Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket World Cup 2019: Team of the Tournament. CWC 2019 Team of the Tournament. Best XI from CWC 2019.
So, how are we all doing after that? After months of predictions and discussion points both before and during ODI Cricket’s showpiece tournament, we had a Final that no one could have predicted. We witnessed the greatest ODI of all time, 20 years after that incredible Semi Final.
It was a day of joy for England, lifting the World Cup for the first ever time with a mix of good fortune and calmness under pressure at Lord’s. It was also a tournament of joy for a number of players, as we now discuss the combined XI.
While the ICC did itself no favours with some absurd rules, the tournament itself saw a number of excellent performers, which makes this XI a difficult one to choose. To do so, I will take into consideration the fact that big totals aren’t a must if you have the bowling attack to deliver the goods, as was the case in a tournament where batting didn’t dominate as much as was thought.
Agree or disagree with the XI? Leave a comment!
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1. Rohit Sharma
9 matches, 648 runs, average: 81.00, SR: 98.33
With a world record five centuries in a single World Cup, Rohit Sharma makes my team of the tournament. He had quite a bit of luck throughout the campaign having being dropped five times, but it takes a class player to make the opposition pay.
His century against Pakistan was a highlight, along with a fighting knock against South Africa in India’s first game. He played a key role in getting India to top spot, after which they were hurt by his failure in the Semi Final, highlighting his importance.
2. David Warner
10 matches, 647 runs, average: 71.88, SR: 89.36
Jason Roy’s impact on England’s fortunes made this a difficult choice. However, Warner, largely solid at the top, enabled Australia to get off to strong starts, in the end masking Australia’s middle order worries.
There were fluent days (I.e. Pakistan, South Africa) and not so much (India, Sri Lanka), but it was a strong return to international cricket for Warner despite missing out in the Semi Final.
3. Kane Williamson (c)
10 matches, 578 runs, average: 82.57, SR: 74.96
Whether you agree with his man of the tournament award or not, one thing we can agree on is New Zealand would not have even reached the Semi Finals had it not been for Kane Williamson. Their inspirational skipper carried them right throughout the group stage, with his centuries against South Africa and West Indies two of his finest knocks.
With Martin Guptill having such a poor campaign, Williamson found himself facing the music very early in each of his nine knocks. His excellent captaincy throughout the tournament – which included defending modest scores in the Semi Final and Final (nearly) makes him captain of the CWC 2019 XI.
It ended in heartbreak, but it was a great tournament from a champion.
4. Shakib Al Hasan
8 matches, 606 runs, average: 86.57, SR: 96.03. 11 wickets, average: 36.27, econ. rate: 5.39
Could a player have been considered for man of the tournament even if his team didn’t reach the knockout phase? When it’s this guy, absolutely.
Shakib Al Hasan produced one of the all-time individual World Cup efforts. He became the first man to score 400 runs and take 10 wickets in a single tournament. Then 500. Then 600. He had an equal-WC record seven 50+ scores in his eight innings, with his lowest score a still respectable 41. His strike rate against good length deliveries was over 90, showing just how brilliant he was in rotating the strike en route to a mountain of runs.
Unfortunately, his teammates often couldn’t provide the support to get Bangladesh into the top four. If they had, he would have easily won man of the tournament, which is ironic given it is an individual award.
5. Ben Stokes
11 matches, 465 runs, average: 66.42, SR: 93.18. 7 wickets, average: 35.14, econ. rate: 4.83
Easy decision. Ben Stokes was England’s best player in CWC 2019, making their World Cup dream a reality with an incredible performance in the Final.
Indeed, when England had their shaky periods, it was Ben Stokes who stood up to be counted. His half centuries against Sri Lanka and Australia earlier in the tournament were mighty impressive amid the carnage, contributing to a fine campaign.
His bowling was tidy, too, going for under five an over. And, of course, who could ever forget that catch?
6. Alex Carey (wk)
10 matches, 375 runs, average: 62.50, SR: 104.16. 20 dismissals: 18 catches, 2 stumpings
Expected Jos Buttler to be here at the beginning of the tournament? You weren’t alone.
Alex Carey had an outstanding tournament, finishing as one of Australia’s best players. He either gave the flailing innings important impetus at the end, or rescued Australia from a precarious position. In the end, no other keeper scored more than his 378, to go with his tournament-high 20 dismissals.
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7. Jimmy Neesham
10 matches, 232 runs, average: 33.14, SR: 78.91. 15 wickets, average: 15.46, econ. rate: 5.35
Jimmy Neesham was one of New Zealand’s heroes in their campaign. A player with renewed focus and belief (to go with his outstanding social media presence), Neesham added another dimension to the bowling attack in particular.
With New Zealand often struggling with the bat, Neesham was needed to perform well with the ball as the Black Caps relied on bowling well as a unit to win games. He bowled superbly in the Final, taking his tally to a very impressive 15 to go with 200+ runs, in addition to nearly pulling off an incredible win in the Super Over.
8. Mitchell Starc
10 matches, 27 wickets, average: 18.59, econ. rate: 5.43
A given. Mitchell Starc took a record 27 wickets, eclipsing Australia great Glenn McGrath who took 26 in the 2007 World Cup.
Starc was brilliant, carrying the Aussie attack with Pat Cummins throughout the early matches. He continued to pick up wickets of quality players, with highlights being his five wicket hauls against West Indies and New Zealand that saw Australia home in those games.
9. Jofra Archer
Matches 11, 20 wickets, average: 23.05, econ. rate: 4.57
There were concerns about England’s attack heading into the tournament, often conceding big totals. However, the introduction of Jofra Archer has added another dimension to England’s attack, resulting in a lift from the likes of Mark Wood and Liam Plunkett.
Archer did more than simply predict what would happen in this World Cup. He constantly threatened throughout the tournament, giving England crucial control with his economy rate, picking up wickets along the way. He just held his nerve in the Super Final to end a quality campaign with glory.
10. Lockie Ferguson
9 matches, 21 wickets, average: 19.47, econ. rate: 4.88
There were qualms that Lockie Ferguson should have bowled the Super Over ahead of Trent Boult in the Final.
That is testament to his great tournament, with Ferguson producing a performance that made New Zealand a threat with the ball right throughout CWC 2019. His pace was testament to his fitness, constantly on the prowl for wickets right up until his excellent effort in the classic Final. In the end, he finished second only to Mitchell Starc with 21 wickets.
11. Jasprit Bumrah
9 matches, 18 wickets, average: 20.61, econ. rate: 4.41
The best bowler in the world across formats. Take a look at his economy rate!
Jasprit Bumrah had an excellent tournament, proving his worth as one of India’s most prized assets. He constantly delivered at all stages of the innings, with highlights being his death bowling against Afghanistan (six yorkers in one over) and England (26 in last 5 overs) to keep India in matches.
The likes of Jason Roy, Joe Root, Babar Azam, Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mustafizur Rahman all had a case to make the XI, but just missed out.
What do you think of this team?
Download: Making cricket an interactive experience! Discover Harrison Cricket Apps ODI version. For full screenshots, click here.
Thanks for reading!
