PCA PRESS RELEASE
Joe Root tops the PCA ODI Most Valuable Player Rankings as England book their place in the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup.
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England finish the group stage campaign on a high after victory against New Zealand propelled them ahead of the Kiwi’s guaranteeing the hosts a position in the knockout stages.
Root currently sits top of the ODI MVP Rankings, which takes into account the Cricket World Cup, the Pakistan ODI series and the one-off ODI v Ireland.
Currently positioned on 161 MVP points, Root notched up 500 runs alone during the group stage, firing himself to the top of the charts. England’s number three was the only England batsman to reach that milestone and is currently the third highest run scorer for his country in all formats of all time.
The Yorkshireman scored two centuries in the group stage against Pakistan and West Indies respectively and recorded half-centuries against Sri Lanka, South Africa and Afghanistan demonstrated his consistency with a host of impressive displays.
MVP points are gained not only for scoring runs and taking wickets, but also for producing match-winning performances. The final standings therefore gives a more accurate impression of the top performers than traditional batting and bowling averages.
For instance, extra points are given for scoring a higher proportion of your teams runs, or for taking top order wickets. Bonuses are also given for catches and captaining the winning team.
Root’s England and Yorkshire teammate, Jonny Bairstow provided two match-winning centuries in the final two fixtures of the group stage to fire himself up the ODI rankings narrowly behind Root into second place.
Partnered with Jason Roy, Bairstow’s tournament came alive during the last two fixtures with man-of-the-match displays helping his side qualify following victories against India and New Zealand.
Scoring 463 runs during the World Cup, Bairstow looks to have hit his peak form at the perfect time and will be looking to add to his 150 MVP points.
It was no coincidence that England’s dip in form during the World Cup came at a time opening batsman Jason Roy had been ruled out through injury with the devastating opening batsman often the catalyst for a successful batting display.
Roy came back into the fray for the two crunch fixtures and hit blistering half-centuries to prove his worth to this star-studded side. Missing three fixtures through injury, Roy currently sits behind his opening partner in the rankings, however, the Surrey opener finishes the group stage with the highest average MVP points per fixture.
Roy highest individual MVP score during the group stage came during his devastating 153 against Bangladesh where he picked up 37 of his overall 143 MVP points.
Chris Woakes is the highest placed bowler in the MVP Rankings although this will be largely due to his match-winning performances during the whole summer not just the World Cup.
Woakes has continuously bowled economically and often without reward throughout this World Cup, however, his constant knack of picking up important wickets has proved vital throughout.
Sitting in fifth place, Ben Stokes has currently had a World Cup to remember with his rear-guard batting display earning plenty of plaudits. Often found batting with the lower ordr this summer, Stokes measured approach added to his explosive threat has placed him on 132 MVP points.
In defeats to Sri Lanka and Australia, Stokes picked up two individual man of the match awards showcasing his grit and determination in the toughest of circumstances.
Currently England’s leading wicket taker during the World Cup, Jofra Archer has 17 poles to his name and is proving exactly why England made sure he was part of their World Cup plans. Picking up the man of the match award in the World Cup opener against South Africa, Jofra has been excellent throughout.
England will now head in to their semi-final contest full of confidence following two crucial victories against India and New Zealand.
With pressure mounting for the hosts, back-to-back victories inspired by excellent match-winning displays will see England head back to Edgbaston on Thursday where they will face either India or Australia.
With plenty of MVP points still to play for, can Joe Root continue his impressive summer and stay on top or will the remainder of the tournament prove pivotal another member of the England side to make a late charge?
View the MVP Rankings here.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest MVP news by following the @pcaMVP on Twitter.
