchell Johnson
The X-factor in the bowling attack of such a fantasy team
would be provided by Mitchell Johnson. He has been Australia’s highest wicket
taker between April 2011 and Jan 2015. His numbers have been stunning for an
out an out strike bowler viz. average 24.88, strike rate 31.8 and economy 4.68.
His reputation has been soaring since 2013 and would be an ideal culmination
with a starring role during the World Cup.
P. S. All the
statistics are for the period 03 April 2011-24 January 2015.
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