Current commentator Nasser Hussain has predicted Australia’s David Warner and Mitchell Starc to top the charts in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2017 starting from tomorrow onwards. England takes on Bangladesh at Kennington Oval, London. The other teams in Group A are Australia and New Zealand.
David Warner has a chance to top the batting charts because he gets to open the innings and can be lethal threat to every opposition in his group. While Mitchell Starc has the ability to swing the new ball and is a dangerous bowler in England conditions with the old ball.
“I was considering Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Steve Smith, but I’ve gone for Warner at the top of the order, as he should get more of an opportunity to get big runs. His stats in one-day cricket are incredible, plus I love the way he plays, and he is in brilliant nick – he had another fantastic IPL season – so it’s hard to look past him,” said Nasser Hussain according to SkySports.
“Mitchell Starc. I see the leading wicket-taker bowling with the new ball, and at the death, as that’s where the most wickets are to be had. He has had a pretty long layoff to injury, so it does slightly depend on his fitness.” he further added.
Bangladesh has been playing good cricket in the past 2 years defeating top teams in the world. Their main challenge is to keep the consistent cricket going on against Australia, New Zealand and England. England too has been playing aggressive cricket for the last 2 years after their group stage exit in the World Cup 2015 held at Australia and New Zealand.
When asked about the top players to watch out in Group A, Naseer Hussain talked about the following.
From England, he thinks Ben Stokes would be the highest run scorer, Mark Wood the highest wicket taker, Ben Stokes the leading fielder and Jake Ball as the emerging player.
England
Highest run scorer- Ben Stokes
Highest wicket taker- Mark Wood
Leading fielder- Ben Stokes
Emerging player- Jake Ball
From Australia he thinks, David Warner the leading scorer, Mitchell Starc the highest wicket taker, Glenn Maxwell the leading fielder and Marcus Stoinis as the emerging player.
Australia
Highest run scorer- David Warner
Highest wicket taker- Mitchell Starc
Leading fielder- Glenn Maxwell
Emerging player- Marcus Stoinis
From New Zealand point of view, Hussain thinks Kane Williamson would be highest run getter, Jeetan Patel the leading wicket taker, Mitchell Santer the leading fielder and Tom Latham the emerging player.
New Zealand
Highest run scorer- Kane Williamson
Highest wicket taker- Jeetan Patel
Leading fielder- Mitchell Santer
Emerging player- Tom Latham
Finally from Bangladesh, he thinks that Tamim Iqbal would be highest run getter, Mustafizur Rahman would the leading wicket taker, Sabbir Rahman the leading fielder and Mustafizur Rahman the emerging player.
Bangladesh
Highest run scorer- Tamim Iqbal
Highest wicket taker- Mustafizur Rahman
Leading fielder- Sabbir Rahman
Emerging player- Mustafizur Rahman
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa have been clubbed in Group B.