World Cup 2015: 7 emerging pacers to keep an eye on

It is being said that the ICC 2015 World Cup will be a tournament for pace bowlers. This is an absolute no brainer, considering the event is being held at pace friendly conditions of Australia and New Zealand. Ground conditions aside, the two new rules – 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle, use of two new balls from each end – will encourage captains to prioritize quicker bowlers. So it was not a surprise when most teams (Including ones who usually depend on spinners) decided to pack their squads with pacers. If this will be the tournament for quicks, then who are the guys worth keeping an eye on? Almost every cricket fan including the passive follower will know a thing or two about Dale Steyn, Mitchell Johnson, and Jimmy Anderson. But who are the younger, lesser known or emerging faces? Like every other edition, the next few weeks will provide these newer faces a perfect platform to anounce themselves to the World. Here are seven emerging pacers every fan must keep an eye on in the duration of the tournament, and perhaps beyond. More established bowlers such as those who played above 50 ODIs and those who may have already played in World Cups are not included in the list. Honourable mentions include Taskin Ahmed (Bangladesh), Chris Woakes (England), Sohail Khan (Pakistan) and Suranga Lakmal (Sri Lanka).

#1 Trent Boult

New Zealand's Trent Boult bowls during the one-day international cricket series against Sri Lanka

New Zealand has a habit of producing pace bowlers who make an impact during World Cups. Geoff Allott was the joint highest wicket taker in 1999, while Shane Bond mesmerized in the 2003 edition. Trent Boult could very well be the latest addition to the list.

Easily one of the most exciting bowlers in world cricket, Boult has become New Zealand’s key weapon in recent times. Along with Tim Southee, their duo is considered the deadliest new ball pair in cricket and are expected to wreak havoc in the World Cup.

Boult has been particularly successful in Tests, racking up 110 wickets from 30 tests at an average of 27.39, earning him the 6th place in ICC’s Test Bowling rankings. The man from Rotorua has not had much opportunity in limited overs cricket, but the skill set he possesses could make him a bowler to watch out for this World Cup.

Boult, who idolizes Wasim Akram, is a fast medium bowler who can swing the ball both ways. His main delivery is the inswinger to the right handed batsman. Boult’s swing is often described as the big banana refering to the amount of bend he generates. What makes him even more dangerous to play is his ability to swing the ball late. This sometimes allows him to send unplayable deliveries – the type we are used to seeing from the greats and the best in the business.

His victims include technically correct batsmen like Michael Hussey, Hashim Amla, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Alastair Cook, Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis to name a few. Despite having a small stature, Boult bowls at a deceptively brisk pace of around 140 kph. His ability to make the ball skid makes him appear even faster. In general, Boult is very aggressive – always attacking the batsman and not afraid to send down a necessary stare.

New Zealand is being dubbed one of the favorites to lift the upcoming World Cup. If they are to do so, Trent Boult will have to play a major role in their campaign.

#2 Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc of Australia walks out onto the field during a One Day International match between Australia and India

The most consistent and fittest amongst Australia’s battery of upcoming quicks, Mitchell Starc has quietly established his place in all formats. His success though has mainly been in the shorter formats. The 1.97m fast bowler has 61 wickets from 33 ODIs at an average of 21.27. Four five-fers so early in his career is a proof of his genuine wicket taking ability. Starc also has 25 wickets from 19 T20Is. This has earned him the 6th place in ICC’s ODI Bowlers Rankings and 9th in the T20 list

Perhaps not as skilfull as Trent Boult, Starc’s bowling is more about bounce and pace. His natural height and high-arm action allows him to generate plenty of bounce. He is capable of consistently bowling around 145 kph, and his effort deliveries could close in on 150. With the new ball, Starc brings the ball into the right hander.

Like Wasim Akram, Starc often likes to bowl from over the wicket creating an awkward angle for batsmen. Starc’s ability to bowl yorkers will make him a key weapon in pressure situations.

While most would entrust the lead actor role of Australia to Mitchell Johnson, one can rest assured that Starc will not be happy with a support cast role. Starc will be given the new ball and asked to bowl the first over. And every time he bowls well, Australia will have a good start.

#3 Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazelwood bowls during the one-day international warm up cricket match between Australia and India

Josh Hazlewood has been compared to Glenn McGrath from the time he was 17. And it must have meant a lot to him when his childhood idol McGrath himself tipped the player as a sure bet for 200 plus Test wickets. Hazlewood has not dissapointed his followers, picking up a five-fer on his Test debut against India, and also a five-fer against South Africa in a close ODI loss.

Like McGrath, Hazlewood is a consistent line and length bowler who bowls in zone which is neither front foot nor back foot length. His line and length make him incredibly difficult to score off. With the new ball, he builds pressure by accumulating dots with the fielders up in the circle.

This makes him a perfect foil for more attacking bowlers like Johnson and Starc. Considered the workhorse of the bowling lineup, Hazlewood bowls around 140kph. Although he is capable of bowling at quicker speeds the 24-year-old prioritizes accuracy and consistency over flair. The strong 1.96m bowler from New South Wales hits the deck hard and uses his height to full effect to get a lot of nicks and outside edges. 8 of his 12 wickets against India in the recent Test series were caught behind by the keeper or slip fielders.

Hazlewood is likely to be chosen ahead of Pat Cummins in the upcoming World Cup to provide a better balanced attack, which will also feature the more offensive Johnson and Starc. He will have the specific role of keeping things economical early on. But one should not be surprised if the 24-year-old ends up doing a whole lot of damage himself.

#4 Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami bowls during a one-day international cricket match between Australia and India

Mohammed Shami might already be a household name in India, but the 24-year-old fast medium bowler is looking at the upcoming World Cup as an opportunity to become a worldwide name. He will also look to take over the bowling leadership mantle following the footsteps of Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan.

The man from Bengal has 47 scalps from 12 Tests, but his main success has been in ODIs where he has 70 wickets at 40 ODIs at an impressive average of 26.74. His good efforts in ODIs has earned him an ICC ODI Ranking of 24.

Shami is a more complete bowler compared to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav. He can swing the ball – both with the new and the old. He is deceptively quick, easily capable of bowling over 140 kph. He maintains a good line and length , making him hard to score off.

The high work rate bowler always runs in hard, hits the deck hard and is willing to give his all for his team. The down to earth pacer does not get overawed by the situation or opponent, instead pushes himself to be better than his best.

His ability to bowl yorkers and get reverse swing also makes him an asset in death overs. Whenever India needs breakthroughs, Dhoni often hands the ball to him. Bhuvneshwar Kumar often proves to be ineffective with the older ball, while Sharma and Yadav can be erratic. Shami on the other hand is more consistent, reliable and versatile, which makes him India’s main pace weapon.

Shami has been out off form in recent times. But Dhoni and co will be hoping the occassion gets the best out of him.

#5 Pat Cummins

George Bailey congratulates Patrick Cummins of Australia after he got the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane of India during the ICC Cricket World Cup warm up match

Pat Cummins is the most hyped and sensationalized among Australia’s emerging pacers. Cummins burst into the scene as an 18-year-old tearaway, picking 6/79 on Test debut, helping Australia beat South Africa at Wanderers. A foot and back problem has halted his progress keeping him out for the next three seasons.

Now 21, Cummins will be hoping for a good break at the World Cup. But the youngster will know he has to be patient for a spot in the team, and if he does get it, he has to work hard to keep it.

Described by media as a speed demon, Cummins was able to bowl around the 150kph range even as an 18-year-old. Brett Lee was perhaps a touch faster when he first broke into the team, but Cummins’s 1.92m frame allows him to generate vicious bounce. Cummins looks shy and placid in appearance, but with the ball in hand he is aggressive and intimidating. The pace, bounce and aggression makes him one of the most exciting bowlers in the world today.

As things stand, Cummins is Australia’s fourth choice pacer behind Johnson, Starc and Hazlewood. Aussies are unlikely to rush him to the side as he has not played in any major competition or had a run of games. Chances are they might pick him if they wish to rattle any side, or when they play at WACA .

If Australia do pick him, he adds an X factor to an already explosive bowling lineup. Even the best batting side of the tournament would be worried about facing these four bowlers.

#6 Adam Milne

Adam Milne of New Zealand celebrates dismissing Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka

Adam Milne’s situation at New Zealand is similar to that of Pat Cummins at Australia. The 22-year-old fast bowler barely made it to the squad, as he has been in and out due to recurrent injuries. The New Zealand selectors finally decided to gamble with him as he adds the pace factor to an already potent pace attack.

Milne is perhaps not as skilful as Cummins, but is better known for his raw pace. He can consistently bowl around 150 kph and his fastest ball recorded till date is 153.2kph. Reaching another additional 7 kph is something the player has thought of, and many experts feel he could be among the present generation bowlers who could do it. Trained by Shane Bond since he was 17, the tall and lanky Milne can also extract good bounce. His stock delivery is the one which shapes back into the right hander.

New Zealand is certain to opt for a three pacer strategy alongside Daniel Vettori and the all-rounders in their artilery. As it stands, either the more experienced Kyle Mills or McClenaghan is more likely to accompany Southee and Boult. But in matches where the Kiwis require something extra, an attack featuring Southee, Boult and Milne will be quite a treat for spectators, and not for the opposition.

#7 Jason Holder

West Indies bowler Jason Holder bowls to South African batsman JP Duminy

Jason Holder is not the typical Carribean fast bowler we are accustomed to seeing. The 23-year-old from Barbados is not express speed, like the well known West Indian bowlers of yesteryears. But he utilizes his 2.01m frame and a high arm action well to generate steep bounce which adds something different to the West Indian pace attack.

Holder’s inspirations are Curtly Ambrose and Andrew Flintoff. Former skipper Dwayne Bravo once said, “It’s been a while since we’ve had a fast bowler with his height coming across the region. Normally we have Fidel Edwards, Jerome Taylor, Kemar Roach, Jean Paul, all maybe six feet and under. It is not traditional for West Indies not to have tall fast bowlers like Curtly Ambrose, Walsh, Michael Holding. So Holder is the one we have to try to groom to be our next Curtly Ambrose, and tall like this will actually do well for him.”

Holder hits the deck hard and bowls consistently in the zone with good control. He is an intelligent and mature cricketer, perhaps a reason why WICB has made him their youngest ever captain. This maturity shows in his bowling – especially how he leads from front, bowls in pressure situation – as if he has been doing it for years. Through T20 experience, Holder has also developed a repertoire of variations and yorkers which makes him an obvious choice in death overs.

The medium fast bowler has had a good start in ODIs, picking up 37 wickets from 26 games at an average of 30.21.

For a country which has such a rich history of producing world class fast bowlers, West Indies has had quite a few barren years. In the past West Indian fans have been excited with the likes of Merv Dillon, Jermaine Lawson, Fidel Edwards, Tino Best and Jerome Taylor. But none lived up to expectations. A lot of people have faith in Jason Holder to end the talent drought. There is no bigger occassion for Holder to prove it than the upcoming World Cup.