Top 5 strikers in ODIs who could lit up the ICC World Cup 2019

With the most celebrated festival of Cricket on the earth approaching to brighten the world with its presence, all the national squads are occupied with finding the best possible combination for the World Cup. Struggling with a suitable blend of playing XI, countries have another stern test ahead with a minor twist in the draw. The proposed format is a round-robin where all the 10 teams will play each other once and top four will directly progress to the knockout stage.

Unlike the rest of the recent World Cups, this longer format would allow teams to freely compete with one another and would also allow some freedom to rectify mistakes made on the way to the top four. Remember, the margin of error varies proportionally when one compete in the World Cup.

One-day cricket has seen a plethora of amendments in the laws since its inception i.e. 1971 and still facing a lot of criticism in the era of T20, where shorter format means runs and just lots of runs. Long gone are the days, when 300 runs on the board was considered to be a safe target.

A blistering start and firework at the end of the innings are all the prerequisites of a significant total or a successful chase. In the age of high-risk cricket, the need for powerful strikers in the team is indispensable. Considering the flatness of the deck in England and longer boundaries, every team shall require a couple of strikers who could send the ball whirling into the crowd.

There will certainly be a few hard hitters of such pedigree on show at the greatest stage of cricket. Five batsmen who are most likely to set ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 on fire are:

(Note: Batsmen selected in the list have played a minimum 40 One-day Internationals).

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5. Moeen Ali, England, ODI strike-rate 104.83

Moeen Ali is an asset in the limited-overs for England Cricket

Moeen Ali, lean and fit left-hand batting all-rounder, does not carry the tag of a part-time off-spinner anymore. His elegant stroke play is the central feature in England’s limited-overs cricket. Prodigiously talented Moeen has captained England in U-19 World Cup and has also taken the team to semi-finals.

After the failure of Alex Hales at the top of the order, in the initial years of ODI debut, Moeen was given an opportunity and he replied in a fashion. Hitting a 72-ball century at Colombo left the cricketing world awestruck with his natural striking ability. He was then downgraded to the middle order as per the team’s requirement. He provides a much-needed stability and depth in English batting order with Stokes and Buttler.

His graceful batting down the order and skilful off-breaks make him a consistent fixture in the English side. His historical 53-ball ODI century (2nd fastest for England) against West Indies at Bristol showed the significance of having a clean hitter like Ali in the lower middle order.

It would be interesting to see the deadly trio of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali in the upcoming World Cup.

4. Hardik Pandya, India, ODI strike-rate 114.52

Hardik Pandya has shown the potential to take the team over the line in crucial times with his ability

Tall, dark and handsome, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is the answer to India’s search for a seam-bowling all-rounder. Syed Mushtaq Ali, domestic T20 tournament unearthed the young hidden talent for India. While playing for Baroda in domestic T20 tournament he ransacked 39 runs in an over and became the sensation overnight.

Playing for Mumbai franchise in IPL and displaying his swashbuckling ability to strike the ball made his chances surreal to represent his country in blues. Pandya has matured enough to understand what situation demands of him. He has been a regular fixture in all formats of Indian Cricket.

He brings a lot of balance to the side with his gun-fielding, explosive batting in the middle order and subtle bowling variations. He hasn’t featured in many successful winnings but his blistering 76 off 46 against Pakistan in Champions Trophy final and a match-winning 83 off 66 against Australia at Chennai are some of the highlights of many to come.

3. Jos Buttler, England, ODI strike-rate 117.11

Jos Buttler is elated after scoring a century against Australia in 5th ODI

One of the cleanest hitters of the white ball, wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler hails from the Somerset. Success didn’t come to the English wicketkeeper as fast as the ball comes on the bat on a hard deck. He has faced quite a rough patches on his way to the regular fixture in English side. 2016-17 was the breakthrough year for butler when he made the world his presence felt.

Three fastest One-day international hundreds for England was one such record before 2016 that none English player has ever broken into top 40 of this list. In the last couple of years, he has scored runs in bulk wherever he played and whatever the situation he was in.

He scored in Dubai, In Australia, in New Zealand, and in England as well. His unconventional ramp shot over wicketkeeper, flip shot over long on and his supple hand-eye coordination makes him a force to reckon with on his day.

An absorbing 110* run innings at Manchester against Australia in the final ODI shows the awareness and maturity in his batting. Considering his Man of the Series performance against Aussies he could be a great finisher for England in the upcoming World Cup.

2. Glenn Maxwell, Australia, ODI strike-rate 121.30

Glenn Maxwell is known for his unorthodox shot selection

One of the quickest scorers in the world, the Australian batting all-rounder, Glenn Maxwell has changed the perspective of the cricketing world towards quick scoring with his unorthodox play and clean hitting.

Melbourne-born Maxwell came into limelight with a 19-ball half-century against Tasmania, the fastest fifty in Australia’s one-day domestic history. His ability to play or make unconventional shots are like bread and butter to him.

He can create a shot out of nowhere and can leave awestruck by his adventures. His strong wrists allow him to play down the ground with ease, comfortable pull shots, reverse sweep quite often and an off drive for six. When he is on song, he is the only batsman bowler wouldn’t like to bowl at.

He offers a complete package especially in the shorter format, fantastic fieldsman, handy off-spinner and a swashbuckling striker of the ball. 51-ball century in 2015 World Cup against Sri-Lanka was the fastest century by an Australian in ODI cricket.

Being in and out of the ODI squad, Maxwell struggling to make a comeback but the Australian Board have a firm belief that he would play a major role in the success of Australia in the upcoming World Cup in England.

1. Andre Russell, West-Indies, ODI strike-rate 130.45

Andre Russell's comeback to the ODI side will definitely boost the team's confidence

One of the hardest hitters of the ball among the contemporary batsmen, Andre Russell, who could inflict fear in any bowler when he is on song. His ability to hit the ball a long way is not an unheard story anymore. Travelling through the various T20 Leagues across the globe and winning them quite often than anyone, shows the importance of Jamaican in this particular format of the game. Be it, IPL, BBL, CPL, PSL or BPL, Russell has crowned them all.

Flamboyant Russell is more of an athlete than more of a cricketer. His all-round ability in ODIs makes him the vital cog in the West Indian set up. Being known for his T20 exploits, He is as a finisher and all-rounder in ODIs is as important for West Indies as food for life. There are not many significant innings he has played in the past in ODIs as he’d been in and out of the team and also went through a ban imposed by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission.

His player of the match performance with the ball came at Sabina Park against India where he bagged four wickets for 35 Runs. Andre Russell would be happy to wear maroon in the upcoming World Cup and bring glory to the nation once again.