5 rookies who are likely to sizzle at World Cup

While there are many established stars of One-Day International (ODI) cricket on show at the upcoming ICC World Cup in the UK, it is also an opportunity for fresh faces to make their names. Onmanorama takes a look at five rookies who could make a big impact in the showpiece event for their respective teams.

Jason Behrendorff

Jason Behrendorff may have featured in just six ODIs for Australia, but can he be a nightmare to face when with the new ball and importantly swings it extremely late. And apart from swing, the angle that the left-arm pacer creates along with his height also makes him a difficult bowler to deal with. But with the experienced Mitchell Starc already in the team, it remains to be seen how many matches Behrendorff get to play.

Vijay Shankar

From making his ODI debut at the beginning of 2019 to being a part of India's World Cup team, this year has so far been a remarkable one for all-rounder Vijay Shankar. The 'three-dimensional' tag given to the Tamil Nadu player by BCCI chief selector M S K Prasad and all the talk surrounding the No. 4 slot in the batting order has put the limelight on him. Having played just nine ODIs, Shankar got to bat only in five and scored 165 runs at a strike rate of 96.49. During the recently concluded Indian Premeir League (IPL), Shankar scored 244 runs from 15 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Even though his bowling skills weren't utilised by SRH, Shankar is expected to chip in with a few overs of seam bowling during the World Cup.

Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer has made an impressive start to his international career and will be playing in the marquee event for the first time. He is now a mainstay in all formats for the Caribbeans and is one of the most exciting shot-makers in the game. The middle-order batsman has so far played 25 ODIs and has scored 899 runs with an impressive strike rate of 110. Hetmyer's ODI average reads 40.86 and the southpaw has four centuries and two fifties. Especially notable is the fact that the 22-year-old has hundreds against the outstanding bowling attacks of India and England.

Jofra Archer

Having an experience of playing just three ODIs, Jofra Archer broke into England’s 15-member squad for the World Cup. The Barbados-born all-rounder made a name for himself following his prolific performances at club cricket in England, India and Australia. Archer, whose father is English, is more of a bowling all-rounder capable of consistently producing speeds in excess of 145 km per hour and is specialised in bowling yorkers. The 24-year-old is also a dangerous lower-order batsman capable of playing the big shots. His good performances against Ireland and Pakistan recently, made the selectors pick him ahead of pacer David Willey and Archer will be looking to leave his mark on the mega event.

Imam-ul-Haq

Many might think that Imam-ul-Haq, the nephew of Pakistan’s batting legend Inzamam-ul-Haq, would be under pressure to prove himself in the World Cup. But, in his brief career so far, Imam’s bat has done the talking and justified his place in the team as an opener. In 28 ODIs played so far, the 23-year-old has amassed 1,387 runs at an outstanding average of 60.30, including six hundreds and five fifties. In a recent ODI against England, he smashed 151, breaking Kapil Dev’s record as the youngest player to score over 150 runs in a one-dayer.