Klusener tops Man of the Tournament standings

South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener is top of the official Man of the Tournament standings for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 on Monday 17th February.

Klusener's match-winning bowling against Kenya and his destructive late batting assault that almost snatched South Africa victory in the curtain-raiser against West Indies have put him in first place in the Man of the Tournament standings with five points.

A point behind Klusener, who was Man of the Tournament in 1999, is Holland's Tim de Leede, whose bowling unsettled India and batting frustrated England in successive matches. The Dutchman shares second place with Wasim Akram (Pakistan), Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa) and Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka).

The Man of the Tournament is based on the cumulative Man of the Match results, awarded by the ICC Match Referee.

After every game the ICC Match Referee selects the top three players. As well as receiving a gold watch worth R12000, the Man of the Match also receives three points towards the Man of the Tournament award.

The second best player on the day receives two points and the third best gets one point.

ICC General Manager - Cricket, David Richardson said: "The ICC Match Referees all have a wealth of international experience. They keep a close eye on the whole match and are therefore well-placed to provide a verdict on the top performers."

"The fact that those placed second and third also receive points towards the overall individual accolade makes the Man of the Tournament an interesting sub-plot to the main event."

The ICC will provide further updates on the Man of the Tournament standings as the ICC CWC 2003 progresses.

Man of the Tournament standings:

Lance Klusener (SA) 5
Wasim Akram (Pak) 4
Tim de Leede (Hol) 4
Herschelle Gibbs (SA) 4
Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) 4
Andre Adams (NZ) 3
James Anderson (Eng) 3
Ian Billcliff (Can) 3
Austin Codrington (Can) 3
Stephen Fleming (NZ) 3
Jason Gillespie (Aus) 3
Brian Lara (WI) 3
Thomas Odoyo (Ken) 3
Chaminda Vaas (SL) 3
Craig Wishart (Zim) 3

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