Ricky Ponting: 98* (55) for Australia v New Zealand, 2005

There was a jovial feeling to this, the first ever T20 international match, with New Zealand donning retro kits and wigs but Ponting’s masterful innings was an indication that high quality cricket was still possible even across such an abridged format of the game. His 98 not out at No.4 lifted Australia from 54 for 4 to a match-winning 214.

Yuvraj Singh: 58 (16) for India v England, 2007

India’s triumphant final in 2007 is often cited as the moment one billion people fell in love with T20 but in reality it happened a week earlier when Yuvraj dispatched Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over in Durban.

Yuvraj Singh: 70 (30) for India v Austraia, 2007

Three days after his heroics against Broad, Yuvraj was at it again in the semi final against Australia. Batting first, India were treading water at 48 for 2 after 9 overs. Yuvraj’s explosive cameo helped take 140 off the last 11 overs, enough to carry India to the final.

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Graham Napier: 152* (58) for Essex v Sussex in 2008

Napier’s world record 16 sixes – many hit out of the tiny ground at Chelmsford – earned him an international call-up and an IPL contract with Mumbai Indians.

AB de Villiers: 105* (54) for Delhi Daredevils v Chennai Super Kings, 2009

De Villiers arrived at the crease with Delhi 8 for 2 before crafting a superb century against an excellent attack. To this day it remains one of the South African’s top innings according to batting impact.

Tillakaratne Dilshan: 96* (57) for Sri Lanka v West Indies, 2009

In the World Cup where we first saw the Dilscoop, this was Dilshan’s finest knock: single-handedly propelling Sri Lanka to a total of 157 and to the final. The next highest score was 24.