Picking an ambidextrous World Cup XI across the years

Most of us are generally strong with one hand, but some can use both hands to good effect. These people are called ambidextrous. Shiamak Unwalla, picks a Dream Team of ambidextrous players who made a huge impression in World Cup matches – players who batted left-handed and bowled right-handed or vice-versa.

1. Adam Gilchrist, Australia (wicketkeeper)

One of the most aggressive batsmen, the left-hander scored over 1,000 runs in World Cup at a reasonable average of 36.16, but a tremendous strike-rate of 98. He single-handedly won Australia the 2007 World Cup final with a mind-boggling 149. A right-handed bowler, he never bowled in any form of international cricket. In fact, he bowled only one delivery in any form of competitive cricket. And as luck would have it, he took a wicket off it, for Kings XI Punjab in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match.

2. Sourav Ganguly, India

With 1,006 World Cup runs at an average of 55.88, four centuries, and a top score of 183, Ganguly clinches a spot at the top of the order. Between him and Gilchrist, the bowlers will have to run for cover. With 10 World Cup wickets as well, his right-arm medium-pace will come in handy as well.

3. Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka

Sangakkara was a roaring success in the 2015 World Cup. The left-hander scored four back-to-back centuries and hit over 500 runs to emerge the leading run-scorer of the tournament at the end of the semi-final round. His overall World Cup average of 56.74 and strike-rate of 86.55 speaks volumes of his value to the side. For the record, Sangakkara has bowled some right-arm off spin, though only in Tests. He might not need to bowl too much though, given the depth in the bowling. He will, however, provide specialist back-up support as a ‘keeper.

4. Michael Clarke, Australia

Given that Clarke averages 63.42 with eight half-centuries and a strike-rate of 94.16 in World Cup, his spot at No. 4 will be unquestionable. Clarke retired from ODIs as a World Cup-winning captain, and is one of five former World Cup captains in the side. He is also handy as a left-arm spinner.

5. Clive Lloyd, West Indies (captain)

In a side with four other World Cup captains — two of whom led their sides to the finals, and two of whom won them — it can only be Clive Lloyd who holds the reins. Perhaps one of the greatest ODI captains ever, Lloyd was excellent with the bat in World Cup as well. He scored his runs at an appreciable average of 43.66 and an outstanding strike-rate — for that era — of 84.88 with a century and two fifties. He was also capable of bowling decent medium-pace, though he rarely needed to do so with his arsenal of pacers.  Lloyd led West Indies to three successive World Cup finals, winning the first two — the first with an iconic, match-winning hundred against Australia.

6. Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka

With a World Cup average of 46.14 and a strike-rate of 80.95, Arjuna Ranatunga will perform the role of the finisher at No. 6. He could bat higher up the order if a couple of early wickets fall. His right-arm medium pace will be an asset if the pitch has a bit of zip. Ranatunga, led an unheralded Sri Lankan team to victory in 1996, and will be the vice-captain of the side.

7. Lance Klusener, South Africa

With a batting average of 124, a strike-rate of 121.17 and three half-centuries in 11 World Cup innings, Klusener is a fearsome lower-order batsman for the opposition bowlers to contend with. His right-arm pace bowling is more than handy, and he can operate with both new ball and as a first-change bowler. Of course, with the men following him on the list, he might not have to bowl till much later.

8. Richard Hadlee, New Zealand

Bringing up the last of the recognised batsmen is Sir Richard Hadlee. He did not do a lot with the bat in World Cup, scoring a mere 149 runs in 10 innings at 16.55 with a strike-rate of 61.06. At No. 9 though, those are acceptable numbers. With the ball in hand, however, Hadlee was his usual destructive self: 22 wickets in 13 matches at only 19.13, an economy rate of 2.88, and a strike-rate of 39.8! Exceptional numbers by any stretch of imagination.

9. Zaheer Khan, India

Zaheer is No 5 on the list of all-time World Cup wicket-takers. But the four ahead of him are all pure right-handers and thus don’t qualify, unlike Zaheer Khan who bowls with his left hand and bats right-handed. Zaheer had a wonderful World Cup in 2011, where he was the joint highest wicket-taker. He was also outstanding in 2003 and 2007. Zaheer has to his credit 44 wickets in 23 games at a superb bowling average of 20.22, economy rate of 4.47, and strike rate of 27.1. He thus edges out Jacob Oram, who has 36 wickets from the same number of matches as Zaheer, which he has scalped at an average of 21.33 and strike-rate of 30.3. In all aspects, Zaheer has a better World Cup record than Oram.

10. Venkatapathy Raju, India

The lone frontline spinner in the side, Venkatapathy Raju took 13 wickets in 11 World Cup games at 28.15 and an economy rate of 4.15. He was no great shakes with the bat but could hang around in case the big hitters at the other end were going strong.

11. Curtly Ambrose, West Indies

Bringing up the rear is the Caribbean giant, Curtly Ambrose. The right-arm pacer is a genuine No. 11 in this side, but with the batting above it is highly unlikely he will ever be needed. With the ball, Ambrose was devastating. He took 24 wickets in 17 World Cup games at an astounding average of 20.79, conceding just 3.03 runs per over. His fearsome yorkers and nagging accuracy will mean that even after the opening burst from Zaheer and Hadlee the batsmen will find it next to impossible to score freely.

12th man: Andy Flower, Zimbabwe

So how does the attack look? We have Ambrose and Hadlee opening the bowling, with Zaheer and Klusener as the other medium-pacers. Raju will contribute with his left-arm spin, while Ganguly, Ranatunga, Lloyd, and Clarke can chip in as back-up support if needed.