by bigfluffylemon » Tue Jun 13, 2017 12:37 am
So with the group stage over, I've been perusing team of the tournament so far. There aren't a huge number of standouts, TBH.
Openers: Been a poor tournament for them, really. Dharwan and Iqbal are the only two to have really got anywhere, although Hales has been ok. Usually great performers like Warner, de Kock, Guptill have underperformed. Amla's numbers look ok, but they're boosted by a fairly facile victory against Sri Lanka - he wasn't really there when needed.
Batsmen: A few contenders here. Root has been dependable as ever. He never looks flashy, but seems to get the job done. Morgan's run of good form continues. Kohli is looking in ominous nick. Williamson did well but one felt that he needed to go on from his starts - collapses started happening when he got out when set. Mahmadullah also needs a mention - Ok, it's only been one substantial innings, but my what an innings!
Allrounders: Not been a superb tournament for them so far. Ben Stokes has to be up there, as the only allrounder to have contributed substantially with both bat and ball. Bowling hasn't been great, but he continues his knack of taking key wickets. Only real other contender for me is Shakib, but his bowling hasn't been good at all.
Keeper: No real standouts here. Jos Buttler, Safraz Ahmed and Dickwella have all contributed runs when needed and been ok behind the stumps.
Quicks: Lots of possibles in this category, it's hard to narrow down! Hazlewood is the tournament's leading wicket taker, despite Australia's overall poor performance. Mark Wood and Liam Plunkett have both done very well. Morne Morkel can hold his head high as SA go home early - he certainly did everything he could. Hasan Ali has played a key role in both Pakistan's victories. Junaid Khan and B Kumar have also both been reliable, with good economy and taking important wickets.
Spinners: Adil Rashid showed just how wrong England were to leave him out for the first game with two cracking performances so far in a tournament that hasn't done much for spinners. His only real competition has been the ever-reliable Imran Tahir.