Today the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is 17 days old, with 26 days before the final is played on the MCG on 29 March. And although appearing to go slowly, the tournament has provided its share of thrillers and upsets.
So far 23 matches have been played for 3 cliffhangers: New Zealand beating Australia by one wicket, Ireland victorious against UAE by two wickets, and Afghanistan defeating Scotland by one wicket in a battle of the minnows.
The big shock of the tournament has been the defeat of the once mighty West Indies by Ireland.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka are on top in Pool A. India is on top of Pool B, followed by South Africa, Ireland and West Indies.
India defeating Pakistan on the Adelaide Oval and the Cup favourites South Africa on the MCG (watched by almost 85,000 spectators) have been among the highlights as far as crowd involvement goes.
Furthermore, we have seen some extraordinary individual performances.
The inconsistent West Indies giant Chris Gayle became the first batsman to hit a double century in a World Cup, and the only non-Indian to register a double century in one day internationals. His 215 runs against Zimbabwe came at a strike rate of 146.25, which included 10 fours and 16 sixes. He has scored 258 runs at an average of 64.50 and a strike rate of 112.17 in this tournament.
South Africa’s captain AB de Villiers hit a spectacular 162 not out off 66 balls at an amazing strike rate of 245.45 against the West Indies at the SCG last Friday. He smacked 17 fours and 8 sixes. This was one of the most spellbinding innings I have seen in over 60 years of watching cricket.
Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara is the only one in World Cup 2015 to hit two centuries and affect two stumpings. He has scored most runs at the best average (268 runs at 134.00).
New Zealand’s inspiring leader Brendon McCullum has been the most dynamic performer. A brainy captain, he plays and thinks cricket. Against England at Wellington on February 20, he hammered 77 off 25 balls at a strike rate of 308 – this was against a top-class attack of Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn.
Kiwi quickie Tim Southee has taken most wickets thus far, 13. His best figures were 7 for 33, against England at Wellington in the above match, which New Zealand won by 8 wickets with 226 balls remaining.
His partner in pace, left-armer Trent Boult, was behind New Zealand routing Australia for 151 runs at Auckland last Saturday when he captured 5 for 27. This resulted in New Zealand beating Australia by one wicket in a low-scoring thriller.
Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc took 6 for 28 in the same match, to see Australia lose by a whisker. His haul saw him become the only Australian to twice take six wickets in a one-day international.
The outstanding spinner has been South Africa’s leg-break and googly bowler Imran Tahir, who has taken nine wickets so far with 5 for 45 against the West Indies at the SCG last Friday his best.
The plot thickens. Hope it boils quicker, the wait between matches has been too long.
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