The general feeling is that the upcoming ICC World Cup will be a high-scoring one and the bowlers will have to be at their best not to be smashed around the park. However, some of the most skillful bowlers will be on view in England and Wales as 10 teams fight it out for the ultimate prize in world cricket. Onmanorama takes a look at five such speed merchants who are expected to hog the limelight during the course of the tournament.
Kagiso Rabada
Cricket South Africa was quick to recall Kagiso Rabada from the Indian Premier League after he suffered a back niggle while playing for Delhi Capitals. Rabada is an invaluable asset for the Proteas who are searching for their maiden World Cup title. He is quick and has got the variations to keep the best of batsmen in check in both the powerplay and at the death. Rabada forms a formidable pace bowling trio along with veteran Dale Steyn and rising star Lungi Ngidi. Reports suggest that Rabada will be fit for the inaugural match against hosts England on May 30 and it will gladden the hearts of the South African team management.
Jasprit Bumrah
The Gujarat pacer has been hailed the best in the business by both the experts and players. Jasprit Bumrah is effective up front and simply special at the death. He can keep the batsmen quiet besides picking up vital wickets. Bumrah played a big role in Mumbai Indians winning the IPL for a record fourth occasion. The presence of Bumrah along with fellow pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami gives Indian captain Virat Kohli plenty of wicket-taking options. Bumrah is arguably Kohli’s biggest weapon and for India to win the World Cup for a third time he will have to be in top form.
Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins gives it his all on the field. He will be eager to make his mark on the biggest stage as Australia begin their title defence. Cummins has real pace and can be a handful on even the flattest of tracks. He has good company with the lethal Mitchell Starc, ever-improving Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Kane Richardson, all part of the Australian pace battery.
Oshane Thomas
The burly West Indian can hit the 150 kmph mark and could hurt the opposition. The 22-year-old from Jamaica is a work in progress, but the West Indian selectors have picked him for his wicket-taking ability. He could go for runs, but Thomas can claim wickets in a heap as he demonstrated against England in March when his 5/21 shot out Eoin Morgan’s men for 113 in the final one-dayer.
Matt Henry
New Zealand have in their arsenal Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, two genuine quick bowlers. It will be interesting to see whom captain Kane Williamson picks as the support cast to the new ball pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Henry is likely to feature at least in the early matches because he has got more experience than Ferguson. He was part of the Black Caps squad which ended runners-up in the last World Cup. He can hurry the batsmen and on the placid tracks that will be a big asset.
