As the dust settles on a thrilling World Twenty20 and the West Indies continue to celebrate becoming the fourth title holders, Sport360 decided to look back over the three weeks and offer our picks from all the action including, of course, our team of the tournament.
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT – Shane Watson
The Australian all-rounder had a sensational tournament as he ended with 249 runs, 11 wickets and three catches in six matches. Such was his impact that the rest of the Australian line-up was hardly ever tested as they churned out massive wins. But when he failed, in the last Super Eights match against Pakistan and against the West Indies in the semis, the Aussies folded up.
Figures: 49.8 – Batting average; 16 – Bowling average; 16- Sixes struck during the tournament
BEST BOWLER – Ajantha Mendis
It was feared world cricket had lost Mendis after his alarming dip in form following a sensational debut against India in 2008. But the genial rightarm ‘all sorts’ bowler showed his mettle by troubling one and all with his variations and control. What stood out was he did well in the semi-final against Pakistan – a team which plays spin better than most.
Figures: 9.8 – bowling average; 55 – wickets taken during the tournament; 03 – Maiden overs bowled, the most by any bowler
BEST BATSMAN – Chris Gayle
The West Indies opener is the undisputed king of the T20 format. The wickets in Sri Lanka were supposed to be sluggish, but Gayle took the pitch out of the equation, using his sledgehammer of a bat to amass 219 runs from five innings and clubbed 16 sixes in the process. More importantly, he reserved his best against Australia in the semifinal.
Figures: 44.4 – Batting average; 19 – Sixes hit during the tournament; 03 – wickets taken during the tournament
BEST MOVE – Captaincy switch
With a suspension threat due to slow over-rate looming, Sri Lanka made a smart but controversial move in the last Super Eights game against England by fielding Kumar Sangakkara as the captain even though regular skipper Mahela Jayawardene and vice- captain Angelo Mathews were in the squad. The Lankans were on a one-match notice for slow over-rate and had another indiscretion occurred, both Mahela and Angelo would have faced a ban. An astute move, which ensured the captain’s safety.
BEST SPELL – Sunil Narine (3-9)
With a low total to defend, the West Indies were under the pump. Sri Lanka needed a bit over a run a ball and crossed 50 with just two wickets down. But Narine turned on the heat at the half-way stage by removing the dangerous Jayawardene. Later, when a rearguard innings by Kulasekara was blooming, Narine held his nerve and had the seamer caught at deep cover. His figures of 3-9 from 3.4 overs were like gold dust and that it came in the final made it extraordinary.
BEST FIGHTBACK – Marlon Samuels (78 in final)
The West Indies seemed to have completely lost the plot in the first 10 overs as they stuttered to 32-2. The Sri Lankan bowlers had the Windies frozen. But Samuels didn’t let the exit of Chris Gayle affect the innings as he targeted one of the smartest bowlers in T20 – Lasith Malinga – to start the fightback. Samuels was the only batsman who stood out in the final and it was one of the best innings under pressure in a final.
FLOP SHOW – Hashim Amla
A lot was expected of Amla after his sensational run in international cricket over the past season. But as is the case with South Africa in every ICC trophy, form and luck deserts them at the first instance. Amla managed just 71 runs from five innings and his failure at the top led to the South African batting floundering. With partner Richard Levi too faltering, South Africa were always providing easy fodder to the opponents. No wonder they didn’t make it past the Super Eights.
TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
Mahela Jayawardene (C)– Sri Lanka
Innings: 7 Runs: 243 Strike rate: 116.26
A shrewd leader and a classy top order batsman, Jayawardene towers above the field for having done extremely well in both aspects.
Shane Watson – Australia
Innings: 6 Runs: 249 Strike rate: 150 Wickets: 11
A dangerous opener and an equally effective medium-pacer. The numbers he accumulated during the tournament reveal it all.
Chris Gayle – West Indies
Innings: 6 Runs: 222 Strike rate: 150.00
He is in such imperious form that he will be the first player to pencilled in any World XI. Being lefthanded makes the opening combo simply lethal.
Virat Kohli – India
Innings: 5 Runs: 185 Strike rate: 122.51
Kohli’s ability to dominate spin and pace alike makes him an easy candidate for the No3 slot. He can anchor the innings well and is a also brilliant fielder.
Marlon Samuels – West Indies
Innings: 6 Runs: 230 Strike rate: 132.94
After that knock in the final do we need to say about his batting ability? Samuels is also a useful offspinner and a superb fielder.
Luke Wright – England
Innings: 5 Runs: 193 Strike rate: 169.29
He was the find of the tournament for England stringing in fantastic batting performances. Check out the strike rate to understand why we got him in.
Brendon McCullum (WK)– New Zealand
Innings: 5 Runs: 212 Strike rate: 159.39
The highest run-getter in T20I may not be the ideal choice to stand up to the spinners but he muscles in on the back of his batting excellence.
Ajantha Mendis – Sri Lanka
Innings: 6 Wickets: 15 Economy Rate: 6.12
If fully fit the mystery leg-spinner can surely conjure his magic and rattle the best in business like he did in the tournament.
Saeed Ajmal – Pakistan
Innings: 6 Wickets: 9 Economy Rate: 6.79
The wily off-spinner can walk into any current World XI in any format such is his control over his craft. Ajmal is always a threat once he marks his crease.
Dale Steyn – South Africa
Innings: 5 Wickets: 6 Economy Rate: 4.82
The best pace bowler in world cricket at the moment, Steyn can make life miserable for batsmen with both his speed and economy.
Mitchell Starc – Australia
Innings: 6 Wickets: 10 Economy Rate: 6.83
The left-arm speedster compliments Steyn well since he is equally lethal with the angles he creates and the pace he generates.
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