The ICC Club World Cup - Who to watch out for...
Anticipation is growing by the day for the first cricket tournament of its kind. And with the inception of a competition comes the question: Who are going to be our stars come match day?
Well it is expected that the well-seasoned test cricketers will be looking to steal the limelight in such a widespread tournament. But who among the lesser known in the player pool for the upcoming drafts should we be keeping an eye out for?
Jamie Atkinson
Jamie Atkinson may be familiar to some of us having had a short stint with Warwickshire last season, when they suffered an injury crisis behind the stumps. He got into the record books back in 2008 when he faced Pakistan in the Asia Cup by becoming the first cricketer born in the 90's to play in an ODI. He is a talented keeper-batsman and has been one of the main driving forces behind Hong Kong's ascent up the World Cricket League. He leads his team out today in the World T20 and will be looking to for his team to make an impression and establish themselves among the teams in the tournament, which will be a good run out for him and team ahead of the Club World Cup, should he get selected.
Ahmed Faiz
A unanimous choice for the captaincy of the U-19 side at the World Cup in 2008, Ahmed Faiz has gone on to firmly assert himself in the Malaysia senior side, scoring the highest number of runs in the calender year so far. He registered three significant contributions during his team's run in Division 5 of the World Cricket League including a commanding century against Guernsey. However, on Thursday, Malaysia were defeated and were consigned to be runners up in the division to Jersey after an outstanding display by their opener, Nat Watkins.
Murphy Su'a
Murphy Su'a was awarded his first test cap by New Zealand in 1992. How long ago that was, and in his 40's Su'a returned to make outings for his native Samoa, combining these duties with also being head coach. Critics, back in his NZ days frequently labelled him as a great under-achiever. A left arm seamer who never scaled the heights that his talent suggested he might. Su'a even resorted to bowling left arm spin in Test cricket as his career was on the decline. He is considered the first player of Pacific Island descent to play for New Zealand, appearing in 13 tests and 12 ODIs from 1992-95. One may argue that Su'a is most definitely past it, and that would be a strong case to make. His experience, however, is invaluable and his ability to motivate team-mates is second to none. Also, how many associates can boast having a test-cricketer among their ranks? Su'a will be hoping to show the world that he still has what it takes and that he can repeat the form of his early days at Northern Districts.