world cup five fer - day 36

By Nick Miller

1 - Chris Gayle

Once again, West Indies' potentially explosive opener has disappointed.

Tipped by many to be one of the top run-scorers of the World Cup, Gayle has managed a couple of 40s and a number of poor showings.

His casual demeanour looks brilliant when he's smashing sixes all over the park, but when he's limply surrendering as he did today, he just looks like he isn't trying.

2 - Ramnaresh Sarwan

As infuriating as Gayle is, Ramnaresh Sarwan can usually be relied on to steady the increasingly leaky West Indies ship.

His innings against Bangladesh - his second 90-plus score in a row - achieved that most rare of dual qualities desired in a one-day knock, in that it was both aggressive and controlled.

He must be sick of coming in at two down for not many, but again he showed control and maturity in initially restoring stability, but teeing off when it was needed towards the end of the 50 overs, culminating in a brilliant six over long-on off Abdur Razzak.

Sarwan could well take over the captaincy in the wake of Brian Lara's retirement, and on this evidence he is a great candidate for the job.

3 - A message to you Rudi

One of the more curious incidents of the day came in the 43rd over, when Sarwan took a very risky single as he looked to kick on.

Saqibul Hasan swooped in from mid-wicket and brilliantly hit the stumps at the non-striker's end, and everyone sat back and waited for the third umpire to make a marginal decsion.

However, Rudi Koertzen - perhaps encouraged by the slightly less than enthusiastic appeals from the Bangladesh fielders - failed to refer the decision upstairs, despite replays confirming that Sarwan was just short of his ground.

With Sarwan on 60 at the time, that decision - or lack of it - may have had a considerable bearing on the run chase. Although Bangladesh fell well short of 231, who knows what would've happened if the target had been 180/190.

4 - Bangladesh bow out

It's been a curious old World Cup for Bangladesh.

Coming into the tournament they were by far and away the strongest of the minnows, but their showings against India and South Africa in particular set them well above even that standard.

However, they have a tendancy to slump to very low totals and capitulate rather easily, as they did against the hosts.

They have a hugely exciting, young side, whose main weakness seems to be that they just don't know when to stop attacking.

It was a extraordinarily important few weeks for Mohammad Ashraful, who announced himself on the world stage with a magnificent century against Australia in that win in Cardiff in 2005. However, his form in 2006 dropped to such an extent that he was unsure of his place in the team, and was in danger of being eclipsed by the likes of Tamim or Shariar Nafees.

Apart from his poor score today, this World Cup - especially his 87 in the win over South Africa - has reasserted his status as Bangladesh's key batsman, who will surely be at the centre of his country's certain improvement over the next few years.

5 - Brian Lara

And so Brian Lara.

Possibly the greatest batsman of his generation, Lara was unlucky to be part of a side that paled in comparison to the team that dominated world cricket in the 70s and 80s.

His talent as a batsmen was undoubted, but his skills as a captain were often questioned.

He took the role three times, all with little success, and at most times it seemed he performed the task with a sigh of resignation rather than the roar of a leader.

He will be missed, but if Sarwan can live up to his potential then he could prove to be a better skipper than Lara ever was.