Just three Australia players in New Zealand-dominated best World Cup XI
Champions Australia have only three players included in the ICC’s team of the World Cup, which contains five New Zealanders.
Paceman Mitchell Starc, batsman Steve Smith and allrounder Glenn Maxwell were the only Australians to make the side, despite their team claiming the World Cup after a one-sided seven-wicket thrashing of co-hosts New Zealand in Sunday’s final.
The ICC team (in batting order): Martin Guptill (NZ), Brendon McCullum (NZ, capt), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka, wicketkeeper), Steve Smith (Aust), AB de Villiers (South Africa), Glenn Maxwell (Aust), Corey Anderson (NZ), Daniel Vettori (NZ) Mitchell Starc (Aust), Trent Boult (NZ), Morne Morkel (South Africa). Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe, 12th man).
The ICC said the team was chosen by a panel of experts headed by ICC general manager cricket, Geoff Allardice.
They were given the task of picking a balanced side on the basis of performances in the tournament, with statistics used but not the sole basis for selections.
“The panel eventually came up with this side, which, in their view, was the most balanced outfit that is capable of beating any side on any given day,” said Allardice.
Other players discussed as possible selections included batsmen Mahmudullah (Bangladesh) and Shaiman Anwar (UAE), fast bowlers Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami (both India), Wahab Riaz (Pakistan) and spinners Imran Tahir (South Africa) and Ravi Ashwin (India).