CRICKET
5 Star pacers who might not be in playing XI for ODI World Cup 2023
All teams are set and gearing up their preparations for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, in India. The marquee international tournament will commence on Thursday, October 5 with the tournament opener between the defending champions, England and the runners-up of the last edition, New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Meanwhile, the pacers have been in the headlines just ahead of the tournament, be it due to the injury scares or the new additions in a few teams, including the likes of Hasan Ali in Pakistan and various others across the other teams. Amidst all this, there are also a few star pacers who are in brilliant touch but still, they could miss making it to the playing XI of their side in the main round of the ODI World Cup 2023.
From India’s point of view, this name could be the veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who recently scalped a five-wicket haul in the first ODI against Australia. He could miss the playing XI as the team’s star pacer Mohammed Siraj will be back in the World Cup.
With said that, here we’ll have a look at the five pacers who might be unlucky to miss a place in the playing XI.
Tim Southee
The veteran Kiwi pacer Tim Southee sustained an injury during the recently concluded series against England. He injured his thumb while attempting during the match against England. Currently, he is struggling to pass his fitness test before the tournament opener between his side, New Zealand and England.
Meanwhile, another senior pacer Trent Boult is already there without missing any chance since he made his comeback in international cricket. Apart from him, Matt Henry will also be an option, which the Kiwis will not be in a position to ignore. Considering this scenario, alongside Lockie Ferguson as the third pacer, it would be hard for Tim Southee to seal his berth in the playing XI.
Gerald Coetzee
The 22-year-old young talent Gerald Coetzee started his career in all formats of the international just at the beginning of this year. Now, he is representing South Africa across all formats. With his brilliant bowling, Coetzee has scalped 11 wickets in 6 ODIs, he played so far for his side. He also impressed with his performance in the recently concluded five-match ODI series against Australia.
After Anrich Nortje’s exclusion due to injury, one might think that Coetzee would be a good fit in the playing XI. But it is not like that as the Proteas could prefer to go ahead with the pace trio of experienced Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada, alongside Marco Jansen.
Josh Hazlewood
The veteran Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is undoubtedly one of the best bowlers in the World at the time. But still, the path to playing XI is not so easy for him as the Aussie management might think to go ahead with two spinners, Ashton Agar and Adam Zama owing to the spin-friendly conditions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Apart from that, he could be a good fit to complete a pace trio with skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc but the presence of pace-bowling all-rounder Marcus Stoinis will also make his way to playing XI quite hard during the main round of the ODI World Cup 2023.
Hasan Mahmud
The young Laxmipur pacer Hasan Mahmud has a very good impact in his short career of 17 ODIs; he has scalped 25 wickets in just 16 innings of these matches, including a five-wicket haul. He is one of the very young and bright prospects that emerged in the last few years for Bangladesh.
But still, he might have to wait at the bench at the start of the ODI World Cup as the Bangladesh team management could go ahead with the pace trio of Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam, alongside the spin attack from all-rounders, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and skipper Shakib Al Hasan.
David Willey
The star Northampton pacer David Willey was one of the unlucky guys who couldn’t make it to England’s squad in the ODI World Cup 2019, where they ended up as the World Champions. But now, the English management has included him in the squad for the upcoming edition of the ODI World Cup 2023, in India.
But the existing England bowling lineup is in the scenario which might let Willey wait in the dugout at the start of the tournament. The Three Lions could consider the pace Trio, including the lethal Mark Wood, alongside Chris Woakes and Reece Topley. Other than that, the Test skipper and star all-rounder Ben Stokes is also considered to add extra support in the pace attack.