As English conditions offer assistance to both bat and ball, all-rounders could set the 50-over World Cup alight, with their lusty blows or partnership-breaking spells.
India’s Hardik Pandya (left) and Ben Stokes of England
Chennai:
The rest of the pack, which includes Hardik Pandya (India), Ben Stokes (England), Marcus Stoinis (Australia), Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) and Andre Russell (West Indies), will be aware of their respective roles. Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka) and Colin de Grandhomme (New Zealand) could also provide the much-needed balance.
Pandya comes into the WC after firing on all cylinders in the Indian Premier League. The 25-year-old overcame testing times off the field and guided Mumbai Indians to its fourth IPL crown. Striking form at the right time, India skipper Virat Kohli will bank on Pandya to come good in England and Wales.
Host all-rounder Stokes has not been in the best of touch in recent times. But all it takes is one good outing and he could set the ball rolling from there on. Stoinis has been a consistent feature in the Australian side in the past couple of years. His final stage onslaughts with the bat and miserly bowling at the death have made him an asset for the five-time title-winner.
Shakib suffered an injury in the tri-series in Ireland, but is match fit for his team’s opener. The southpaw had an off day against India in the warm-up match on Tuesday. But he will have to set the tone early if Bangladesh aspires to upset some of the big boys. Nabi has been a mainstay in the Afghan line-up for the last decade. The 34-year-old is known for his consistency and he will hope to leave a mark for himself before the conclusion of the event.
Russell had a scintillating IPL, with the West Indian clobbering bowlers to all corners of the park. He did the same in the practice game against NZ on Tuesday and will strive for more of the same in the tournament proper.
Each side in the 10-team competition boasts of at least one versatile player, who can turn the match on its head. Off the complete list of all-rounders who will take the field in the global event, only Jason
Holder will be leading his team, West Indies.
The rest of the pack, which includes Hardik Pandya (India), Ben Stokes (England), Marcus Stoinis (Australia), Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) and Andre Russell (West Indies), will be aware of their respective roles. Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka) and Colin de Grandhomme (New Zealand) could also provide the much-needed balance.
Pandya comes into the WC after firing on all cylinders in the Indian Premier League. The 25-year-old overcame testing times off the field and guided Mumbai Indians to its fourth IPL crown. Striking form at the right time, India skipper Virat Kohli will bank on Pandya to come good in England and Wales.
Host all-rounder Stokes has not been in the best of touch in recent times. But all it takes is one good outing and he could set the ball rolling from there on. Stoinis has been a consistent feature in the Australian side in the past couple of years. His final stage onslaughts with the bat and miserly bowling at the death have made him an asset for the five-time title-winner.
Shakib suffered an injury in the tri-series in Ireland, but is match fit for his team’s opener. The southpaw had an off day against India in the warm-up match on Tuesday. But he will have to set the tone early if Bangladesh aspires to upset some of the big boys. Nabi has been a mainstay in the Afghan line-up for the last decade. The 34-year-old is known for his consistency and he will hope to leave a mark for himself before the conclusion of the event.
Russell had a scintillating IPL, with the West Indian clobbering bowlers to all corners of the park. He did the same in the practice game against NZ on Tuesday and will strive for more of the same in the tournament proper.