When Left meets Right

Matthew Hayden: Built as big as the scores he rattles up

Sanath Jayasuriya: Started with a typical hundred. Who’ll bet against more?

Brian Lara: Injured, off form, did you say? Ask the South Africans

Stephen Fleming (Captain): The best in the world, say his peers. Need we say more?

Saurav Ganguly: Okay, we know what you’re thinking but rewind to before the lean trot

Michael Bevan: Will he even get a look-in in this Aussie squad? Can walk into any other team…

Adam Gilchrist: Dangerous anywhere. Just give him a bat

Lance Klusener: Right-arm bowler has a sledgehammer left-hand bat. Almost back to his best

Wasim Akram: Greatest left-arm fast bowler ever. The case rests

Daniel Vettori: The best left-arm spinner around, can bat a bit too

Chaminda Vaas: Hat-trick hero has a knack of blazing spells, best is 8/19

THE RIGHT STUFF

Virender Sehwag: Tendency to go fishing compensated by magnitude of potential

Herschelle Gibbs: Best batsman of his age, and the only fielder who can step into Jonty’s shoes

Jacques Kallis: Quite simply the Jacques of all trades. Any team’s dream

Sachin Tendulkar: The Little Master, plain and simple. End of argument

Ramnaresh Sarwan: Talent slowly tempered with maturity and consistency; two good knocks in the cup so far

Yousuf Youhana: Adapts his great technique to suit the one-day game, at his best in the slog overs

Mark Boucher: Equally good behind the wickets and in front

Shaun Pollock (Captain): Cup opener showed him at his best, has thrived since taking over as skipper in troubled times

Shane Bond: One of the fastest, instant hit for Kiwis with his pace and clean action

Glenn McGrath: Best fast bowler in the world. Speed, accuracy, discipline, aggression. What more could he need?

Muttiah Muralitharan: Best-ever off-spinner, can spin the ball on any track and an asset on the field. Just don’t go by his smile