Top 5 ODI batting performances of 2021

In a year when the T20 World Cup was held, the ODI format took a backseat. India, who often end up playing the highest number of international matches in a year, played only six ODIs, winning four and losing two.

Defending champions England played nine games and tasted victory in six of them. T20 World Cup champions Australia featured in only three ODIs, winning two. New Zealand, who were runners-up in the T20 World Cup, remained undefeated in one-dayers, winning three out of three.

Among the other top cricket-playing nations, Sri Lanka and South Africa had a torrid 2021 in ODIs. While the Asian side lost 10 out of 15 games, the Proteas won only three out of 10. Pakistan were also under par, losing four out of six matches. West Indies, meanwhile, tasted defeat in five out of nine matches.

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Memorable ODI batting efforts of 2021

Although only a limited number of ODIs were played in 2021, there were a few standout performances with the bat. As the year draws to a close, we look back at five of the best batting performances.

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#5 Ben Stokes - 99 off 52 vs India (Pune)

Ben Stokes hits during the 2nd ODI against India. Pic: Getty Images

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was in the news for deciding to take a mental health break as he pulled out of the Test series against India at home. Stokes also battled injury issues as was ruled out of IPL 2021 after just one game with a broken finger.

Before the IPL, Stokes featured in the Test and limited-overs series in India. While he tasted moderate success during the tour, the left-handed batter smacked 99 off only 52 balls in the second ODI of the three-match series in Pune in March. England were set to chase 337 to win the contest, but Stokes and Jonny Bairstow (124) featured in a whirlwind 175-run second-wicket stand to put England on top.

Stokes hit 10 sixes during his dazzling innings, with three of those coming off consecutive deliveries in a Kuldeep Yadav over. He then clobbered three sixes and a four off Krunal Pandya in an over which cost 28. Stokes was caught behind off Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 99, but England went on to win the contest comprehensively by six wickets and 39 balls to spare.

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#4 Janneman Malan - 121 off 135 vs Sri Lanka (Colombo)

Janneman Malan plays a shot during the 2nd ODI against Sri Lanka. Pic: Getty Images

South African opener Janneman Malan scored a wonderful century during the second ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The Proteas batted first after winning the toss and Malan led the team’s charge with a sublime 121 off 135 balls, a knock featuring nine fours and a six.

Malan was watchful during the first half of his innings and reached a half-century off 64 balls. The opener and Reeza Hendricks (51) featured in a second-wicket stand of 96. Malan carried out the good work following Hendricks’ dismissal. He reached three-figures by chopping a slower ball from Dushmantha Chameera to the backward point for a single. Immediately afterwards, he smacked Wanindu Hasaranga for 4,6 and 4.

The centurion was trapped lbw by Chameera in the 45th over. In a rain-reduced encounter, the Proteas put up 283/6 in 47 overs. The target for Sri Lanka was revised to 265 in 41 overs. The hosts folded up for 197 as Tabraiz Shamsi claimed 5 for 49.

#3 James Vince - 102 off 95 vs Pakistan (Birmingham)

James Vince lofts one during the 3rd ODI against Pakistan. Pic: Getty Images

Despite his obvious talent, James Vince has been a serious under-performer in international cricket. One of his best batting efforts came in the third ODI of the series against Pakistan in Birmingham. England were set a target of 332 after Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hammered 158 and Mohammad Rizwan contributed 74. Vince’s hundred saw England cross the winning line with two overs to spare.

Playing with a second-string side after the original squad was sent into isolation due to COVID-19, England had already won the series by clinching the first two ODIs. Vince ensured the hosts completed a series whitewash. England lost Dawid Malan for a duck while Phil Salt and Zak Crawley fell in their 30s. However, Vince struck 11 fours in his impressive knock and featured in a sixth-wicket stand of 129 with Lewis Gregory (77).

Vince did not go on an all-out attack but kept finding the boundaries at regular intervals to ease the pressure, allowing the others to bat around him. He reached a patient fifty off 45 balls and opened up by crashing Hasan Ali for consecutive fours. Vince brought up his hundred by slamming the same bowler for another boundary. He holed out soon after, but had done enough to ensure England eased to victory.

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#2 Andy Balbirnie - 102 off 117 vs South Africa (Dublin)

Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie. Pic: Getty Images

Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie led from the front as the minnows created history by registering their first-ever ODI win over South Africa. Balbirnie scored a top-class 102 off 117 as Ireland posted a competitive 290 for 5 after being sent into bat in the second ODI of the three-match series in July.

Opening the innings, the Ireland skipper hit 10 fours and two sixes against a quality South African bowling line-up featuring Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj. Balbirnie smashed pacer Nortje for three fours in the sixth over. He built on the start and reached a half-century off 51 balls.

Balbirnie patiently reached 90 after which he slog-swept Maharaj for a six over deep midwicket. The Ireland batter brought up his seventh ODI hundred by pushing Shamsi to cover for a single. He was dismissed soon after, chipping Rabada to mid-off. The bowlers then ensured that their captain’s knock did not go in vain. Ireland cleaned up South Africa for 247 to register their maiden ODI triumph over the Proteas.

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#1 Fakhar Zaman - 193 off 155 vs South Africa (Johannesburg)

Fakhar Zaman during his knock of 193 in the Johannesburg ODI. Pic: Getty Images

Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman played a spectacular innings during the second ODI of the three-match series against South Africa in Johannesburg in April. The visitors were chasing 342 for victory and Zaman single-handedly kept the team in the hunt with a terrific 193-run knock off 155 balls.

Opening the innings, Zaman struck 18 fours and 10 sixes during the course of his innings. Thanks to his efforts, Pakistan had hope in the chase even as wickets kept falling at the other end. Zaman struck Lungi Ngidi for three fours in the eighth over to get some momentum into his innings. However, he needed 70 balls to get to his fifty, which he reached by clobbering Rabada for a maximum.

The left-hander found better rhythm and brought up a memorable hundred off 107 balls with a four off Nortje. Zaman broke loose after that. He clubbed left-arm spinner Shamsi for two sixes in the 42nd over and dispatched the bowler for three consecutive maximums in his next.

Despite Zaman’s exploits, Pakistan went into the last over needing 31 to win. The left-hander was dismissed in bizarre fashion off the first ball. The batter slowed down while returning for a second run as Quinton de Kock’s gesture suggested the throw was going to the bowler’s end. Zaman slowed down and was run out by a direct hit. Pakistan lost the ODI by 17 runs, but Zaman won hearts and the Player of the Match award.