Print | Send to friend | Email update

Apr 21, 2007
By Steven Upfold

Week five top five performers:

5: Scott Styris' 111 v Sri Lanka

The Auckland batsman steadied the Kiwi batting effort when all others were sinking as he was the only Black Cap to get beyond 32.

Would have placed higher but his side lost the match, not that Styris can be blamed for that.

4: Craig McMillan's 3-23 v South Africa

With South Africa looking to press on Macca ripped the heart out of the Proteas' middle-order to remove Herschelle Gibbs, Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher in quick succession.

His surprise effort changed the momentum of the match and paved the way for the eventual comfortable victory by the Kiwis that confirmed their semi-final spot.

3: Nathan Bracken 4-19 v Sri Lanka

In a tournament dominated by big scores and flat pitches, the Australian left-armer added to his growing reputation with a man-of-the-match effort.

Bracken removed both Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya cheaply before claiming two more scalps as his side cruised to victory chasing a low total.

2: Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan v New Zealand

The veteran Sri Lankan duo each took three wickets for less than four an over to wreck the Kiwi innings.

And a semifinal now looms next week for the Kiwis against the same bowling attack with Lasith Malinga also likely to be back in the mix.

Gulp.

1: AB de Villiers 146 v West Indies

The Proteas' opener effectively ended the hosts' campaign with a 130-ball knock including 12 fours and five sixes.

De Villiers' innings accounted for nearly half of the mammoth South African total of 356.