Cricket World Cup 2015: Ranking Top 20 Batsmen of Tournament
The 2015 Cricket World Cup is over, with Australia able to reflect on another tournament win and a number of batsmen able to reflect on a job well done on an individual level.
It was a tournament dominated by the bat, with a number of high scores coming on the helpful batting pitches of Australia and New Zealand.
Within that, several players played to their full potential with the bat and impressed regularly even if the rest of their team-mates did not.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top 20 batsmen from the World Cup.
20. Grant Elliott (New Zealand)
1 of 20
9 matches; 310 runs; 44.28 batting average; 105.44 strike rate; 84* highest score
In at No. 20 comes New Zealander Grant Elliott, who made himself indispensable to the Black Caps in the latter stages of the tournament.
His unbeaten 84 in the semi-finals was a glorious knock to take his side to victory, while his runs in the final held together a New Zealand innings that otherwise crumbled.
19. Shaiman Anwar (United Arab Emirates)
2 of 20
6 matches; 311 runs; 51.83 batting average; 91.47 strike rate; 106 highest score
Leading the Associate teams in this tournament with the bat was Shaiman Anwar of the United Arab Emirates, who finished with an average in excess of 50.
UAE had a tough time of it in this World Cup, but Anwar’s performances with the bat were a real positive.
18. David Miller (South Africa)
3 of 20
8 matches; 324 runs; 64.80 batting average; 139.05 strike rate; 138* highest score
The aggressive David Miller almost took South Africa to the final and, in the process, demolished a number of bowling attacks.
His strike rate of 139.05 shows how attacking his play was, and his high average demonstrates consistency and sustained excellence throughout for the Proteas.
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17. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)
4 of 20
8 matches; 324 runs; 64.80 batting average; 182.02 strike rate; 102 highest score
Glenn Maxwell is another aggressive lower-order batsman who impressed as Australia won their fifth World Cup.
He may not always be successful in his methods, but he was crucial at times for the tournament champions.
16. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)
5 of 20
9 matches; 328 runs; 36.44 batting average; 188.50 strike rate; 77 highest score
Opener Brendon McCullum did not score a century for New Zealand, but his aggression at the top of the order was frightening at times.
On several occasions, he got the Black Caps off to flying starts, and although he failed in the final, it was a great tournament for the Kiwi captain.
15. Rohit Sharma (India)
6 of 20
8 matches; 330 runs; 47.14 batting average; 91.66 strike rate; 137 highest score
Impressing at the top of the order for India was Rohit Sharma, who showed off his obvious talents on the world’s biggest stage.
He was one of a number of Indian batsmen to be the model of consistency throughout as they reached the semi-finals.
14. Hashim Amla (South Africa)
7 of 20
8 matches; 333 runs; 41.62 batting average; 95.14 strike rate; 159 highest score
Still one of the best batsmen in the world, Hashim Amla made use of some helpful batting pitches to make a stack of runs for South Africa.
The opener set a number of solid platforms for his side as they reached the semi-finals and dominated bowling attacks regularly.
13. Sean Williams (Zimbabwe)
8 of 20
6 matches; 339 runs; 67.80 batting average; 109.00 strike rate; 96 highest score
Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams did not quite reach a century in any of his six matches, but he was a real bright spot for his country as they struggled a little in this World Cup.
His consistency was a hallmark, as he was only dismissed for single figures on one occasion and passed 50 four times.
12. Chris Gayle (West Indies)
9 of 20
6 matches; 340 runs; 56.66 batting average; 117.24 strike rate; 215 highest score
He may have struggled for fitness at times, but Chris Gayle remains a powerful proposition for the West Indies at the top of their batting order.
The left-hander can still take any bowling attack apart when he is in form and showed at times just what he is capable of.
11. David Warner (Australia)
10 of 20
8 matches; 345 runs; 49.28 batting average; 120.20 strike rate; 178 highest score
David Warner set the tone for many Australian batting performances with an aggressive approach that paid dividends.
His 178 was a truly dominant effort against Afghanistan, while his 45 in the final set the tone for a straightforward run chase for the tournament champions.
10. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
11 of 20
7 matches; 350 runs; 50.00 batting average; 75.10 strike rate; 76 highest score
One of a number of players set to retire, Misbah-ul-Haq remained a model of consistency for a Pakistan team that still blows hot and cold in international cricket.
An average of exactly 50 shows his ability to make big scores, and he will be sorely missed in the future.
9. Mahmudullah (Bangladesh)
12 of 20
6 matches; 365 runs; 73.00 batting average; 81.83 strike rate; 128* highest score
Mahmudullah’s talent has never been in doubt, but this World Cup was the time when the Bangladesh all-rounder delivered in a big way.
He averaged over 70 and helped his side to the knockouts, while his 128 not out gave New Zealand plenty to ponder in their group stage clash.
8. Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
13 of 20
7 matches; 380 runs; 63.33 batting average; 84.63 strike rate; 109 highest score
Not just a ballistic hitter, Faf du Plessis stepped up to deliver a number of telling knocks for South Africa as they made the semi-finals.
He has quickly become a vital part of their batting order in all forms of the game, with his effort here showing how his game has matured in recent times.
7. Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)
14 of 20
7 matches; 395 runs; 65.83 batting average; 96.57 strike rate; 161* highest score
Still versatile and aggressive at the top of the Sri Lankan batting order, Tillakaratne Dilshan had a successful World Cup as his side made the knockout stage.
His unbeaten 161 was critical against Bangladesh, while in other games, his attacking play was vital in getting his side off to a good start.
6. Steven Smith (Australia)
15 of 20
8 matches; 402 runs; 67.00 batting average; 91.57 strike rate; 105 highest score
The man who hit the winning runs in the final for Australia follows at No. 6, as Steven Smith makes an entry into this list.
With over 400 runs, he became a vital member of the middle order wherever he batted and has truly started to deliver on his obvious talent.
5. Shikhar Dhawan (India)
16 of 20
8 matches; 412 runs; 51.50 batting average; 91.75 strike rate; 137 highest score
Opener Shikhar Dhawan helped India to the semi-finals with a strong effort with the bat, as he set a number of solid platforms for his team to build off.
He will be disappointed his efforts were not rewarded with a final berth, but it was a strong performance from a man who scored two centuries in the tournament.
4. Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe)
17 of 20
6 matches; 433 runs; 72.16 batting average; 106.91 strike rate; 138 highest score
One player who leaves a tremendous void in his team is Brendan Taylor, who has signed as a Kolpak player with Nottinghamshire.
Zimbabwe will really miss his contributions in all facets of the game, and his performances in the World Cup show what a classy player he is.
3. AB de Villiers (South Africa)
18 of 20
8 matches; 482 runs; 96.40 batting average; 144.31 strike rate; 162* highest score
South Africa’s captain, AB de Villiers, managed to juggle the responsibilities of leadership and stay in form with the bat as the Proteas reached the semi-finals.
His average of just under 100 shows how he regularly scored heavily, while a high strike rate is indicative of his ability to push the run rate at any time.
2. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
19 of 20
7 matches; 541 runs; 108.20 batting average; 105.87 strike rate; 124 highest score
Kumar Sangakkara’s final World Cup was a huge success for him personally, as he racked up over 500 runs at an average of more than 100.
He hit four consecutive centuries to blaze a trail for his Sri Lanka side, who will find him almost impossible to replace in their batting order.
1. Martin Guptill (New Zealand)
20 of 20
9 matches; 547 runs; 68.37 batting average; 104.58 strike rate; 237* highest score
Top of the pile is Martin Guptill of New Zealand, who was overshadowed by Brendon McCullum’s aggression but had an outstanding competition.
His best of 237 not out battered the beleaguered West Indies, while a century against Bangladesh helped the Black Caps overcome a tough opponent.
All stats courtesy of ESPNCricinfo, correct as of March 29.
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