The ICC World Cup 2019 has seen 24 amazing matches so far and despite some of the matches being rained out, the tournament has been a very interesting one thus far. India and New Zealand are the only teams not to lose any match, while Australian and England tops the table with four wins in five matches.
Individual performances by top players from each side have been the reason for the top four teams to be where they are at the moment. Some of the best innings and bowling displays have been seen in this tournament and Team COC presents to you the Mid tournament XI of the ICC World Cup 2019, which seesthe best of the best in the tournament so far.
David Warner (AUS)
281 runs in 5 innings with one century at average of 70.25 and strike rate of 76.98
David Warner had come into this tournament with a lot to prove after being away from the international cricket for 12 months. He came back strongly in the tournament with mature innings of 89 against Afghanistan in the first match for Australia. However, he came into his own against Pakistan as he slammed a brilliant 107 in 111 balls to help his team win against Men in Green. Warner has been starting off slowly and is yet to get into his intimidating batting style, which is a warning for the teams who are yet to face the wrath of the talented opening batsmen.
Rohit Sharma (IND)
319 runs in 3 innings with two centuries at average of 159.50 and strike rate of 97.55Indian opener Rohit Sharma has been in terrific form in 2019 and just showed his dominance against Pakistan. He had the responsibility of giving the team a brisk start, as Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the tournament thanks to a fracture in his thumb and he was opening for the first time with KL Rahul. He took the bull by the horns and completed a century in 80-odd balls. There is more to come from the hitman, as India plays Afghanistan, Bangladesh, England and West Indies in coming matches.
Aaron Finch (AUS)
343 runs in 5 innings with one century at average of 68.60 and strike rate of 110.64
Aaron Finch is having a dream 2019, with amazing scores since the tour of India and UAE, against Pakistan. He has been reeling off century after century and recently thumped 153 against Sri Lanka and has been so good that it has given Warner time to get himself in and ease himself into the team again. Finch is definitely leading Australia from the front.
Joe Root (ENG)
367 runs in 5 innings with two centuries at average of 91.75 and strike rate of 99.72
Joe Root has shown why in a team filled with aggressive players who have innovative shots to score runs at a high speed, his technique and finesse works perfectly in the current scenario as well, as he is on the second spot for most runs in the tournament with two centuries to his name already with the highest score of 107 coming against Pakistan.
Eoin Morgan (ENG-C)
249 runs in 4 innings with one century at average of 62.25 and strike rate of 136.81
Eoin Morgan destroyed Afghanistan the other day as he slammed 148 runs in just 71 balls with a world record 17 sixes. He has been the face of the new-look England side, as he has transformed the team into a modern trendsetter who has changed the ODI game into a frantic batting extravaganza. Morgan gives the team stability or impetus as situation demands as per the team’s need.
Jos Buttler (ENG-WK)
187 runs in 4 innings with one century at average of 46.75 and strike rate of 135.50
England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has been amazing for the team and in the opportunities, he has got in the tournament so far, has shown why he is such highly rated by experts and fans as well. He scored an amazing century in an astonishing chase of 348 runs against Pakistan and will do the same in another opportunity arises.
Shakib Al Hasan (BAN)
384 runs and 5 wickets with two centuries at average of 128.00 and strike rate of 103.78
The man of the moment so far in the tournament, Bangladesh’s Shakib-Al-Hasan reigns at the top of the run making chart of World Cup with 384 runs with two centuries to his name, one of which came in a victory against West Indies, as the Tigers chased down 322 runs with over 9 overs to go. He has also picked 5 wickets and has become highly important ever since he convinced team management that he should bat at no.3.
Jofra Archer (ENG)
12 wickets in 5 matches with best of 3/27 at economy of 4.84
Jofra Archer came into the tournament with much hype over him, but he has justified all of that with 12 wickets in 5 matches and some intimidating bowling at opponents. Archer has shown why he was rated so highly by those who have followed his career and England has benefitted from having two bowlers who can go over 95 mph with ease and make batsmen uncomfortable, with Archer being one of them.
Mitchell Starc (AUS)
13 wickets in 5 matches with best of 5/46 at economy of 4.51
Mitchell Starc came into the World Cup with questions over his fitness and form, but 13 wickets in 5 matches along with a fifer to his name, has quashed every rumor. Starc has found his swing and seam and is bowling with fire in his belly given that he had lots to prove in the tournament.
Mohammad Amir (PAK)
13 wickets in 5 matches with best of 5/30 at economy of 4.72
Mohammad Amir has been the lone warrior in the bowling department of Pakistani team in their dismal performance in the tournament so far. He has 13 wickets to his name with a brilliant 5/30 against Australia. Failure of batsmen and other bowlers to support him has made his performances mean nothing. He was also the only one to shine against India with a three-wicket haul and got something out of the pitch and air after his captain’s decision to bowl first on a batting pitch.
Imran Tahir (SA)
8 wickets in 5 matches with best of 4/29 at economy of 5.54
South Africa is having a horrible time in this World Cup with just one win in 5 matches and losses to the likes of Bangladesh. But Imran Tahir has been the shining light in the dark cloud for the team with 8 wickets in 5 matches with a best of 4/29 coming against Afghanistan on Proteas’ first win in the tournament.
COC Mid-Tournament XI of ICC World Cup 2019:
David Warner (AUS), Rohit Sharma (IND), Aaron Finch (AUS), Joe Root (ENG), Eoin Morgan (ENG-C), Jos Buttler (ENG-WK), Shakib Al Hasan (BAN), Jofra Archer (ENG), Mitchell Starc (AUS), Mohammad Amir (PAK), Imran Tahir (SA)