Australia great reveals first five players picked in dream ODI XI
Two-time World Cup winner and ICC Hall of Famer Lisa Sthalekar has revealed the first five players she would select if choosing a dream ODI XI.
Video cwc19 24 Aug 20 02:44 ICC Hall of Fame 2020 | Lisa Sthalekar
Sthalekar knows what it takes to win a World Cup having tasted success with the powerful Australian teams in 2005 and 2013 and keeps a close eye on the modern-day game in her role as a commentator.
Ahead of the start of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India in October, Sthalekar nominated the five players she would choose first if compiling a dream ODI XI.
Lisa Sthalekar reveals the first five players she would select in a dream ODI XI
1. Jasprit Bumrah – India
“I have to go Jasprit Bumrah at No.1.
“An opening bowler is very important as you need to pick up wickets early, but then also be able to bowl at the death when the players are going hard.
“He is someone that can be used in the middle overs as well, so is a handy bowler across all the three different phases.”
Video cwc19 06 Dec 20 03:39 Every Bumrah wicket from CWC19
2. Virat Kohli – India
“From a batting point of view, I am going to go with Virat Kohli at No.2.
“On the big stage in front of his home crowd, he is someone you would bank on getting runs and lifting as it will probably be his last World Cup.
“A chance for him to say farewell and to also do India proud.”
Video cwc19 16 Jun 19 02:03 CWC19: IND v PAK – Kohli 77 highlights India star Shikhar Dhawan reveals first five players picked in dream ODI XI
3. Babar Azam – Pakistan
“I think he (Babar) will score a lot of runs (at the World Cup).
“The conditions and the way the 50-over format is played will suit him.
“He is the type of guy that likes to lead from the front as well and he is almost the glue to that Pakistan batting line-up.
“They have got explosive players around him and he can play his own style and just eke away at his runs and before you know it, he already has triple figures.”
Video Cricket World Cup 30 Aug 23 03:38 Babar Azam smashes World Cup century in 2019 | ICC Men’s CWC Babar Azam was at his brilliant best as he scored a superb century against New Zealand at the 2019 World Cup.
4. Steve Smith – Australia
“He is someone who has adapted his style to all types of conditions.
“He is a good player of spin, which I think will be important in those middle overs and he will be able to control the innings from there.”
Video cwc19 15 Jun 19 01:25 CWC19: SL v AUS – Steve Smith 73 batting highlights
5. Shaheen Afridi – Pakistan
“My last player will be left-arm quick from Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi.
“He is so damaging with the ball. What he can do with his pace and if he gets a bit of movement.
“Again, (he is) that type of bowler who can bowl at the death. T20 cricket has helped him and he will have a huge impact at the 50-over World Cup.”
Video cwc19 26 Jun 19 01:54 CWC19: NZ v PAK – Highlights of Shaheen Afridi’s 3-28
