The 'Spinners XI' of World Cup 2011
What is the similarity between a magician and a spinner? You really don't need to wrack your brains for the answer. Both of these tribes are masters of illusion. Their business is to deceive. And, in the World Cup cauldron the cricketing magicians will be put to test and will be testing the best of the batsmen. The sub-continent tracks will conspire spin and we saw that in warm-up matches. Slow bowlers will be doubly powered. MSN India takes a look at the spinners who will be at the deep end of things during the World Cup.
Shakib Al Hasan
Type: Slow left-arm
The Bangladesh captain leads the ODI all-rounder's list for nothing. More often than not, his bat has done the talking, but Shakib's left-arm spin is something which the opponents would be wary of. Holding a spot at the number five position in the ICC ODI Bowlers Ranking, Shakib's guile has fetched him 129 wickets in 102 one-day internationals. What's more important is that 66 of these wickets have come at home.
Matches - 102
Wickets - 109
Best - 4.33
Also See
Why spinners are going to be the game-changers
Abdur Razzak
Type: Slow left-arm
Abdur Razzak masterminded India's World Cup debacle in 2007 against Bangladesh. He was frugal. He bowled his overs in a flash. And, he took wickets which punctured India's hopes of building a large total. Razzak has taken over the mantle of Bangladesh's lead spinner after the retirement of Mohammad Rafique. In this World Cup he would be hoping to fashion a repeat of the famous 2007 win.
Matches 111
Wickets 162
Best 5.29
Graeme Swann
Type: Right arm off break
In Graeme Swann's fingers lies the future of England's World Cup campaign. Swann has spun his way to the top of the bowling charts, but his success has mostly come in the Test arena. England would hope that this classy off-spinner does the trick for them on the spinning sub-continent tracks.
Matches - 44
Wickets - 60
Best - 5.28
Harbhajan Singh
Type: Right arm off break
There would huge pressure on Harbhajan Singh as he leads India's spin attack in the World Cup. Dhoni would look at him for breakthroughs and for polishing off the tail when needed. That the tracks would offer spins adds more responsibility on the off spinner to get going in the World Cup.
Matches - 217
Wickets - 246
Best - 5.31
R Ashwin
Type: Right arm off break
Ashwin may not be in the classical mode but his cool temperament sets him apart. That he has got the stomach for big matches was amply seen during the IPL-3 matches. His good displays in the tournament fetched him a national cap. A place in the World Cup squad sealed, Ashwin would look to beat the competition with Piyush Chawla and make it into the final playing eleven.
Matches - 7
Wickets - 14
Best - 3.24
Piyush Chawla
Chawla brought himself right into the contention for the final playing eleven berth with his stupendous effort against Australia in the warm-up match. Chawla gave the ball air, spun it, and more importantly took four wickets to stake a big claim for the final spot.
Matches - 22
Wickets - 28
Best - 4.23
Daniel Vettori
Type: Slow left-arm
New Zealand's 'Man Friday' is a master of his art. New Zealand premier spinner would have his hand full in the World Cup both with the bat and the ball. But it is with the ball that the Kiwis would like Vettori to fire the most.
Matches - 266
Wickets - 279
Best - 5.7
Ray Price
Type: Slow left-arm
A spinner with the attitude of a fast bowler, that's what Ray Price is. A fighter to the core, Price thrives in a pressure battle and on wickets which are low and slow. One of the most senior most members of the Zimbabwe side, Price would hope to make the most of the spinning tracks in the World Cup.
Matches - 83
Wickets - 80
Best - 4.22
Saeed Ajmal
Type: Right-arm off break
Saeed Ajmal made a name for himself during Pakistan's T20 World Cup winning campaign in 2009 in England. He does not turn the ball much, but his most potent weapon is subtle changes of pace and a doosra which has provided him a rich harvest of wickets.
Matches - 35
Wickets - 44
Best - 4.33
Muttiah Muralitharan
Type: Right-arm off break
This spinning legend wants another shot at the World Cup and therefore, even after retiring from Test cricket he battles on in one-day internationals. A member of the World Cup winning team in 1996, Murali would like to be a part of a repeat act in 2011.
Matches - 341
Wickets - 519
Best - 7.30
Imran Tahir
Type: Legbreak googly
South Africa has an established spinner in Johan Botha, but in this World Cup, all eyes will be on Imran Tahir. He has been a stalwart in the domestic circuit and after much exasperation finally got his South African citizenship and a ticket to the World Cup. In the warm-up match against Zimbabwe Tahir made an immediate impact by taking three wickets.
List A record
Matches - 96
Wickets - 140
Best - 5.27
Source: India Syndicate
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