Is No 7 very important ?

I used to hear that the No 3 is very important in Test Cricket. Look at the sides and you will find that the No 3 is one of the best batsmen in the side.

Now there are talks that the No 7 is equally important. Not in Test, but in ODIs.

Experts say the No 7 player is a game changer. He can make a change, a contribution of 30/40 runs in the slog overs with some hefty blows and if the top order collapses, then he can be relied upon to bat out the complete 50 overs ! He should be a good bowler, who can support the main bowlers. In short, an effective allrounder.

Let us analyse who are the No 7s of major teams.


Kieron Pollard - He can be one of the deadliest batsmen in the slog overs. In a CL T20 match, he powered his team to victory singlehandedly. He sends even good length deliveries into the orbit. He is WI's secret weapon, their open weapon being Gayle ! He can bowl well too !

Shahid Afridi - He is one of the most dangerous hitters in the world. In an ODI, I watched him hit a six off the first ball he faced ! A dangerous pinch hitter and an excellent spinner. He is third in ICC Rankings as an allrounder.

Paul Collingwood - He may be struggling for form, but he can still send the ball out of the park at any time. He can time his innings to perfection and can bowl seam as well.

Angelo Mathews - A hefty hitter and a good medium pacer. He is the one of the most promising all rounders in the game. He can be SL's main weapon. He keeps the scoreboard ticking all the time and picks up a few wickets.

Yousuf Pathan - The whole world is stunned by the exploits of this Pathan, who knows no boundaries. With two ODI hundreds to his credit, he can be a Titan in this form of the game. He had shone in IPL matches, but now he is the rage in Indian cricket. Millions of cricket crazy Indians want him to loft India to victory !