As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, set to kick off on October 5th in India, the excitement is palpable. The tournament will commence with a highly anticipated match between England and New Zealand, the two finalists from the previous edition of the tournament.
Cricket pundits and enthusiasts alike are busy making predictions and sharing insights about potential standout performers in the upcoming World Cup. England’s cricketing stalwart, Joe Root, recently offered his perspective on who he believes will emerge as the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker of the ODI World Cup 2023.
Leading Run-Scorer: Jonny Bairstow
For the title of the leading run-scorer, Joe Root has placed his faith in his compatriot, Jonny Bairstow. Root lauded Bairstow as a “wonderful player of the white-ball format” and commended his remarkable consistency at the top of the order. Root expressed his belief that Bairstow, with his exceptional batting skills, possesses the potential to claim this coveted title.
“I am going to go for Jonny Bairstow (to be the leading run-scorer),” Root confidently declared during his conversation with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Bairstow boasts an impressive ODI record, having accumulated over 3,600 runs at an average of 45.09, with a striking strike rate of 103.92. His ability to provide explosive starts for England positions him as a formidable contender for the role of leading run-scorer in the tournament.
Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar Requests BCCI to Extend ‘Golden Ticket’ to These Former Captains and Achievers
Leading Wicket-Taker: Adil Rashid
In terms of the leading wicket-taker, Joe Root turned his attention to England’s spin maestro, Adil Rashid. The former English captain underscored Rashid’s diverse skill set and wide array of variations, which he believes will pose a substantial challenge to batsmen in the Indian conditions. Root anticipated that Rashid’s capacity to take wickets during the middle overs will be crucial to England’s success in the World Cup.
“He (Rashid) has so many different skills and variations to call upon. We know how important it is to take wickets in the middle overs… he has done a wonderful job for us for a long time, and I anticipate him being very difficult on these wickets,” Root explained, highlighting Rashid’s pivotal role in the team’s bowling attack.
Adil Rashid, with 184 ODI wickets in 126 matches, has been a linchpin for England. His exceptional abilities were on full display in the previous edition of the World Cup, where he claimed 11 wickets, demonstrating his capacity to thrive on the grandest stage of international cricket.
As the countdown to the ODI World Cup 2023 continues, Joe Root’s predictions add an element of intrigue and anticipation to the tournament. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide will be eager to see whether his forecasts regarding Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid will come to fruition or if other stars will rise to the occasion and claim the titles of leading run-scorer and wicket-taker in this highly competitive and captivating event.