The scoffs and barbs from their respective fans are expected, but some players have managed to break away from the mental cobwebs and deliver match influencing performances. The age old adage of “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” could be applicable for all the players on this list.
We’re twenty-nine matches into the World Cup. While the likes of New Zealand and India have embossed their clout in the matches they have played so far, the likes of England, Pakistan and Zimbabwe have been struggling to find consistency in their performances.
The scoffs and barbs from their respective fans are expected, but some players have managed to break away from the mental cobwebs and deliver match influencing performances. The age old adage of “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” could be applicable for all the players on this list.
Chris Woakes
Chris Woakes has been improving steadily (File photo)
Prior to the tournament, experts were betting on England’s stellar bowling attack to lead the way for them. Surprisingly, that’s not been the case so far. Their pace lynchpin, James Anderson has leaked 182 runs for the two wickets that he’s picked so far.
But, England definitely have some positives to take away from the four games they have played in the tournament. Twenty six year old pacer, Woakes has kept things tight for England. He’s been unfortunate to not have picked up more wickets. Chris has been hitting the deck hard consistently.
At a time when a target of three hundred seems manageable, Woakes managed to eke out a bowling average of 34.00 and has picked up five wickets in the process.
Wahab Riaz
Wahab Riaz has been Pakistan's stand out performer (File photo)
Pakistan’s jittery performance at this World Cup is as a result of their below par batting performances. While the batsmen have looked fragile, the bowlers have just about managed to keep them alive in the tournament. A loss against Zimbabwe would have put them back on the plane home.
But their fighting spirit has ultimately shone through. Pacer, Wahab Riaz has picked up eight wickets so far. His in built aggression has provided some much needed inspiration to his team mates. He has been clever enough to mix it up with an efficacious slower ball every now and then. He also scored an important fifty against Zimbabwe.
Samiullah Shenwari
Samiullah Shenwari has been Afghanistan's rock in batting (India.com)
Afghanistan had to play the qualifiers to enter the World Cup. But their duel against Scotland produced one of the matches of the tournament. At the heart of their victory was right hand batsman, Shenwari. He played a mature innings where more than 50% of his runs (96) came in fours and sixes.
He has also held his own against more potent bowling attacks like Sri Lanka, when he scored a stylish thirty-eight. Shenwari was unfortunate to be run-out at 42 against Bangladesh.
Trivia- Shenwari has scored 193 runs in four games. His ice cool demeanor has also won many hearts.
Josh Davey
Josh Davey has been exceptional for Scotland (India.com)
Rewind back a couple of years and things were looking bleak for Davey. The Scottish seam bowler was released from his contract at Middlesex following a host of mediocre performances. To make matters worse, he was also dropped for Scotland’s World Cup qualifiers back in Janurary, 2014. But those unkind days seem to have finally disappeared. He’s picked up eleven wickets in three matches at an impressive economy rate of 5.67.Scotland might have lost their opening three matches, but Josh has been a revelation and he’ll be hoping his team can cause an upset or two in the second half of the tournament.
Shaiman Anwar
Shaiman Anwar scored the fastest century by a UAE player in ODI cricket (India.com)
Until February 25th, Shaiman Anwar was a cricketer functioning in incognito mode. If he had any intention of showing up, it had to be during the World Cup. He didn’t disappoint. His swashbuckling hundred against Ireland caught the eye of the cricketing world. After all, he did score the faster century ever by a UAE batsman in an ODI.
Not a bad position to be in for the man who was once a driver for a shipping organization in Dubai. Anwar has been the keystone of the UAE batting line up in all the three matches so far. He’s piled on 270 runs and has been scoring at an notable strike rate of 100. Incredibly, he has been the highest scorer in the tournament so far.
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