Cricket World Player Of The Week - Rohit Sharma

Cricket World Player of the Week - Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma drives past Andre Russell during his match-winning 72.

©REUTERS/Action Images

Many players put in excellent performances in international cricket this week to give themselves a shot at the Cricket World Player Of The Week award.

Three Australians did their country proud in the first Test against their trans-Tasmanian rivals in Brisbane. Skipper Michael Clarke set up their comprehensive victory with an innings of 139, while debutant quick bowler James Pattinson took five for 27 to seal their nine wicket win.

This was on top of an excellent performance in both innings from off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who finished with match figures of seven for 105, and earnt the praise of opposite number Daniel Vettori.

For Pakistan, Shahid Afridi starred with bat and ball in their opening ODI against Bangladesh, almost single-handedly winning the match for them with his devastating spell of five for 23 that bowled the home side out for 91. He then helped his team home with an unbeaten 24 after they had threatened to implode during the run chase.

For the home side, Nasir Hossain completed his maiden international century, albeit in a match that Bangladesh were comfortably beaten in.

Moving across the border into India, it was Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma who excelled for the hosts in the second ODI against the West Indies, as they recorded innings of 117 and 90 not out to help India overhaul a testing West Indies total.

For Sharma, this capped off what has been a good week for him following his crucial 72 during a tense and low-scoring first ODI, and is enough to earn him this week’s award.

The 24 year-old from the Vidarbha region in India has been on the fringes of the national side for some time now in limited overs cricket and is repeatedly called into the side when more established players such as Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni are rested.

However, in the past few months he has steadily moved up the ranks of Indian batting talent and is now an outside bet to make his Test debut in the forthcoming series against Australia.

© Cricket World 2011