In the lead-up to the much-anticipated 2023 ODI World Cup, cricket legend Jacques Kallis has unveiled his prediction for the tournament’s leading run-scorer. According to Kallis, England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, possesses the calibre and batting prowess to clinch this prestigious title on Indian soil.
Scheduled to take place in India from October 5 to November 19, the 2023 World Cup promises to be a spectacle of skill and competition. England, reigning champions from their victorious 2019 campaign on home turf, are all set to defend their title in a bid to etch their supremacy in the cricketing world.
Kallis picks Buttler as his leading run scorer for the 2023 World Cup
Buttler’s leadership journey at the helm of the English side will kick off with a high-octane clash against New Zealand on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad â a rematch of the thrilling 2019 World Cup final where England triumphed over the Kiwis on the boundary count rule.
In an engaging video hosted by ICC on their Instagram platform, Jacques Kallis was prompted to predict the tournament’s leading run-getter. The cricketing maestro responded with a firm belief in Jos Buttler’s ability to emerge as the star of the show. Kallis stated, “I think Jos Buttler will be the leading run-scorer. Outside call, but I fancy him in those conditions along with England having a good World Cup. I think heâs going to be the one guy that stands out.”
Buttler’s ODI career comprises 165 matches, amassing 4647 runs at an impressive average of 41.49. His record boasts 11 centuries and 24 half-centuries, marking his prowess as a prolific run-scorer. However, his performances in Indian conditions have posed a challenge. With a modest record of 83 runs in eight matches at an average of 11.85, Buttler will be eager to transcend his past numbers on the subcontinent.
Morgan hails Buttler as a “brilliant leader”
While his Indian record might not be stellar, Buttler’s role as a key player and a captain in the English team cannot be understated. Eoin Morgan, the captain who led England to World Cup glory in 2019, has hailed Buttler as one of the finest white-ball players in cricket history. Morgan emphasised Buttler’s significant contributions and labelled him a “brilliant leader.”
Speaking glowingly about Buttler’s captaincy, Morgan shared, “He is a brilliant leader and in his first World Cup as a leader he lifted silverware in Australia. So you have to sit back and admire that, but also I feel the quality of the player, he is one of the best white ball players to have ever played the game.”
Under Buttler’s captaincy, England clinched the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, securing victory over Pakistan in the final at the MCG by five wickets. His leadership acumen and his prowess with the bat make him a formidable force as England looks to extend its dominance in the white-ball format.
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