England's Moeen Ali - "the beard to be feared" - lived up to the hype against Scotland. Photo / Getty Images
England's Moeen Ali - "the beard to be feared" - lived up to the hype against Scotland. Photo / Getty Images
Andrew Alderson picks a World Cup Emerging XI (qualification is under 30-years-old and less than 60 ODIs, one player per country)
Paul Sterling (Ireland, age 24, 54 ODIs)
Has contributed to a couple of match-winning performances with 92 off 84 balls chasing the West Indies' 304 in Nelson, and his off-spin nabbed the first two wickets against the United Arab Emirates before the Irish chased 279 to win in Brisbane.
Moeen Ali (England, 27, 21)
Has not lived up to reputation as "the beard to be feared" but has been one of the better players in a disappointing side. His 128 off 107 balls initiated a comprehensive victory over Scotland and his off-spinners have come at England's best economy rate of 5.41.
Not guaranteed a starting XI place but is a top prospect with two 61s in tournament play. Supported AB de Villiers during the fourth-wicket partnership in which the skipper made 162 off 66 balls. Wicketkeeper/opener Quinton de Kock could be under threat.
Matt Machan (Scotland, 24, 20)
Born in England and plays for Sussex but looks the future of Scottish cricket. His 56 in the second match against a roaring New Zealand attack was a gutsy innings. Rash strokes after reaching 35 and 31 against Bangladesh and Afghanistan respectively blew solid starts.
Afghanistan's Samiullah Shenwari bludgeons with the human equivalent of thermal vision. Photo / AP
A player you'd dread coming in on a Saturday afternoon. There are opportunities to dismiss him but he bludgeons with the human equivalent of thermal vision. A cometh-the-hour player, he made 96 to see off Scotland for Afghanistan's maiden World Cup win.
Andre Russell (West Indies, 26, 47)
Shapes as a formidable allrounder early in his career. Has the highest strike (129) of any ODI player to face more than 500 balls. His 42 off 13 balls against Pakistan exemplified that, before he delivered three for 33 to seal man-of-the-match.
Mohammed Shami (India, 24, 42)
Took six wickets in pivotal victories against Pakistan and South Africa, at an average of 10.83 and economy rate of 3.82. His ability to generate pace and bounce gave credibility to a pace attack under scrutiny heading into the tournament.
Wahab Riaz (Pakistan, 29, 51)
No Wasim Akram yet, but has shown the ability to bowl at pace, well into the mid-140km/h bracket on occasion, and gives batsmen a hurry-up. His 4-45 and 54 not out got Pakistan home in their vital win over Zimbabwe, especially defending just 235.
Mitchell Starc (Australia, 25, 36)
Mitchell Starc can bowl. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Can behave like the archetypal sports jock - type "Starc" and "Murali Vijay" or "Kieron Pollard" into Google for evidence - but the man can bowl. His six for 28 against New Zealand was one of the best ODIs displays witnessed in this country, especially defending 151.
Has produced a stellar return to the white ball format with his late swing, demonstrating impeccable control over one of the two white balls. Has taken a wicket in all of his past eight games and has conceded more than five runs an over once.
Tendai Chatara (Zimbabwe, 24, 25)
His busy right-arm action has bragging rights as Zimbabwe's top tournament wicket-taker with seven at 31.71 and an economy rate of 5.59. Knocked the top off Pakistan with 3-35 but Zimbabwe's batsmen failed. Three for 42 against UAE secured a better result.
