Published on October 3rd, 2023
The 2023 World Cup will showcase fresh batting talent and a multitude of bowlers from various teams. The spotlight of the impending mega event, set to kick off later this week, is anticipated to shine on the performance of all-rounders.
Below, we present five emerging all-rounders to watch closely during the World Cup:
1. Mitchell Marsh From Australia
Marsh has solidified his position as the lead opener for Australia, partnering with David Warner, a role he assumed after Travis Head’s injury.
This 31-year-old cricketer has exhibited exceptional form on Indian pitches this year, boasting an impressive average of nearly 75 across five matches.
In the March three-match series, where Australia triumphed 2-1, Marsh emerged as the linchpin, accumulating 194 runs and earning the Player of the Series award.
What’s more, Marsh has seamlessly transformed from a middle-order finisher to an explosive opener.
Additionally, he contributes effectively with the ball, with 54 wickets to his name in 79 ODIs, making him a valuable asset for the team when called upon.
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2. Rashid Khan From Afghanistan
Rashid, hailing from a war-torn country, has risen to become one of the sport’s most prominent figures.
Whether he’s bamboozling batsmen with his deceptive ‘googly’ or aggressively taking on bowlers while batting down the order, Rashid consistently delivers captivating cricketing performances.
His impressive record of 139 IPL wickets, including an impressive tally of 27 in the 2023 season, reflects his deep understanding of Indian conditions.
Rashid, who was once the fastest to reach 100 ODI wickets, now boasts a total of 172 wickets in just 94 games, maintaining an excellent economy rate of slightly over four runs per over.
3. Shakib Al Hasan From Bangladesh
At 36 years old, Shakib, the respected elder statesman of the Bangladesh cricket team, continues to excel.
He currently holds the coveted top spot in the ICC rankings for all-rounders in both ODIs and T20s.
Since his World Cup debut in 2007, Shakib has been a consistent leader for his team.
In the 2019 edition of the tournament, he etched his name in history by setting a record for the most runs in the group stage, amassing an impressive 606 runs in just eight games, all while also contributing with the ball by taking 11 wickets.
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4. Chris Woakes From England
When the Ashes series kicked off earlier this year, Woakes wasn’t initially considered a pivotal member of the squad.
However, by the series’ conclusion, he had featured in three matches and earned the prestigious title of England’s Player of the Series, playing a crucial role in the home side’s effort to level the series at 2-2.
His significance in limited-overs cricket was evident during the 2019 World Cup, where he ranked as England’s third-highest wicket-taker with 16 scalps and also contributed 134 runs, aiding England in clinching the title.
Despite being 34 years old, Woakes has seamlessly stepped into the role of England’s primary new-ball bowler, particularly with Jofra Archer sidelined. Impressively, he continues to consistently clock speeds exceeding 140 km/hr.
5. Hardik Pandya From India
Pandya’s aggressive batting prowess was honed in the intense crucible of the Indian Premier League, where the 29-year-old not only led the Gujarat Titans to a championship but also guided them to two consecutive finals.
Despite grappling with a back injury that posed challenges to his career, Pandya has evolved into a dependable and unwavering performer with both the bat and the ball.
His demeanor remains composed and assured even in high-pressure situations on the field.
Typically stationed in the middle order, Pandya’s versatility allows him to be promoted up the batting order when India requires an acceleration of their innings or to serve as an anchor during challenging times.
As a bowler, he is the go-to option for India when they need some medium-paced deliveries to break through in the middle overs.
