CWC 2019: Cricket World Cup Man of the Series award winners | The Sportrush present before you an elite list from previous World Cups.
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Ever since the advent of the Man of the Series award in the marquee ICC ODI Cricket World Cup, it’s become one of the most prestigious individual award. Awarded to the player who has consistently done well in the prestigious tournament across divisions, the title is one which every player eyes up at the onset of the tournament.
The man of the tournament first made its foray into the world cup arena in 1992. It’s an award held in massive reverence, one that helps elevate a player to the echelon of the cricketing fraternity. India sees two names find themselves on the stellar list with Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh both winning the prize in 2003 and 2011 respectively.
The SportsRush takes a look at all the award winners over the years and our insights at their decisive performances which saw them cap of a wondrous tournament with the award.
Cricket World Cup Man of the Series award winners
1992 – Martin Crowe, New Zealand: 456 Runs In 9 Matches
The first player to be awarded with the Man of the Series was Martin Crowe. It was primarily after his captaincy, batting and bowling efforts took New Zealand to their first-ever World Cup semi-final.
Ending the tournament with a massive 456 runs in nine matches, Crowe began the tournament with a 100 against rivals Australia. It was a performance that saw New Zealand start off their campaign on the right footing, winning by 37 runs.
Crowe followed that up with an enthralling 91-run innings against Pakistan in the semi-final. While Crowe’s innings wasn’t enough to see his side through in a 263-run chase, Crowe saw himself as the highest run-scorer in the tournament.
ALSO READ: Full list of ICC Cricket World Cup winners from 1975 to 2015
1996 – Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka: 221 Runs And 7 Wickets
In what was their first-ever world cup triumph, one player who played a pivotal role in seeing Sri Lanka reach that achievement was Sanath Jayasuriya. He scored 221 runs at a strike rate of 131, innings that ensured that Sri Lanka were always able to registered high scores.
Jayasuriya might not have been the best batsman in the tournament but what swung the award in his favour was his all-round performance. With seven wickets to his name, his performances justified the tag that the man of the tournament award was crafted out for.
1999 – Lance Klusener, South Africa: 281 Runs And 17 wickets
Lance Klusener undoubtedly deserved the Man of the Series award for the 1999 edition of the cup. With four Man of the Match awards in his kitty during the tournament, the South African all-rounder was a fitting choice. Rescuing his side from a precarious situation of 115-7 with a 52-run inning before following it up with 3 wickets to see South Africa defeat Sri Lanka by 89 runs, Klusener stamped his authority from the opening match itself.
Not only was he a pivotal figure for his side with the bat but was also epitomized what a true all-rounder he was. His best ever career figures came in the same tournament, a boisterous 5-21 showing against Kenya.
2003 – Sachin Tendulkar, India: 673 Runs
The word cup in particular was a tournament that Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar always enjoyed playing. Although he had staked a claim for the ravishing award before 2003 as well, the 673 runs he got in that particular tournament ensured that the award was finally given to him.
Not only were the staggering amount of runs the highest anyone managed at the event, they also say India reach the summit clash.
Despite losing the final, India did cap of their tournament with the Man of the Series award heading back to their country. In the 11 innings Tendulkar played in, he scored six half-centuries and a century.
2007 – Glenn McGrath, Australia: 26 Wickets
Australia’s Glenn McGrath was a key figure in the country’s third World Cup trophy on the bounce. He added 26 wickets to his overall mammoth tally at the event which saw him end up as one of the leading wicket takers at the tournament.
With 71 wickets in 39 matches with best figures of 7-15 in his career, McGrath always liked playing in the biggest tournament. In 2007, he emphasized his exuberant abilities with the white ball, leaving batsmen flummoxed with his restrictive line and length and wickets at regular intervals.
2011 – Yuvraj Singh, India: 362 Runs And 15 Wickets
Yuvraj Singh was handed over the Man of the Series award for leading India to victory in 2011 Cricket World Cup. One of the few instances that an all-rounder was adjudged as the true winner of the prize, it was a tournament that saw India’s middle-order batsmen score 362 runs along with picking up 15 wickets.
A regular go to bowler for Dhoni, one used to fill in the overs with his spin, Yuvraj used to find a way to pick up wickets in the middle period along with coming up with a few contributions as well with the bat.
2015 – Mitchell Starc, Australia
Playing his maiden World Cup, Australia’s left-arm fast bowler played a pivotal role in Australia registering their fifth World Cup title. With 22 wickets under his belt, Starc was the joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Trent Boult.
However, his 22 wickets coming in eight matches (as compared to Boult’s nine) at an average of 10.18, an economy rate of 3.50 and a strike rate of 17.4 saw him clinching the trophy.
