Thursday 29 March 2012

My Greatest ODI XI 1990-2012 (7-11)

Wasim Akram(Pakistan)

Wasim Akram, regarded as one of the finest left-arm fast bowlers of all time. He did things with the ball that some could only dream of. He could move the ball both ways, sometimes in the one delivery. While doing all of this, he came in at a high speed. He also had more than one string to his bow, with an ability to bat aswell. He has 502 ODI wickets to his name at an average of 23.52. While also accumulating 3717 runs throughout his ODI career. With the bulk of his runs coming in at 7, with 1222 runs being scored there. Inclusive of his top score of 86 vs Australia in the Benson & Hedges World Series - 1st final. Though he reached the 500-wickets lamndmark in ODI's during the 2003 World Cup. He was still among the eight players to be dumped from the squad after their disastrous performance. He was to retire shortly after, despite a brief spell with English side Hampshire.

Lance Klusener(South Africa)

Following his star performance in the 1999 World Cup he topped the ICC ODI Batting rankings. His high strike rate and career ODI average of 41.10 had him placed among the names in South Africa's most accomplished one-day batsmen. Along with 3576 runs while also picking up 192 wickets at an average of 29.95. He did the bulk of the damage with his bat at 8, with 1056 runs coming. While also keeping an average of 58.66. Making him one very special number 8.

Shane Warne(Australia)

Despite the headlines he made on the field, he was equally capable of making them off the field. Despite some mistakes off the field, while he was on it. He was regarded as the greatest spinner of all time. In the Test stakes he only finished behind Muralitharan. He rejuvinated legspin, making it fasionable to perform again. He picked up 293 wickets at an average of 25.73. While also having scored 1018 runs in the ODI format and a top score of 55. His priority was bowling. He remains a man with a colourful character, perhaps that's why he's adored so much around the world.

Allan Donald(South Africa)

One of the greats in South African bowling history. With 272 ODI wickets at an average of 21.78. A lot of the success that South Africa has gained in the modern era can be credited to the work of Allan Donald. Possibly being the only world-class performer in the South African team at that time. With his top-drawer pace and his ability to make things happen. As his body began to take more of a pounding through wear and tear. He retired from ODI cricket after South Africa's exit from the 2003 World Cup.

Glenn McGrath(Australia)

Glenn McGrath regarded as one of the best bowlers of all time. Arguably the greatest in Australia's history. His unremitting off-stump line with an immaculate length had batsmen throughout the world in dire straits. He specialised in gaining the opposition's biggest wickets, especially Michael Atherton and Brian Lara's. Picking up 381 ODI wickets at an average of 22.02, including seven 5-wicket hauls. He currently holds the record for the most wickets taken in the World Cup with 71. With 26 of those wickets falling in the 2007 World Cup. Helped by an impressive 7-15 against the outclassed Namibians.




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