The 2015 Cricket World Cup begins on February 14 in Australia and New Zealand. Ahead of the quadrennial showcase for the one-day format, The National’s Osman Samiuddin provides his 10 players that will be most interesting to watch throughout the tournament. Click the arrows above to scroll through the players or read Osman’s thoughts below.
Steven Finn (England)
Timing is everything and for Steven Finn, the end of a horrendous year has come at just the right time. His action looks right, the pace is good, he will get bounce and he has started taking wickets again. In a strong England attack, he could be game-changing.
David Miller (South Africa)
It is not fair really. When you have as ominous a top-order as South Africa do and you then have someone like David Miller coming in at No 5? It just is not fair. Miller is in form, he has added some caution to his big-hitting and he could be the finisher South Africa need in this tournament.
Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
When cricketing talent was being handed out in Australia, clearly the Marsh family were at the front of the queue. First father Geoff, then brother Shaun and now Mitchell, who may be the most gifted of them all. With due apologies to Shane Watson, Australia can do with a young, fit and genuine allrounder and Marsh fits the bill perfectly.
Ambati Rayudu (India)
Somewhere deep inside India is a factory. In that factory is an assembly line which, without fail, continues churning out one wonderful one-day batsman after another. Early impressions are that Ambati Rayudu is another product – he has waited to become a regular for some time actually. This could be his big stage graduation.
Luke Ronchi (New Zealand)
Rare in that he has played for both Australia and New Zealand, Ronchi is precisely the guy the opposition do not want to see once they have made inroads into New Zealand’s batting. He hits unusual shots in unusual places and is also coming into the World Cup in awesome form.
Sarfraz Ahmed (Pakistan)
2014 has probably not seen a more transformed cricketer than Sarfraz Ahmed. He started the year as a replacement, unproven at senior level. He ended it as Pakistan’s game-changer, in absolutely sizzling hot form with the bat. Pakistan should play him up the order, but they will not. He should still make an impact lower down. Could do with tidying up as keeper.
Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka)
Thisara Perera is an out and out impact player. He is not one for long innings or long spells. Instead, he will come in and bash 30 off 13 balls, take two quick wickets and change a game. Somebody else will likely take the headlines but Perera will provide context to the story.
Darren Sammy (West Inidies)
The nicest man in international cricket does not have the kind of numbers you expect from a veteran, or a world title winner. But Darren Sammy has heart and that has seen him through plenty of tough situations. This side is suffering from several self-inflicted wounds, but Sammy will likely bring them the few moments of joy they will experience here.
Kamran Shahzad (UAE)
The UAE have been happy to rely on spinners and slow-medium bowlers for some time now. But coach Aaqib Javed has always kept an eye out for pace bowlers and he has found one in the stocky Kamran Shahzad. He may not hit the pace of the big boys, but he is quick at Associate level and on bouncier pitches, he may discomfit some sides.
Samiuallah Shenwari (Afghanistan)
A genuine allrounder Samiullah Shenwari was man of the tournament at the ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers in the UAE at the end of 2013. He is probably a more impactful batsman than he is a legspinner but he will be one of the players Afghanistan will rely on to cause an upset.
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