by Best player
Mark Ramprakash Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) was excellent in the opening match of the tournament and his level hardly dropped. He is a very talented left-hander, very aesthetically pleasing to look at, who hits the ball with elegant power and has a good head on his shoulders. Throw into the mix some exciting left-arm spin and you have a serious talent with a bright future.
Barney Ronay Mohammed Shami (India). A serious impact in a team already steamrollering the field. Fast-medium line and length is the new rock and roll.
Ali Martin The ICC confirmed that it is still a plumping batsman game for Virat Kohli (India). But despite his runs, it was probably Shami – who delivered the most accurate work outside of Rae Savile – who stood out in the competition.
Geoff Lemon Azmatullah Omarzai brought all the change, who changed Afghanistan from spin-heavy to batting-light. Attacked the good bowling, scored quickly, kept comfortable, often unbeaten, and bowled hard takeovers with quick swing at times.
Simon Burnton Openers have averaged more than 50 in previous World Cups, but Rohit Sharma (India) in this tournament has never stayed at the strike rate. Game after game he set the tone for India in the most impressive style and under the most pressure, freeing up the rest of his batsmen to achieve all sorts of ridiculous things.
Tanya Aldred Kohli. Exhaled the pressure, despite 48 cut off the size of life after him to Eden Gardens, 49 to Bengaluru. Out-Beckhamed the Kiwis in the semi-final, they made another 50 in the final, before tournament captain Pat Cummins undid it.
Best game
THE QUESTION There were a lot of good matches but Afghanistan v Australia was definitely the most memorable, with the outsiders going into a position they are likely to win easily 99 times out of 100 except for the innings of the tournament from Glenn Maxwell to win. out of their understanding.
BR There was the Australia v South Africa semi-final, which was not so close in the end and there were no fireworks, but the beauty of the umbrellas of a low-scoring 50-over game was re-announced.
A.M Maxwell launching his inner Business in Mumbai, rising from a state of constricted rigor mortis to the floor in Afghanistan with the greatest ODI innings ever. Australia, not always persuasive up to this point, suddenly dared to dream.
GL Australia v New Zealand. A run-fest, but worth it because of the forces of David Warner and Travis Head taking New Zealand’s opening bowlers down, then the courage and class of Ravindra and James Neesham in pursuit.
SB South Africa against Pakistan was the first real thriller of the tournament, chasing 271 with a wicket to spare after Tabraiz Shamsi, who went on to score the winning runs, somehow survived a very tight lbw decision with eight runs still required.
TA South Africa v Pakistan: a slow-burn thriller. A toss and a toss, Shaheen Shah Afridi in full swing, brilliance from Mohammad Wasim and South Africa down nine to 11 needed.
Best moment
THE QUESTION Kohli hitting his 50th ODI ton in the semi-final against New Zealand and then bowing to the great Sachin Tendulkar, who ended his career with 49. I was lucky enough to witness and play against Tendulkar and watch his career Great life, and see Kohli. imitating and then surpassing it felt like a moment in history.
BR Afghanistan who won the world champions. A momentous occasion in the history of cricket and a moment of pure joy for players and fans.
A.M The funniest thing, for sure, was Angelo Mathews when he was eliminated. Shakib Al Hasan, the old “Spirit of Cricket” debate did not blink, officials bided their time and Mathews posted evidence on social media to the contrary. That’s a silly sport.
GL Maxwell’s salmon impression, flat on his back with cramps in Mumbai runs ahead of another 60 or so in the greatest double century the world will ever see. Sports generator.
SB Some Indian players seemed a little too focused on individual milestones at times, which is not really done, but hitting sixes to complete your maiden century of the tournament and win a match, as Kohli did against of Bangladesh in Pune, that’s great. .
TA David Miller made his debut with a hammering six off Cummins in the semi-final – keeping South Africa’s innings together when all seemed lost (in the end it was).
The 50-over World Cup is likely to be…
THE QUESTION … forward. With the absence of bilateral 50-over series, there seems to be a perception that we can do without these games and prepare for the occasional tournament. It is clear that T20s will be the dominant format but, with Test cricket declining outside the top three nations, I think ODIs will remain at No. 2, and the World Cup award will remain.
BR … fondly remembered in books.
A.M … live on, since broadcast deals are signed up until 2031. And they should. With the global landscape split in two directions, it provides a platform for the best red and white ball players to come together and compete.
GL … keep going as India will be looking to win one more before they give up. The frustration of this loss, for all of them, will run deep and last a long time.
SB … teams are needed to take it seriously. It’s a great format. But not staging them just before the bilateral ODI World Cup series makes little sense, and I fear that as attention returns to T20s the 50-over game will quietly fade into the shadows. Poorly prepared teams make for shambolic and unpredictable competitions (they can be a lot of fun, in a dirty way).
TA … to quit, despite their squeezed status between T20s and Test matches – although the format has to change. The round spike may be aesthetically pleasing but it goes on, and on, for a long time.
In 2027 England will…
THE QUESTION … no World Cup winners in the team, and a completely different side. I don’t expect them to be one of your favourites: that’s not to say they don’t have good players, but the attitude at the highest level in this country towards the 50-over game has shown over completely ready.
BR… progress into a bold new future under captain Moeen Ali, led by Jonny Bairstow and Wayne Larkins at the top, re-inventing the game once again under head coach great man Salt Bae.
AM … enjoy the golf courses in southern Africa; and the pitches are probably heavier between rounds. But the likely turnover of players (and the captain), as well as the decline in ODIs, will not make it easy to create a title-contending team by then.
GL… revolutionizing world cricket with cybernetic AI implants before Australia wins the World Cup anyway with Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark and Doug Bollinger.
SB… have a decent squad and they will play 16 ODIs between July 2026 and January 2027, including three away at World Cup co-hosts South Africa (where they will also play three Tests and three T20s that winter ), and therefore I am in danger of turning up in a reasonable nickname. Hope is what kills you, etc.
TA… most of those who received full central contracts will retire smoothly this year. Zak Crawley will guide them to semi-final glory, where they will fall in a heap to eventual winners Pakistan.
