Diminutive but powerful McCullum can clear the ropes with consummate ease and once he gets into his groove he is unstoppable. Not many will forget his thunderous knock in the 2008 IPL where he smashed a swashbuckling 158* off a mere 73 balls including 13 sixes. His ball-striking ability have never been in doubt and he has started to live up to the potential in the last two years or so. He is also safe as a wicketkeeper - an area of his game often overshadowed by his batting pyrotechnics. The Dunedin born star showed his form in the last game with a breezy 57 against South Africa and will be once again looked upon by the Black Caps for this fixture against Ireland. With Daniel Vettori out, McCullum has also taken up the captaincy reigns which some believe have subdued him a bit but still he will be a force to reckon with. van der Merwe Left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe is the new kid on the block for South Africa. He played crucial hand in the close game against New Zealand, conceding just 14 runs in his four overs and snaring Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum. Merwe is bowling well in the tournament. He was also a success for Bangalore Royal Challengers in the IPL where his tight bowling helped them qualify for the final. Apart from his tidy spin,Merwe is also a decent striker of the ball and can be very handy. For this important contest, the Proteas will be having high hopes from him also given the fact that English don't like such quality spinners.