5 most spectacular ODI batting performances of 2018

2018 was a crucial year for ODI cricket as all the teams looked forward to solidifying their squads for the impending 2019 World Cup. The English team pressed its claim with a fantastic side and also registered the highest score in ODI cricket. The Indian team displayed its batting might as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepped towards legendary status in the ODIs.

The World Cup qualifiers also took place in 2018, and we saw a few stunning performances in Zimbabwe. This year, we witnessed quite a few glorious knocks in ODI cricket and here is a selection of the best five knocks.

This list takes in the account the match situation, pitch condition and opposition’s bowling attack. Here are the most spectacular ODI batting performances of 2018.

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#5. Shai Hope’s victorious 146 not out against Bangladesh

Shai Hope scored his maiden ODI century against Bangladesh

Windies had been trounced in the first ODI against Bangladesh at Dhaka. After the earlier triumph in the Test series, the host side hoped to complete the series win in the second ODI at the same venue. They batted first and scored 255/7. Windies openers C Hemraj and Shai Hope began the chase.

While Hope stood resolutely at one end, Bangladesh kept chipping away with the wickets at the other. The opener brought up his maiden ODI century but Windies found themselves languishing at 185/6 in 39 overs. Hope found an able partner in Keemo Paul and kept the fight alive.

Despite the best of the efforts, the victory was far away when Windies needed 22 runs from the last two overs. With the death-over specialist, Mustafizur Rehman poised to bowl it, the hopes were thinner. However, the centurion outguessed Rehman and sent him packing with three boundaries in the over. Windies later secured the win on the fourth ball of the 50th over and Hope walked back with 146 not out from 144 balls.

#4. Tony Ura’s 151 from the team total of 235 in the World Cup Qualifiers

Tony Ura played a legendary knock against IRE

The World Cup Qualifier held in Zimbabwe in March provided us with a glimpse of the rich talents present in the Associate cricket nations. One of the gems unearthed in the competition was the Papua New Guinea opener Tony Ura. The PNG region has a long historical tradition of cricket but this knock from the opener caused the world to take its notice.

When Papua New Guinea confronted Ireland in a group game, the Irish nation was expected to walk over the weaker side. Six out of the top seven batsmen form PNG returned for a single digit score and the team was struggling at 80/6. However, the opener Tony Ura at the other end was determined to see this through.

In an exceptional display of batting skills, Ura single-handedly carried the Papuan team score past 200. He almost carried the bat in the effort and was dismissed on the third ball of the 50th over.

Ura scored 151 from 142 balls with 10 fours and six sixes while rest of his teammates accounted for only 74 runs. Him scoring 64.25% of the team total is the fourth-highest individual percentage in ODI cricket after Viv Richards, Kapil Dev and Rohit Sharma. Ireland managed to win the encounter by four wickets.

#3. Calum MacLeod’s scintillating 157 not out against Afghanistan

Calum MacLeod smashed Rashid Khan to all parts of the ground

Afghanistan has taken gigantic strides in International cricket in a very brief span. The most significant factor in this success has been Rashid Khan. He has bamboozled the best of the batsmen, and the world is still seeking the ways to counter him. But on one fine day in March, Scottish batsman Calum MacLeod dished out a masterclass in defusing the leggie.

In the World Cup 2019 Qualifier group game, the Afghans had batted first and had raised the total of 255 runs. The rookie mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rehman gobbled Scotland’s openers to reduce them to 21/2 in five overs. Calum MacLeod walked out to bat next and remained on the crease until victory was achieved.

Along with Richie Berrington, MacLeod first built a platform and then launched the offensive. He was exceptionally severe on World’s number one ODI bowler at that point of time, Rashid Khan.

MacLeod employed the sweep shot so effectively that Rashid not only failed to dismiss him but also returned with the worst figures of his ODI career (9-0-68-1). The historic knock of 157 runs from 146 balls laced with 23 fours and a six helped Scotland defeat Afghanistan by five wickets.

#2. Virat Kohli’s cramps-defying gem of 160 not out against South Africa

Virat Kohli scored six ODI centuries in 2018

It is just impossible to compile any list regarding batting excellence in One Day cricket and not have Virat Kohli in it. The champion Indian batsman is an all-time great in this format and he passed the 10K run mark in ODIs this year. Against Windies, he had stitched the three consecutive ODI centuries. Earlier in the year, he had a spectacular run against South Africa in South Africa as well.

Virat struck six ODI centuries this year and needless to say that he emerged as the highest run-getter in 2018. Considering the situation and opposition, his unbeaten 160 against South Africa at Cape Town remains his best ODI knock of the year. On a bouncy and speedy track, India was inserted to bat first against the attack of Rabada, Ngidi, Morris and Phehlukwayo.

India lost Rohit Sharma in the first over itself, but Shikhar Dhawan provided tremendous support while Kohli embarked on his customary ton. After Dhawan’s fall in the 24th over, Indian run-machine assumed the run-scoring mantle and single-handedly carried India past 300 runs.

Kohli remained not out on 160 from 159 balls while battling the cramps. The highest individual score after Kohli and Dhawan was Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 16. South Africa was later wrapped for 179 runs only.

#1. Ross Taylor’s epic 181 not out against England

Ross Taylor fought his injury to play an incredible knock

New Zealand headed into the fourth ODI of the five-match series with a trail of 2-1. England needed to clinch this match to gain an assailable lead of 3-1, and they were well on their way at 267/1 in 37 overs. Hosts New Zealand pulled back things at Dunedin and faced a target of 336 runs to stay alive in the series.

Blackcaps suffered a terrible start as they lost their openers Colin Munro and Martin Guptill for zero. Ross Taylor walked out to bat with the team’s score reading 2/2 and played the knock of life. He first had the support of Kane Williamson and then found a deputy in Tom Latham.

Accumulating runs relentlessly, Taylor and Latham stitched a partnership of 187 runs for the fourth wicket. Diving for a brace after his 19th ODI century, the number four suffered an injury which hampered his running severely. A limping and hobbling Taylor did not retire hurt and waged the battle for the team’s chances.

After Latham’s fall, Colin de Grandhomme’s quick-fire 23 from 12 brought the Kiwis closer but still demanded a final effort from Taylor. Needing 32 from the last four overs, Taylor smashed Woakes for six and four to set New Zealand in the driving seat. The limping legend finished 181 not out from 147 balls and saw his team close an unbelievable chase.