The gentleman’s game is played all around the globe but only a few countries have excelled at it. That said, there have been a lot of players who have performed exceptionally well for their nations. Since cricket is a team game where all the 11 players’ contribution is equally important, it’s hard for one exceptional player to take an ordinary team to the pinnacle of success.
Whilst the cricketing giants have always boasted of superstars who have been celebrated, once in a while someone from a not-so-cricket-dominant nation pops up and makes us wonder “what if”. These players were not fortunate enough to play in a quality squad, but their cricketing skills, consistency and understanding of the game could have easily fetched them a place in some of the top cricketing nations.
What if they were born in a country that held cricket in high esteem and had a team that was world class? Here are 5 such talented players who could have made a difference in other cricketing sides.
#1 Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe)
The successful right-handed batsman and former captain of Zimbabwe had a great ODI career, scoring 5,258 runs in 167 ODIs with a highest score of 145*. The wicket-keeper batsman also has 8 centuries and 32 fifties to his name.
He was, in fact, the first Zimbabwean to score back to back ODI centuries, a feat the batsman achieved twice – once in 2011 and again in the 2015 World Cup. His last ODI was against India in the 2015 World Cup where he scored a scintillating 138 and was praised by every Indian cricketer. Taylor had a good time with the gloves too, with 98 catches and 20 stumpings to his name.
The Zimbabwean retired from the international scene after the 2015 World Cup and is now playing county cricket for Nottinghamshire
#2 Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands)
The Dutch all-rounder is considered one of the best cricketers to have ever played for a non-Test playing nation. Whilst boasting of a batting average of 67 in ODIs, he managed to score five centuries and nine fifties. Ryan is also the second highest wicket taker for the Netherlands, claiming 55 wickets with a decent bowling average of 24.12.
The Dutch all-rounder is famous for playing T20 leagues around the globe, having featured in a few famous clubs such as the Adelaide Strikers, Kolkata Knight Riders , Essex and Canterbury.
‘Tendo’, as he is fondly known, was the third player to score two centuries in the 2011 World Cup, alongside AB de Villiers and Sachin Tendulkar. The all-rounder holds the record of the highest batting average in ODIs, way ahead of AB de Villiers who holds the second place (with an average of 54.11).
#3 Kevin O’Brien (Ireland)
The Irish all-rounder holds the record for scoring the fastest century in World Cups. The big man smashed a memorable century off just 50 balls against England in the 2011 World Cup while chasing a target of 328.
Ireland were struggling at 111/5 when O’Brien’s blistering innings rescued the team. Any side would love to have the Irish all-rounder in their side. The quality player is the second highest run scorer and the highest wicket taker for Ireland. He was also awarded the Man of the Series award as well when Pakistan toured Ireland in 2013.
O’Brien is known for his strong and aggressive batting, and he has the ability to clear the rope with ease. In his record-breaking century, he also struck the longest six of the tournament.
#4 Ole Mortensen (Denmark)
Ole Mortensen is undoubtedly the best Danish cricketer to have ever played the game. He was known for his accuracy, discipline and fierce bowling. The Danish fast bowler, who played county cricket for Derbyshire, was one of the best county bowlers. Ole took 434 wickets at an average of 23.88 from 157 First-Class games.
Kim Barnett, his captain, regarded him as “the best bowler to have never played Test cricket”. The tall self-taught cricketer used to bowl a fierce bouncer to the tail enders and was feared by many batsmen.
#5 Steve Tikolo (Kenya)
The former Kenya captain who took his team to the 2003 World Cup semis is the highest run-scorer from his country in ODIs. He, in fact, featured in four World Cups between 1996 and 2007, leading the African nation to an unprecedented semi-final berth in the 2003 edition. The elegant right-hander is currently second in the list of batsmen having played the most number of ODIs without playing a Test.
Tikolo holds the record for scoring the most number of runs for Kenya (3,428), with 3 centuries and 24 fifties to his name. The former Kenyan skipper was no mug with the ball either, claiming 94 wickets at an economy of 4.80, which is good enough to see him lie second in the highest wicket-takers list for Kenya – after Thomas Odoyo.
Tikolo last played in the 2011 World Cup qualifiers where his team went on to secure a place in the main edition. He is currently the coach of the Uganda Cricket team.
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