(Appeared in Playing11.com)
Be it 1983 final, when Mohinder Amarnath’s all-round brilliance got India the prestigious title. Or 1992 when it was Wasim Akram’s star turn with both bat and ball that secured Pakistan the trophy, or even 1996 when Sri Lanka rode on Aravinda de Silva century and off-spin to defeat Australia for the Cup.
There have been other instances too like in 1999 when Lance Klusener helped South Africa reach the semi-finals and was named the Player of the Tournament for his 281 runs and 17 wickets. In 1996, Sri Lanka made the final thanks largely to Sanath Jayasuriya’s all-round show, as the southpaw scored 221 runs and took 7 wickets.
Thus, all teams are always on the look-out for that perfect all-rounder who can lend the ideal balance to their side and help them realize the dream of winning the World Cup.
Here, we will take a look at the all-rounders in the mix who I believe could be game-changers in the 2011 ICC cricket World Cup.
Jacques Kallis: He is the best all-rounder in the world currently, though his long lay-off due to injury could affect his form. But Kallis is the foundation of the South African side and has been in good nick recently, be it the Test series against India or the ODI one against Pakistan. It is vital for him to perform well for South Africa to get anywhere in the tournament. Kallis being a man who thrives under pressure is sure to deliver.
Shane Watson: He has the uncanny ability to break partnerships and pick up handy wickets in the middle overs. But it’s his explosive batting expertise at the top of the order that makes him a real dangerman for oppositions. He exemplified his growth as a cricketer with his career-best match-winning unbeaten 161 not out against England at Melbourne and will be carrying this ominous form into the World Cup.
Yuvraj Singh: A clean hitter of the ball, he has blossomed as a bowler under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. He has not been in the best of forms as a batsmen and India will be hoping that he clicks on the biggest stage of all: the World Cup. On song there’s no few player better than him. His recent form as a left-arm spinner has definitely added a new more potent look to the Indian bowling attack.
Ryan ten Doeschate: This South Africa-born cricketer may not be well-known, but is truly a star to watch out for. He is the heart and soul of the Dutch side. The fact that he holds the record for the highest average in ODI cricket at 68.55 from 27 matches as of January 14, 2011, shows what he is capable of. And for those who need more convincing, he was instrumental in the Netherlands beating hosts England in the opening match of the 2009 T20 World Cup, taking two crucial wickets and scoring an unbeaten 22.
Shahid Afridi: He is a potent weapon in the Pakistan arsenal. On his day, he can clear most grounds, but a lack of consistency makes him a double-edged sword. He has improved with the responsibility of being the captain and it remains to be seen if he leads the team in the World Cup too. If not, then that may affect his performance. He is a penetrative and accurate leg-spinner who always ends up getting vital breakthroughs for his team, making him an exciting player to watch.
Yusuf Pathan: He is a typhoon on a cricket field. There is no opposition or force in the world that can stop a runaway Yusuf Pathan. And his two recent centuries against two imposing attacks in difficult circumstance prove that. But he needs to guard against getting carried away for India to win consistently. His off-spin has also proved useful with the tall all-rounder regularly picking up valuable wickets at key points in games.
Abdul Razzaq: He is arguably one of the most dangerous hitters in world cricket. His amazing knock of 72-ball 109 not out against South Africa in Dubai showed the world he can pace an innings perfectly. He seems to be finally settling into the position of the all-rounder that Pakistan had always hoped for. And d his 260 wickets is an adequate testimony to his wicket-taking ability. He also has World Cup experience and that could stand him in good stead in pressure situations.
Shakib Al Hasan: The rock of the Bangladesh team, he’s their go-to guy whether it be for batting or bowling those tight middle overs. His partnership with fellow left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak is especially important to Bangladesh’s success. While his accurate bowling won’t allow the opponents, his solid batting skills – he has five centuries to attest to his abilities with the bat – prove that his form is vital to Bangladesh's World Cup campaign.
James Franklin: New Zealand is going through a rough patch in ODIs. But one guy has stood out even during this rocky phase with his consistent performances: James Franklin. He may not be one of the best all-rounders to participate in the World Cup, but his recent record in India – he scored 187 runs against India during 2010 ODI series without getting out even once – has established him as one of the players to watch out for.
Angelo Matthews: He will be participating in his first World Cup campaign, but the advantage of playing on home ground will work to his benefit. His performance against Australia during the ODI series Down Under, where he scored 103 run with a best of an unbeaten 77, proves his ability with the bat. He is also a partnership-breaker and could prove invaluable to Sri Lanka on the flat tracks in the crucial middle overs.
There are others of course, whom I would be amiss to mention. Cricketers like Stuart Broad, Daniel Vettori, Paul Collingwood, JP Duminy or even Chris Gayle also have the ability to change the course of a match on their day with either ball or bat. And if these stars can get going then this would definitely be one of the most exciting World Cups of my lifetime.
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