5 most inspirational batting efforts from World Cup 2015 group stages

The 2015 World Cup has already witnessed many breathtaking batting performances. Teams like South Africa and Australia have already posted 400 plus scores in the group stage. There has been one month of 42 matches consisting of melodrama, thrills, upsets, dead rubbers – the complete package.There have also been some astonishing performances by some individuals like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Kumar Sangakara, Glenn Maxwell – knocks which left the crowd on their feet chanting their name.Following I have tried to list the 5 knocks seen so far in the World Cup which came when their team needed it most. Not all of the knocks are in winning causes.

#5 Sean Williams (96) vs Ireland, Hobart

Sean Williams reacts to being dismissed on 96 against Ireland

Sean Williams played a superb knock of 96 and brilliantly orchestrated the chase in one of the finest games in World Cup history. While chasing Ireland's total of 331, Brendan Taylor (121) held the fort and combined in a 159-run stand with Sean Williams (96). But when Taylor was dismissed in the 38th over, Zimbabwe looked to be done for.

Sean Williams steered Zimbabwe confidentlyand never let the required run rate rise. He almost snatched victory from the jaws of the Irish, beforehe was controversially caught very close to the boundary ropesin the 47th over.

Williams'inning sadly went in vain as Cusack took two wickets in three balls in the final over and knocked Zimbabwe out of the World Cup.

#4 Samiullah Shenwari (96) vs Scotland, Dunedin

Shenwaris efforts in the gut-wrenchingly close win against Scotland deserves a place in top five individual knocks in the group stage.It was a very important match for both the minnows. Both the teams had a single chance to register a win in their World Cup campaign.

Samiullah Shenwari (96) fought well and took charge to chase down 211 when his side was reduced from 85 for two in the 19th over to 97 for seven in the 24th. Shenwari, however, managed to keep most of the strike in a 35-run partnership with Dawlat Zadran and 60-run stand with Hamid Hassan. His innings hada touch of MS Dhonis calmness in batting with the tail.

Shenwari hammeredHaq for three sixes in the 47th over, and tried a fourth onebefore he was caught in the attempt to bring his maiden century up.

#3 Mahmudullah(103) vs England, Adelaide

Mahmudullah, after scoring his maiden centuty at Adelaide Oval

Mahmudullahs 103 was the first century for Bangladesh in World Cup history. This match was like a pre-quarterfinal for both the teams and there had been expectations of a better display from both the teams.

James Anderson capitalised on the early morning conditions to reduceBangladesh to eight for two. But Mahmudullahs fine knock of 103buoyed the team heput together86 runs with Soumya Sarkar (40) and then 141 with Mushfiqur Rahim (89) to fire Bangladesh on toto a commanding total.

Mahmudullah, who hit seven fours and a six in his maiden ODI century, had managed to hold off the famed English bowling attack, and inspire his team to a very famous victory.

#2 Kane Williamson(45) vs Australia, Auckland

Kane Williamson and Trent Boult after a historic win over Australia

It was one hell of finish when Kane Williamsonput a Pat Cummins ball back over his head to snatch a well-deservedvictory in a match that went right down to the wire.

First there was a horrendous batting display from Australia. In the second innings,Mitchell Starcs two wickets in two balls brought last man Boult to the crease, making one of the greatest chokes of this World Cup seem inevitable.

But Williamson held hisnerve and swatted the first ball of the next over for six.His 45 runs, appearing small fry, came against the fierce Australian bowling, in a winning cause the responsibility of which he had mostly shouldered himself.

#1 AB De Villiers (162) vs West Indies,SCG

Chris Gayle congratulates AB de Villiers

The A, B, D of modern cricket Abraham de Villiers broke several records en route to a stunning 162 of 66 balls at SCG against West Indies. After a humiliating defeat against India, the Proteas were desperate to secure a win against West Indies.

West Indies looked a charged side after having lost to Ireland,but Ab De Villiers andRilee Roussow completely crushed the Windies side.Mr. 360 came up with all the options from hisrepertoire of strokes in an awesome display of batting.

He took 30 balls to reach his fifty while his next 100 runs tookjust 34 balls.His blitzkrieg included eight sixes and 17 fours in a 104-minutes innings, which will live long in the memory of every cricket fan.