The coming World Cup down under will be a great test for batsmanship as the conditions will have some assistance for the bowlers throughout. The hard surfaces will also mean that once a batsman gets in, then it will be great for stroke play and you will see some memorable performances particularly towards the end of the innings. My top 5 to watch will be (in no particular order):
AB DeVilliers - Without doubt the best batsman in the world today in all conditions and all forms of the game. Exceptionally skilled and mentally strong, De Villiers will be extra motivated this time as he is leading the SA team. Not withstanding the fastest hundred he scored recently (31 balls!) against a clueless attack on a flat track, this guy has shown his ability to finish off ODIs and take the best of the attacks to the cleaners. Also, he will more often than not have a good platform to play upon but he holds the SA batting aces at number 4 in the lineup.
S. Smith - The in-form batsman of Australian summer so far, Steve Smith is in the form of his lifetime. He has shown how to pace an innings in both tests and ODIs and doesn't look stuck at any point during his innings. Slightly unorthodox but effective footwork and very good match awareness makes him a tough bloke to bowl to in current form. Again batting at no.4, he may not be as destructive as DeVilliers but he can run the opposition ragged in no time.
K. Williamson - The mainstay of NZ batting has recently shown his class and is a very crucial asset of NZ batting. Playing beside some destructive batsman, Williamson is very classy and elegant no.3. He can accelerate in no time too but his role is going to be balancing the NZ batting and providing the calm in important games. Good player of spin and pace, he has the potential to make this World Cup his own.
V. Kohli - Perhaps one of the most gifted of the modern day batsmen, Kohli has a stupendous record in ODIs. With 21 ODI tons to his name and his ability to chase big totals, he is undoubtedly one of the players to watch out for. He will have to take his time in the middle initially because he has the ability to up the ante in no time and if he fires consistently, he alone will take India far in the tournament.
K. Sangakarra - The oldest of the lot but one of the finest batsmen of all time, this might be the swansong for Sangakarra. He's shown great form recently and has been to a few WC finals to know what it takes. A fluent strokemaker, Sangakarra is also technically very correct to face any kind of attack under all conditions. With his experience and 13000 runs on his name, he is going to keep the older brigade running this World Cup.
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