There’s already been much talk about the International Cricket Council limiting the number of teams at the next World Cup, in effect, throwing the Associate teams out. While the ICC continues to receive more and more (justified) criticism, we’ve created an eleven based on just the Associates.
As our team will show you, this team is as good as any in the World Cup and can challenge anyone. (No, players from Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have not been considered in this list as they are both Test-playing nations with Full Member Status.)
Openers: Paul Stirling (Ireland) and Kyle Coetzer (Scotland)
Stirling and Coetzer open the batting for the Associates XI, making for an interesting left-right opening combination. Stirling has been in good form; his 92 against West Indies was instrumental in ensuring that Ireland got off to a good start while chasing a big target. His bowling is tough to get away as figures of 2/27 in 10 overs against UAE attest to. On the other hand, Coetzer, the Scottish opener, is a bit of an underdog. However, an average of 38 in ODI’s along with a stylish 71 against England should keep him in good stead.
No 3: Asghar Stanikzai (Afghanistan)
Stanikzai’s just the kind of batsman you want at No. 3. He has the ability to consolidate if the openers lose their way too early and then seamlessly change gears to smash everything out of the ground. His 54 against Sri Lanka showed off some seriously gorgeous batting and he already has a record for playing some vital innings for Afghanistan. An immense asset to the side.
Middle-order – Nos 4 & 5: Nial O’ Brien (Keeper) (Ireland) and Samiullah Shenwari (Afghanistan)
The No. 4 position was a tight fight between Khurram Khan (UAE), and Nial O’Brien (Ireland), but we’re finally going with O’Brien because other than being a good batsman, you get a competent keeper as well. Brien is also in good form; he played a crucial innings against West Indies to shut the door firmly on them and also looked good in his brief foray at the crease against UAE.
No. 5 has to go to the man of the moment, Samiullah Shenwari. Any team would love a player like him in the middle-order, capable of fighting right till the bitter end, and finally unleashing himself. His 96 against Scotland was probably among the greatest rearguards the World Cup has seen. His leg spin is an added advantage.
Lower Middle-Order – Nos 6 & 7: Shaiman Anwar (UAE) and Richie Berrington (Scotland)
Any good limited-overs team depends on a man to come in at the end of the innings and finish in style; Shaiman Anwar fits the bill admirably. He blasted a 106 off 83 balls to drag Ireland’s momentum away from them when they had UAE tottering at 131 for 6. This followed a similar assault against Zimbabwe where he smashed 67 off just 50 balls.
Berrington’s the perfect foil to Anwar. Capable of big shots, he is capable of consolidation, something which he displayed in Scotland’s innings against New Zealand. But it’s his bowling which cements his position in the team; a very handy fifth bowling option, Berrington picked up 4/40 against Afghanistan and almost derailed their chase in the middle overs, just when Afghanistan had started to look good.
All-Rounders and Bowlers: Kevin O’Brien (Ireland), Josh Davey (Scotland), George Dockrell (Ireland), Shapoor Zadran (Afghanistan)
You’d be mad not to include a man who’s scored a hundred off 50 balls against a Full Member team in your squad. Just to add to his credentials, Kevin O’Brien walked in with Ireland struggling at 171/5 against UAE, still needing more than a 100 runs to win in only 12 overs. He then proceeded to showcase his repertoire of brutal hitting, smashing a 50 off 25 balls to snatch victory for Ireland from the jaws of defeat.
Davey makes the squad just because of the sheer number of wickets he’s taken so far: 9 wickets in 3 matches. He has a knack for taking wickets as a best of 6/28 and two 5 wicket hauls can attest. One of Scotland’s bright spots in the tournament, Josh Davey would probably share the new ball along with Zadran.
This was a tough call between Hamid Hassan of Afghanistan and Dockrell, but the requirement for a spinner allowed Dockrell to pip Hassan to the post. Dockrell’s left-arm spin is highly rated and he gave further proof of that, picking up 3 wickets against West Indies. In an age where spinners employ a bagful of variations, Dockrell is more old-school, using flight and variation to deceive batsmen.
Long-flowing mane? Check. Pace and plenty of it? Check. A lionheart who just doesn’t give up? Check. Shapoor Zadran is the quintessential fast bowler, tall and broad with plenty in the tank to hassle the batsmen. He’s already picked up 7 wickets in the tournament so far and has troubled each and every batsman he’s bowled to. His nerveless batting under pressure against Scotland along with Hassan also added to his growing reputation.
As our team will show you, this team is as good as any in the World Cup and can challenge anyone. (No, players from Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have not been considered in this list as they are both Test-playing nations with Full Member Status.)
Openers: Paul Stirling (Ireland) and Kyle Coetzer (Scotland)
Stirling and Coetzer open the batting for the Associates XI, making for an interesting left-right opening combination. Stirling has been in good form; his 92 against West Indies was instrumental in ensuring that Ireland got off to a good start while chasing a big target. His bowling is tough to get away as figures of 2/27 in 10 overs against UAE attest to. On the other hand, Coetzer, the Scottish opener, is a bit of an underdog. However, an average of 38 in ODI’s along with a stylish 71 against England should keep him in good stead.
No 3: Asghar Stanikzai (Afghanistan)
Stanikzai’s just the kind of batsman you want at No. 3. He has the ability to consolidate if the openers lose their way too early and then seamlessly change gears to smash everything out of the ground. His 54 against Sri Lanka showed off some seriously gorgeous batting and he already has a record for playing some vital innings for Afghanistan. An immense asset to the side.
Middle-order – Nos 4 & 5: Nial O’ Brien (Keeper) (Ireland) and Samiullah Shenwari (Afghanistan)
The No. 4 position was a tight fight between Khurram Khan (UAE), and Nial O’Brien (Ireland), but we’re finally going with O’Brien because other than being a good batsman, you get a competent keeper as well. Brien is also in good form; he played a crucial innings against West Indies to shut the door firmly on them and also looked good in his brief foray at the crease against UAE.
No. 5 has to go to the man of the moment, Samiullah Shenwari. Any team would love a player like him in the middle-order, capable of fighting right till the bitter end, and finally unleashing himself. His 96 against Scotland was probably among the greatest rearguards the World Cup has seen. His leg spin is an added advantage.
Lower Middle-Order – Nos 6 & 7: Shaiman Anwar (UAE) and Richie Berrington (Scotland)
Any good limited-overs team depends on a man to come in at the end of the innings and finish in style; Shaiman Anwar fits the bill admirably. He blasted a 106 off 83 balls to drag Ireland’s momentum away from them when they had UAE tottering at 131 for 6. This followed a similar assault against Zimbabwe where he smashed 67 off just 50 balls.
Berrington’s the perfect foil to Anwar. Capable of big shots, he is capable of consolidation, something which he displayed in Scotland’s innings against New Zealand. But it’s his bowling which cements his position in the team; a very handy fifth bowling option, Berrington picked up 4/40 against Afghanistan and almost derailed their chase in the middle overs, just when Afghanistan had started to look good.
All-Rounders and Bowlers: Kevin O’Brien (Ireland), Josh Davey (Scotland), George Dockrell (Ireland), Shapoor Zadran (Afghanistan)
You’d be mad not to include a man who’s scored a hundred off 50 balls against a Full Member team in your squad. Just to add to his credentials, Kevin O’Brien walked in with Ireland struggling at 171/5 against UAE, still needing more than a 100 runs to win in only 12 overs. He then proceeded to showcase his repertoire of brutal hitting, smashing a 50 off 25 balls to snatch victory for Ireland from the jaws of defeat.
Davey makes the squad just because of the sheer number of wickets he’s taken so far: 9 wickets in 3 matches. He has a knack for taking wickets as a best of 6/28 and two 5 wicket hauls can attest. One of Scotland’s bright spots in the tournament, Josh Davey would probably share the new ball along with Zadran.
This was a tough call between Hamid Hassan of Afghanistan and Dockrell, but the requirement for a spinner allowed Dockrell to pip Hassan to the post. Dockrell’s left-arm spin is highly rated and he gave further proof of that, picking up 3 wickets against West Indies. In an age where spinners employ a bagful of variations, Dockrell is more old-school, using flight and variation to deceive batsmen.
Long-flowing mane? Check. Pace and plenty of it? Check. A lionheart who just doesn’t give up? Check. Shapoor Zadran is the quintessential fast bowler, tall and broad with plenty in the tank to hassle the batsmen. He’s already picked up 7 wickets in the tournament so far and has troubled each and every batsman he’s bowled to. His nerveless batting under pressure against Scotland along with Hassan also added to his growing reputation.
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