Quinton de Kock has been in great form at the top of the order

Five wicket-keepers who are a must-pick in your fantasy team

Quinton de Kock has been in great form at the top of the order

It is always advisable to pick a keeper who bats in the top four to maximise points-scoring opportunities. Here are the five wicket-keepers who should always find a place in your fantasy team for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.

MS Dhoni: Though Dhoni had a dismal 2018 where he averaged just 25 and his strike-rate fell to 71.42 in ODIs, he had a good start to the year as he made 327 runs in eight innings averaging 81.75. He picked up pace and showed his worth in the Indian Premier League as well, scoring over 400 runs. Dhoni is also one of the quickest wicket-keepers, and for all the points that he will fetch with the gloves, he remains a must pick.

Quinton de Kock: The left-hander will likely open the innings for South Africa. He has had a good year with the bat so far, scoring 469 runs in eight games with four fifties and one hundred. Overall, he has played 106 ODIs for South Africa with 4602 runs at an average of 45. He has also completed 157 dismissals for the team in the format. The fact that he opens the innings makes him valuable.

MS Dhoni has arguably the quickest pair of hands

Jos Buttler: Buttler has been a pair of safe hands for England behind the stumps. The 28-year-old has played 127 ODIs and scored 3387 runs, but what stands out is his strike-rate of 118. Coming lower down the order, he has the potential to notch up some quick scores, as was witnessed at St George’s earlier this year when he smashed 150 in only 77 deliveries. With the action shifting to his home soil, where runs will be in abundance, Buttler should be a player to look out for.

Shai Hope: The West Indian recently scored a mammoth 170 and though it came against a hapless Irish bowling attack, his skills and the array of shots that he possesses were evident. Hope has been making rapid strides, averaging 67.30 in 18 ODIs in 2018, a huge improvement from his 33.33 in 2017. The fact that he opens the innings as well is an advantage.

Mushfiqur Rahim: One of the most experienced players in the Bangladesh unit, Mushfiqur can be the X factor in any ICC Dream11 side. He can pace his innings well at the top, has the ability to battle out the full quota of overs and shift gears when the game demands as well. He is a safe wicket-keeper too with 206 international dismissals – the most by any wicket-keeper from his country.