Shakib, Watson in Andy Bichel’s List of Top-10 All-Rounders
Thursday, 12 February 2015
Andy Bichel believes that the all-rounders will have a role to play. Among his top-10 are the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Shane Watson, Angelo Mathews and AB de Villiers.
Every ICC Cricket World Cup is huge but each one is a little different and this time around the conditions in Australia and New Zealand will play a big part. Here are Bichel's Top 10 all-rounders for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
Shakib Al Hasan - He is Bangladesh's best ever player. He has a huge responsibility on his shoulders. If he can get a bit of support from a few of the other players he could have a starring role in the World Cup. As a world-class player in a weaker team he'll get loads of opportunities to perform with both bat and ball so he should be right up there in the wickets and runs charts at the end. Also he has gained some valuable time playing in the Big Bash with the Melbourne Renegades which will help him in terms of readiness for the local conditions. Of course he'll have to play off the back foot a little more than his does in the sub-continent conditions but he can still be a very clean striker.
AB de Villiers - The world's best batsmen at the moment by a street, his all-round ability is astonishing - he has even bowled a few tidy overs for South Africa. His fielding alone is absolutely amazing and if he has to take the gloves here can do that as well. He could be the key to South Africa changing their World Cup fortunes and has the potential to almost single-handedly get his team across the line.
JP Duminy - JP's role in the team has stabilised in the last 12 months and this is why he will be a force in the tournament. His batting has been outstanding and he has a lot to offer with the ball. He lacked a little bit of confidence in the past but now he seems to have a sense of belonging in this side and he has relaxed and now just goes out and plays.
Andre Russell - He is an exciting talent. His game is slowly coming together over the last 8-10 months. His all-round talent with the bat and the ball as well as in the field can be explosive. Only recently, he bowled with the new ball and swung it with good pace.
James Faulkner - If he can keep producing under pressure it will be amazing for Australia. Faulkner has played some remarkable innings with the bat over the past 18 months. He is also the 'go to' guy with the ball and is often asked to bowl the tough overs. Out of all the Australian all-rounders he is probably the one that will make the most of the opportunities that will be presented to him.
Angelo Mathews - The Sri Lanka captain is an outstanding cricketer. He is on top of his game at the moment and he will be such a key player if Sri Lanka are to do anything in this tournament. He personally has enjoyed Australian conditions before in previous tours but Sri Lanka will have their work cut out as they have just had a very poor tour to New Zealand.
Corey Anderson - He has hit world cricket with bang and has picked up some good experience of finishing off games for New Zealand. He is able to clear the boundary with ease, and probably has the added advantage in this tournament with all his team's games being played in New Zealand with the smaller boundaries.
Shane Watson - It's time for Watson to shine. He has the ability and the experience but most importantly he looks like he is going to get the opportunity to bat at Number 3. This is probably his preferred spot and coming in behind David Warner and Aaron Finch he is going to get a good platform to really build an innings.
Ravindra Jadeja - What a talent this Indian all-rounder is in the right conditions. With the ball he is very hard to work away so his pace on the ball will be important here in this World Cup. His batting is getting better by the day and he is starting to be more consistent in recent times. He missed the Test Series in Australia because of selection and he has had an injured recently.
Ravi Bopara - He is a very experienced player now for England as a few years back he showed he could have a match-winning impact at the top of the order. His bowling is very handy, he bowls stump to stump and his change of pace out the back of hand works well for him. — AFP