Lead with the left

Bowlers are struggling to restrict the left-handed opening batsmen who are hammering boundaries all over the Caribbean. Top-order power-hitting is proving the key to setting and chasing big targets at the World Cup and the lefties are leading the way.

Matthew Hayden has 436 runs, including the fastest World Cup hundred, from six matches at a strike-rate of 107 to top the run list. When Adam Gilchrist’s 238 runs are thrown in is it any wonder Australia are on top of the table?

Sanath Jayasuriya has 303 at a strike-rate of 110 and Sri Lanka sit second. New Zealand, who are third, can thank Stephen Fleming for his 280 at nearly a run a ball, while Graeme Smith has led South Africa into fourth place with 344.

It works the other way as well. Chris Gayle, who on his day is as destructive as any of the batsmen listed above, has managed only 116 at an average of less than 20 and West Indies’ fortunes have matched his own. Pakistan did not have a left-handed power-hitter opening their innings and took an early plane home. India potentially had one, but Sourav Ganguly’s strike-rate in the group matches was a disappointing 60.