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The stars have aligned, not just on the sub-continent but also in Fox Sports Fantasy Cricket World Cup.
The Ultimate XI reads like a who's who of ODI royalty and though any attempts to assemble this all-star line-up yourself will quite literally break the bank there's no harm in dreaming.
So before you lock in your squad for the opening round of matches, cast your eye over the players your Fantasy rivals will be carrying and make sure you don't miss out on any first-round must-haves.
Batsmen
Sachin Tendulkar
Tendulkar ... little but mighty.Source: AFP Jonathan Trott (England, 8.0, selected in 48 per cent of teams)
It’s a case of go with what you know, and all Australian’s know is the sight of Jonathan Trott unloading with the bat all summer long. This will be Trott’s maiden World Cup but he goes in with an outstanding OD average of 53.62 and three tons, two of which came in the last month. England’s form has been below par in the shortened form of the game but Trott’s form has never waivered.
Sachin Tendulkar (India, 10.0, selected in 29 per cent of teams)
It seems incomprehensible that we’re talking about Sachin Tendulkar competing in his sixth World Cup, let alone doing so at the top of his game and as the tournament’s absolute Fantasy must-have. The most prolific World Cup batsman in history, Tendulkar averages 57.93 with four centuries and 13 half-tons in the tournament, while his 1929 ODI boundaries is an all-time record.
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Michael Clarke (Australia, 7.5, selected in 23 per cent of teams)
So much for being the least popular figure in Australian cricket, Michael Clarke hits one innings of 73 against South Africa and Fantasy owners draft him in droves. Maybe it’s his World Cup batting average of 87.20, albeit across just the one tournament in 2007. His ODI average is a still respectable 43.58 and while his form is up and down of late it is worth noting his last century came in India in November.
Hurry! Time is running out to get your Fantasy Cricket World Cup XI selected ahead of the opening matches.
Chris Gayle (West Indies, 10.0, selected in 22 per cent of teams)
A World Cup average of 28.93 and an ODI average of 39 cloud what we know about Chris Gayle. Likewise a Cup strike rate of 76.54 is underwhelming. In this case, forget the numbers and just think back to the Twenty20 fury he unleashed on his summer down under. Gayle has blasted 19 ODI centuries in his career, eight of which have been in Asia and six of those in India.
All-rounders
Shane Watson
Watson ... man most selected.Source: AFP Shane Watson (Australia, 10.0, selected in 65 per cent of teams)
No surprise who the most popular Fantasy Cricket World Cup prospect is, with owners looking to cash in on an all-round cricketer at the peak of his powers. He’s only been dismissed once in six World Cup innings and Australia’s most recent series against England saw Watson notch his high score of 161 not out. Still a big factor with the ball, Watson is complimented by a ODI bowling average of 28.08.
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan, 9.0, selected in 23 per cent of teams)
Never the most consistent performer, Shahid Afridi is a true all-rounder given his sublime skills with the bat, ball and in the field. While Afridi’s highest score in ODIs is 124, his total runs scored in three World Cups is 125. With two of his six ODI tons coming in the last year he could be ready to perform at a World Cup. He’s also hit more ODI sixes than any other player.
Wicketkeeper
Kumar Sangakkara
Sangakkara ... Mr Nice Guy.Source: AP Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka, 9.5, selected in 22 per cent of teams)
A hot tip to top the table as leading run scorer and perhaps lead Sri Lanka all the way to the final, Kumar Sangakkara is coming off a near-perfect year of ODI cricket. Sangakkara has notched eight half-centuries since the start of 2010 and 59 in total with 10 tons along the way. He’ll lead his country from behind the pegs with catches and stumpings adding to his Fantasy value.
Bowlers
Brett Lee (Australia, 8.0, selected in 37 per cent of teams)
Fantasy owners have been won over by Brett Lee’s revival, aided by 11 in wickets in the series against England. Returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2003, it’s a stage the Aussie quick is fond of with his already impressive ODI bowling average of 23.04 improving to 17.90 in the Cup. In terms of bonus points, don’t forget Lee has nine ODI five-wicket hauls, the third-most in history.
Dale Steyn (9.0, South Africa, selected in 28 per cent of teams)
He’ll probably split the early wickets with strike partner Morne Morkel but Dale Steyn remains the focus of the South Africa attack and one of the quickest bowlers on the planet. Steyn’s ODI average is a respectable 29.65 but in matches where South Africa bowl second, that average drops to 24.72 as opposed to over 40 in the first innings. He’s also yet to bag a five-wicket haul. Yet.
Graeme Swann (8.0, England, selected in 25 per cent of teams)
The game’s top-ranked spinner, Graeme Swann is the only slow bowler to crack the ultimate XI. A high-energy bowler very familiar to Australian Fantasy owners, Swann boasts an impressive ODI average of 24.63 and a memorable best bowling of 5-28 that came against the Aussies. He’s unproven at the World Cup, making his first visit, but could work a treat on subcontinent pitches.
Lee ... thumbs up.Source: AFP Lasith Malinga (8.0, Sri Lanka, selected in 22 per cent of teams)
Malinga the slinger and his Fantasy owners alike would have great memories of the 2007 World Cup. The Sri Lanka quick took 18 wickets at an average of 15.77 including four wickets in four balls against South Africa. And he did all that with an ankle injury. His change of pace and lethal yorker combined with that crazy round-arm action make Malinga totally unpredictable for batsmen but pretty reliable.
12th man
Virender Sehwag (India, 10.0, selected in 22 per cent of teams)
His only World Cup century to date came against Bermuda in 2007 but Virender Sehwag’s Test reputation combined with India’s favouritism at home is enough to sway Fantasy owners into giving him another shot. What Sehwag does possess is an impressive ODI strike rate of 103.27 and recent knocks of 110 and 99 not out against New Zealand and Sri Lanka respectively, though that was back in August.
Who are you sure-fire superstars for the Fantasy Cricket World Cup campaign?
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