Quality all-rounders play a dual role in the team. They can occupy a vital Batting position and help the captain to bowl those crucial overs. This article will present the Top 5 all-rounders who will play a crucial role in their team’s journey in the 2023 Cricket World Cup

Presented By: Raghunath Nair

Date: 28/09/2023

Introduction

History of the ODI World Cup has proved that teams having the best all-rounders in the tournament have a distinct advantage over the other teams.

India’s all-rounders played a huge role in their two ODI World Cup wins. In fact, all the previous ODI World Cup-winning teams had great all-rounders like Sanath Jayasuriya, Viv Richards, Imran Khan etc.

The 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup will also showcase the current best all-rounders in the shorter format of the game.

Presenting the Top 5 Allrounders to watch this World Cup

Ben Stokes

The England Test Captain has come out of his ODI retirement to help England defend their title in the 2023 World Cup. This comes as a huge sigh of relief for the England fans as Ben Stokes is an allrounder who can turn the game for his side whenever the team needs him.

Ben Stokes played a vital role in England’s success in the last edition and his contribution in the finals was the defining moment of the 2019 World Cup win.

He was the Player of the Match in the finals and the skills of the 32-year-old with bat and ball has cemented his name as one of the very best in limited-overs cricket.

His current form is brilliant and his 182 off 124 Balls in the recently concluded New Zealand ODI series was England Men’s highest-ever ODI score

Mitchell Marsh

Often Out of the team due to injury issues, this Australian is considered one of the most dangerous batsmen in the modern era. He can put the best bowling attack to shame with his aggressive mode of batting and can bowl the entire set of 10 overs for his captain.

Australians will be very pleased to have a fully fit Mitchell Marsh in the team as he can be the decisive factor for the Australians in the powerplay stage. The pitches in India may suit his medium-pace bowling.

Mitchell Marsh has been in devastating form in the T20 format but not so in the ODI format. His match-winning knock in the 3rd and final ODI match against India recently will give him and his team great confidence as they aim to add yet another World Cup trophy to their cabinet.

Glen Maxwell

The “Big Show” is Australia’s limited-over specialist and he will be a useful middle-order Bat and a spin bowling option for Team Australia. Glen Maxwell has been great in the limited-over format and has been very good in Indian sub-continental conditions. He is an excellent fielder and his contribution to the team will directly affect the fortunes of his team.

Maxwell is one of the best players of spin bowling and a prolific six-hitter. If Australia manages to get a good start from their top 3, Maxwell can play his natural attacking style of cricket which he is more comfortable with.

Having seen success in the IPL as an allrounder, Maxwell will find playing in India easier compared to others in the side. His batting and bowling style will suit the slow and low Indian wickets.

Maxwell’s contribution helped Australia to win the 3^rd ODI in the recently concluded India ODI Series.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja has been India’s No1 choice spinner in ODI Cricket especially in Indian conditions. He has improved his batting skills and unlike in the past, puts a heavy prize on his wicket. He will be expected to come out of his recent average performance with the bat and help India strengthen the middle and lower order batting lineup. In Indian conditions he will be a very effective bowler and his 10 overs with the ball will prove the deciding factor of the game.

If need be, he can play the role of a floater and is good against spin. He can be also be sent early to balance the right-left batting combination.

Jaddu has been on the top of the list in the ICC ranking for a long time and will be a key player to look for in this World Cup.

He has experience will play a key role in India’s dream to lift their third ODI World Cup Trophy.

Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib is the current No. 1 ICC-ranked ODI all-rounder. He is one of the best players to play for Bangladesh in all formats. He will be captaining the Bangladesh team and will be wearing the Captain’s hat, Batsman’s hat, and also the Bowler’s hat. Such is the overreliance on this allrounder. The pitches of India will suit Shakib’s style of play both with bat and ball.

While they may not be amongst the favourites in the tournament, the Bangladesh team with Shakib’s all-round brilliance has the potential to spring up more than a surprise upset in the tournament

Shakib has been the No. 1 Ranked player in all formats for a long time now.

His match-winning knock of 114 runs in Champions Trophy’17 helped Bangladesh qualify for the semis and made him one of the most vital cogs in their line-up.

In 188 ODI matches, he has 237 wickets at an average below 30 and economy of 4.45. In batting, he has 5433 runs at an average of 35.5 with 7 centuries and 39 half-centuries.

Two Allrounders need special mention who is not part of the above list is South Africa’s Marco Jansen and Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed. Both  players play a key role in their team’s progress in the World Cup.

ODI Records*

Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Top 5 Batsmen to look out for