Players from associate cricketing nations to watch out for this world cup:
1. Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands) : With a batting average of around 50 in first class cricket, and a Bradmanesque 68.55 in ODIs, he is good enough to play for England, where he plays county cricket, or South Africa, the country of his birth. As if it were not enough, he averages one wicket a game in the list A games. True, his international record may have been skewed by matches against weak opposition, but you can't have a record like that unless you are really good. He had the potential to be the Garfield Sobers of this generation (Sorry Jacques Kallis) if he was playing for one of the test playing nations.
2. Rizwan Cheema (Canada): He has a strike rate 119.40 in ODIs. He bowls as well, making him into a something of a Canadian Afridi, except that he can bat for longer periods. This Pakistan born all-rounder can change the game very quickly - He single handedly got his team very close to victory in the warm-up game against England.
3. Niall O'Brien (Ireland): Irish wicket-keeper was the man of the match in Ireland's famous upset over Pakistan. The left hander's looks and playing style reminds one of Andy Flower. If Ireland hopes for another upset this world cup, O'Brien will surely have an important role to play.
4. Thomas Odoyo (Kenya): A veteran of over a hundred one dayers, with over 2000 runs and 100 wickets, is the key player of the Kenyan team. He had a slow start to his career, but he rapidly improved, becoming good enough to be labelled as the 'Black Botham'. He was an important member of the Kenyan side in their dream run in the 2003 world cup.
And lest we forget....
5. John Davison (Canada): This Australian born player bowled off-spin and batted at No. 9 for Victoria. It is surely the last world cup for the 40 year old Davison. But he has already made his mark in previous tournaments. He scored 111 against the West Indies in the 2003 World Cup, his 100 coming of just 67 balls, then a world record. He followed it up with 75 of 62 balls against New Zealand, and in the 2007 World Cup, scored a 50 off 23 balls against New Zealand. Who knows, in combination with Rizwan Cheema, Davison may lead his team to one or more upset wins.
6. Steve Tikolo (Kenya): It is probably the last world cup for the 39 year old Tikolo. Playing in his fifth world cup, he has scored 726 runs with 8 fifties, and has taken 14 wickets in WC matches. He was the captain of the Kenyan side that reached the Semi-Finals of the 2003 world cup. He has been out of form lately, but you can underestimate a player of Tikolo's class only at your own peril.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
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