The ICC Cricket World Cup league stage got over on 12th November with India, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand qualifying for the semi-finals of the mega event.
A total of 45 league matches took place at 10 venues in the country. The pitches used for this event was paradise for the batters. There were some sensational performances in the league stage that stood out and helped their country post or chase down targets from tough situations.
Every batter who got set was able to make use of the batting conditions on flat pitches that had little for the bowlers.
Here we look at the Top 5 Batting Performances in the League Stage of World Cup 2023
- Glenn Maxwell 201* vs Afghanistan
Glenn Maxwell had one of the best innings in One-day international cricket with an unbeaten 201 off 128 deliveries against Afghanistan at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Chasing down 292 runs to win, Australia looked in trouble.
Maxwell was given reprieve twice off caught and once LBW decision that was overturned to not out. He then showed his class by putting the Afghanistan bowlers under pressure. Despite losing wickets at the other end, Maxwell hit some lovely shots and kept the momentum going. He struggled with cramps and injury.
After his injury, Maxwell took charge smashing the Afghanistan bowlers all over the park. His innings took the cricketing by storm as he could not stand but remained at one place smashing them for sixes and fours. Maxwell smashed a six to hit double century off 128 deliveries with 21 fours and 10 sixes that helped Australia snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Australian captain Pat Cummins played a vital role in remaining not out on 12 off 68 deliveries. For his brilliance, Glenn Maxwell was named the player of the match award.
- Quinton de Kock 174 vs Bangladesh
Quinton de Kock proved his worth again with a superb 174 against Bangladesh at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 24th October 2023. South African stand-in captain Aiden Markram won the toss and decided to bat first.
Reeza Hendricks and Rassie Van der Dussen fell cheaply in the first 10 overs. De Kock looked cautious initially before showing his class with some lovely shots putting Bangladesh bowlers under pressure. He completed his fifty off 47 deliveries and kept momentum going along with Markram.
De Kock looked in complete control showing his class and making sure that South Africa were on course for a massive total. After reaching century off 101 deliveries, de Kock upped the ante hitting boundaries and sixes at will.
He toyed with the Bangladesh bowling reaching 150 off 129 deliveries. De Kock scored with ease and was eventually dismissed for 174 off 140 balls with 15 boundaries and 7 sixes that helped South Africa post 382 for 5 in 50 overs. With this brilliant knock, de Kock completed his 3rd century of World Cup 2023. He was named the player of the match award for his 174.
- David Warner 163 vs Pakistan
The explosive left-handed batter David Warner came back to form after poor scores against India, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
He showed his excellent shot-making in the match against Pakistan played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on 20th October 2023. Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to field first.
Warner was given a reprieve by Usama Mir and made use of the chance with some big shots putting Pakistan bowlers under pressure. Warner made the batting look easy completing his fifty off 39 deliveries. He enjoyed the batting along with Mitchell Marsh hitting them for big shots not allowing them to settle.
Warner completed his century off 85 deliveries and kept the momentum going for Australia. Despite losing wickets, Warner kept going to put pressure on Pakistan’s bowling. He was eventually dismissed for 163 off 124 balls with 15 fours and 9 sixes which laid a strong foundation for 367 for 9. For his match-winning knock, Warner was named the player of the match award.
- Devon Conway 152* vs England
The stylish left-handed opener Devon Conway rose to the occasion in the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup to be played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on 5th October 2023.
Chasing down 283 runs to win, Conway looked in great touch hitting Mark Wood and other England bowlers with disdain that made the batting look easy. Conway completed his fifty off 36 balls as his partner Rachin Ravindra also reached the milestone off 36 deliveries.
Conway kept the momentum going for New Zealand and never allowed the England bowlers to settle. The stylish left-handed batter reached century off 83 deliveries making batting look at ease. He and Rachin Ravindra kept the scoreboard ticking putting on placid batting pitch under lights.
He remained not out on 152 off 121 balls with 19 fours and 3 sixes that helped New Zealand chase down the target with 82 balls to spare.
- Virat Kohli 101* vs South Africa
Virat Kohli played one of his best innings on a tough pitch to bat against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 5th November 2023. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bat first.
Rohit Sharma and Gill provided a flying start putting enough pressure on the South Africa pacers. Virat Kohli showed intent with some lovely shots keeping the momentum going for India. Keshav Maharaj was bowling well on a pitch that had some help for bowlers.
Kohli completed his fifty off 67 deliveries. After reaching half-century, he kept the momentum going for India taking singles and hitting occasional boundaries. Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja hit some valuable knocks. Kohli completed his 49th ODI century off 119 deliveries and remained not out on 101 off 121 balls with 10 boundaries that helped India post 326 for 5. For his brilliant knock, Kohli was named the player of the match award.
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