Cricket World Cup 2015: Ranking Top 15 Batsmen After Quarter-Finals
The Cricket World Cup is careering towards the semi-final stage, with just four teams remaining at the conclusion of the quarterfinals.
It has been a tournament filled with individual highs and lows, where a number of players have impressed with the bat at various times.
Some in particular have been very effective indeed, with many combining consistency with high scores.
Read on for the top 15 batsmen at this stage of the tournament.
15. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)
1 of 15
6 matches; 301 runs; 75.25 batting average; 183.53 strike rate; 102 highest score
Kicking the list off at No. 15 is Glenn Maxwell of Australia, who has used his natural aggression well and come up with some big scores.
His highlight so far is 102, which came against Sri Lanka in the group stage.
14. Lahiru Thirimanne (Sri Lanka)
2 of 15
7 matches; 302 runs; 50.33 batting average; 84.83 strike rate; 139* highest score
Lahiru Thirimanne may not be as well-known as some of his Sri Lankan team-mates, but he was very effective in the top order.
In between Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, the 25-year-old has shown his country is in safe hands when the two stalwarts are retired.
13. Virat Kohli (India)
3 of 15
7 matches; 304 runs; 60.80 batting average; 84.21 strike rate; 107 highest score
India have had contributions from a number of their batsmen, with Virat Kohli doing well with 304 runs at an average of 60.80.
They have made serene progress to the semi-finals, so Kohli will have another chance to add to his tally and take his country closer to another World Cup trophy.
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12. Shaiman Anwar (United Arab Emirates)
4 of 15
6 matches; 311 runs; 51.83 batting average; 91.47 strike rate; 106 highest score
Leading all Associate nations in this list is Shaiman Anwar of the United Arab Emirates, who looked mightily impressive all tournament.
The 36-year-old passed 50 on three occasions, with his best of 106 coming against Ireland for his first ever one-day international century.
11. Hashim Amla (South Africa)
5 of 15
7 matches; 323 runs; 46.14 batting average; 96.13 strike rate; 159 highest score
South African superstar Hashim Amla has been relatively quiet at the top of the order, but he remains crucial for the Proteas.
His 159 carried his side over Ireland, and with the semi-finals beckoning, look for him to hit form at just the right time.
10. Sean Williams (Zimbabwe)
6 of 15
6 matches; 339 runs; 67.80 batting average; 109.00 strike rate; 96 highest score
One Zimbabwean to impress was Sean Williams, who may not have made a century in the tournament but did well nonetheless.
It was a difficult World Cup for Zimbabwe, but Williams’ performances with the bat will give them plenty of heart.
9. Chris Gayle (West Indies)
7 of 15
6 matches; 340 runs; 56.66 batting average; 117.24 strike rate; 215 highest score
He may have been battling fitness problems, but Chris Gayle remained a linchpin for the West Indies at the top of their batting order.
His top score of 215 has perhaps slightly inflated his aggregate, but it was a brilliant knock against Zimbabwe as the West Indians mounted an enormous 372 batting first.
8. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
8 of 15
7 matches; 350 runs; 50.00 batting average; 75.10 strike rate; 76 highest score
Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq seems to be winding down his career, and in spite of his side being knocked out in the quarter-finals, he had a decent tournament.
He was unflashy yet consistent and was only once dismissed for single figures, while in four of his innings he passed 50.
7. Mahmudullah (Bangladesh)
9 of 15
6 matches; 365 runs; 73.00 batting average; 81.83 strike rate; 128* highest score
Bangladesh looked in good touch with the bat, thanks in large part to Mahmudullah, who capitalised on his obvious talent to weigh in with good scores.
An unbeaten 128 gave New Zealand real problems, while his 103 against England just four days prior helped knock those opponents out at the group stage.
6. Shikhar Dhawan (India)
10 of 15
7 matches; 367 runs; 52.42 batting average; 89.95 strike rate; 137 highest score
Leading India’s charge with the bat is Shikhar Dhawan, who has scored two centuries and averages over 50 overall.
His 137 helped India beat South Africa, and with Australia to come in the semi-finals, he will be looked to for more of the same.
5. Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)
11 of 15
7 matches; 395 runs; 65.83 batting average; 96.57 strike rate; 161* highest score
Tillakaratne Dilshan remains an aggressor at the top of the order for Sri Lanka and has once again been very effective for his side.
His best of 161 not out came against Bangladesh, while he also laced 104 against Scotland in the group stage.
4. AB de Villiers (South Africa)
12 of 15
7 matches; 417 runs; 83.40 batting average; 144.29 strike rate; 162* highest score
Managing to juggle captaincy and batting responsibilities, AB de Villiers has led South Africa to the semi-finals in more ways than one.
He has been part of a very aggressive and attacking unit, with his own best of 162 not out crucial in their win over the West Indies.
3. Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe)
13 of 15
6 matches; 433 runs; 72.16 batting average; 106.91 strike rate; 138 highest score
Zimbabwe will really miss Brendan Taylor, who will play for Nottinghamshire on a Kolpak deal after a strong World Cup.
He has been a constant presence and threat for the Zimbabweans and leaves a tremendous void in their batting order.
2. Martin Guptill (New Zealand)
14 of 15
7 matches; 498 runs; 83.00 batting average; 110.42 strike rate; 237* highest score
Opener Martin Guptill can look ahead to the semi-finals with real optimism having scored 498 runs already for New Zealand.
His best of 237 not out led the Black Caps comfortably past the West Indies in the quarter-finals, and with more chances to come, he may well move up this list.
1. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
15 of 15
7 matches; 541 runs; 108.20 batting average; 105.87 strike rate; 124 highest score
Leading the way currently is Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara, who has averaged more than 100 and scored more than 500 runs.
It has been a fitting swansong for the retiring left-hander, who scored four consecutive centuries in the group stage to show he still can dominate at the highest level.
All stats courtesy of ESPNCricinfo, correct as of March 23.
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