Nathan Coulter-Nile
Australia

WHEN the chips are down Australia have the uncanny ability to find a saviour from somewhere. Nathan Coulter-Nile played that role to perfect when the champions were reeling against the West Indies at Trent Bridge last week. Batting at No.8, the man from Western Australia blasted a 60-ball 92 to lit Australia from 147-6 to 288. Primary a fast bowler, Coulter-Nile is yet to shine with the ball in this World Cup with only two wickets so far.

Kusal Perera
Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka are definitely the unluckiest team in this World Cup with their two games in Bristol being abandoned with a ball being bowled. In the two matches were play was possible, the 1996 champions have found the going tough, particularly the batsmen failing with just Kusal Perera being their standout batting star. The 28-year-od left-hander thrives in challenging conditions as he did against Afghanistan, scoring 78.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2019