As we continue our Cricket World Cup previews, we feature some of the top batsmen to keep an eye on this tournament.
Let’s start with the host nation England’s Jonny Bairstow, the world number two in ODI’s, and a combative wicketkeeper-batsman, someone to be reckoned with in England’s middle order.
For the Proteas – A classy, composed and a fine crafter of innings’, Faf du Plessis has emerged as one of South Africa’s most consistent batsmen in the post-Jacques Kallis era.
India’s Virat Kohli is likely to play a crucial role in the batting line-up, and the highest run scorer in One-Day Internationals with 1202 runs.
The key batsmen for the side from down under, Australia, is David Warner. Warner’s extraordinary batting feats in all three formats for Australia will be vital in this tournament.
For Pakistan they will likely turn to youngster Imam Ul Haq – with a glorious start to his international career. A hundred against Sri Lanka on debut made him the second player from Pakistan to reach three figures in his first match.
By the time Kane Williamson from New Zealand is finished playing cricket, he might just be crowned New Zealand’s greatest batsman of all time. Williamson is ambidextrous, bats right-handed in the top order across format and a hard hitter of the ball on any given day.
Playing his last World Cup Chris Gayle has the ability to decimate the figures of even the thriftiest of opening bowlers.
For Bangladesh, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is the epitomy of the “perfect all-rounder”. He first attracted global attention during an under-17 regional tournament in 2001, slamming sixes without a care in the world.
Sri Lankian Dimuth Karunaratne is a solid left-hand opening batsman, batting largely in the middle order. Boasting with incredible hitting power he could the anchor man for The Lions.
And last but not least, one of the most entertaining batsmen, and one who never shies away from celebrating even the smallest milestones, is Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad who is sure to create some memorable scenes at this year’s tournament.
