With the final 15 of all the
14 teams participating in the cricket world cup announced, we see some teams
that have undergone several transitions like the Indian Cricket Team which has
only 4 players from the previous edition making it to the final 15 and teams
like Sri Lanka almost having the core of the team from the 2011 team (Sanga, Mahela,
Malinga, Dilshan, Perera and its skipper Mathews).
With the matches held in Australia and
New Zealand, the tournament returning after 23 years promises interest with
teams like Afghanistan making their first cut at the World Cup.
So without delay let us see the
squad composition
NOTE:
*denotes captain; + denotes wicket-keeper
THE 2015 CWC LOGO
INDIA:
Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar
Dhawan, MS Dhoni*+, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar,
Akshar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Mohammed Shami,
Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav.
The 2-time champions and also the
defending champions have only 4 of their warriors from the previous campaign
and they have almost had a smooth transition with respect to the ODI squad
compared to the Test side. New Opening Batsmen Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and
Ajinkya Rahane are all in form with Rohit fresh from his 264 against the Sri Lankans.
The middle order well lead by the aggressive Virat Kohli, plus the addition of
Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni in the shorter format make the batting order even
more formidable. The Role of Ambati Rayudu in the final 15 makes a question
that if he was chosen as a back-up keeper to MSD, then Robin Uthappa could have
been awarded the chance. The trouble for the Indian team for the past 2 years
and now is their bowling and MS has to refresh his think-tank if India chances
its hope to defend the World Cup.
SRILANKA:
Angelo Mathews* , Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara,
Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne , Dinesh Chandimal+, Dimuth
Karunaratne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga,
Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake.
The 1996 champions who remodelled the way
openers approach to the batting are also the favourites to win the cup given
that they finished 2nd in the previous 2 editions. The 2015 edition
will be last edition for the trio of Sanga, Mahela and Dilshan and they would
like to end it on a high note. Their bowlers will be once again spearheaded by
Lasith Malinga who is proving his fitness. Sachitra Senanayake returning after
being banned for suspect action is among the wickets which is good news for them
and also the inclusion of Rangana Herath who could chip in with some miserly
spells and some wickets if needed. Apart from the big trio only skipper Mathews
had shown some promise by leading the one-day run charts in 2014. Also their form
outside Lanka has also been a major cause of worry.
PAKISTAN:
Ahmed Shehzad, Ehsan Adil, Haris Sohail,
Junaid Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq*, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Irfan, Sarfraz Ahmed+,
Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Khan, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah,
Younus Khan.
The Pakistanis who were the
champions the last time when the World Cup was held down under are hoping to
repeat the same again after 23 years. In Afridi, Misbah and Younus they have
some strong senior players who know about the conditions down under and
Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz have the potent to skittle out any
opponent on their day. Mohammad Hafeez has been drafted in as a batsman after
he was banned from bowling due to the suspect actions. Saeed Ajmal has pulled
out of the World Cup citing that there won’t be enough time for him remodel his
action. With the absence of Ajmal, Afridi is expected to lead the spin attack.
The main problem of the Pakistan team is their fragile batting order which
tumbles on one day and is more dependent on the experienced Misbah and Younus.
NEW ZEALAND:
Brendon McCullum*, Corey Anderson, Trent
Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan
McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi+, Tim Southee, Ross
Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson.
The Black Caps are more favourites
to win the World Cup given that they are playing at home and also they have reached
the semi-finals of both the previous editions before being defeated by the Sri
Lankans on both occasions. Their batting is bolstered with the firepower of B
McCullum, Anderson and Kane Williamson and the bowling lead by Mitchell McClenaghan
who almost picks up a wicket every match, and the fierce duo of Tim Southee and
Trent Boult. Known as the black horses they almost give their best shot in the Cup
and they have reached the semis 6 out of 10 times but failed to go beyond that
even once. With the tournament held at home and them knowing the conditions
well it is time they break the jinx and go for the ultimate glory.
SOUTH AFRICA:
Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan
Behardien, Quinton de Kock+, AB de Villiers*, JP Duminy, Faf du
Plessis, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon
Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir.
The South Africans
often termed as chokers in World Cricket are here with to win the cup and their
squad looks stronger than the previous edition with Amla and de Kock providing
starts at the top and de Villiers,du Plessis and Duminy who can capitalize on
that later or build the innings if the initial wickets fell soon. The bowlers
can almost blow out the opposition when they are at peak. Headed by Dale Steyn,
Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander form a trio that is any batsmen’s nightmare.
The spinners Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso have also chipped in with some
wickets and also helping in putting breaks on the opponent’s run-rate. JP Duminy
can roll up his sleeves to bowl some off-spinners and so is Behardien.
AUSTRALIA:
George Bailey, Michael Clarke*, Patrick
Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin+,
Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith,
Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson
The
Aussies, four time champions and the only team to win a hat-trick of titles in
the cup history will now fancy its chances when the tournament is played in
their backyard. Led by Michael Clarke, they have a strong team comprising of
players who can double up their roles in the squad like Faulkner is a handy
lower order batsman while Maxwell, Smith and Clarke can bowl some overs of spin
when needed. While Clarke races against time to be fit for the campaign, the
on-going Carlton Mid tri-series can give a good warm-up for the squad to accustom
to the one day format and also be some handy practice matches before the cup
ENGLAND:
Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance,
Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler+, Steven Finn, Alex
Hales, Chris Jordan, Eoin Morgan*, Joe Root, James Taylor, James Tredwell,
Chris Woakes.
The England squad is
still unsettled on their plans of the playing XI and adding to their problems
they have now axed Cook of captaincy and also off the squad. So they have to
now regroup under Eoin Morgan and also find a proper playing XI before the cup.
In Eoin Morgan the squad has the player who can almost find the gaps and score
quick runs and ably supporting him are Moeen Ali and Joe Root. Alex Hales who
has replaces Cook’s place in the squad is inexperienced when it comes to the
one day format with Ian Bell and Ravi Bopara also having played in the
tournament, they can provide valuable tips for the first-timers. The bowling is
experienced with the duo of Broad and Anderson and with Finn, Woakes and Jordan
they have some potent attack supported by the spin of Tredwell and Ali. What they
have to do is now in the Carlton Mid tri-series is that try to unite as a team
and also find a strong playing XI.
WEST INDIES:
Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter,
Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder*, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin+,
Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne
Smith, Jerome Taylor.
The West Indies team
which won the first 2 editions in style and advertised the world what one day
cricket actually is, now is busy solving some fights between the players and the
board. Could this latest sparks cost the cup for them??? With Pollard and Bravo
(Sr) out of the squad, the team has find some able part-time bowlers and also
the batting will be dependent on the experience of Gayle, Samuels and
Bravo (Jr) to fire if they need to win the cup. The Bowlers Roach, Taylor and
skipper Holder need to fire too with Andre Russell and Darren Sammy doubling up
as all-rounders. Their trump card in the World Cup would be Sunil Narine who
still remains a mystery for some batsmen.
ZIMBABWE:
Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Chamu
Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura*, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton
Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Solomon Mire, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tinashe
Panyangara, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor+, Prosper Utseya, Sean
Williams.
The
Zimbabwean team which was a strong team is now failing to emulate the same
power now. With the Board having insufficient money to pay the players salary,
they have not taken part in Cricket action more frequently than the other
teams. With Chigumbura, Taylor, Masakadza and Utseya they have the experience
to guide the players and see to that they perform better than the last outing.
BANGLADESH:
Al-Amin Hossain, Anamul Haque, Arafat
Sunny, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza*, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim+,
Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar,
Taijul Islam, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed.
Never under-estimate
the Bengal Tigers at the World Cup stage, the way the pulled out wins against
India and South Africa in the 2007 campaign and their close win against England
which brought them to the brink of qualification to the next round. In Shakib
Al Hasan they have the No.1 All-rounder and is capable of single-handedly
turning matches. With Mashrafe Mortaza and Mushfiqur Rahim they are quite
experienced and if they click in unison we may see some minor upsets in this
edition also.
What is a Cinema without
twists???? Boring right??? And to provide some twists and cause some major
upsets which we have seen in the past are the Associate Nations in Ireland,
Afghanistan, UAE and the Scotland.
Who would forget
Kevin O’Brien’s 50 ball 100 against England and their unity in defeating
Pakistan and Kenya’s dream run in 2003??? So, Lets support them also because
with the amount of training facilities they have there it is a great achievement
for them to take part in the World Cup just like India taking part in the FIFA
Football World Cup.
-S.T. Guha
Karthikeyan
