Top 4 teams with most wins in a calendar year across formats

Cricket is a funny sport. An outstanding individual performance is enough to turn any match on its head. However, only the best teams can produce such performances on a consistent basis.

Over the years, the West Indies team of the 80s and the Australian team of the last decade have been some of the most consistent and dominating teams in the history of cricket.

So, which teams have managed to win the maximum number of matches in a calendar year across formats? Let us have a look.

Here is the list of the top 4 teams.

---

#4 Pakistan (2011)

Misbah Ul Haq is one of Pakistan's most successful captains

Pakistan is one of the most mercurial teams in the history of cricket. When this team is on song, they can defeat anyone like they showed in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. However, inconsistency has always been Pakistan's bane.

They had their best year in terms of wins in 2011. They played a total of 47 matches that year, winning 34 of them to put them in fourth place. They maintained an impressive win-loss ratio of 3.78 during this period.

Pakistan won 6 out 10 test matches, 24 of 32 ODIs and a further 4 of the 5 T20 Internationals that year.

#3 Australia (1999)

Steve Waugh and Shane Warne in action

Australia have been one of the most dominant teams of the last decade. In terms of wins, they had one of their best years in 1999. Led by the determined Steve Waugh they also won the World Cup that year.

Their bowling line-up consisted of Glenn Mcgrath, Shane Warne and Damien Fleming. To complement them, they had Adam Gilchrist at the top of the order with Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Michael Bevan in the middle order - a batting lineup capable of taking apart any bowling attack.

In terms of stats, they won 35 of the 51 matches that they played that year. The break up of wins included 26 wins in 37 ODIs and 9 wins in 14 test matches.

#2 India (2017)

Virat Kohli has had a great start as India's captain

Team India had a wonderful 2017 under the leadership of Virat Kohli. They started their grand home season of 2017 with series wins over England in ODIs and T20s. The Border-Gavaskar trophy was regained in March.

After that, series wins over West Indies, Australia and Sri Lanka followed. The only blemish on India's stellar year was that they failed to win any major tournament this year as they lost to arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of the Champions Trophy 2017.

They ended the year with 37 wins from the 53 matches in 2017. The break up of wins is as follows - 7 out of 11 in Tests, 21 out of 29 in ODIs and 9 out of 13 in T20s.

They would be hoping to continue their good form in 2018 on foreign tours as well.

#1 Australia (2003)

Ricky Ponting led Australia during their most dominant period

Australian dominance in the world of cricket is evident as they appear on the list twice. By 2003 they had formed a world-beating team. While a few of the old guard remained, the emergence of new players such as Andrew Symonds as well as a tearaway fast bowler Brett Lee made their team even stronger.

They stormed their way to the 2003 World Cup title after defeating India in the final. They also won a record 21 consecutive ODIs during this period - a record that stands still today.

All in all, they won 38 of the 47 matches that year - with a staggering win-loss ratio of 4.75. They won 30 of the 35 ODIs and 8 out of the 12 test matches in 2003.