Check out the top 5 batsmen at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
1) Tillakaratne Dilshan: Matches: 9
Runs: 500
Average: 62.50
This Swashbuckling opener from Sri Lanka was the top run getter of the tournament with 500 runs. Apart from failures against Australia and New Zealand, where he scored just four and three runs, he was consistent throughout the tournament. He hit 50 of 59 deliveries in the opening match of the tournament against Canada. He got off to good starts against Pakistan and Kenya (41 and 44) but failed to reach big scores. He scored his first century of the tournament against Zimbabwe smashing 144 from just 131 deliveries blasting sixteen hits to the fence and one over, sharing a record partnership of 282 with fellow opener Upul Tharanga.
His second century of the tournament (108 from 115 deliveries) crushed England in the quarter-finals as he along with Tharanga chased down the target of 230 in just 40 overs winning the match by 10 wickets. His crucial innings of 73 from 93 deliveries helped Sri Lanka out-class New Zealand in the semi-finals of the tournament. He failed at the final hurdle as he could manage only 33 runs against India in the finals of the tournament which saw his side lose the match by six wickets and a chance of lifting the prestigious trophy. He amassed 800 runs for the first wicket with Tharanga and was involved in three half-century and two century partnerships with Tharanga. He hit the highest number of boundaries (61) in the tournament and was named Man of the Match twice.
2) Sachin Tendulkar: Matches: 9
Runs: 482
Average: 53.55
This genius from India ended up as second-highest run getter of the tournament amassing 482 runs at an impressive average of 53.55 hitting two centuries and two half-centuries. Playing in what would probably be his last World Cup, the little genius stood up to the big occasions when it mattered against big teams scoring centuries against England and South Africa in the group stages. He started off slowly against England, but gathered pace in the latter stages of the games helping India post a mammoth 338. His innings of 120 from 115 balls with ten fours and five sixes was a perfect example of how an innings is built. Unfortunately a brilliant century from Strauss and poor bowling by India saw the match end up in a thrilling tie.
He got off to starts in the matches against Bangladesh, Netherlands and Ireland (28, 27 & 39) but couldn't carry on. He crushed the world's best bowling attack (South Africa) hitting 111 from 101 deliveries with eight hits to the fence and three over it, but was unlucky again as he didn't get support from rest of the batsmen and the bowlers.
His crucial innings of 53 against Australia in the quarter-finals helped India see-off the new ball and probably the most crucial period of the match. Though he was lucky against Pakistan, his crucial 85 runs helped India reach the biggest stage and earn him man of the match award. He looked confident in the finals hitting quick-fire 18 runs from 14 deliveries, which included his trademark straight drive, but unluckily lost out on his 100th century on the biggest day. He amassed 427 runs for the first wicket along with fellow opener Sehwag and was involved in one century and two half-century partnerships with Sehwag. He hit the second-highest number of boundaries in the tournament (52) and was named the man of the match for the crucial Semi-final game.
3) Kumar Sangakkara: Matches: 9
Runs: 465
Average: 93.00
The captain of the Lankan cricket team led from the front playing crucial knocks when it mattered the most hitting three half-centuries and a century at a staggering average of 93. He unluckily missed on his century in the first game of the tournament scoring 92 runs from 87 deliveries. If he would have stayed at the wicket for some more time against Pakistan (49) Sri Lanka would have definitely won the match. He stood up to the big Occasion hitting a gutsy 73 when they were in trouble at 31 for 2 in the washed out match against Australia. But his best innings came against New Zealand at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai where he single-handedly helped Sri Lanka win the match hitting 111 off 128 deliveries on a difficult wicket coming in at 13 for 1.
He played another man of the match innings of 54 runs in the Semi-finals against New Zealand putting up a century partnership with Dilshan. He was looking good in the finals, getting off to a good start against India but missed out on a big score, making 48 from 67 balls. He was involved in a staggering three century and four half-century partnerships, hitting 44 boundaries, with three not outs and two man of the match awards.
4) Jonathan Trott: Matches: 7
Runs: 422
Average: 60.28
This most consistent English performer was the fourth-highest run getter in the tournament scoring 422 runs in just seven matches. This was his first World Cup appearance and he justified his selection in the team by hitting five half-centuries from seven innings. He became the third English player to amass 400 runs in a World Cup behind Graham Gooch (471 in 1987-88) and Kevin Pietersen (444 in 2006-07).
His crucial innings of 62 in the opening match of the tournament contributed to team's nerve-wracking victory against Netherlands. His innings of run-a-ball 92 against Ireland went in vain thanks to a blistering fastest century of the World Cup century from Kevin O'Brien. Trott's crucial innings of 52, adding 99 runs with Ravi Bopara against South Africa helped them outclass South Africa by six runs and stay alive in the tournament. He top-scored with 67 against Bangladesh helping his team reach a respectable total against Bangladesh but that too went in vain as Bangladesh won the thrilling tie by two wickets.
He again top-scored against West Indies with a classy 47 from 38 deliveries helping the team reach quarter-finals winning the match by 18 runs. His brilliant run in the World Cup came to an end against Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals as his 86 runs went in vain, being crushed by the Lankans by 10 wickets. He was involved in five half-century and two century partnerships, unlucky to miss out on a man of the match award, but was the standout performer of the tournament for England.
5) Yuvraj Singh: Matches: 9
Runs: 362
Average: 90.50
The man of the tournament, this poster boy from Chandigarh had a dream tournament scoring 362 runs at a staggering average of 90.50. He was the best finisher of the tournament by far hitting four half-centuries and a century, four of which ended up in a winning cause. His innings of 58 from 50 balls against England helped India reach a mammoth total of 338, but unfortunately a brilliant century from Strauss and poor bowling by India saw the match end up in a thrilling tie. Chasing 208, coming in at 87 for 3 he added crucial 67 and unbeaten 43 runs with Dhoni and Pathan to crush Ireland by five wickets. With India struggling at 99 for 4 He added 40 runs and 52 unbeaten runs with Gambhir and Dhoni to chase down 190 against Netherlands and win his second man of the match award in a row.
He hit a blistering century (113 from 123 balls) against West Indies to help India attain second place in the league table. But the innings of his life came in the quarter-finals against Australia, coming in at 143 for 3 in the 29th over; chasing a tough total of 261 this lanky tall left-hander just crushed the opposition under lights hitting 57 from 65 balls adding 74 unbeaten runs with Raina and taking India a step closer to the dream finals. And finally it was his dream came true in the finals as he remained not out on 21 against Sri Lanka watching his captain take the center stage and win the Cup for the country. With one century and six half-century partnerships, four not outs and four man of the match awards clearly he was the best finisher and the player of the tournament by far.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
