The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is now two-weeks old, and with the tournament taking a one-day break, we take a look at the best and worst performers of the tournament so far.
The dominators: New Zealand and India have clearly been the two best sides in the event so far, and by some distance at that. Kiwis, the co-hosts in the event, head into the third week of the World Cup with four wins out of four matches. They began their World Cup campaign with a scintillating display against Sri Lanka, and after a slight hiccup against Scotland recovered to dismantle England with ease. The match against co-hosts Australia was being viewed by many as the match of the league stage, and it turned out to be one as the match produced a pulsating encounter. In the end credit to New Zealand for keeping their cool and pulling through.
The key to New Zealand's success has been that most of their big names have fired. Brendon McCullum has been absolutely unbelievable in the manner that he mauled England and Australia. Kane Williamson has also maintained a cool head. If you look at their bowling, both Tim Southee and Trent Boult have come up with match-winning efforts during the course of the event so far. There is hardly a foot New Zealand have put wrong thus far.
India: Rather surprisingly, India are the other unbeaten team in the event. Not much was expected of them following their horror run in Australia in the build up to the World Cup. But, they kicked off their campaign with a memorable win over Pakistan at Adelaide, and gave the fans more reason for joy with a brilliant display at Melbourne against the South Africans. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have displayed excellent form after a poor tri-series while Suresh Raina and Ajinkya Rahane have also played crucial hands. The bowlers have also picked themselves up after the horrors of recent times. Thanks to the easy win over UAE on Saturday, India head into the third week of the mega event with three triumphs out of three. They couldn't have asked for a better start.
Ireland: Always ready to spring a surprise, Ireland yet again kicked off their World Cup campaign in incredible fashion, dismantling former champions West Indies in their opening encounter with a professional display. Although they were in trouble against the UAE, they found a way out and recovered to victory. The likes of Paul Stirling, the O'Brien brothers and Gary Wilson have continued to impress with the bat. Ireland would be keen to maintain their winning momentum.
Noteworthy mentions: Former champions Sri Lanka and Australia have had a mixed tournament so far. Australia began their campaign with a comfortable win over England, but after the washout against Bangladesh met co-hosts New Zealand in the biggest match of the tournament so far, and came second best, if only just. With Sri Lanka, the case has been the opposite. After a poor start against New Zealand, and a not so impressive show against Afghanistan, they have comeback with massive wins over Bangladesh, and most recently England. South Africa too have recovered well. After being undone by India, they came up with a spectacular showing against West Indies to return back in contention.
The disasters: Englandcertainly are the first in line here. Apart from a comprehensive win against Scotland, they have been thrashed by Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. West Indies on the other hand lost to Ireland and South Africa, but have beaten Pakistan and Zimbabwe. As for Pakistan, they have been as disappointing as England, somehow scraping to their first World Cup 2015 win over Zimbabwe on Sunday.
--By A Cricket Analyst
