Often cricket has been seen as a batsman’s game and it has been proven to be so time and time again. However, as we have seen in the past, a lot of teams tend to struggle, despite boasting brilliant batsmen in their ranks primarily due to the lack of adequate bowling resources. World Cups aren’t won only on the basis of the batting strength and bowlers play a key role in guiding their teams, even more so, after the introduction of two new balls, and with only four fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle, it makes the bowler’s job even more crucial. Now we focus on five bowlers who are likely to make a significant impact on their team’s chances.
Mitchell McClenaghan
A consistent performer for New Zealand in the last 14-18 months, he has become a vital cog in this sprightly and consistent New Zealand bowling attack. His bowling stats gives a very impressive reading of 66 wickets in 34 matches, which clearly indicates that he is wicket taker and that makes him even more crucial with these new rules where bowlers need to remain attacking. He swings the ball a fair deal and bowls at a good clip of about 135 kph. His ability to knock over batsmen at the top makes him one of the feared bowlers in this World cup.
James Faulkner
He can be a lethal force with both bat and ball. He has an amazing proficiency in bowling at all stages of the game, be it with the new ball or the decisive death overs. His brilliant knack of finishing off games with both bat and ball makes him a contender for Player of the Tournament straight away, if things go right for him. Although he is expected to miss the first game, his presence and match-winning abilities are of high enormity if Australia is to go far in the tournament.
Dale Steyn
There are few sights more thrilling in sport than a fast bowler in full flow running in. And thrilling is only one of many words you could use to describe Steyn when he is in rhythm. The trouble for opposing batsmen is that he is more than just raw pace. Pure pace is one thing; pinpoint pure pace is distinctly another. Pinpoint pure pace poison-tipped with aggression makes it even more intricate to face him. Playing in what is likely to be his last World Cup, he would love to give a terrific performance which would enable South Africa to win their first ever World Cup.
Mohammad Irfan
Out of the six group games that Pakistan plays this World Cup, four are in Napier, Brisbane, Christchurch and Auckland. The 7-feet Irfan will be best suited to exploit the favourable conditions on offer at these venues. His height will be an advantage for him, particularly in the bouncy conditions prevalent Down Under. In the last 12 months, with 35 wickets, the left-arm pacer has been Pakistan’s second highest wicket-taker and will need to be carefully utilized by Misbah and Co. since he is prone to injuries. It is imperative that he does well, as Pakistan are already missing their strike bowler, Junaid Khan in this World Cup.
Ravichandran Ashwin
On the basis of the form of Indian bowlers in Australia in Tests and the tri-series that followed, things aren’t looking too bright on the bowling front. Ashwin, who was surprisingly left out in the last three ODIs, certainly has a massive role to play in this World Cup. Dhoni will be banking on Ashwin to bowl at different stages of the game. He has shown his great skill to bowl with the new ball and at the death, and has done it with a considerable degree of success. He has become one of Dhoni’s dependable bowlers and will need to do exceedingly well for India to retain the World Cup.
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