5 More Cricket World Cup Stars

Lance Klusener (South Africa)

This man affectionately know as the ‘Zulu’ had the reputation of being a fearsome lower order hitter in the limited overs game.In the 1999 World Cup, he was truly frightening in a sense that has rarely been seen in the Cup’s history.His late order cameo’s were truly the stuff of legend.His cameo of 46 against Pakistan against a very good attack that contained Wasim Akram and Shoaib Ahktar was a very fine one.This 41 ball thrash lead to his team winning a very tight contest by 3 wickets. After his team had been reduced to 176/7 chasing 221.Again in what is regarded as one of the best Odi games ever in the Semi Final against Australia at Birmingham Klusener was key again.Chasing a very small Aussie total of 213.The South African’s seemed destined to slay a few of their past World Cup demons.Though after having been reduced to 198/9 on the back of some typical Warne magic-the task seemed forlorn.Though enter Klusener hitting 31 off 16 balls to set up just need 1 run off the last 4 balls from Damien Flemming with the scores tied.Klusener taps it past the bowler into no man’s land….a single is definately on…..BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Allan Donald isn’t backing up and thus when he does decide to run after Klusener has run past him he’s run out at the keepers end!The Aussies are in shocked awe…..The South African’s are in shocked mourning and Klusener im sure wanted to belt Donald over the grandstand!

Andy Bichel (Australia) I must admit in recent Australian cricket history I see this big hearted player as one of the most underatted players.In the 2003 World Cup he was key in the win for Australia.He truly did it all with bat and ball.In the super 6′s when Australia against New Zealand were reduced to 84/7.Bichel was key with the bat hitting a very crucial 64.Ultimately leading to a unlikely Aussie comeback and win.Then previously in a very tight Pool match against England Bichel was again huge.Knee buckling the English by getting the remarkable figures of 20/7.Then leading the Aussies home when they were 135/8 chasing 204 with 36 with the bat.Along with Bevan,who ill cover later in this series.Andy Bichel was huge in the Aussies winning the tournament!

Wasim Akram (Pakistan) In the history of the game there are many who view this exceptional left arm fast bowling all rounder as the best the games seen.In truth it has merit.This seen in his role in the miraculous 1992 World Cup win by Pakistan in which he was key.In the miraculous Semi Final win against New Zealand with some key late order hitting that only netted 9 runs but was crucial in the context of the match.Then in the final he was in truth the star.Pakistan batted first on a very decent pitch and when they lost Imran leaving them 197/4. The likelihood of a competitive score seemed beyond them.Though enter Akram hitting a very brutal 18 ball 33 to get his side to 249.Then in the English chase he was key getting Botham for a duck when he was opening and Lamb on 31 when he looked like he’d get England home.The next ball he shattered Chris Lewis’s stumps and the Pakistan victory celebrations were beginning already.A great man,player and a huge star in the World Cup

Sachin Tendulkar (India)There are few that doubt that Tendulkar is one of the best players ever in the history of the game in all forms of the game.Though it must be said that he was at his very best in the 2003 World Cup.In his role as an opener he was truly regal as seen in his brutal 98 off 75 balls against a very fine Pakistan team chasing 273.In this attack there was Akram,Ahktar and Waqar. So you can see their pedigree.Though Sachin flayed them everywhere hitting 12 4′s and 1 6 ensuring a great Indian victory.Sadly in the final the fragile Indian bowling cruelled his brilliance by allowing Australia to rack up a total that was never going to be chased down in 359Though in this tournament Sachin was in truth one of the best batsmen ever seen in the history of the World Cup.He deservingly won the player of the tournament,but this was a token prize for a man whose always put team first

Joel Garner (West Indies)I don’t think you’d ever meet a person who didn’t love the man affectionately nicknamed the ‘Big Bird’ in Joel Garner.His record in all forms of the game is truly stellar,but in the Limited overs game he was truly lethal.His height gave rise to rearing bounce and his lethal yorker was the stuff of folk lore.In the 1979 World Cup Final against England he was truly brutal.In truth the West Indies were never going to lose after the great partnership by Collis King and King Viv Richards,but Garner made sure of it.Truly dismembering the English batting in getting 38/5Thus making sure of the win and sending him into World Cup legend status

Tomorrow 5 more World Cup heroes!