10 STARS TO LIGHT UP THE WORLD CUP
JOFRA ARCHER (ENGLAND)
The name on everyone’s lips. Anyone who can bowl upwards of 90mph with the accuracy Jofra has along with a very good bouncer, yorker, change of pace and back-of-the-hand slower ball has plenty going for him. People haven’t seen much of him with the bat yet but he can hit a long ball, and with his athletic fielding he has given an already extremely good England side that added X- factor. And wait until England realise that his best format is actually the longest form of the game. He’s a shooin for the Ashes. Look out!
VIRAT KOHLI (INDIA)
Very much a leader from the front and his record when chasing in 50- over cricket is incredible. He averages close to a hundred in successful Indian chases. If India are chasing in this tournament and Kohli reaches 20 then they will have as good as won the game. A driven character and a true superstar. Most impressively, he will never leave it to another bloke to finish the job. His attitude is: ‘No, it’s my job to see the team home and I’m going to do it.’
MITCHELL STARC (AUSTRALIA)
In 75 ODIs he’s taken 145 wickets and to claim almost two per game is quite incredible. Starc has a very good record in World Cups, too. He’s got good pace, upwards of 90mph, can swing the new ball conventionally and reverse the old one as well — as well as having a brutal yorker from over and around the wicket. And with that left-arm variety he gives Australia plenty of options. If they use him as an attacking bowler in short spells he can crack open the innings. If he goes for seven an over but is stacking up wickets Australia will take that.
RASHID KHAN (AFGHANISTAN)
Someone I know well from Sussex and Adelaide Strikers and a wonderful young man who has made a name for himself in T20. His skills are definitely transferable to the 50-over game and he’s the pick of the spin attack that will be Afghanistan’s strength. Rashid has a very accurate leg-spinner and a number of variations, and he is different to most in that he uses all five fingers to bowl leg- spin as opposed to the wrist and that’s what makes him so difficult to pick. If conditions suit Afghanistan, Khan can certainly surprise a couple of teams
JOS BUTTLER (ENGLAND)
What more can we say about him? Jos Buttler is changing the 50-over game. It’s not that he’s satisfied with all he’s achieved because he clearly keeps challenging himself to set ever higher standards. I’ve never seen anyone find a way to consistently hit a six or four off perfectly good balls like Jos does. He’s just been immense. Bowlers throughout this World Cup will be trying to come up with plans to bowl against him but good luck with that. He’s a craftsman who finds a way to impact heavily. Even as an Aussie that’s exciting!
IMAM-UL-HAQ (PAKISTAN)
The fact he’s got six hundreds d and another five 50s in his first 28 ODIs is quite remarkable. I like how he goes about his work because he’s really clear on his role at the top of the order. For a 23-year-old, Imam understands his game and his strengths, a left-hander who knows where his scoring zones are and really plans his innings. Pakistan can build their innings around him because they’ve got a lot of aggressive stroke- makers. We saw at Bristol against England just how good Inzamam’s nephew really is.
KAGISO RABADA (SOUTH AFRICA)
Coming off a very successful IPL with Delhi Capitals, Rabada has all the attributes. Pace, aggression, a searing yorker and a good change of pace. He uses the crease well, has a very repeatable action and there’s just a lot to like. He’s had back trouble but all indications are he will be absolutely fine for the World Cup. Having him and Dale Steyn available is a big boost for South Africa. Rabada can light up this World Cup, that’s for sure.
TRENT BOULT (NEW ZEALAND)
Everyone always thinks of New Zealand as dark horses but I don’t — this time they’re a genuine contender. They are very well led by Kane Williamson and Trent Boult is his biggest weapon. He can bowl at the back end of an innings, has a good yorker and change of pace but where he can create the most damage is up front when the ball is swinging. The old fast bowler in me loves seeing fantastic quicks bowling fast and swinging the ball and Trent is one of the best in the business. I’m looking forward to watching him.
CHRIS GAYLE (WEST INDIES)
How can we compile a list of players to watch without including the Universe Boss ( right)? Still box office late in his career. He can destroy any attack when the force is with him. Best known for T20 now but showed against England earlier this year that he can still do it over the longer distance, too. He has dominated on the big stage time and again and the reality is all eyes will be on him whenever West Indies play. Hits sixes for fun. Will be fascinating to see whether teams start with spin against him.
DAVID WARNER (AUSTRALIA)
I’m going to be biased and go for a second Aussie. Everybody will be watching David Warner’s every move. He’s returned to the game with a very good IPL and it will come down to how he copes with all the attention. The Barmy Army are not going to let him or Steve Smith forget the ball-tampering affair but Davey has pretty thick skin and I think he’ll be OK. The original heavy hitter who made his international T20 debut before he’d played a firstclass game.