Cricket World Cup 2015: Best XI After Two Thirds of Group Stage
With 27 of the 42 Cricket World Cup 2015 group games having been contested, certain players have proved their international calibre with a string of impressive performances.
But have they made the Bleacher Report Best XI of the tournament so far?
I carried out this hypothetical exercise a few weeks ago after the first third of games, and this was the side:
Best XI after 14 Games: 1. Brendon McCullum (c), 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli, 4. Ed Joyce, 5. David Miller, 6. Lendl Simmons, 7. Brendan Taylor (wk), 8. Daniel Vettori, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Trent Boult, 12th man from: Aaron Finch, Jerome Taylor, Mitchell Marsh, Corey Anderson
Bearing in mind some of those players had played just one game at the time, how many do you think will make the cut this time around?
Read on to find out!
1. Brendon McCullum (capt)
1 of 12
Innings: 4
Runs: 207
Strike rate: 188.18
50s/100s: 3/0
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Brendon McCullum's team look in unstoppable form at the moment, and their sensational form is down in no small part to their inspirational leader.
His three half centuries have each come against major cricket-playing nations and have taken just 35 balls, 18 balls and 21 balls, respectively.
Such a ferocious rate of scoring has helped the Black Caps get ahead of the eight-ball and secure four wins from four games so far.
2. Lahiru Thirimanne
2 of 12
Innings: 4
Runs: 256
Strike rate: 90.78
50s/100s: 2/1
Lahiru Thirimanne gets the nods over the likes of Hashim Amla and David Warner primarily because the majority of his runs have come against quality attacks.
A clinical unbeaten hundred saw off England, while two more slick fifties have helped Sri Lanka into second place in Pool A.
The 24-year-old has long been tipped for stardom for some time, and this World Cup could prove to be a springboard for Thirimanne's career.
3. Kumar Sangakkara
3 of 12
Innings: 4
Runs: 268
Strike rate: 125.82
50s/100s: 0/2
Showing that age is no barrier, 37-year-old Kumar Sangakkara has already scored two centuries in the 2015 World Cup and is edging closer to an incredible 14,000 career ODI runs.
Many sides would have crumbled in the face of England’s 310 total, but Sri Lanka, led by their former skipper with an unbeaten 117, picked off the target with ease.
As long as the classy left-hander's calm hand is on the rudder, no total is out of reach for the 1992 World Cup champions.
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4. AB de Villiers
4 of 12
Innings: 4
Runs: 241
Strike rate: 161.74
50s/100s: 0/1
The exponential gains made through Twenty20 cricket have been readily apparent in this World Cup and none more so than in AB de Villiers extraordinary innings of 162 not out off just 66 balls versus the West Indies.
Capable of playing all types of innings and hitting the ball in an almost 360 degree radius, the South African is one of the few players who can win games single-handedly.
And if the 31-year-old can maintain his scintillating form, then the Pretoria-born stroke maker could be the driving force behind the Proteas title charge.
5. Shaiman Anwar
5 of 12
Innings: 4
Runs: 270
Strike rate: 100.00
50s/100s: 2/1
According to ESPNCricinfo Shaiman Anwar modelled his technique on Rahul Dravid, and the masterclass appears to have paid off.
The United Arab Emirates may be propping up Pool B but the cool-headed 35-year-old has milked some high quality attacks to register scores of 67, 106, 35 and 62.
In fact, Anwar's form has been so prolific that, at the time of writing, he tops the 2015 World Cup run-scorers' list.
6. Shakib Al Hasan
6 of 12
Innings: 3
Runs: 161
Strike rate: 106.62
Wickets: 3
Economy rate: 4.99
One of the best all-rounders in the world, Shakib Al Hasan has made scores of 63, 46 and an unbeaten 52 with the bat to help give his country a fighting chance of quarter-final qualification.
And although the 27-year-old hasn't taken as many wickets as he would've liked, he has still bowled with his usual mix of control and aggression.
England will be eager to keep Bangladesh's star man quiet when the teams meet in a crucial clash on Monday at Adelaide, a wicket which often takes spin.
7. Brendan Taylor (wk)
7 of 12
Innings: 4
Runs: 174
Strike rate: 85.29
50s/100s: 1/0
Another player who has maintained his form from the first third of the group games is Brendan Taylor, the glue that holds the Zimbabwe batting lineup together.
True, the African team have lost three of their four games so far, but, having recorded scores of 40, 47, 37, 50, the 29-year-old wicketkeeper has made some consistent contributions.
If Taylor can turn one of his decent knocks into a big innings, then Zimbabwe's slim qualification chances could receive a big boost.
8. Daniel Vettori
8 of 12
Innings: 4
Wickets: 8
Economy rate: 3.33
In an era where ODI cricket has never been more heavily weighted in favour of the batsmen, the craft and experience of Daniel Vettori has been an inspirational for future bowlers.
Returning an economy rate of just 3.33 is almost miraculous considering the circumstances, and the evergreen spinner has also weighed in with eight wickets.
Amazing to think that just a few months ago many would’ve considered Vettori’s international career done and dusted, but the 36-year-old could yet help guide his team to the winner’s podium.
9. Tim Southee
9 of 12
Innings: 4
Wickets: 13
Economy rate: 4.88
While Jimmy Anderson is struggling to extract swing, Tim Southee, a similar bowler in terms of style and pace, is making the ball “talk” and heads the wicket column at the time of writing.
Of course, his seven-wicket haul against England helped, but the 28-year-old has also picked up multiple scalps in games against Australia and Pakistan.
Even when he’s not taking wickets, Southee keeps things tight—as evidenced by a sub-five economy rate—helping to put the opposition under intense pressure.
10. Mitchell Starc
10 of 12
Innings: 3
Wickets: 10
Economy rate: 3.87
A score of 151 would normally be impossible to defend, but Mitchell Starc’s heroics almost pulled it off for Australia against New Zealand, with a haul of six for 28
As well as bowling at high velocity, the left-arm seamer extracts vicious late movement that often proves deadly for opposition batsmen.
And with 10 wickets already, the Sydney-born speedster is eclipsing Mitchell Johnson as the world’s leading ODI bowler.
11. Trent Boult
11 of 12
Innings: 4
Wickets: 10
Economy rate: 4.00
Although he was far from unknown prior to this competition, Trent Boult’s probably still travelled under the radar for many cricket fans. However, that is all set to change.
With 10 wickets at an average of 14.40, a stunning performance of five for 27 against Australia further helped the 25-year-old establish himself as a world star.
With Boult, Southee, Vettori and McCullum all at the top of their games, it is clear New Zealand are the team to beat as we approach the business end of the tournament.
12. 12th Man
12 of 12
Of course, there are many high-quality players on the periphery of this side. Here's a few who could easily step in at any moment.
Chris Gayle: Although Chris Gayle rewrote the record books in registering the highest ever individual score in a World Cup, one swallow doesn’t make a summer, and he’s only scored 30 other runs in his three innings.
Josh Davey: Young Scottish medium-pacer Josh Davey has registered nine wickets so far and will be hoping his performances could increase his chances of making more appearances in the forthcoming English domestic season.
Hashim Amla: Run-machine Hashim Amla has been a steady presence in South Africa's lineup with 257 runs from his four innings, but he still can't find a way into this brutal batting lineup.
Imran Tahir: Another South African cricketer in impressive form has been 35-year-old leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who will be an apt understudy for Daniel Vettori in the slow-bowling department of this Best XI.
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