We have discussed about the relative merits of various bowlers at 'the death' in ODIs, but rather more complicated is to decide who the best batsman to have around in the last few overs while chasing a target. With so many variables involved ie number of wickets left, actual target to reach, nerves on both sides etc, the biggest hitter is not necessarily the best man to have around. As we all know, the now retired Bevan was a master of this art while sloggers like Afridi and Dhoni are not particularly reliable to 'finish'. Since we are talking about World Cup 2007, I wondered who people fancied. Some surprising names come to mind.

I've seen Mark Boucher save too many matches to not put his name down...also seems to bring the best out of the tail enders... he doesn't feature as much when the team are not in trouble....he's been vital in keeping many scores from falling short...specially seeing that none of SAs batsmen have had solid consistency over the last 2 seasons.

In fact can I go out on a limb and say that besides our opening pace partnership of Polly and Ntini, Boucher has been instrumental in getting SA to the no. 1 spot.

Shiv Chandrapaul has remained to the end in quite a few recent ODIs; In India a few months ago, he almost pulled off a miracle at over 10 runs an over with the tailenders. He might be a worthwhile consideration.

I have voted for mike hussey as i believe he is the best finisher in that list.
The best finisher for Pakistan i have to say is Abdul Razzaq who unfortunatly misses this world cup. he has saved many games with his batting for us.

What about Brett Lee - very usfull late order batsman.

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Ern

Yeah, can be pretty effective with the bat later on, but does not seem to click often enough, even for a tail-ender.

Ern, yes but the title is the bestfinisher in "this World Cup" Lee is therefore not a contender as he is not at the World Cup.

Boucher for me, he has played some magnificent innings to overhaul mammoth totals in the last 18 months

Good point there, hadnt noticed that myself!

Hussey has done well batting down the order so far and he is a far more accomplished bat than Boucher, so my vote goes to him.

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Mark.

hussey a man who has played there or there abouts 50 odis has retiered around 50 % of the time not out so if thats not consitantcy i dont what is, he is commading with the tail and can find a boundrie single or two when needed, though has any one condsidered he is deffenetly due a dip in form could he be unfortunate enough for it too happen during the world cup

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Finally England have risen from the ashes.

I think New Zealands Craig McMillan is the most underated finisher getting around at the moment.
He is a master at getting under the yorker length ball and lofting it with power.
Ricky Ponting also can change his game very effectively from being an accumalator to being a power hitter when he is still in at the 40th over. Ricky's biggest advantage is that he can hit a lot of balls that many of the power of axeman miss.