ICC World Cup 2019: One player from each of the top 5 ICC ODI ranked teams that can help them win the tournament

ODI Rank #4 South Africa – Hashim Amla

South Africa v West Indies - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

Since their return to international cricket (1991), they have always been a very strong team. Every ICC World Cup edition, they looked like winning the tournament but just when it mattered the most, they faltered and hence, over the years, the South African team has earned themselves a disgraceful title of ‘chokers’.

Until last year, everyone expected the showstopper AB de Villiers with his aggressive batting to change the perception and win it for South Africa. However, his expected retirement just a year before the marquee event shocked the entire cricketing arena and most importantly, created a massive vacuum within the South African team.

Yet, despite his absence, once again, they will start their campaign being one of the favourites to lift the prestigious trophy. They appear to have a very strong batting line up – Faf du Plessis, David Miller, JP Duminy, and Quinton De Kock fused with excellent bowling brigade in Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada but one player that holds the key for their success is the veteran Hashim Amla.

Not only the 35-year-old is their most experienced ODI player (174 ODIs) but also has the ability to play long innings (27 ODI hundreds). In swinging English conditions, his solid batting technique will ensure a good start to the team and lay the ideal platform for others to launch themselves at a later stage. Also, his presence on one side of the crease will allow other stroke makers to play their natural game and demolish the opponents with their aggressive batting style. And just in case, they lose few early wickets, he possesses the temperament to bail the team out of a pressure situation.

Without a doubt, this upcoming ICC World Cup, the South African team will look forward to erasing the history and start a new era by eventually winning the prestigious trophy for the very first time. A dream the nation has been carrying ever since they started playing the game of cricket can only turn into a reality with Hashim Amla’s exceptional show.