Best Non-Asian XI of the World T20 2016

The World T20 2016 was played in India, and everybody expected the sub-continent teams to do well. While most people expect an Asian side to win the World T20, it is impossible to rule out the other countries that throw their hat into the ring to contest the coveted and premier T20 title. And at the end, we saw West Indies surprise most by grabbing the trophy. Despite the likes of England and Australia not fully embracing the shortest format of the game, we take a look at some of the best players on show in the World T20 outside the Asian subcontinent. Usman Khawaja (Australia): Australia’s Usman Khawaja. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty Images) Usman Khawaja’s journey from a Test player to one of the best T20 players in the recently concluded tournament is simply outstanding. He has also seemingly taken up the role vacated by former Aussie opener Matthew Hayden with his controlled aggression. Khawaja made his case for the Australian T20 squad with an amazing performance in the Big Bash League for the Sydney Thunder. Playing on flat yet spinning wicket in India, the southpaw looked at ease. He smashed 143 runs for the Aussies in the 4 matches he played, concluding the tournament as Australia’s highest run-getter. Jason Roy (England): Jason Roy of England. (Photo by Jan Kruger-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) For England, having a batsman like Jason Roy in their ranks is something of a first. However, despite this being a first, the addition of Jason Roy to the side is a breath of fresh air. His ability to remain aggressive while playing good cricketing shots puts him in a category of his own. His unbeaten 78 against New Zealand in the semi-final was something of a fairytale. Apart from ensuring a safe passage to the final for England, Roy slammed 183 runs in the tournament, becoming one of the top run-getters. Joe Root (England) – (C): Joe Root. (Photo Source: Twitter) Prior to the start of the tournament, there was little clarity about Joe Root’s role in the team. He wasn’t a player who could hit the ball many a mile and neither was he a player who could get runs at a pace T20 cricket demanded. However, the World T20 2016 was a baptism for Root. In a strange yet distinct similarity to Virat Kohli, Root showed that T20 cricket wasn’t just about playing the big shots. A mammoth 249 runs at an average of 49 saw Root carry the hopes of England on his shoulders and into the final of the World T20. Despite not winning the final, England has some amazing players and Joe Root is at the top at the moment. Jos Buttler (England) (wk): England’s Jos Buttler. (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images) Similar to Jason Roy, Jos Buttler has been one of England’s most important batsmen. The ability to smash the ball a long way into the stands, Buttler’s consistency is a lesson one can take from his batting. While he boasts of perhaps some of the best glove work in England, his batting is perhaps the main reason Sam Billings have made way for Buttler. In addition, he was the second highest run-getter for England with 191 runs to his name in 6 innings at an average of 47.47. Shane Watson (Australia): Australia’s Shane Watson. (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) The Aussie all-rounder, who announced his retirement following Australia’s defeat at the hands of India has been perhaps the best player donning the green and black of Australia. While he slams those massive sixes with near-perfect cricketing shots, his bowling underrated on most occasions has produced wickets. Despite his bones held together by the pain killers handed to him by the physio, Watson’s commitment is something to watch out for. His slower bouncers are the ones that claim wickets for the recently retired Aussie all-rounder. He has 5 wickets to his name apart from an impressive economy rate of 7.35. James Faulkner (Australia): Australia’s James Faulkner. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty Images) James Faulkner is Steve Smith’s go-to man during a crisis. Faulkner has the ability to bowl the slower deliveries from the back of his hand. These deliveries came in handy, especially on the dry Indian wickets. His prowess during the death ensured that he picked up his first five-wicket haul against Pakistan on a good batting surface at Mohali. These were the best bowling figures until Mustafizur overhauled his left-arm compatriot. Although his finishing skills with the bat didn’t come to the fore, Faulkner was the highest wicket-taker for Australia in the tournament with 8 wickets to his name. Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies): Carlos Brathwaite of the West Indies. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) A lot of speculation was surrounding the inclusion of Carlos Brathwaite after he replaced Kieron Pollard. A towering figure who can hit the deck hard, he was brought to the side as a bowler. However, after a massive whack into the stands against South Africa at Nagpur; the second time Brathwaite was called upon was the World T20 final. Facing Ben Stokes in the final over with 19 to get, Brathwaite was under unspeakable pressure. However, holding his nerve, he deposited the ball four times into the stands, thus ensuring West Indies’ second World T20 triumph. Andre Russell (West Indies): Andre Russell of the West Indies. (Photo by Pal Pillai/IDI via Getty Images) The West Indian character has been a busy T20 cricketer, representing various teams in T20 leagues around the world. For Russell if it is not with the bat, then more often than not, he delivers with the ball. For an all-rounder with such an enigma, Russell’s numbers are simply off the charts. He batted just the six innings wherein he slammed 91 runs including a blistering 43 not out against India in the semi-final. He also has 9 wickets to his name and has been an important member of the West Indies squad in the title triumph. Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): Mitchell Santner of New Zealand. (Photo by Christopher Lee-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) 23-year old Mitchell Santner was playing in his first World T20. Moreover, he was playing in conditions literally alien to him having never toured the subcontinent with the Kiwi side. However, he seemed to be at comfort, extracting turn from the dry Indian tracks. If there is to be any evidence to the aforementioned claim, it can be found in the top wicket taker’s list. He is the highest wicket-taker in the Super 10’s stage with 10 wickets to his name. Ish Sodhi (New Zealand): Ish Sodhi (Photo by Matthew Lewis-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) The Kiwi leg-spinner was always expected to be a handful, especially having made a mark in these conditions previously. Sodhi was impressive on many levels. What was most impressive was his ability to flight the ball and fox the batsmen into giving away their wicket. In addition to extracting spin and bounce from the Indian tracks, Sodhi was the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament behind fellow countryman Mitchell Santner. He claimed 10 wickets during the tournament. David Willey (England): England’s David Willey. (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images) In David Willey, England have found a wonderful left-arm seamer. Although he doesn’t bowl at a terrifying pace, Willey is, as his name suggests, a wily customer. Doubts were cast over his selection and was further reinforced when he was picked ahead of teammate Reece Topley. However, Willey repaid the faith and trust shown in him with some skilful bowling. In 6 matches, he has claimed 10 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.57 an over. Also read: Top 5 Highest run getters in the World T20 2016

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Best Non-Asian XI of the World T20 2016

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