Twitter
Advertisement

HIT MEN

Trust out Courtney Walsh has a good sense of humour too. "Players such as AB de Villiers, Aaron Finch, Chris Gayle, David Warner and Brendon McCullum, to name just a few, are the kind who, on their day, will make bowlers pay dearly. The million-dollar question is how I would bowl to these guys. For a start, can I say I am glad I am retired now?" the West Indian legend wrote in a column for the ICC website. On a serious note, he added, "But I would say that you try to restrict the use of their arms as they are so powerful and they're always trying to be one step ahead of the bowlers." G Krishnan lists out the macho batsmen who are expected to dispatch the ball into the Tasman Sea and the Indian Ocean at the World Cup.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

ROHIT SHARMA (India)
When this man gets going, he can put to shame some of the biggest hitters the game has ever seen. He makes batting look so easy, making you wonder why he can't he justify his immense talent. It is no joke to score two ODI double centuries in successive Novembers, and that too against Test-playing nations. Sharma, who opens the batting in ODI cricket, makes use of the fielding restrictions in the first 10 overs. When he gets going, there is no stopping him. While the support staff is going all out to help him regain full fitness, they will also be praying he does not break down during the tournament. Sharma has company. Shikhar Dhawan, when in form, can take over that responsibility. Virat Kohli's liking for the mid-wicket region, Suresh Raina stepping out and lofting the spinners over long-on and MS Dhoni, a finisher par excellence, can do wonders.
ODIs: 127
Strike-rate: 81.55
Sixes: 79

DAVID WARNER (Australia)
Australia have perhaps some of the biggest hitters in the world right now. Be it their top-order or, for that matter, their tail-enders, everyone can give the ball a good whack. Remember Mitchell Johnson shattering the glass facade of the commentary box in Harare last year? Their list of bit hitters is led by the diminutive Warner. Warner is enjoying a rich vein of form. In case he doesn't click, his opening partner will. Aaron Finch can be equally destructive. Then there's Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin to follow.
ODIs: 53
Strike-rate: 85.35
Sixes: 23

BRENDON MCCULLUM (New Zealand)
The Kiwis will bank on their to provide them with that initial thrust. With the World Cup returning to Australia and New Zealand after 23 years, McCullum could be doing what Mark Greatbatch did back then — score big and quick. McCullum has been there, done that. He holds the record for the fastest 50 in World Cup history, off 20 balls in 2007. He has been in the thick of runs of late, plundering Sri Lanka to a 22-ball 51 and following it up with a 99-ball 117 in the just-concluded ODI series. The Black Caps are peaking at the right time. McCullum has blasted 168 sixes in his career, putting him in seventh position on the all-time list. His six-hitting ability can easily rub off on his teammates. Corey Anderson, who has the highest strike rate in ODIs (129.37), and Luke Ronchi, who recently blasted a 99-ball 170 not out against Sri Lanka.
ODIs: 238
Strike-rate: 91.52
Sixes: 168

SHAHID AFRIDI (Pakistan)
The man who stormed his way into international cricket with a 37-ball 100 before he turned 17 has slammed the most sixes in ODIs — 342. That's 72 more than the next-best man on the list — Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya. Afridi's strike-rate is 116.29, putting him in sixth spot on the all-time list. While he can still whack the ball hard, Pakistan have been using him to clear the boundary in the death overs. Gone are the days of those quickfire centuries or breezy cameos at the top. That said, the maverick batsman can destroy any bowling attack on any ground.
Afridi
ODIs: 389
Strike-rate: 116.29
Sixes: 342

AB de VILLIERS (South Africa)
If there is one batsman who can break the world record for the highest ODI score, it is this South African. AB toyed with the West Indies bowlers during his mind-boggling 31-ball century recently. It was not a one-off innings. He has exhibited his talent on umpteen number of occasions in the Indian Premier League. Some of his shots are breathtaking. The reverse hits, the slam-bang approach, the lofted shots, the pull over mid-wicket, the swat over cover — AB can just demoralise any bowler. South Africa's success in this World Cup will largely revolve around him.
ODIs: 179
Strike-rate: 97.16
Sixes: 139

CHRIS GAYLE (West Indies)
How is it that Gayle hits sixes at will in the IPL, BBL and T20Is, but not in ODI cricket? He has 212 career sixes, third behind Afridi (342) and Jayasuriya (270), and would love to add many more to his collection during the course of the World Cup. In the absence of fellow big-hitters Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, the West Indies will be hoping for not just a good start from Gayle but also some big ones at that. His expressionless face — after swatting a bowler for a straight, flat six or into the top tier of the stands over mid-wicket — often leaves bowlers dumbstruck. In Gayle and Dwayne Smith, the West Indies have two formidable hitters at the top of the order.
ODIs: 263
Strike-rate: 84.22
Sixes: 109

ALSO WATCH OUT FOR
Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe), Stuart Broad (England), Kevin O'Brien (Ireland) and Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka) are known for their ability to send the ball soaring into the stands. Of course, anyone can hit a six. Look at the slim and trim Axar Patel, who relied on timing against Sri Lanka. These days, even mishits and edges sail over the boundary ropes. But the joy of watching a big, clean hitter of the ball is something else.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement