ODI World cup team previews - South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh

 

The ICC ODI World cup starts from 5 th October with the two finalists of 2019 , England and New Zealand  facing up again at Ahmedabad .  As the final squads have started to roll in , we start the preview of the teams in right earnest . Below we have analysed the squads of England, New Zealand  and Netherlands  . These three teams have already  announced their final squads 

South Africa 

South Africa with their recent come from behind   ODI series win over Australia and the dominant nature of their wins in the last 3 games has suddenly raised hopes of their world cup chances . Their batting has looked in great shape particularly the middle order has looked awesome with a lot of firepower.  Probably they have one of the strongest middle orders in the coming World cup .  Skipper Temba Bavuma has been performing well as opener of late and even played some blinders while maintaining his orthodox strokeplay.  Quinton De Kock has announced his retirement from ODI cricket . The Protea wickekeeper has been one of the most fluent left handers in the game and he will definitely try to leave an impact in his ODI swansong . The middle order of a very consistent Rassi Van Der Dussein ,  the dazzling Aiden Markram , the explosive Heinrich Klaasen and the aggresive David Miller provides ominous firepower which will bother all the other leading teams . Then they have Reeza Hendricks who is another dazzling strokeplayer as their backup.  

However the Proteas have suffered a major blow with the injury of Anrich Nortje.  Nortje is very experienced in Indian conditions being a regular in IPL . With his injury South Africa will miss his bowling firepower and the extra pace . However in Rabada they have a world class operator backed by Lungi Ngidi who seems to have got back his rhytm in the recent Australia series . The tall left arm quick  Marco Jansen provide the variation and decent pace and bounce along with his fast improved batting . In Gerald Coetzee they have a quick who can fill in Nortje's shoes with his pace and aggression.  Andile Phehlukwayo may prove to be a handful on slower and tacky pitches . To round up , South Africa has got two handy spinners in left arm Keshav Maharaj and leggie Tabraiz Shamsi . Markram can also bowl decent off spin .  So they have a bowling attack that covers all the bases 

Strengths :  Powerful batting lineup till number 7 and an explosive middle order . A strong bowling attack covering all the bases and one of the best fielding outfits 

Weaknesses : Nortje will be a big miss . South Africa tends to choke in important matches 

Opportunities: Their well rounded and strong team for all conditions provides them a big opportunity to lift the world cup 

Threats  :  Their tendency to choke in crucial games can prove to be fatal and is a threat to their chances 

Key players :  Quinton De Kock , Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller , Marco Jansen , Rabada , Coetzee, Maharaj 

Chances :  strong semi final hopes.  Can win the title . 

South Africa World Cup Squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.

Sri Lanka 

After weeks of wait apparently to come out clear of injuries to several key bowlers, Sri Lanka announced their 15 member World cup squad finally .  Mahesh Theekshana , who suffered a leg injury in the Asia Cup is cleared to play . However two key bowlers  Wahnindu Hasaranga and Dushmanta Chameera failed to recover from their injuries in time and hence had to be excluded. However the rest of the squad is selected on expected lines and is almost similar to the one played in the recent Asia Cup in which Sri Lanka were runners up . 

Led  by Dasun Shanaka, the Sri Lankan batting is selected on expected lines with Kusal Mendis , Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka &  Dhananjaya de Silva expected to provide the stability and fireworks.  The batting has capabilities to produce the goods but has been  inconsistent and slipped to mediocrity many times in important encounters notably in the last Asia Cup final.  In Kusal Mendes they have a player in form but the others need to be consistent .

The bowling is admittedly Sri Lanka's stronger suit with an array of quality spinners in Theekshana , a young Wellalage and the fast and furious Pathirana . Left arm quick Dilshan Madhusanka is back which is a big news for Sri Lanka as Madhusanka can  generate lively pace with swing . Even a pacy Lahiru Kumara is back from injury to add to Sri Lanka's options and then there is Kasun Rajitha .

All rounder Dunith Wellalage with his left handed batting and soon bowling is one of the bright young talents in world cricket and his progress will be watched with interest in this world cup . 

Strengths :  Depth in batting , quality spinners and enough bowling options are major strengths of Sri Lanka 

Weaknesses: Repeated Incontest batting performance can affect Sri Lanka  chances 

Opportunities:  A quality bowling attack with depth in spin is likely thrive in Indian conditions when can create opportunities for the Sri Lankans . Also less expectations of winning the event can help Sri Lanka to play freely 

Threat :  Repeated batting debacles, lack of belief to close out tight matches is a threat to Sri Lanka's chances 

Key players :  Kusal Mendis, Pathirana , Theekshana ,Wellalage, Karunaratne, Dhananjaya D Silva 

Chances:   not expected to reach last 4 

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (C), Kusal Mendis (VC), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka

Bangladesh 

Bangladesh due to their quality spinners will be a dangerous team in Indian conditions specially if the pitches take spin . However they have sprung a surprise in the team selection with veteran batter Tamim Iqbal missing out . Tamim had recently overturned his retirement plans and had regained fitness after suffering a back injury earlier . In batting Bangladesh will be served by the prolific Mushfiqur Rahim along with Nazmul Hossain Shanto , Shakib ,  Litton Das and veteran Mahmudullah . The pace attack is impressive with Taskin Ahmed generating the pace while left armer Mustafizur Rahman bowling his variations  supported by Shoriful and Tanzim . Spin is their strong suit with Shakib , Mahedy Hasan Miraj , Mehidi Hasan and Nassum Ahmed providing the skills . Miraj has also upgraded his batting skills of late . 

Strengths :  spin bowling can be a handful on Indian pitches 

Weaknesses : The Batting looks fragile and has struggled vs top sides 

 Opportunities:  with no pressure of expectations Bangladesh can work wonders if they perform as a team and play fearless cricket 

Threats:  The fragile nature of their team specially in batting in a big event  can act has a threat for Bangladesh 

Key players  Shakib Al Hasan , Mehidy Hasan Miraj , Mushfiqur Rahim , Mustafizur Rahman , Nazmul Shanto 

Chances : Can win a few games  against top teams 

Bangladesh World Cup squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib