Cricket World Cup: AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, David Warner, who has the best performance?

THERE have been some remarkable individual performances thus far at the Cricket World Cup. Here are 10 of the best. What do you think?

10 best performances of the World Cup

IT’S been quite a Cricket World Cup so far.

Runs have flowed at a record rate, swing bowling has ruled the roost, a couple of big guns have had their issues and the minnows have provided much-needed impetus.

And there are still 23 games to be played, including the much-anticipated knockout phase when the big guns face off.

There have been some remarkable individual performances at the tournament so far.

The class factor has generally risen to the top but there has also been some excellent contributions from a surprise outlet or two.

Here are 10 of the best. What do you think? Vote for your favourite.

AB de Villiers 162 v West Indies, SCG, February 27

The South Africa skipper dished out some harsh punishment on the Windies attack just five weeks earlier in Johannesburg, hitting the fastest ever ODI century off just 31 balls. So they were forewarned! But this innings was arguably in another stratosphere. He recorded the fastest 150 in ODI history, taking just 64 deliveries, and besting the previous effort by an incredible 19 balls. He also took 30 runs of the 50th over bowled by Jason Holder.

Chris Gayle 215 v Zimbabwe, Manuka Oval, February 24

The prophets of doom were out for the veteran opener after he failed to fire in his opening two games. But he roared back into life with an innings that will never be forgotten by those that saw it. He made Zimbabwe pay for putting him down early by smashing the highest score in World Cup history. His 215 included 16 sixes and he featured in a record partnership of 372 with Marlon Samuels. “There’s been a lot of pressure, the runs haven’t been coming. This is the first time in my career so many people wanting me to score runs.”

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 24: Chris Gayle of West Indies celebrates his double century during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between the West Indies and Zimbabwe at Manuka Oval on February 24, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Hashim Amla 159 v Ireland at Canberra, March 3

Amla is proof that brute strength and power is not the only requirement for successful batting in the ODI arena. The 31-year-old doesn’t have 20 centuries to his name because he’s blasted attacks out of the park. His game — while no less effective — is one of control, as Ireland found out to their detriment. Amla smacked an impressive 159 from 127 balls, anchoring the Proteas’ score of 4-411 at Manuka Oval. There were plenty of sixes — four to be exact — but it’s the 16 boundaries which highlighted this imperious knock.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 28: Brendon McCullum of New Zealand bats during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand at Eden Park on February 28, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Brendan McCullum v everyone (except Scotland)

Settling on one special knock is hard as Sri Lanka, England and Australia have all felt the brunt of the Kiwi captain’s brutal hitting. Funnily enough Scotland has had his measure. He started out with 65 off 49 balls against Sri Lanka before his incredible knock of 77 off 25 balls against the hapless Poms. That innings included seven sixes. Then against the Aussies he embarrassed Mitchell Johnson to reach his third 50 of the tournament in just 24 balls.

Trent Boult 5-27 v Australia at Auckland, February 28

The Kiwi left-armer ruthlessly exploited Australia’s impatience and susceptibility to swing with one of the spells of the tournament. After failing to make an impression in his first five overs, the 25-year-old returned to rip through Australia’s much-vaunted middle order, knocking over Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh in one over alone. He later added the prize wicket of Michael Clarke before getting Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc to complete the destruction.

Mitchell Starc 6-28 v New Zealand at Auckland, February 28

Starc almost single-handedly dragged Australia back into this match with a scintillating spell of penetrative, fast, left-arm swing bowling that silenced the parochial Eden Park crowd. He took 6-28 including three wickets in five balls to set up a thrilling finale. The Kiwis simply had no answer, with four batsmen having their stumps uprooted by inswinging yorkers. He also produced the ball of the tournament thus far to get Luke Ronchi caught behind.

New Zealand bowler Tim Southee waves to the crowd after taking seven wickets during their Cricket World Cup match against England in Wellington, New Zealand, Friday Feb. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)

Tim Southee 7-33 v England at Wellington, February 20

Brendon McCullum’s dynamic innings may have put the seal on the win but the Kiwis can thank Southee for setting it up. While the left arm seamers have enjoyed the bulk of the tournament limelight thus far, the 26-year-old Southee reminded everyone of his undoubted talent with this record wicket haul for a New Zealander in World Cup matches. The England batting order has proven flimsy at the best of times this tournament and Southee exploited it brilliantly, taking 7-33.

Samiullah Shenwari 96 v Scotland at Dunedin, February 26

Afghanistan have stolen many hearts so far this tournament and it was perhaps apt their middle order stalwart played a big part in their first-ever World Cup victory. He may not have been there at the end but he certainly ensured they got close enough to make the last few overs decisive. He entered the fray with Afghanistan at 2-46 chasing 210 to win and exited the ninth man down still 20 short. Although his 96 came from 147 balls, it was the controlled nature of the knock that earned him so many plaudits.

Kumar Sangakkara 117 not out v England at Wellington, March 1

The Sri Lankan veteran has scored 23 ODI centuries and none were better than this one. Not only did he take apart the English attack — reaching his century off just 70 balls — but he kept his often overly-excited partner Lahiru Thirimanne in check — sort of. Sangakkara’s innings — which featured a number of sumptuous drives — followed on from his 76-ball 105 against Bangladesh a few days earlier. He and Thirimanne put on an unbeaten 212 for the second wicket in just over 28 overs as Sri Lanka easily overhauled England’s 309.

David Warner 178 v Afghanistan at the WACA, March 4

One that is fresh in the memory! The dashing opener smashed 19 fours and five sixes in an innings of 178 against an attack — while not the strongest — that had shown good signs against Sri Lanka, Scotland and Bangladesh. The innings featured a mix of brutal power and deft touch and he was well on target at one stage to eclipse the highest World Cup score set by West Indies Chris Gayle late last month but ultimately holed out.

Honourable mention:

Virat Kohli’s 107 v Pakistan — this wasn’t as explosive as others on this list but it was a controlled innings in a tense atmosphere

Originally published as Cricket World Cup: AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, David Warner, who has the best performance?