Dubai: Did the third week of the ICC World Cup actually provide the spark that it was lacking in so far? The answer has to be yes — not because it witnessed a rise in the number of centuries — but the variety of craftsmanship one saw in the efforts of Rohit Sharma, Shakib Al Hassan and, of course, Kane Williamson late on Wednesday night.
###
If the India vice-captain’s innings of 140, which knocked the sails out of arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday was sublime, the Bangladesh all-rounder’s unbeaten 124 against the Caribbean pace attack in leading a chase of 300-plus target was simply audacious. A study in total contrast was the ice cool Williamson — the Kiwi skipper’s first ton in the tournament should go down as a model innings in chasing on a slow and sticky wicket where strokeplay was extremely difficult.
Click Here: Sports Water Bottle Accessories###
It was only two weeks ago that I had written about an ‘uncharacteristic’ century by Sharma in India’s opener against South Africa. The heavy conditions, importance of getting a winning start — all weighed heavy on this classy performer’s mind as he approached his innings with the discipline required in typically English conditions.
###
The approach changed dramatically when the ‘Hitman’ shifted into one of his imperious moods against a formidable attack of Pakistan on paper. The way Sharma toyed with the opposition bowling was a sight to behold — but when he had a soft dismissal after doing all the damage — his anger at himself betrayed a new hunger for runs in the Mumbaikar’s personality.
###
Shakib, the world No. 1-ranked all-rounder in one-dayers not so long ago (he is now second to Jason Holder), has been there and done that in his international career — but few would have vouched for him to have completed the job during a chase of 322 runs. The self-belief of the spunky Bangladesh team may have been ignited on the day by opener Tamim Iqbal and No. 5 Liton Das’ sparkling half-century, but the composure with which Shakib led the counter-attack at Southampton on Monday was simply amazing.
###
And that of course brings us to Williamson — who looks more than capable of carrying forward the legacy of Brendon McCullum as one of the most popular and effective sides in white ball cricket. I will be rating his grafted 106 against a quality South African attack much higher than Eoin Morgan’s mayhem against Afghanistan only a day before for its sheer value in crisis management.
###
Chasing a competitive total of 241 at Edgbaston, New Zealand were in all sorts of trouble after losing three wickets within 80 runs.
###
Williamson stuck to the virtues of the basics of the game — keeping the scoreboard moving by playing the balls late and running for the singles while letting Colin de Grandhomme being the aggressor.
###
The century finally came in style in the last over with a flourish — a big six over mid-wicket off a nervous looking Andile Phehlukwayo.
###
New Zealand’s win on Wednesday is further helping a clearer picture to emerge on the top four, but that’s a story for another day.