Betting on future cricketing stars

A look at some unexpected heroes of this World Cup, and a prayer for the enduring favourites.

Cricket World Cups, like those in other sports, have a way of giving birth to somewhat unheralded stars. Vivian Richards, Kapil Dev, Steve Waugh, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mark Greatbatch, Sanath Jayasuriya and Lance Klusener came into their own in the one-day format at World Cups and raised interest in them.

This World Cup is an opportune moment for new talent to come up because a generational shift is taking place.

Not one to be left behind in the mindless rush to make predictions, Umpire's Post lists its likely unexpected heroes of this World Cup. Since the game is loaded in favour of batsmen, it was difficult to think of a pure bowler to fit in this category.

Aiyudda Robin Uthappa: The son of Venu Uthappa, an international hockey referee, the swarthy 20-year-old first caught the eye when he made a brilliant 66 in a losing cause for India B against India A in the Challenger Trophy in Mumbai in 2005 against an attack that included Zaheer Khan, Murali Kartik and R P Singh. In the next edition of the same tournament, in Mohali in 2006, he cracked a match-winning 93-ball 100 for India B against India A. An average of 36.4 at a strike rate of 114 in eight ODIs hold out great promise. The best thing is that the fearless Uthappa is an unknown quantity to most competing teams.

Ross Taylor, New Zealand: In only his third ODI, Taylor hammered a superb 128 against Sri Lanka at Napier and followed it up with 84 at better than one run a ball in his first ODI outside New Zealand "" at Hobart against Australia in January this year. His second ODI century secured the Chappell-Hadlee series for New Zealand. Armed with an average of 39.9 in 18 ODIs at a strike rate of 84, Taylor scores mostly through conventional shots.

Dwayne Bravo, West Indies: He dazzled in the ODI series against India in May 2006, foxing batsmen with clever slower deliveries and making match-winning contributions with the bat. He has flourished in the current season, scoring his maiden ODI 100, against England in the Champions Trophy, and recording his best career bowling figures of 4 for 39 against India. Bravo is what West Indies has not often had, an all-rounder.

While these players hold out immense promise, if you were to fiddle at Umpire's Post's heartstrings, an old, nostalgic tune will begin to play.

Can Sachin not finally emerge a World Cup winning player? Or Lara, a sterling performance from whom will go a long way in reviving interest in cricket in the Caribbean? A last hurrah from McGrath won't be too bad either.