World Cup 2015: Team of the Week (23rd February – 1st March)

Srihari

Although the second week of the World Cup saw some shock results, it was largely a procession for the big sides. Pre-tournament favourites India and South Africa both won convicingly while New Zealand got the better of Australia in the other big encounter of the week. Afghanistan claimed a historic win over Scotland, while Sri Lanka finally got going with back-to-back wins. Pakistan survived a scare to beat Zimbabwe and it was a mixed week for both West Indies and England as they both won one and lost one.There were some tremendous individual performances during the week. So who makes it into the team of the week? Simply read on:

#1 Chris Gayle

Up until the game against Zimbabwe, Chris Gayle had flattered to deceive in the tournament. But all he needs is one innings to take off and he got that. Not only did he become the first batsman in World Cup history and only the fourth batsman overall to score a double-hundred, he also showed his doubters, just how lethal he can be, when he gets going.

The big Jamaican tore Zimbabwe apart on his way to 215, an innings which included 10 fours and 16 sixes. Although he didn't do so well against the Proteas in the next game, that innings alone is enough to get him a place in the team of the week.

#2 Lahiru Thirimanne

If Sri Lanka are to have any chance of winning the World Cup or at least go far in the tournament, they need at least one of their openers to get them off to a good start. So far both their openers have done so and that is why three of the top four run getters in the tournament are Sri Lankans.

Before the tournament, there were doubts over whether Thirimanne should open the batting, but an unbeaten hundred and a fifty in his last two games have shown that he has the composure and the class to open the innings. Although TM Dilshan has scored more runs in the past week, over all, Thirimanne has scored more and been slightly more consistent and that is why he edges the opening slot.

#3 Kumar Sangakkara

Far too often, batsmen score centuries which go in vain as they are unable to get their side over the line. But what was telling about Sangakkara's back-to-back hundreds against Bangladesh and England was that he remained not out and saw the game through.

Given that the Sri Lankan middle order isn't in the best of form, his innings spoke of a man who understood what was needed and had the experience to get the job done. His centuries have catapulted Sangakkara to the top of the run scorers charts and the southpaw currently averages a staggering 134 and has a strike rate better than Chris Gayle.

#4 Samiullah Shenwari

Even though he didn't get his century and scored at a strike rate of less than 70, Shenwari's knock of 96 was enough to secure a maiden World Cup win for Afghanistan. Although he rode his luck early on, after being dropped when he was on 20, he showed tremendous composure to see his side through to a win.

From 97 for 7, it looked as though a win was beyond the Afghan side, but Shenwari stood firm. It took a 60-run ninth wicket partnership with Hamid Hassan and some lusty blows at the end, including three consecutive sixes to bring his side close, before Hassan saw the game off. Shenwari's innings was a mixture of patience and power and one that required nerves of steel especially at the start.

#5 AB de Villiers

Is there anything that can be said about AB de Villiers that hasn't be said already. His demolition of the West Indies bowling attack was proof that he is, without a doubt, the best batsman in world cricket at the moment. In the process of hitting the fastest 150 in ODI, the skipper also managed to smash few other records as well. During the course of his innings, De Villiers recorded the highest score made by a batsman batting at No. 5, highest score made by a captain since 1987 and he also became the fastest captain to reach 3000 ODI runs. His score of 162* was his third century against the Windies, which made him the only player to have scored three hundreds against the same team in the history of the tournament.

#6 Sean Williams

Although both of Sean Williams' efforts have come in losing causes, there is no denying the quality of both of his innings. Both of his knocks came at crucial stages of the innings and helped steady the tide that was rising in favour of the opposition. Not only did he set up a platform for the others to launch at the end, he also scored quickly as well.

His 76 against the Windies came at a strike rate of over 120 and his innings against Pakistan too, was over a run a ball. On both occasions, Willams' dismissal lead to a collapse and although that could be blamed on him, it was he who got the side going in the first place and his side will be hoping that he stays a little longer and takes his side home in the coming games.

#7 Gary Wilson

This hasn't so far been a great tournament for the wicket keepers. The quality of the top orders in most occasions have been enough to see off the games and it is only in the associate sides that there have been any noteworthy performances.

One of the best performances by a wicket keeper so far came from Gary Wilson, who guided his side home against the UAE. When Wilson came in, Ireland were struggling, but his knock of 80 and his partnership with Kevin O'Brien set up the victory. Although he didn't hit a single six in his innings, his ability to rotate strike and pick the gaps to score boundaries helped him score at a strike rate of 115.

#8 Ravichandran Ashwin

Much-maligned in overseas conditions, Ravichandran Ashwin showed just why he is one of the best spinners in the world if he gets it going. Although it was only UAE, the amount of spin and bounce he generated off the WACA pitch was a testament to his ability. His career-best figures of 25-4 in 10 overs were a result of attacking bowling and a mind set to take wickets.

Although he has always been economical and did a job for his side in that regard, his performance against the UAE is a reminder that if MS Dhoni does decide to use him as an attacking option to take wickets, Ashwin is equally adept at doing that.

#9 Mitchell Starc

Once Australia were bundled out for 151 and the Kiwis got off to a flyer thanks to Brendon McCullum, not many gave the Aussies a chance. But Mitchell Starc was determined to make a game out of what looked like a foregone conclusion.

Two wickets in two balls after the interval and in the 23rd over to reduce the Kiwis to 146-9 made sure that it was a nervous finish for the home side. Although he couldn't get his side the win, he did manage to pick up his career-best figures of 28-6 and brought Australia back into a game, which looked as though it was beyond repair.

#10 Trent Boult

Often overshadowed by his bowling partner Tim Southee, Trent Boult was determined to take centre stage in the game against Australia. And that was precisely what he did as he ripped through the Australian middle and lower order as they went from 96-5 to 106-9 in a spell of fiery fast bowling, that brought back memories of Wasim Akram.

The 25-year-old claimed his career-best figures of 27-5 in a 10-over spell that included three maidens. Boult is now on 10 wickets for the tournament and rapidly catching Southee as the pair battle to see who finishes as the leading wicket-taker in this World Cup.

#11 Imran Tahir

For all of the quality they have in the pace bowling department over the years, if there is one thing that the Proteas have always lacked, it is a quality spin bowler. But Imran Tahir’s performances over the last twelve months have cemented his place in the side and his performance against West Indies was a testament to that.

Although the Windies were behind from the start, the leg spinner managed to weave his magic and got to his career-best figures of 45-5. Tahir has not only been economical, but also really effective at picking up crucial wickets, especially in the middle overs, which has reduced the burden on the pacers.

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Edited by Staff Editor