Cricket World Cup 2019 Fantasy Round 4: Stock up on Aussies with David Warner a must-have

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 16:11 10/06/2019
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  • The biggest prize in cricket is up for grabs this summer as the top 10 teams battle it out in the 2019 ICC World Cup in England.

    As fans, it’s not just watching the best players battle it out to look forward to. Fantasy cricket means you have the opportunity to get involved as well.

    Dream11 is the official partner of the ICC tournament’s fantasy league. And we are with you every step of the way with our tips and picks to guide you through each round.

    Here, we help you navigate through the fourth round which includes five matches.

    TOP TIP

    Go heavy on Australian batsmen

    Australia and Sri Lanka are the teams with two games in this round and it would be logical to stock up on their players.

    The Aussies are the ones in better form despite the defeat to India in their last game.

    This fixture will be played at the Oval, a very good batting surface as demonstrated by the Indian and Australian sides on Sunday. David Warner and Steve Smith could be top picks, with Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell worthy of making the cut too.

    Bear in mind that the two teams have no games in the next round and hence picking more than five players from them could prove detrimental.

    BATSMEN

    David Warner (Credits: 10.5)

    The 84-ball 56 was very uncharacteristic of David Warner, who usually prefers to lash out at the bowling attack from the word go. But it also revealed that side of the southpaw which shows that he can get himself back into the game even after being rattled by the opposition in the powerplay overs.

    Warner will be facing Pakistan and Sri Lanka in this round – two teams which are certainly not a top-five bowling attack in the tournament. His strike-rate against India wasn’t impressive but he can more than make up for it in at least one of these games. Warner could be a safe pick in this round.

    Dimuth Karunaratne (Credits: 8)

    The Sri Lankan captain is yet another player who will be in action twice in this round. In what has been a rocky start to their campaign, Dimuth Karunaratne is the only batsman to score at least 30 runs in both games.

    The 31-year-old has proved to be one of the most consistent players in this Sri Lankan side. It’s likely that at least one big innings is in store for the Lankan captain as he takes the field against Bangladesh and then Australia on a batsman-friendly wicket.

    Virat Kohli (Credits: 11)

    Virat Kohli

    Virat Kohli

    If Virat Kohli’s spectacular performance against Australia was a precursor for what is to come, one can expect the Indian skipper to go big in this tournament.

    The Indian openers have passed the test in the opening games of the tournament but their composure could be tested when they take on a fierce bowling attack on a bouncy track. Trent Boult could rattle the openers and India will then need Kohli to step up and produce a magical innings.

    Expect the Royal Challengers Bangalore man to play the sheet anchor and go big in the slog.

    BOWLERS

    Mitchell Starc (Credits: 9)

    The logic of having a lot of Australians in the squad is applicable while making trades in the bowling department too.

    Tied with New Zealand’s Matt Henry in the second spot of leading wicket takers, Mitchell Starc will have a chance to extend his tally as he encounters a rather jittery batting line-up in the two teams to have posted at least one sub-150 score this tournament – Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

    Trent Boult (Credits: 9)

    Trent Boult

    Trent Boult

    In the last game played at Trent Bridge, the Windies pacers created all sorts of problems for the Australian top order with the new ball. The defending champions were reeling at 39/4, unable to deal with the monstrous bouncers from Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas.

    Indians are not the best at dealing with bouncers and Trent Boult could run through the top order if things go his way. The pacer failed to pick up a single wicket against Afghanistan and could make up for it against India.

    It’s worth noting that Boult absolutely crushed India in the warm-up game, claiming four wickets in New Zealand’s win.

    Yuzvendra Chahal (Credits: 8.5)

    Having provided the breakthrough for India in both their games, Chahal could be a great pick for round four.

    Against the Proteas, the leg-spinner removed Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen when they were beginning to look comfortable. In the next game, he got rid of Warner and Maxwell, potentially two of the biggest wickets in that game.

    Chahal is probably the best bowler India can turn to when they need a breakthrough as they take the field against New Zealand.

    ALL-ROUNDERS

    Mohammad Nabi (Credits: 9)

    The South African middle-order struggled heavily against India’s spin-attack led by Chahal and are likely to do so against Afghanistan.

    With Rashid Khan doubtful for the game following a concussion, Nabi is Afghanistan’s best hope at restricting South Africa after gaining control in the middle overs.

    Nabi already claimed a four-fer against Sri Lanka after he initiated a middle-order collapse. The Proteas need to beware of the threat he can pose with the ball and the bat.

    Shakib-Al-Hasan (Credits: 9)

    Shakib-Al-Hasan

    Shakib-Al-Hasan

    If you have him, hold on; if you don’t rope him in before regretting the lost points. Shakib-Al-Hasan has been the most consistent players across all teams this World Cup.

    Although Bangladesh have win just one of their three games, they have displayed great resistance and have ensured that their opponents have earned their win.

    It would be a stretch to call them a one-man team, but they have shown to be excessively reliant on Shakib who will want to carry the momentum from his century against England as Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka.

    The all-rounder can provide with the bat and the ball and comes as a bargain at just nine credits.

    WICKETKEEPER

    Alex Carey (Credits: 7)

    Alex Carey

    With 20 wickets to be taken in one round, Australian keeper Alex Carey is bound to be busier than any other wicketkeeper.

    One can aspect the 27-year-old to be involved in a large number of dismissals over two games. Should the situation arise, Carey can also go big with the bat, as evidenced by his quick-fire half-century against India.

    At just seven credits, Carey is a massive bargain for this round.

    Captain: David Warner

    Vice captain: Mitchel Starc

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