World Cup 2019: Rating the death bowling of all teams for the tournament

It is no secret that the upcoming 2019 World Cup is going to be a high-scoring one. 300 has become a norm in ODI cricket all over the world. Moreover, the pitches in England have become belters and we have seen some really tall scores in the last few years. Hence, the bowling is going to play a big part in this World Cup. Teams with strong and potent bowling attacks will certainly have an edge. Death overs are something that’s going to be absolutely vital. With batsmen not afraid to pile up or hunt down any number of runs, bowlers will be tested at the death. Hence, the importance of death bowlers is like never before. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, and Hasan Ali among others will be very crucial for their respective sides. Thus, here we rate the death bowling of all teams that are a part of the 2019 World Cup Australia – 9/10 Pat Cummins. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Australia haven’t really set the stage on fire in ODI cricket over the last few years. One of the main reasons for that has been the absence of their premier bowlers. The likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have often opted out of white-ball games to rest and recover for Test cricket. However, both Starc and Cummins will be leading Australia’s pace attack in this World Cup and suddenly, Australia seem a potent side with their inclusion. A few years back Starc was considered among the best death bowlers in world cricket. He possessed a terrific yorker and nailed it consistently. He will be hoping to replicate that form again. Cummins has been good as well as he’s found ways to be effective. Meanwhile, Marcus Stoinis has also tended to bowl at the death and has done decently. Nathan CoulterNile is also a good option at the back end of the innings. Hence, Australia possess one of the best death bowling attacks for the upcoming World Cup. South Africa – 9/10 Kagiso Rabada. (Photo by Shaun Roy/Gallo Images/Getty Images) There’s absolutely no doubt that South Africa consist of one of the best pace attacks in this World Cup. With the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi in the mix, the Proteas have a formidable bowling attack. Add to this, the all-round option of Chris Morris who can clock high speeds consistently. At the death, Rabada is one of the best as he showed in the IPL. He consistently picked up wickets and executed his plans well. Steyn isn’t too far behind either. He’s an experienced campaigner and can get the job done. Meanwhile, Ngidi is a pretty underrated white-ball bowler and can be very effective at various stages of the innings. India – 8.5/10 Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Action Plus via Getty Images) After a long time, it is India’s bowlers who are managing to grab quite a bit of attention. While the wrist-spinners gain quite a bit of attraction, the fast bowlers are too behind either. Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami form a potent bowling attack alongside the two wrist-spinners. Only two of these pacers are likely to play in the XI but all three have the ability to deliver at various stages and all three have done well at the death. Shami might be expensive but has improved his execution. On the other hand, Bhuvneshwar might’ve tapered off just a little bit in recent times but can be very effective with his yorkers and variations at the death. Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best death bowlers going around in world cricket. There are very few bowlers who can match his consistency and accuracy. Hence, India are a force to reckon with at the death. Pakistan – 8/10 Mohammad Amir. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Pakistan has always been known for its bowling. They’ve constantly produced quality fast bowlers who have performed well on the big stage. One of the reasons for Pakistan’s successful 2017 Champions Trophy campaign was their death bowling. The Pakistan pace attack led by Hasan Ali were brilliant in the middle and at the death in that tournament in 2017. They will be hoping to replicate that once again. Hasan Ali will once again be at the forefront at the death. He will have the young and fiery Shaheen Afridi who has done well in his short international career so far, Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz to accompany him. England – 7.5/10 Jofra Archer. (Photo Source: Twitter) A lot has changed in four years for England in ODI cricket. They’ve become the No. 1 ranked team in the ICC rankings and are the powerhouse in 50-over cricket. However, that has been largely due to their batting might. The bowling has got the job done but they have tended to be expensive as well. But the inclusion of Jofra Archer should bolster their attack. He has shown his ability across T20 leagues and will be itching to prove it on the big stage. Chris Woakes, Tom Curran and Mark Wood – all three who’ve been a part of this dynamic and a rampant England side for a while now will also have to shoulder the responsibility at the death. New Zealand – 7/10 Trent Boult. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images) New Zealand always tend to do well in ICC events and last time in the 2015 World Cup, they reached the final as well, only to fall short against Australia. It was some high-quality fast bowling that contributed to their success. The likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Adam Milne played a big role. The former two are a part of this squad as well and will once again play a big role. Boult has been good but tends to leak a few and pick a few wickets at the death. Southee has tapered off in the recent past. However, the Kiwis have Lockie Ferguson who can rattle the batsmen with raw pace. Matt Henry is also a part of the 15-man squad. Bangladesh – 6/10 Mustafizur Rahman. (Photo Source: Twitter) Bangladesh’s rise in ODI cricket has been remarkable. The way they’ve played in the last few years has been very impressive. They made it to the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal and the semis of the 2017 Champions Trophy as well. The bowlers have fared well and will have a tough challenge in this World Cup. Bangladesh do possess an experienced bowling attack. Abu Jayed is the only one who hasn’t played a lot of international cricket. The likes of Mashrafe Mortaza, Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman have been around for a while now. However, it is Mustafizur who is going to lead the charge with the ball at the death. Bangladesh don’t really have too many other options at the death as the others tend to go for plenty. West Indies – 6/10 Shannon Gabriel. (Photo Source: Twitter) West Indies haven’t won an ODI series or tournament since 2014. They’ve not been up to the mark in the 50-over format. However, their recent series against England in March should give them confidence as they drew the five-match encounter 2-2. The bowling for this World Cup seems decent. Skipper Jason Holder is going to lead this attack which comprises of a good mix of experience and youth. Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach add experience while Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas add fresh talent. Cottrell has been good at the death and will most likely play a key part in the World Cup. Meanwhile, Roach and Gabriel will also need to contribute big time for the Windies to do well. Sri Lanka – 5.5/10 Lasith Malinga. (Photo Source: Twitter) In this World Cup, Sri Lanka are going in as the least favorite team. Nobody has given them even an iota of a chance. They haven’t been able to win a lot of limited-overs games in the recent past and have struggled big time. The bowling has constantly shuffled over the last few years and they’ve lacked consistency. In this World Cup, veteran Lasith Malinga will spearhead the attack. He has blown hot and cold at the death and has become a touch unpredictable. Meanwhile, Isuru Udana has been impressive but is inexperienced. Thisara Perera has often been entrusted with the ball at the death but he has been very expensive. The likes of Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep have been around for a while but tend to leak runs at the death. Afghanistan – 5.5/10 Hamid Hassan. (Photo Source: Twitter) It is no secret that Afghanistan have a really good spin attack and rely heavily on them. Afghanistan also arguably have the one of the weakest pace attacks in this World Cup. The attack comprising of Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan and skipper Gulbadin Naib does look thin on paper. By the looks of it, Zadran will be one of Afghanistan’s picks for the death overs. He has done it before and the team management might entrust him with the responsibility once again. The other choices aren’t promising, hence, Afghanistan may well employ spin at the death.

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World Cup 2019: Rating the death bowling of all teams for the tournament

The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, and Hasan Ali among others will be very crucial for their respective sides.

Afghanistan – 5.5/10

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