Who will be the game-changer?

AB de Villiers

A batsman of breathtaking chutzpah and enterprise, as well as the skills and the temperament required to back up his creative intent. A fielder able to leap tall buildings and still come up with the catch. A wicketkeeper who is perfectly at ease donning pads and gloves. A fine rugby player, golfer, and tennis player. All AB de Villiers needs to show off his abundant gifts is a ball. Just about any ball.

Playing role: Wicketkeeper batsman
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling style: Right-arm medium
Fielding position: Wicketkeeper

Current ODI Ranking:  1
Highest Ranking:  1 - (30/05/2010)
Highest score: 278* (Tests) 162* (ODIs) 79* (T20Is)
Best bowling: 2/49 (Tests) 2/28 (ODIs)
Last three performances: 162* runs, 30 runs, 25 runs

Ireland's Kevin O'Brien catches West Indies' Chris Gayle (not pictured) out during their Cricket World Cup match in Nelson, February 16, 2015 Photo: Reuters

Kevin O'Brien

Kevin O'Brien wrote his name into Irish cricketing lore with a magical innings against England on a balmy March evening in Bangalore. Entering the fray with his team 106-4 - and soon 111-5 - in pursuit of England's 327, he hit six huge sixes in a 50-ball century - the fastest in World Cup history - to set up a historic three-wicket win. It was the highest successful run chase in World Cup history and imbued new urgency into Ireland's claims for greater opportunities against Test-playing sides.

Playing role: Allrounder
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling style: Right-arm medium-fast

Current ODI Ranking:  43
Highest Ranking:  28
Highest score: 142 (ODIs) 42* (T20Is)
Best bowling: 4/13 (ODIs) 3/35 (T20Is)
Last three performances: 50 runs – 2/61, 0 run – 1/71, 23 runs – 1/39