Ayaz Farooqi's Super Six to Watch

By: Ayaz F. Farooqi

The Cricket World Cup 2007 will probably bring curtains downs on the illustrious careers of some very fine cricketers of the current era. Glenn McGrath has already made his intentions clear to retire at the conclusion of the mega event; few more big names are in line to bid adieu to international cricket arena. For Brian Lara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar and Inzamam-ul-Haq – all of whom played in the 1992 edition of the tournament – the current competition will most certainly be the last.

Apart from these great names, who will adorn the cricket grounds of the Caribbean islands during the coming 45 days, a galaxy of highly talented players are up and ready to perform true to their potential and provide some highly entertaining stuff to the crickets fans all the over globe. Who amongst these will fit their top billing, who will be the unfortunate ones to be tagged the fallen heroes and who amongst the relatively lesser mortals will emerge as the future cricketing stars of the cricket world; all this will only be known once the tournament reaches its logical culmination on April 28. With the tournament still a week away from beginning, for now we can only envisage about the possible stars of the show who may liven up the cricket fields with their prowess with either the bat or ball, based purely on their recent past performance and their high reputation. The probable Super Six of World Cup 2007 in my opinion will be:

Brian Lara, 37 along with Shane Warne is probably the most charismatic cricketer of the present era. For almost two decades now, Lara has been the lynchpin of the West Indian batting line-up, an uncrowned king who has fought gallantly throughout his career to avoid the ship from hitting the rocks and eventually drowning in the Caribbean Sea. Though now in the twilight of his career, the home team will largely depend on his exploits with the bat to realize their dream of lifting a trophy which has eluded them for the past 28 years.

A successful 2006 meant that the genius has lost none of the brilliance of yore, and despite being on the stage since 1990 Lara’s still remains the most prized wicket for the opposition. Lara has ruled the world with grace, poise and aplomb and surely he is destined to leave the cricket field with a bang rather than a whimper.

Michael Hussey, 31 by the usual standards was late in his baptism to international cricket but he seems extraordinarily determined to make up for the lost years. A Bradmansque like average of nearly 80 in Tests is supplemented by an imposing average of 67 in the 61 ODIs in which he has represented Australia since early 2004. Hussey has proved to be an able successor of Michael Bevan – who was recognized as perhaps the finest ever finisher in ODI cricket – and his cool head and ability to judge the situation perfectly has enabled Hussey to emerge from the shadow of Bevan. Australia has an embarrassment of riches in the batting department but the influence Hussey has been able to exert during such a short span of time has been phenomenal.

The left-hander is considered amongst the elite in ODIs and a successful World Cup campaign will be the perfect icing on the cake on what has been a truly magnificent international career.

Paul Collingwood, 30 has been one of the unassuming stars of modern day cricket. His back-to-back hundreds against Australia in the finals of the recent triangular series were not only pivotal in England’s victory which the tourists were so desperately looking for, it also provided England the much-needed impetus for the all-important World Cup. Collingwood has a very steady head on his shoulder and a temperament which enables him to maintain his calm in the most pressure-cooker situations. Add to his gritty batting, is his athletic fielding in the cover and backward point region, and this makes him as perhaps the most valuable player for England in ODIs.

A powerful end against the world champions meant that Collingwood will enter the World Cup supremely confident and this self-assurance should enable him leave an indelible mark in the competition.

Shaun Pollock, 33 looked down out at the dawn of 2006. He seemed to have lost his nagging length, the hallmark of his bowling throughout his career, and he had slowed down considerably. A disastrous 2003 World Cup saw him stripped off captaincy and gradually he seemed to be on his way out. But the ICC Champions Trophy in late 2006 was a huge turnaround for him. Back to the fore was his immaculate line and length which has been a bane for the most aggressive and talented batsmen worldwide. A rewarding tournament was followed by successful home stints against India and Pakistan, where he bagged Man-of-the-Series Awards in both the series.

South Africans are known as the chokers of international cricket and if they aspire to break this jinx of tripping at the most crucial stages; they would be looking towards Pollock to carry his remarkable form into the World Cup.

Muttiah Muralitharan, 34 has the inherent ability to turn the ball even on marble, let alone on the West Indian pitches which are expected to offer some assistance to the slow bowlers. With Shane Warne already retired, Muralitharan, of the coming generation, is now the most potent spinner still around. The mercurial off-spinner has till now picked 432 scalps for Sri Lanka in ODIs, which makes him the second highest wicket-taker in this form of cricket behind Wasim Akram’s 502 wickets.

Muralitharan has already announced his decision to bid farewell to ODIs after the World Cup in order to lengthen his Test career and he should cast a long-lasting impression on the tournament in what will be his one-day swansong.

Shane Bond, 31 is the most complete fast bowler in every sense of the word with an armory that has the entire range of fast bowling variations. The only blot in his career has been his suspect fitness but he seems to have largely overcome this problem as well. Bond is now raring to go and in the best form of his career. Already the holder of the fastest 50 wickets in ODIs record for New Zealand, Bond along with Shaun Tait of Australia will probably be the fastest bowler of the World Cup.

Bond looked penetrating and impressive throughout the triangular series in Australia but he saved his best for the three-match Chappell-Hadlee series when he destroyed the Aussie batting line-up in the opening tie to finish with figures of 5-23. This performance and subsequent win for the Kiwis in the game proved to be the harbinger of the most unexpected whitewash in the recent memories. New Zealand is now regarded as one of the hot favourites of the World Cup and in case it clinches its maiden trophy, Bond should emerge as one of the heroes.

Intresting and good article. I see all the players chosen are pretty experienced ones.. So no Young guns expected to shine then?

How dare he not name Inzi in one of his Super Six players.
He must off been influenced by Naved and his lot.

Very nice read! Hussey will be a star of the WC IMO.

Inzis not performed in WC since 92. Am not shocked hes not been listed!

Nice read, Collingwood was an interesting choice.

Means Akram's record of 502 is safe for the next several years to come.

Excellent article Mr Farooqi!

suprise Inzi or Tendulker are not their

How good is bond I question?
If a 17 year old can be the reason for his 9 overs 59 runs performance, I am sure his pace will not be of any concern in these type of pitches. I say, McGrath would finish ahead of him in all categories in this WC.

On the other hand, those 5 mentioned should be a treat to watch. Add Jayasuriya, Gayle to that list.

bond is overrated