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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

Let’s look at the strength of each team’s bowlers. The bowling department for the host nation, England will be spearheaded by Liam Plunkett an out-and-out quick fast pace bowler. With an average of 633.3 overs innings under his belt, he has gathered 124 wickets which is a record on its own. Kagiso Rabada the new kid on the block playing in his first world cup for the Proteas, regularly bowls in the 140-150kph range, and

West Indies- also known as the Caribbean Boys, are currently sixth in ODIs and first in the T20I’s. The Windies won the very first two world cups in 1975 and 1979 and were runners up in the 1983 tournament. When ODI cricket was introduced the team dominated this form of cricket with their attacking style of cricket and they are known for their big stroke play. The squad is captained by Jason Holder with the

Sri Lanka, also known as The Lions have only won the CWC once in 1996. They have been consecutive runners up in the 2007 and 2011 Cricket World Cups. The current team looks impressive on paper and is captained by Dimuth Karunaratne. The potential game changer for the Green Jerseys in this tournament is that of old warhorse Lasith Malinga who still remains Sri Lanka’s best bet in the bowling department and key to any

South Africa – ranked 3rd in the world in both the ODI’s, Test cricket and T20 format, the Proteas are shaping up to be one of the favorites to lift this year’s trophy. At the helm is captain Faf du Plessis, followed by wicket keeper Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, JP Duminy, David Miller, Dale Steyn, Andile Phehlukwayo, Imran Tahir, Dwaine Pretorius, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Hashim Amla, Tabraiz