Meet the slam-bang skippers, the men who will lead their ‘boys’ in this World Cup

Name: Nasser Hussain
Country: England
Nicknamed ‘popaddum fingers’ by his teammates for constantly breaking his fingers, this lad from Blighty desperately wants to hold the World Cup aloft. But can he do away with the stiff English upper lip?

Name: Ricky Ponting
Country: Australia
The hulking Queensland Punter Peppy Ponting’s recipe for success is a bit of sledging, loads of attitude with more than a dash of fitness! This wizard of Oz needs watching!

Name: Carl Hooper
Country: West Indies
If ever there was an enigma in Caribbean cricket, it surely is the Guyanese batsmen Hip, Hop Hooper.The earring-sporting Hooper enchants and charms, but beyond him the West Indies’ cupboard looks a tad bare... Lessons on consistency any one?

Name: Waqar Younis
Country: Pakistan
He is a man possessed (almost ballistic) when in the mood (naughty, naughty) — to bowl those deadly in swingers, that is! His team might not have made it to the headlines but his brawls with a former Paki skipper sure did.

Name: Shaun Pollock
Country: South Africa
He might be genial and an Evangelist at that, but there is no divinity left when this red-head comes charging down the pitch, Pollocking away at the batsmen. No pun intended. Will he then be the first man to lead the host nation to victory in the World Cup?

Name: Sanath Jayasuriya
Country: Sri Lanka
Swashbuckling and very stylish, the law of gravitation takes a holiday when he’s at the crease. No wonder then bowlers quiver in their run-up?! Anyone for the Emerald Island?

Name: Stephen Fleming
Country: New Zealand
Psstt, this Kiwi wanted to be a school teacher and often ends up bringing a certain academic air to the job — like doing his homework on the teams he is gonna play against. Have you done yours? Gotcha!

Name: Sourav Ganguly
Country: India
Flamboyance and passion... The Prince of Bengal loves playing to the gallery. If Ronaldinho can play the drums after winning a football match, then why can’t ‘dada’ Sourav take off his shirt? Never mind his poor batting form! Tsk Tsk