Batsmen to watch out for at the World Cup

As we close in on the much awaited event of cricket here is a look at some of the top picks who would charm us with their dazzling performances all through the tournament. First we look at the batsmen who would not just hold the key for their sides but will also be stand out performers in the World Cup and possibly be the leading scorers of the tournament. So here are my top-6 picks:

6. Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh): Most of the readers would be surprised, or rather shocked with my first choice, but mind you take this enterprising opener lightly at your own peril. Remember he is the same player who took the game away from India in 2007. He is dynamic and aggressive and has consistently proved his worth for the tigers. Each World Cup springs up a surprise and in this edition all eyes will be on Bangladesh. They are the co-hosts, have performed superbly over the last few months and have a team hungry to perform. But one man who would hold the key is Tamim Iqbal. If he gives them a good start this team could do wonders.

Last year was one of the best years for Tamim and Bangladesh cricket. Tamim scored 151 against India in a test at Dhaka and then after a few good half centuries, had the most fascinating test series’ in England, where he scored 103 of 100 balls at Lords’ and 108 of 114 balls at Manchester. Tamim has also done well in the 50-over game in 2010. He had an average of 51 in a 3-match series against England in Bangladesh. While, in the last series against Zimbabwe he averaged 40. He may not have been in the league of the best last year but surely has shown enough promise and will be a man to watch out for this year.

5. Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan): Yet another opener, yet another surprise. Expectations are little from Hafeez in a team that boasts of Younis Khan, Misbah ul Haq and Shahid Afridi but ask Pakistan how much it depends on this stylish right-hander. Hafeez is one of very few cricketers across the world who fits in all forms of the game and has been assigned the same role in all the three formats. The only other player who comes to mind is Australia’s Shane Watson.

Hafeez is not just responsible to give his side a flying start but is also given the role of holding the innings together. He may not have been the top scorer for Pakistan last year but has done well consistently for the team and will be a player to watch out for this world cup. He also is a handy off-spinner and can chip in with 6-7 overs which makes him a valuable asset. Hafeez, who has had to make a number of comebacks in the Pakistan team, had a decent tour of New Zealand where he scored a century in the closing phases of the tour. He also averaged 40 against South Africa in the preceding tour in UAE.

4. Miachael Clarke (Australia): He was booed by his own fans. His feet weren’t moving; he found atypical ways to get out and was going though the leanest patch of his career. But as they say “form is temporary, but class permanent.” Clarke has hit back. He got two 50s in his last two internationals just ahead of the big tournament to announce the world that Clarke is back and the world better watch out now.

The Aussie vice-captain will be a huge difference in his country’s bid for a fourth world cup on the trot. He is an aggressive stroke player and a treat to watch when in full flow. He also gives his team a handy left-arm spinning option and has done fairly well on Indian conditions.

3. Jonathan Trott (England): The England number three is in the form of his life. After a fantastic Ashes where he scored 445 runs at an average of 89, he kept the good nick going in the 7-match one-day series against the Aussies. England were thrashed 6-1 in the series but Trott stood out scoring 375 runs at an average of 62.5. He scored two centuries in the Ashes and followed it up with two in the ODIs.

Trott maybe new to International cricket but in his first few years he has proved that he has hunger for scoring big runs. He puts price on his wicket and likes to carry on for long periods even after getting a century. The South African born batsman has got a good temperament and sound technique. He would be leading the English charge in the World Cup while Kevin Pietersen, skipper Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell will be the other key members who would need to support Trott if England wishes to lift the trophy on April 2.

2. Hashim Amla (South Africa): One man who has taken the world by storm in the past year is the opener from South Africa. We all know that Amla is a proven test match batsman, but in the last year he has developed into a dangerous one-day player. If one looks at the last 7 series’ involving South Africa, one player who has consistently flourished is Amla. He averaged 80 against Zimbabwe; 51 against England; 60 against India; 80 against West Indies; 81 against Zimbabwe; 72 against Pakistan and 62 against India in the last 7 series’. His overall one-day average is 59.88 that include seven centuries. Six of those hundreds came in 2010 which is just why I believe Amla would be one of the top performers in this mega event. Amla’s solidity makes him a difficult player to dislodge and his ability to bat in any sort of condition makes him South Africa’s most consistent cricketer.

If Proteas have to do well in this World Cup Amla would have to continue his form while Graeme Smith, Jaquese Kallis and AB de Villiers will have to play around him.

1. Gautam Gambhir (India): India’s $2.4 million man will be the one to watch out for this world cup. Indeed he has been out of action for a while and did not have a good game against the Aussies in the warm-up game, but Gambhir is a big match player and knows how to lift himself on the biggest stage.

The elegant southpaw plays according to the demands of the situation. He can be aggressive on top but can also play the holding role to perfection. In a team of strokemakers, there has to be one player who needs to anchor the innings and launch into the attack whenever needed, and Gambhir is technically adept to play that role. The 2009 ICC cricketer of the year can walk down to fastest of bowlers and smash them out of the park, while shift gears and play as a sheet anchor in the same innings. If India are to win the tournament Gambhir would have a crucial role to play. He has a phenomenal track record having an average of 40 in ODIs and 51 in tests and will surely be a delight to watch in this tournament.