This World Cup will belong to the batsmen. Bowlers will go for a lot of runs. The fast bowlers will be absolutely ineffective unless the batsmen are incapable. This World Cup is going to be a true spectacle as it is the first World Cup being played after the success of T20 format of the game and it is being hosted in a cricket-crazy region of the World. The advancement in the technology used in the game, the incredible number of audience, and the TV coverage will make this World Cup a huge hit. As for the tournament is concerned Eight of the top test playing teams will make it to the Super Eight with a possibility for an upset or two as it happened with India and Pakistan during the last World Cup. But this time the upsets in the league stages are less likely as it is being played on flat tracks. It will all boil down to the the last three games of the World Cup. Whichever team will play the best in the knockout stage coupled with correct decision at toss and luck will win the World Cup. The decisions at the toss will hold a lot of importance. Sometime the call with the coin decides the fate of the game between two equally good teams. Often teams have gifted the matches and World Cup to the opposition by unwise decision at the toss. This has often happened in Cricket World Cup history. Batsmen will play a key role on the subcontinent pitches and spinners will be often decisive. In this scenario let us have a look at the players who can play key role in deciding the direction of this World Cup.
Shane Watson for Australia: The one player who can make greatest impact on this World Cup is Shane Watson. He is particularly effective on the subcontinent pitches as demonstrated by his performance in IPL. If Australia has to win their fourth consecutive title, Shane Watson has to play a huge part. Of course he is not only their best batsman at this point in time, but also their best bowler. Ricky Ponting's poor form with the bat and Hussey's absence from the team makes Shane Watson's role even more crucial. I would not be surprised if Shane Watson ends up with man of the series award during 2011 World Cup if Australia goes thus far.
Yuvraj Singh for India: If India has to win the World Cup, Yuvraj Singh has to be the main protagonist. If one player in Indian team could change the game with his bat consistently, it is Yuvraj Singh. People are talking about Yusuf Pathan, but I doubt if Yusuf Pathan can win matches consistently. I am also not very optimistic about Sachin in the forthcoming World Cup. Sehwag can score quickly, but I do not think in his style he will succeed every game. If someone can deliver the knockout punch it is Yuvraj Singh with proper support from Dhoni and other team mates with Yusuf Pathan providing the killer punch when needed. Yuvraj Singh's bowling will also be handy. If Yuvraj bowls as many over as a certain Harbhajan, he will be more successful than Harbhajan. If Yuvraj Singh fails in this tournament, I do not see India going all the way.
Umar Akmal And Junaid Khan for Pakistan: If one batsman can have the greatest impact on this tournament it will be Umar Akmal. I believe the best of Umar Akmal is round the corner. Shahid Afridi will play as usual and can contribute with both bat and the ball. Razzak can deliver a knockout punch and Misbah will have to play an anchor. I am not very optimistic about Yunis Khan. He often tries to match other attacking Pakistan batsmen. Kamran can win the game on his day. If someone can make a huge difference in this World Cup for Pakistan it is Umar Akmal. The expectations on Umar Akmal are reduced on the back of his indifferent form and that could help him play his natural game. Junaid Khan will be an unknown quantity and could be quite handy. Wahab Riaz will also play an important role. Shoib Akhtar will be ineffective and may turn out to be a liability.
Hashim Amla and Tsotsobe for South Africa: The form that Hashim Amla has displayed during the last one year augers well for South Africa in World Cup 2011. If he can anchor the innings, the other batsmen can play around him and Kallis. South Africa has the best batting line up in the tournament with India. De Villiers is one of the leading batsmen in One Day cricket. J.P. Duminy can attack during the later stage of the innings and can score runs briskly. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel might not be destructive on the subcontinent pitches. One bowler who could make a greater difference for South Africa is Tsotsobe. Tsotsobe will be the best one-change bowler on view during the tournament.
The King Is Dead
Shane Watson for Australia: The one player who can make greatest impact on this World Cup is Shane Watson. He is particularly effective on the subcontinent pitches as demonstrated by his performance in IPL. If Australia has to win their fourth consecutive title, Shane Watson has to play a huge part. Of course he is not only their best batsman at this point in time, but also their best bowler. Ricky Ponting's poor form with the bat and Hussey's absence from the team makes Shane Watson's role even more crucial. I would not be surprised if Shane Watson ends up with man of the series award during 2011 World Cup if Australia goes thus far.
Yuvraj Singh for India: If India has to win the World Cup, Yuvraj Singh has to be the main protagonist. If one player in Indian team could change the game with his bat consistently, it is Yuvraj Singh. People are talking about Yusuf Pathan, but I doubt if Yusuf Pathan can win matches consistently. I am also not very optimistic about Sachin in the forthcoming World Cup. Sehwag can score quickly, but I do not think in his style he will succeed every game. If someone can deliver the knockout punch it is Yuvraj Singh with proper support from Dhoni and other team mates with Yusuf Pathan providing the killer punch when needed. Yuvraj Singh's bowling will also be handy. If Yuvraj bowls as many over as a certain Harbhajan, he will be more successful than Harbhajan. If Yuvraj Singh fails in this tournament, I do not see India going all the way.
Umar Akmal And Junaid Khan for Pakistan: If one batsman can have the greatest impact on this tournament it will be Umar Akmal. I believe the best of Umar Akmal is round the corner. Shahid Afridi will play as usual and can contribute with both bat and the ball. Razzak can deliver a knockout punch and Misbah will have to play an anchor. I am not very optimistic about Yunis Khan. He often tries to match other attacking Pakistan batsmen. Kamran can win the game on his day. If someone can make a huge difference in this World Cup for Pakistan it is Umar Akmal. The expectations on Umar Akmal are reduced on the back of his indifferent form and that could help him play his natural game. Junaid Khan will be an unknown quantity and could be quite handy. Wahab Riaz will also play an important role. Shoib Akhtar will be ineffective and may turn out to be a liability.
Hashim Amla and Tsotsobe for South Africa: The form that Hashim Amla has displayed during the last one year augers well for South Africa in World Cup 2011. If he can anchor the innings, the other batsmen can play around him and Kallis. South Africa has the best batting line up in the tournament with India. De Villiers is one of the leading batsmen in One Day cricket. J.P. Duminy can attack during the later stage of the innings and can score runs briskly. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel might not be destructive on the subcontinent pitches. One bowler who could make a greater difference for South Africa is Tsotsobe. Tsotsobe will be the best one-change bowler on view during the tournament.
The King Is Dead
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