I was thinking what my World XI might be based purely on the form demonstrated in this tournament. I came up with this:
Jos Buttler (WK) (England) Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) Babar Azam (Pakistan) Kane Williamson (C) (New Zealand) Aidan Markram (South Africa) Shoaib Malik (Pakistan) Hasaranga de Silva (Sri Lanka) Anrich Nortje (South Africa) Trent Boult (New Zealand) Adam Zampa (Australia) Jasprit Bumrah (India)
I'm sure other people will have vastly differing views especially as I can only find one place for an England player. Hopefully, those struggling for consistency will come good in the semis and final.
I was thinking what my World XI might be based purely on the form demonstrated in this tournament. I came up with this:
Jos Buttler (WK) (England) Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) Babar Azam (Pakistan) Kane Williamson (C) (New Zealand) Aidan Markram (South Africa) Shoaib Malik (Pakistan) Hasaranga de Silva (Sri Lanka) Anrich Nortje (South Africa) Trent Boult (New Zealand) Adam Zampa (Australia) Jasprit Bumrah (India)
I'm sure other people will have vastly differing views especially as I can only find one place for an England player. Hopefully, those struggling for consistency will come good in the semis and final.
Don't think it's totally surprising that you'd only have the one England player. I don't think we've been brilliant with the ball, but generally solid. Rashid is probably our best one day bowler but it's been a real team effort. Couple of cameos with the bat but Buttler the obvious stand out.
Only one I'd swap in your team is Warner for Rizwan. Rashid unlucky perhaps.
Williamson doesn't get anywhere near my team of the tournament. Nor does Malik (runs against Scotland basically don't count)
Williamson is in because he is captain and has consistently proven that, on dodgy tracks, he can bat through as he proved against Mujeeb, Rashid and Nabi with his 40* and his 33* against India. Malik is, admittedly, more debatable and although his 54* was against Scotland that was off 18 balls. Not many have done that against anyone in this tournament. He also scored 26* off 20 against NZ to see them home and 19 off 15 at a vital time to beat Afghanistan. Three major contributions from three and an average of 99 in the tournament.
? Why Billings captained the holders of out T20 blast !!!!
And Vince captained the Southern Brave in the Hundred? Nothing against Billings I just think Vince is a better player
They have different roles, though. Vince is similar to malan. Morgan has got his team in a clear structure where everyone knows their roles. Billings is more in the Morgan mould, so would bat at a similar position.
Vince is dreadful. Very good county player and always looks good but has been found out time and again at international level. He was really quite poor when coming in for Roy in the 50 over wold cup. There was much panic the longer he was in the side and mass relief when Roy was available again for the latter stages. Billings no doubt would have played if he hadn't got injured in the buildup to the tournament - in fact wasnt he named in the squad only for Vince to replace him when he got injured. Billings was in this squad ahead of him as well.
Please not Vince. I dont understand how he gets anywhere near this squad. I know Root, Hales and Stokes are considered unavailable for this tournament but I would have an our of form Banton in the squad ahead of him too. Vince and Malan in the top 3 in T20 world cup would be an absolute disaster.
Bairstow to open and Livingstone to 4 mean we are getting the next best opener we have and getting much more from Livingstone which needs to happen. Billings is the perfect finisher to come in and strengthens the fielding.
Williamson doesn't get anywhere near my team of the tournament. Nor does Malik (runs against Scotland basically don't count)
Williamson is in because he is captain and has consistently proven that, on dodgy tracks, he can bat through as he proved against Mujeeb, Rashid and Nabi with his 40* and his 33* against India. Malik is, admittedly, more debatable and although his 54* was against Scotland that was off 18 balls. Not many have done that against anyone in this tournament. He also scored 26* off 20 against NZ to see them home and 19 off 15 at a vital time to beat Afghanistan. Three major contributions from three and an average of 99 in the tournament.
Asalanka, Nissanka, van der Dussen and even Asif Ali are all pretty hacked off with you right now
Williamson doesn't get anywhere near my team of the tournament. Nor does Malik (runs against Scotland basically don't count)
Williamson is in because he is captain and has consistently proven that, on dodgy tracks, he can bat through as he proved against Mujeeb, Rashid and Nabi with his 40* and his 33* against India. Malik is, admittedly, more debatable and although his 54* was against Scotland that was off 18 balls. Not many have done that against anyone in this tournament. He also scored 26* off 20 against NZ to see them home and 19 off 15 at a vital time to beat Afghanistan. Three major contributions from three and an average of 99 in the tournament.
Asalanka, Nissanka, van der Dussen and even Asif Ali are all pretty hacked off with you right now
Welcome to Charlton Life guys. What are your views on the John Lewis advert?
Yes with Mills and Roy out, plus the last 2 performances you sense this tournament may get away from us. I'd like Willey to play as I thought Woakes bowled poorly the last couple of games. I think we need another big performance from Buttler.
Williamson doesn't get anywhere near my team of the tournament. Nor does Malik (runs against Scotland basically don't count)
Williamson is in because he is captain and has consistently proven that, on dodgy tracks, he can bat through as he proved against Mujeeb, Rashid and Nabi with his 40* and his 33* against India. Malik is, admittedly, more debatable and although his 54* was against Scotland that was off 18 balls. Not many have done that against anyone in this tournament. He also scored 26* off 20 against NZ to see them home and 19 off 15 at a vital time to beat Afghanistan. Three major contributions from three and an average of 99 in the tournament.
Asalanka, Nissanka, van der Dussen and even Asif Ali are all pretty hacked off with you right now
It was a tough call but that's what a decision maker is paid to do:
Asalanka - has done well but anyone who gets 5, 6 & 8 against the likes of Oman, Netherlands and Papua New Guinea respectively needs to go away and work on his game Nissanka - only does it every other game (5-61-0-24-7-72-1-51) so he is destined to fail in his next innings Van der Dussen - I probably owe him one because I backed him to be the top South African bat in the WC at 6/1 but I can't be seen to be talking out of my pocket. It was a toss up between him and Williamson but I want the latter to captain the side and there isn't room for both Asif Ali - he might have a strike rate of 247 but has only scored 57 runs in the tournament and has a lifetime average of 19 so the best I can offer him is the job of drinks carrier
I will now watch, with interest, how Williamson and Malik perform in the semis.
NZ the best overall white and red ball side in the world. Their bowling attack is up with the best albeit without a spinning superstar but Santner and Sodhe combined do more than an adequate job. It will be a question as to whether the likes of Boult and Southee take early scalps and specifically the wicket of Buttler that will probably define which way the result goes.
All the talk seems to be Billings vs Willey depending on the pitch. Porbably fair enough given the others are all in possession but I would have Billings in anyway and the question should be Malan vs Willey. The other consideration of course is that its our death bowling that has struggled without Mills/Archer so perhaps Topley for Wood?
Comments
Jos Buttler (WK) (England)
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Kane Williamson (C) (New Zealand)
Aidan Markram (South Africa)
Shoaib Malik (Pakistan)
Hasaranga de Silva (Sri Lanka)
Anrich Nortje (South Africa)
Trent Boult (New Zealand)
Adam Zampa (Australia)
Jasprit Bumrah (India)
I'm sure other people will have vastly differing views especially as I can only find one place for an England player. Hopefully, those struggling for consistency will come good in the semis and final.
Only one I'd swap in your team is Warner for Rizwan. Rashid unlucky perhaps.
1. Vince
2. Buttler
3. Malan
4. Bairstow
5. Livingstone
6. Ali
7. Morgan
8. Woakes
9. Jordan
10. Rashid
11. Wood
Please not Vince. I dont understand how he gets anywhere near this squad. I know Root, Hales and Stokes are considered unavailable for this tournament but I would have an our of form Banton in the squad ahead of him too. Vince and Malan in the top 3 in T20 world cup would be an absolute disaster.
Bairstow to open and Livingstone to 4 mean we are getting the next best opener we have and getting much more from Livingstone which needs to happen. Billings is the perfect finisher to come in and strengthens the fielding.
Asalanka - has done well but anyone who gets 5, 6 & 8 against the likes of Oman, Netherlands and Papua New Guinea respectively needs to go away and work on his game
Nissanka - only does it every other game (5-61-0-24-7-72-1-51) so he is destined to fail in his next innings
Van der Dussen - I probably owe him one because I backed him to be the top South African bat in the WC at 6/1 but I can't be seen to be talking out of my pocket. It was a toss up between him and Williamson but I want the latter to captain the side and there isn't room for both
Asif Ali - he might have a strike rate of 247 but has only scored 57 runs in the tournament and has a lifetime average of 19 so the best I can offer him is the job of drinks carrier
I will now watch, with interest, how Williamson and Malik perform in the semis.
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Perhaps I'm over thinking this.