<p>Australia’s three-time World Cup winner Adam Gilchrist has heaped praise on South Africa captain AB de Villiers, describing him as the “most valuable cricketer on the planet”.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“De Villiers is the most valuable cricketer on the planet. His versatility is extraordinary and he is amazing to watch,” said Gilchrist, who is sixth in the list of leading run-getters in the history of World Cup and with 52 dismissals is the most successful wicketkeeper.<br /><br />“He’s so inventive ... he can play a touch game or a power game. Then, he can also keep wickets. He’s also one of the best fielders in the world and recently has taken some wickets when he had a bowl. And he leads his team very well, so, I think he’s the most valuable cricketer around.”<br /><br />De Villiers will feature in his third Cricket World Cup. In 175 ODIs, the 30-year-old has scored 7,210 runs with 18 centuries and 42 half-centuries. He has captained South Africa in 56 ODIs, winning 31 matches. Behind the stumps, he has accounted for 88 batsmen.<br /><br />Gilchrist also tipped Australia’s Mitchell Marsh to make a big impact in the tournament alongside David Warner, while he believed that India’s MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli would have a big say in the destination of the prestigious trophy.<br /><br />Australia and New Zealand will host the quadrennial event for the first time in 23 years.<br />Sharing his excitement about the event to be held from February 14 to March 29, Gilchrist said: “I think next month’s tournament is going to be really exciting. Conditions, particularly in Australia, are going to be conducive to high scores, entertaining cricket and flamboyant play.<br /><br />“In New Zealand, there’s normally a bit in the pitches for the bowlers. The batsmen might struggle a bit more over there but I think we’re going to see an exciting and a close tournament.”</p>
<p>Australia’s three-time World Cup winner Adam Gilchrist has heaped praise on South Africa captain AB de Villiers, describing him as the “most valuable cricketer on the planet”.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“De Villiers is the most valuable cricketer on the planet. His versatility is extraordinary and he is amazing to watch,” said Gilchrist, who is sixth in the list of leading run-getters in the history of World Cup and with 52 dismissals is the most successful wicketkeeper.<br /><br />“He’s so inventive ... he can play a touch game or a power game. Then, he can also keep wickets. He’s also one of the best fielders in the world and recently has taken some wickets when he had a bowl. And he leads his team very well, so, I think he’s the most valuable cricketer around.”<br /><br />De Villiers will feature in his third Cricket World Cup. In 175 ODIs, the 30-year-old has scored 7,210 runs with 18 centuries and 42 half-centuries. He has captained South Africa in 56 ODIs, winning 31 matches. Behind the stumps, he has accounted for 88 batsmen.<br /><br />Gilchrist also tipped Australia’s Mitchell Marsh to make a big impact in the tournament alongside David Warner, while he believed that India’s MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli would have a big say in the destination of the prestigious trophy.<br /><br />Australia and New Zealand will host the quadrennial event for the first time in 23 years.<br />Sharing his excitement about the event to be held from February 14 to March 29, Gilchrist said: “I think next month’s tournament is going to be really exciting. Conditions, particularly in Australia, are going to be conducive to high scores, entertaining cricket and flamboyant play.<br /><br />“In New Zealand, there’s normally a bit in the pitches for the bowlers. The batsmen might struggle a bit more over there but I think we’re going to see an exciting and a close tournament.”</p>