Yusuf Pathan, Jacques Kallis – All-rounders in ICC World Cup 2011 (Part 3)
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Yusuf Pathan – India:
Yusuf Pathan has developed into one of the most devastating batsmen of the time. His career-saving and match-winning innings of an unbeaten 123 runs against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, he smashed another century that earned him a World Cup berth.
Pathan has been with the Indian team for a few years but has never got a permanent spot in the star-studded Team India. His ability to score quickly against the top bowling line-up earned him a reputation for being a lethal batsman. He can clear boundaries with ease and can play spinners exceptionally well. On the slow Asian tracks and in his known conditions, he can really make the opposition suffer. He is one of the players of the modern era that are hard to be dismissed once they settle down. He will certainly be one of the most feared batsmen in this tournament.
Since the beginning of 2010, Yusuf Pathan has an average of 49.66 and a stunning strike rate of 126.62. Since the start of the year, he has scored two centuries and two fifties in his 11 innings for Team India. Apart from his batting, his bowling is also very useful on the low and slow tracks of the World Cup. He bowls right-arm off-breaks and likes to dart the ball in the batsmen’s pads. He can be a useful bowler in the mid-innings to break partnerships.
Cricket expert and the former Indian batsman, Sanjay Manjrekar, is an ardent fan of Yusuf Pathan. He appreciates Pathan’s ability, saying, “Yusuf has a great gift of power. He’s a hardworking simple cricketer who will hit the cover off the ball if it’s in his half. He can win you a losing game if the attack and pitch suits him.”
Yusuf Pathan is certainly a complete package and can be very helpful for Team India to win their second World Cup.
Jacques Kallis – South Africa:
When it comes to the top all-rounders of the modern era, the first name that pops in the mind is of veteran Jacques Kallis.
Kallis will be playing his fifth World Cup and will be aiming to help his team win their first. In the twilight of his career, two things have happened to him – he has added new dimension to his game and appearance. The best players of the world evolve as the game moves on, and Kallis certainly has adapted to the modern cricket.
He was known as the rock-solid batsman, but with the passage of time, he has developed into a sensible hard-hitting unit.
The cricketer still looks in his twenties, especially after his recent hair transplant. His new appearance is in line with his current batting form. His ability to pace his innings according to the situation has earned him a dangerous reputation. The South African is known for his cautious starts, but once he gets into his groove, he is hard to be dismissed. His blend of power hitting and delicate touches make him a special commodity.
With the passage of time, his bowling is not as potent as it was. However, he is still known for his partnership breaking abilities. Once the ball gets rough and starts to reverse swing, Kallis can be handy bowler.
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