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[Zacked]

Allrounders. From being equally adept with the bat and ball, their definition has changed to wicket-keepers and specialist fielders who can win the game off their batting too. Joseph Hoover profiles four men who are a chip off the old block




   Circa 1983. Venue: Lord’s. Scene: Euphoric Indian fans swarm the hallowed turf.
   The mind’s eye will never ever forget an ecstasy-drunk Kapil Dev, Mohinder Amarnath and Roger Binny sprinting from the square, after David had felled Goliath at the Mecca of cricket.
   India had achieved the impossible, humbling the hitherto invincible West Indians by 43 runs, to lay their hands on their maiden World Cup in only their third attempt. The product emerged out of teamwork, driven by a bunch of highly motivated individuals and bits and pieces players. Except Kapil Dev and Roger Binny none were regarded classical allrounders.
   As Cup history would manifest, only once have allrounders been pivotal in winning the title. Today, as we surge towards the ninth edition of the Cricket World Cup, we can barely place our fingers on four men who could be classified as pedigree allrounders who can tellingly contribute with either bat or ball, though wicketkeeper-batsmen, batsmen-fieldsmen have assumed this role of late.
   Sachin Tendulkar could be counted as an all-rounder if he could contribute more with the ball. So would Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik, if they were given a bowl. The Collingwoods, Jayasuriyas, Samuels, Bravos, Gayles, Orams, Styrises, Halls, Agarkars and Pathans also fit this bill.
   Considering their ability to set parks ablaze with their explosive batting, Adam Gilchrist, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Brendon McCullum, Mark Boucher and Kumar Sangakkara have a right to claim their stake in this category. So do Yuvraj Singh, Herschelle Gibbs and Michael Clarke and as fielding allrounders.
   But in true sense, only Andrew Flintoff, Jacques Kallis, Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson would be in contest for the best allrounder prize.

THE DANGEROUS FOURSOME:



Andrew Flintoff:

The diamond in his ear stud will glow if this striking Englishman finds his rhythm. He may not be able to produce the magic of an Ian Botham, but he is immensely capable of turning the match on its head with potentially blazing batting or bowling. He scarcely impacted in the last two Cups in England and South Africa. Perhaps, he will cut loose on the golden sandy beaches of the enchanting islands.

Jacques Kallis:

Despite his potential, the burly, hazel-eyed South African hasn’t lived up to his billing. As a batsman, he can rank alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, Mohammed Yousuf, Rahul Dravid and Stephen Fleming. As a bowler he isn’t far behind the likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Bond, Shuan Pollock, Chaminda Vaas... He may not hurtle the cherry at explosive speeds, but he can change the course of a match in one sharp, accurate spell. This being his last World Cup, Kallis would certainly be itching to showcase his full cricketing potential. If he does, South African can have a sure shot at the elusive Cup.

Andrew Symonds:

Australia’s Tarzan-boy has occasionally shown what he is capable of. Unlike Kallis and Flintoff, he is a remarkably athletic fieldsman, capable of changing the destiny of the game with an outstanding catch or a run out. He bats with the authority of a Viv Richards and bowls slow-medium or spin, adapting to situations to a nicety. If he recovers in time for the latter part of Australia’s campaign, you can still put your money on the defending champions, despite their recent disasters in the Antipodes.

Shane Watson:

Returning from an injury, this awe-inspiring Queenslander could run Flintoff, Kallis and Symonds close for the best allrounder stake. Having missed the 2003 World Cup due to stress fracture of the back, the 26-year-old, who can been genuinely quick with the ball and destructive with the willow, will be eager to perform. If he combines with Symonds, then Australia should be waltzing to their third successive title.

How can they miss Oram... he is going to be a big threat...Watch out for him

[avinashgodkhindi]

Pollock and Oram ? WHat a stupid obession to worship Aussies. Watson is better than Pollock .... ha ha ha and symonds is a genuienue all rounder... what a joke. He is an ordinary bowler but a great striker of the ball. An all rounder is a player that can fit into the team either as a batsman or bowler. Can Symonds be taken into the team as a bowler, no.