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Fans around the world are counting down the days until the much-anticipated ICC ODI World Cup 2023, scheduled to begin on October 5th in India. The tournament will begin with a captivating encounter between England and New Zealand. Notably, these two teams were finalists in the previous edition of the tournament, where England secured victory under the leadership of Eoin Morgan.
As anticipation for the tournament reaches fever pitch, cricket experts are sharing their insights and predictions on potential standout performers. Joining the chorus, England’s cricketing maestro, Joe Root, has recently shared his thoughts 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, Root has placed his faith in his compatriot, Jonny Bairstow. Root praised Bairstow as a ‘wonderful player of the white-ball format’ and highlighted his remarkable consistency at the top of the order. He expressed his belief that Bairstow has a point to prove and that his skills with the bat would undoubtedly make him a strong contender for 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).
“He is someone that always has a point to prove, he is a wonderful white-ball player, and he has been so consistent for us at the top of the order,” added Root.
Bairstow boasts a remarkable ODI record, amassing 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 could prove invaluable in their quest for World Cup glory.
Also READ: Kevin Pietersen reveals his top 5 contenders for the ODI World Cup 2023
Leading wicket-taker: Adil Rashid
When it comes to the designation of the leading wicket-taker, Root turned his attention to England’s spin sensation, Adil Rashid. The former English skipper emphasized Rashid’s wide array of skills and variations, which he believes will pose a significant challenge to batsmen in the Indian conditions. Root anticipated that Rashid’s ability to take wickets during the middle overs will be instrumental to England’s success in the tournament.
“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 crucial role in the team’s bowling attack.
Rashid, with 184 ODI wickets in 126 matches, has been a stalwart for England. He showed his exceptional skills in the previous edition of the World Cup, where the leggie picked up 11 wickets, underscoring his ability to thrive on the grandest stage of them all.
