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Over the years, cricket has evolved a lot, more specifically ODI cricket. Initially, when the ODI game started it was viewed as a mini Test match where the batsmen treated the opening phase like a Test match and gradually increased the scoring rate. Scores in excess of 200 were considered decent.
However, it was the 1996 World Cup that changed the dynamics of batting especially at the top of the order. Players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Saeed Anwar started attacking the bowlers in the first 15 overs and scoring briskly during that period.
Now, with the advent of T20 cricket, ODIs have been revolutionized. The modern-day players see it as an extended T20 match. Such has been the proficiency of the modern-day batsmen that scores in excess of 300 runs have become just par these days.
So, today we look at the greats of the game, who have carried the game forward from the 1980s, 1990s etc and revolutionized it and changed it to what it is today.
The team combination will be of 5 batsmen, 1 Wicket-keeper, 1 All-Rounder, 4 bowlers (3 pacers and 1 spinner) not necessarily in the same order. Also, please note that players who are currently playing International Cricket have not been considered.
#1) Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Sachin Tendulkar is a former Indian international cricketer and a former captain of the Indian national team, regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He is the highest run scorer of all time in International cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar is universally considered the greatest batsman to have ever played the game. While a few other greats might have scored runs at the same pace as Sachin, none of them boasts of Tendulkar's longevity.
In an incredibly long career, Tendulkar has played in 6 World Cups, a feat matched by only one player in the history of cricket. Tendulkar also possessed the 'golden arm' that could break partnerships at critical junctures and change the course of the match.
In 463 matches for India, he has scored a staggering 18,426 runs at an astonishing average of 44.83 and at an amazing strike rate of 86.24, which is significantly better than any of his contemporaries, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s. His attacking gameplay and consistent performances truly revolutionized the sport of cricket.
Such is his status in the world of cricket that he is an automatic choice for Opener no. 1 in the side.
#2) Matthew Hayden (Australia)
Matthew Hayden is a former Australian international cricketer. His career spanned fifteen years. Hayden was a powerful and aggressive left-handed opening batsman, known for his ability to score quickly at both Test and one-day levels.
Some batsmen were feared more for both their presence and intent and Matthew Hayden without any doubt belonged to that crop of players. Hayden was a rare breed of cricketers who had an intimidating presence as well as intimidating gameplay. The fear that he induced in a bowler was exemplary.
He was also among the rarest of players from the 90s who adjusted fabulously to any format of the game, be it the T20 format or a Test match. A pure match-winner, Hayden was one of the pillars of Australia's golden era as he would bully bowlers with nonchalance at the top of the order. The biggest strength which Hayden had was that he could score quickly against both the pace and spin bowlers, a strength rarely seen.
Australia's World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007 which helped them complete a hat-trick of trophies, had Hayden's stamp on it, particularly in the latter tournament where he was just unstoppable.
In 161 matches for Australia, Hayden scored 6133 runs at a healthy average of 43.81 and a decent strike rate of almost 80.
He will be the second opener in the team.
#3) Ricky Ponting (Australia-Captain)
Ricky Ponting is an Australian former international cricketer, and two-time World Cup winning captain in 2003 and 2007, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
Ricky Ponting had all the ingredients of a typical Australian - tough as nails, aggressive, vocal and above all, mentally powerful to tackle pressure situations. The best quality about Ponting was his burning desire to win matches and at times, the desperation did bring up infamous incidents but what shone through his career was the sheer desire to be victorious.
Three World Cup titles including two consecutive ones as captain to go with a couple of Champions Trophy titles and the no.1 Test ranking shows that he had seen it all in the international arena. Adding to all this was, of course, his free-wheeling strokeplay as a batsman, amassing runs at will and destroying opposition bowlers. The only title that eluded him was the World T20 but one could argue that the format came around the time that Ponting was in his final years.
In 375 matches for Australia, Ponting scored 13704 runs at an impressive average of 42 and an equally healthy strike rate in excess of 80.
He will be the number 3 in this team and will also be the captain of the team.
#4) Jacques Kallis (South Africa - All rounder)
Jacques Kallis is a former South African cricketer, and, a former Test and ODI captain. As a right-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium swing bowler, Kallis is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time and one of the game's greatest all-rounders.
Perhaps the greatest all-rounder of all time and certainly the best in recent times, Jacques Kallis' stats in all forms of the game makes for jaw-dropping reading. The only man to have scored over 10000 runs and taken over 250 wickets in both forms of the game, Kallis is a modern-day colossus. Add a couple of hundred catches in both forms of the game and what you get is an invaluable and an irreplaceable asset.
Technically sound and strong off either foot, Kallis is adept at playing both the seamers and the spinners. Once in, he is one of the most difficult batsmen to dislodge in World Cricket and has often buried the opposition into dust with his stoic approach at the crease. Though his primary emphasis is on defence, he is always on the lookout for runs and is severe on anything loose. He can play practically every shot in the book, though his cover drives are his best.
Jacques Kallis is the batting all-rounder in the team. The South African all-rounder provides a great balance to a side like no other player.
In the 328 ODIs in which Kallis represented South Africa, he scored 11579 runs at an impressive batting average of 44.36. He has also taken 273 wickets at a bowling average of 31.79 and an economy rate of 4.84 runs which is very good, to say the least.
Jacques Kallis will be the all-rounder in the team and will play at number 4.
#5) AB de Villiers (South Africa)
AB De Villiers is a former South African cricketer. He is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. De Villiers holds many batting records, including the world's fastest One Day International (ODI) 50, 100 and 150, the fastest Test century by a South African and the fastest Twenty20 International (T20I) 50 by a South African.
Mr. 360 takes the No. 5 spot in the XI. AB de Villiers is often regarded as the most versatile and one of the best batsmen of all time. de Villiers defied the laws of physics in ODIs. Versatility in shots and unorthodox batting style set him apart from other batsmen of the generation.
Apart from being a match winner in the batting department, he was perhaps the best fielder the game of cricket has ever seen.
In 288 matches for South Africa, AB de Villiers scored 9577 runs at an extraordinary average of 53.5 and a blistering strike rate of 101.1.
He is a modern day great and he will be batting at number 5 in this team.
#6) Michael Hussey (Australia)
Michael Hussey also known as Mike Hussey is a former Australian international cricketer, who played all forms of the game. Hussey is also widely known by his nickname 'Mr Cricket'. Hussey was a relative latecomer to both the one-day international and Test Australian teams, debuting at 28 and 30 years of age in the respective formats, with 15,313 first-class runs before making his Test debut.
However, he had a highly successful international career, being the top-ranked ODI batsman in the world in 2006.
A late bloomer, Mike Hussey was one of the pillars of Australia's batting during their transition phase post-Waugh era. Although not as attractive as left-handed batsmen generally are, Hussey's batting was a sight to behold.
His determination and mental strength combine beautifully with tremendous fighting spirit. Amidst all this, he did have a few signature strokes too which were a visual treat. Like his cover drive or pull/cut strokes which he dished out with utter disdain. While his batting template was destined to work for limited-overs cricket, it's his Test achievements that defined Hussey as the batsman more through his career.
In ODIs, he was the vital cog as far as Australian cricket is concerned in terms of controlling the back end of the innings and at times, even the early crisis.
In 185 matches for Australia, Hussey scored 5442 runs at an impressive average of 48.16 and an equally impressive strike rate of 87.17.
He will be batting at number 6 in this team.
#7) Adam Gilchrist (Australia - Wicket Keeper)
Adam Gilchrist, nicknamed "Gilly" is a former Australian international cricketer and former captain of Australian national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest wicket-keeper–batsmen in the history of the game, Gilchrist held the world record for the most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in One Day International (ODI) cricket until it was surpassed by Kumar Sangakkara in 2015 and the most by an Australian in Test cricket.
The role of a wicket-keeper batsman primarily included keeping duties with the runs scored by the gloveman deemed as a bonus. All that changed with the arrival of Adam Gilchrist who revolutionized the role forever. A dasher of a batsman who could destroy the best of bowlers, he was also a terrific keeper against both pace and spin. Such was his effectiveness that Australia considered him as a genuine all-rounder.
He was known for his fitness and excellent cricketing shots. He single-handedly destroyed many bowling lineups be it spin or pace bowling attack. His ability to score at a quick pace from the beginning of innings used to set the game for his team. Gilly was one of the most consistent performers in the 50 over format.
In 287 ODI matches, Gilchrist amassed 9619 runs at a healthy average of 36 and an impressive strike rate of 97 which is phenomenal, to say the least.
Even though he has batted as an opener for Australia, in this team, his big hitting ability will be more useful at number 7 position.
#8) Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
Wasim Akram is a former Pakistani cricketer. He is acknowledged as one of the greatest bowlers of all time. A left-arm fast bowler who could bowl with significant pace, he represented the Pakistan cricket team in Test cricket and One Day International (ODI) matches.
Akram is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the game, and perhaps the finest of all left-arm fast bowlers. It is not an exaggeration to say that there is not an aspect of fast bowling that Akram did not have complete mastery over. His place as the greatest left-arm pacer remains unrivaled.
Nicknamed the 'Sultan of Swing' for his exceptional ability to swing the ball, Akram deceived the batsmen with his wide repertoire of skills and was very hard to score off. He also holds the record for being the first bowler in the world to breach the 500-wicket barrier in ODIs.
In 356 ODI matches, Akram has taken 502 wickets at an outstanding average of 23.53.
Not surprisingly, he was also one of the most parsimonious bowlers of his era as his economy of 3.89 shows. The left-arm wizard is an automatic choice and will be the leader of our pace attack.
#9) Shane Bond (New Zealand)
Shane Bond is a former New Zealand cricketer. He represented New Zealand in Test, ODI, and Twenty20 International cricket. A right-arm fast bowler, his fastest recorded delivery was clocked at 156.4 km/h against India in the 2003 World Cup.
Fast, furious and dashing, Shane Bond preyed on batsmen much like how James Bond did on his enemies. In stark contrast to James' ultra-long run, Shane's career though action-packed was cut short by the recurrence of injuries.
Despite landing on the doctor's table more often than not, Bond refused to compromise on pace, a ploy, which raised as many eyebrows as it did praise. However, amid all the mishaps Bond's guts and firepower stood out.
At his peak, he battered stumps and toes with yorkers, he even kept the best of batsmen on tenterhooks with his ability to swing the ball both ways at genuine pace. In fact, he was the first ever quick to break the 150kph barrier.
Despite his career being relatively short, Shane Bond has extraordinary ordinary numbers to justify his place on this list.
In 82 Matches for New Zeland, Bond has taken 147 wickets at a bowling average of just 20.88 which is beyond belief, to say the least. Furthermore, he has an impressive economy rate of 4.29 and a strike rate of 29.22 which justifies his claims further.
He will be the second fast bowler in the team.
#10) Glenn McGrath (Australia)
Glenn McGrath is an Australian former international cricketer, who played all formats of the game for fourteen years. He was a fast-medium pace bowler and is considered one of the greatest bowlers in cricketing history and a leading contributor to Australia's domination of world cricket from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s.
McGrath was known throughout his career for maintaining an accurate line and length, McGrath's consistency enabled him to be one of the most economical and dangerous fast bowlers of his time.
Glenn McGrath wasn't the quickest or the canniest ever, but in a career spanning over 14 years, he had the simplest of toolkits for menacing returns.
In 250 Matches for Australia, McGrath took an impressive 381 wickets at an amazing bowling average of 22. Furthermore, he has an impressive economy rate of 3.88 runs per over which is phenomenal, to say the least.
Glenn McGrath will be the third fast bowler in the team.
#11) Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Muttiah Muralitharan is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and is regarded as one of the best spin bowlers ever.
Muttiah Muralitharan viewed purely through numbers, is a giant performer and is in the unique position of holding the records for most wickets in One Day Internationals as well as Test matches. Murali, without any doubt, is the best cricketer Sri Lanka has ever produced.
Murali's biggest weapon was that he could turn the ball massively in either direction, thus spinning a web of confusion around the batsmen. It is because of the gigantic success Murali had that the 'Doosra' has become very popular now.
It will be not wrong to say that Murali weaved magic with a cricket ball in his hands. He has flummoxed generations of batsmen with his prodigious spin, subtle variations and often been a one-man army for the Sri Lankan bowling.
In 350 matches for Sri Lanka, Murali has taken 534 wickets with a bowling average of 23.08 which is quite extraordinary.
He is the sole spinner in the team.
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