ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 : Top 10 support Players

Stars Will Shine…But Support Players Will Help You Win!
In any Tournament in any sport in the lead up its about the stars and even during the proceedings its about the stars. Though more often than not the Team that wins is as much about its support men as it is its stars.The World Cup is no different look at the examples through the Tournaments history-Collis King in 1979,Mushtaq Ahmed in 1992, Asanka Gurisinghe in 1996 and Andy Bichel in 03 are a few that spring to mind instantly.
So who are a few that might assume these support roles that so aide in victory . Here are my choices

John Hastings (Australia)

I have liked this big hearted all rounder for a long time and he has even been touted as a potential Test player for Australia.This might indeed happen in the future though here in the World Cup he could play an integral role. I say this for Australia is laden with attacking bowlers like Lee, Johnson, Tait and Bollinger. In Hastings they have that bowler who can multi task in regards to being able to be a strike bowler, but also be that Nathan Bracken type strangling bowler.Which in World Cups is crucial. Also he is a very handy lower order batsman who can either occupy the crease to help rebuild after a collapse or maul to set up a target.

Shafiul Islam (Bangladesh)

I found it rather bemusing in a Team that lacks strike bowlers that Bangladesh left out Mashrafe Mortaza from their squad.Though on reflection I thought was this indeed an indication of the new found Bangladesh depth? In the series against New Zealand the young paceman Shafiul Islam impressed with his pace and penetration. The only thing that was a worry was him going for runs.Though in a Team that is built on its strength in spin.If Shafiul can get a few early wickets even if he’s a bit costly hell be precious like gold to his Team.

Tim Bresnan (England)

More than anything you just like this guys place in the England Team in regards to he is so composed and ice cool no matter what the situation.
This in no way takes away from his ability with either bat or ball which as seen in the recent Ashes victory was decisive.His bowling is very heady and is a man that can reverse swing the ball which is crucial in the Sub Continent.Also as a batsman,he is capable of a composed innings or a mauling one.
A very fine and oft overlooked player

Piyush Chawla (India)

This bowler was not only an interesting selection,but in truth an intriguing prospect in the World Cup.A few years ago we saw how effective he could be with his leg spin that was highlighted by a brilliantly disguised googly against Australia.Then here in a lead up game which granted has little merit in terms of Teams taking it seriously.Though that aside you couldn’t ignore how penetrating he was.In this World Cup where spin might be huge, an over the wrist spinner is more of a threatening prospect than a finger spinner.Especially against non Asian sides who don’t as a rule play spin well.
You never know Chawla could be to India in this World Cup like Mushtaq Ahmed was to Pakistan in 1992….

Tim Southee (New Zealand)

The Kiwis are a Team that has many dangerous batsmen, but are bereft of decent bowlers.In Tim Southee they have a young player that has all the talent to be a factor for his Team at this cup.He bowls at decent pace and swings it both ways with the new ball.Also he is a very dangerous lower order batsman that can hit the ball a very long way.

Umar Akmal (Pakistan)

This player took the cricketing World by storm in all forms of the game in his debut matches.Though he has been found out recently in Test match cricket in this World Cup he will find conditions more to his liking.Thus with no one doubting his talent here in the Odi arena away from the pressures and demands of Test cricket we can expect him to be a huge factor.For he can not only bat in a conventional manner,but when he decides that he wants to rip bowlers apart. He can do it as well as some of his more famous team mates.In Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq

Chamara Kapugedera (Sri Lanka)

I must admit ive loved this guy since seeing him in his debut series in Australia.I thought so highly of him that I thought he was Aravinda de Silva’s air apparent as Sri Lanka’s star batsmen.Though he has flattered to deceive since. Not through being lacking in talent,but many Sri Lankan observers citing being burdened too young with expectation.Thus not being mature enough mentally to deal with it.Though the boy I saw is now a man and has lost none of his talent.He still is a classical batsman that can caress and dissect with the best of them or conversely be that lower order power hitter.
If he could be this hitter it would fill a role in the Sri Lankan Team that they lack

J.P.Duminy (South Africa)

The forgotten man of South African cricket could be a double edged sword for his Team here.
For no one doubts the excellence of his batting whether it be in playing a composed lengthy innings or mauling a late innings decisive contribution
Though in a Team that is bereft of quality spin his very underatted finger spin could play a key role in either tieing up or getting players out Also like most South African’s he is an exceptional fieldsman

Kemar Roach (West Indies)

This young paceman from his first ball in International cricket showed that he had lethal pace.
Though recently in the Test series against Sri Lanka he showed that he has become a more refined bowler and thus added menace to his pace.
In this World Cup he could be a wrecking ball in the early overs where even on feather bed pitches he has the speed to make all the batsmen jump