Chris Gayle

A thrusting Jamaican left-hander, Gayle earned himself a black mark on his first senior tour - to England in 2000 - where the new boys were felt to be insufficiently respectful of their elders. But a lack of respect, for opposition bowlers at least, has served Gayle well since then. Tall and imposing at the crease, he loves to carve through the covers off either foot, and has the ability to decimate the figures of even the thriftiest of opening bowlers. And in this era of Twenty20 cricket, Gayle is the batsman who has thrived like no other.

Playing role: Allrounder
Batting style: Left-hand bat
Bowling style: Right-arm offbreak

Current ODI Ranking: 57
Highest Ranking:  1 - ( 25/02/2004 )
Highest score: 333 (Tests) 215 (ODIs) 117 (T20Is)
Best bowling: 6/81 (Tests) 5/46 (ODIs) 2/15 (T20Is)
Last three performances: 215 runs – 2/35, 4 runs, 36 runs - 1/41

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) 149 (ODIs) 79* (T20Is)
Best bowling: 2/49 (Tests) 2/28 (ODIs)
Last three performances: 30 runs, 25 runs, 24 runs