The first round of matches is over. All the teams have played at least once. Things have more or less followed a predictable script. England started brightly but then faded. Australia dug deep and ultimately won. Pakistan’s batting imploded. New Zealand batted like millionaires in their first match and more like gamblers at the end of their second. Even West Indies was half expected to lose.
For Indian fans, there was additional reason to smile: the much-derided bowling lineup finally decided to fire. Now that all teams have played at least one game each, this would be a good time to check out which players might prove to be the dark horses of their various teams.
Mitchell Marsh, Australia
In a lineup full of explosive talent like Warner, Finch, Watson and Maxwell, not many would give Mitchell Marsh a second look. England, however, were served full notice of Marsh’s potential as the Western Australian all-rounder snared 5 wickets for just 33 runs, leaving the English reeling. He has the potential to score big runs as well, and Australia will depend on him to tango with Maxwell for some vital late runs, in the next few matches.
James Taylor, England
If it wasn’t for some terrible umpiring, England would have had at least one positive takeaway from the match: a hundred from James Taylor. Taylor played a classy knock in Melbourne, peppering his 98 not out with 11 fours and 2 sixes. Quite unfairly, his height has often been provided as a reason for not picking him for international cricket – Kevin Pietersen himself admitted as much in his autobiography. This might have driven Taylor further and would bolster England’s campaign.
Imran Tahir, South Africa
South Africa’s woes with a spinner have been a recurring theme but have they finally found a solution in Tahir? Tahir’s 3/36 put the brakes on Zimbabwe as they threatened to make a determined effort towards South Africa’s total. While it might only have been against Zimbabwe, Australia has always been a happy hunting ground for leg spinners. If Tahir can take that legacy forward, South Africa’s bowling will truly be unplayable.
Kane Williamson, New Zealand
It was only Kane Williamson who kept his head about him in New Zealand’s second innings against Scotland when most other batsmen were intent on gifting wickets away. His 57 against Sri Lanka and 38 against Scotland demonstrated that the man is in good touch. Highly rated in New Zealand with performances to boot (Williamson is only the 8th New Zealander to score a Test century on debut), Williamson is in good nick. If he carries that forward, New Zealand’s other dashers will have license to swing.
Jeevan Mendis, Sri Lanka
Watch out for this other Mendis from Sri Lanka. While he might not have Ajantha’s mystery, he struck twice against New Zealand dismissing Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor in one over. As a strike rate of almost 125 in T20I’s indicates, he can also add vital runs at the end of the innings. SL have a knack of finding these kind of players and getting them to excel: can Mendis join that list and turn the World Cup around for them?
Mohammad Shami, India
The lion-hearted Shami bowled his heart out against arch-rivals Pakistan picking up 4/35. Shami has often received plenty of criticism along with some of his other bowling partners, but against Pakistan in Adelaide under the lights, his bowling was pacy, hostile and fast. He racked up plenty of speed and hustled the batsmen, accounting for Younis Khan with a bouncer. If he maintains the momentum, India’s biggest problem, their bowling, will be solved.
Sohail Khan, Pakistan
If it was Wahab Riaz in 2011, it was Sohail Khan in 2015. Sohail’s death bowling, along with Wahab Riaz, was brilliant, dragging back India who seemed sure to get to 330. Tasked with bowling the last over with Dhoni and Rahane at the crease, Sohail gave away only 4 runs dismissing both off successive balls. Another proud addition to Pakistani fast-bowling riches.
Lendl Simmons, West Indies
Lendl Simmons literally saved West Indies from abject humiliation. Coming in at 87/5, he rebuilt the innings brick by brick before launching a fierce assault in the last few overs, finally finishing with a well-deserved century. He and Sammy were probably the only bright spots in an otherwise distinctly ordinary West Indies performance. West Indies will have to decide whether it makes more sense for them to push Simmons up the order so that he can play more balls.
Anamul Haque, Bangladesh
His score of 29 off 55 balls might be scoffed at, but Anamul Haque displayed great tenacity to remain steady and not do anything foolish in the first 15 overs of the Bangladesh innings when the Afghan bowlers were making the ball talk. Anamul stuck in and ensured that Bangladesh did not do anything silly, proving the foundation from which Shakib and Mushfiqur took off later. In conditions which are guranteed to offer a lot to the bowler, Bangladesh have made a good move by partnering someone with the tenacity of Anamul with the talented, but often flashy Tamim.
Chamu Chibhabha, Zimbabwe
Chamu Chibhabha, along with Hamilton Masakadza, did enough at the start of Zimbabwe’s chase against South Africa to demonstrate why Zimbabwe cannot be taken lightly. Though Masakadza was the senior partner, Chibhabha demonstrated grace and skill in his 64, at one point entertaining thoughts of a serious upset. Though he was left out for the game against UAE, he should come back, provided there are no injury concerns and is a definite pick to watch out for.
Niall O’Brien, Ireland
Niall O’Brien walked in at the fall of Ireland’s second wicket at 177, chasing 306 in the 28th over. They had got off to a rollicking start, but would West Indies start spoiling the party? Not a chance, said O’Brien, as the Irish wicket-keeper counter-attacked his way to a 79 not out off just 60 balls, well and truly knocking the stuffing out of the West Indies. With over 60 ODI’s, O’Brien has plenty of experience and if he continues this form, will add plenty of value to the Irish middle order.
Samiullah Shenwari, Afghanistan
It was just bad luck that Samiullah Shenwari was stopped from bowling in the match against Bangladesh, supposedly for running on the pitch twice. His leg-break might have proved the difference in the match. Even in the Afghan innings, his batting stood out distinctly: organized, stylish and elegant. An architect of many wins under Afghanistan’s resurgence, Afghanistan will be leaning heavily on his all-round skills on their biggest stage.
Shaiman Anwar, UAE
Undoubtedly, the man to look out for in this UAE team is Shaiman Anwar. Coming in at 134/3 off 30 overs, Anwar kickstarted the UAE innings smashing his way to 67 off 50 balls to get UAE to a commanding target of 285. Having modelled his batting on Dravid, the UAE, like West Indies and Simmons, should look at pushing him up the order to to get more out of him.
Matt Machan, Scotland
That Scotland managed to get to a total of some iota of respect was largely due to the efforts of Matt Machan and Richie Berrington. Coming in at 1/2 and seeing his team further collapse to 12/4, Machan got Scotland out of the rut with a patient, determined 56. Don’t underestimate the man’s batting credentials, he scored a century in only his fourth ODI and has even scored 83 off 86 balls against a New Zealand XI. With a ODI batting average of 38, Matt will be the rock around which Scotland’s batting will revolve.
For Indian fans, there was additional reason to smile: the much-derided bowling lineup finally decided to fire. Now that all teams have played at least one game each, this would be a good time to check out which players might prove to be the dark horses of their various teams.
Mitchell Marsh, Australia
In a lineup full of explosive talent like Warner, Finch, Watson and Maxwell, not many would give Mitchell Marsh a second look. England, however, were served full notice of Marsh’s potential as the Western Australian all-rounder snared 5 wickets for just 33 runs, leaving the English reeling. He has the potential to score big runs as well, and Australia will depend on him to tango with Maxwell for some vital late runs, in the next few matches.
James Taylor, England
If it wasn’t for some terrible umpiring, England would have had at least one positive takeaway from the match: a hundred from James Taylor. Taylor played a classy knock in Melbourne, peppering his 98 not out with 11 fours and 2 sixes. Quite unfairly, his height has often been provided as a reason for not picking him for international cricket – Kevin Pietersen himself admitted as much in his autobiography. This might have driven Taylor further and would bolster England’s campaign.
Imran Tahir, South Africa
South Africa’s woes with a spinner have been a recurring theme but have they finally found a solution in Tahir? Tahir’s 3/36 put the brakes on Zimbabwe as they threatened to make a determined effort towards South Africa’s total. While it might only have been against Zimbabwe, Australia has always been a happy hunting ground for leg spinners. If Tahir can take that legacy forward, South Africa’s bowling will truly be unplayable.
Kane Williamson, New Zealand
It was only Kane Williamson who kept his head about him in New Zealand’s second innings against Scotland when most other batsmen were intent on gifting wickets away. His 57 against Sri Lanka and 38 against Scotland demonstrated that the man is in good touch. Highly rated in New Zealand with performances to boot (Williamson is only the 8th New Zealander to score a Test century on debut), Williamson is in good nick. If he carries that forward, New Zealand’s other dashers will have license to swing.
Jeevan Mendis, Sri Lanka
Watch out for this other Mendis from Sri Lanka. While he might not have Ajantha’s mystery, he struck twice against New Zealand dismissing Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor in one over. As a strike rate of almost 125 in T20I’s indicates, he can also add vital runs at the end of the innings. SL have a knack of finding these kind of players and getting them to excel: can Mendis join that list and turn the World Cup around for them?
Mohammad Shami, India
The lion-hearted Shami bowled his heart out against arch-rivals Pakistan picking up 4/35. Shami has often received plenty of criticism along with some of his other bowling partners, but against Pakistan in Adelaide under the lights, his bowling was pacy, hostile and fast. He racked up plenty of speed and hustled the batsmen, accounting for Younis Khan with a bouncer. If he maintains the momentum, India’s biggest problem, their bowling, will be solved.
Sohail Khan, Pakistan
If it was Wahab Riaz in 2011, it was Sohail Khan in 2015. Sohail’s death bowling, along with Wahab Riaz, was brilliant, dragging back India who seemed sure to get to 330. Tasked with bowling the last over with Dhoni and Rahane at the crease, Sohail gave away only 4 runs dismissing both off successive balls. Another proud addition to Pakistani fast-bowling riches.
Lendl Simmons, West Indies
Lendl Simmons literally saved West Indies from abject humiliation. Coming in at 87/5, he rebuilt the innings brick by brick before launching a fierce assault in the last few overs, finally finishing with a well-deserved century. He and Sammy were probably the only bright spots in an otherwise distinctly ordinary West Indies performance. West Indies will have to decide whether it makes more sense for them to push Simmons up the order so that he can play more balls.
Anamul Haque, Bangladesh
His score of 29 off 55 balls might be scoffed at, but Anamul Haque displayed great tenacity to remain steady and not do anything foolish in the first 15 overs of the Bangladesh innings when the Afghan bowlers were making the ball talk. Anamul stuck in and ensured that Bangladesh did not do anything silly, proving the foundation from which Shakib and Mushfiqur took off later. In conditions which are guranteed to offer a lot to the bowler, Bangladesh have made a good move by partnering someone with the tenacity of Anamul with the talented, but often flashy Tamim.
Chamu Chibhabha, Zimbabwe
Chamu Chibhabha, along with Hamilton Masakadza, did enough at the start of Zimbabwe’s chase against South Africa to demonstrate why Zimbabwe cannot be taken lightly. Though Masakadza was the senior partner, Chibhabha demonstrated grace and skill in his 64, at one point entertaining thoughts of a serious upset. Though he was left out for the game against UAE, he should come back, provided there are no injury concerns and is a definite pick to watch out for.
Niall O’Brien, Ireland
Niall O’Brien walked in at the fall of Ireland’s second wicket at 177, chasing 306 in the 28th over. They had got off to a rollicking start, but would West Indies start spoiling the party? Not a chance, said O’Brien, as the Irish wicket-keeper counter-attacked his way to a 79 not out off just 60 balls, well and truly knocking the stuffing out of the West Indies. With over 60 ODI’s, O’Brien has plenty of experience and if he continues this form, will add plenty of value to the Irish middle order.
Samiullah Shenwari, Afghanistan
It was just bad luck that Samiullah Shenwari was stopped from bowling in the match against Bangladesh, supposedly for running on the pitch twice. His leg-break might have proved the difference in the match. Even in the Afghan innings, his batting stood out distinctly: organized, stylish and elegant. An architect of many wins under Afghanistan’s resurgence, Afghanistan will be leaning heavily on his all-round skills on their biggest stage.
Shaiman Anwar, UAE
Undoubtedly, the man to look out for in this UAE team is Shaiman Anwar. Coming in at 134/3 off 30 overs, Anwar kickstarted the UAE innings smashing his way to 67 off 50 balls to get UAE to a commanding target of 285. Having modelled his batting on Dravid, the UAE, like West Indies and Simmons, should look at pushing him up the order to to get more out of him.
Matt Machan, Scotland
That Scotland managed to get to a total of some iota of respect was largely due to the efforts of Matt Machan and Richie Berrington. Coming in at 1/2 and seeing his team further collapse to 12/4, Machan got Scotland out of the rut with a patient, determined 56. Don’t underestimate the man’s batting credentials, he scored a century in only his fourth ODI and has even scored 83 off 86 balls against a New Zealand XI. With a ODI batting average of 38, Matt will be the rock around which Scotland’s batting will revolve.
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