Beam us up Scotty; you've made the team

April 16, 2007 by The Scorer

I’ve been enjoying the Sri Lanka v New Zealand game this afternoon; always a match likely to be keenly contested given that both sides have looked good for the semi-finals since the tournament started several years ago.

Scott Styris has been at it again. He’s plenty not out having arrived at the wicket a little earlier than he might have expected. But not for the first time during this World Cup he’s been the man around whom the Kiwis have built their innings.

So can I find room for him in my own XI, based solely on players’ performance during the World Cup? That makes it a little numbers-driven, but that’s the nature of the beast. And if you don’t like it, then a) tough b) Send us your own picks to [email protected].

Matthew Hayden muscles his way in at the top of the order after enjoying a remarkable one-day renaissance in recent months. His contribution to Australia’s cause thus far has been huge; 436 runs at 87.20, with a striker rate of 107.12. No contest really, which is probably what most of the bowlers who’ve tried to pin him down have felt. I’ll pair him in the opening g berths with Graeme Smith of South Africa; another man with more than 350 runs on the board (351/50.14/100.57). He’s yet to pull out the big innings, but has been pretty solid, and can give you that acceleration from the off (just in case Hayden misses out).

Ricky Ponting, the captain, is a shoo-in at three, and will once again finish a World Cup among the leading scorers. He has 348 to date (59.50/100.00).

But while his selection is pretty straightforward I’ve become a little bogged down at number four, not unlike the man who gets the slot.

‘I’m all right’ Jacques Kallis has been up to his usual tricks again. He’s so frustrating. We know he can bat; he’s the tournament’s leading scorer with 441. But having watched his quite a bit over the last few weeks I still wonder about a player who’s so talented but often bats on Planet Jacques, seemingly oblivious to the match being played around him. Strange business, but he’s in anyway, although I’ll feel free to drop him if his attitude doesn’t improve.

Michael Clarke is having a quietly impressive World Cup, and has plenty of runs at a healthy average. He’s hard to get out and is a decent finisher.

I reckon Styris deserves his place at six. He’s still there today, and is a handy option with the ball too on some of these slower-than-expected tracks, especially if Kallis goes AWOL in the field. Vote Styris.

Not the ‘keeper. It’s pretty clear that Gilly hasn’t made it, and I’m a little torn with Mark Boucher of South Africa, and the Black Caps’ Brendon McCullum. The later leads the dismissals table at the time of writing, but I’m going to pick Boucher just because he edges it thanks to some truly explosive batting. His strike rate is a stratospheric 150.46, and he’s put one or two opponents out of contention with his feisty late biffing.

And so to the bowlers. First up, to no-one’s surprise is New Zealand’s Shane Bond, who’d lived up to his billing in grand style in the Caribbean. It’s been wonderful to see him in action, free (for now) of the injuries that have blighted his career over the last few years. 10 wickets at 10.20, with an economy rate of only 2.44 (a full 0.67 runs per over better than the next man). Fantastic.

Joining him, and may I never have to include this man again, is Glenn McGrath. He’s shut up the critics, and 15 opposition batsmen as the curtain comes down on a great career.

Murali gets the spinning vote – I couldn’t find room for two – just ahead of Brad Hogg, who took most of his 12 wickets in the opening stages of the World Cup, and hasn’t been as visible since. Dan Vettori was another one under serious consideration, as was Mohammad Rafique of Bangladesh, a player I’ve always liked.

That leaves one bowling slot, and while I was sorely tempted to give Nathan Bracken the slot (plenty of wickets, and economical too). But Lasith ‘The Slinger’ Malinga gets in after really coming of age here. He’s been great to watch.

Our new number six, Scott Styris, has just reached his century against Sri Lanka by the way. I’m glad I chose him after all.

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