Top 5 cricketers who have played the most consecutive ODIs

When ODIs first came into prominence during the early 1970s, the cricket world viewed the limited-overs format with curiosity. Despite the emergence of the World Cup, the innovative format took a backseat to Test cricket even as numerous cricketers preferred to skip ODIs in order to prolong their careers.

However, the game began to undergo a seismic shift during the start of the 1990s. As multi-team tournaments as well as day-night matches gradually became the norm in the calendar, the ODI format gained the attention of the leading cricketers who then proceeded to balance their workloads accordingly.

Considering the amount of limited-overs cricket played in the 90s, it does not come across as any surprise that the careers of some of the most durable ODI cricketers either began or overlapped during that particular era. Here are five cricketers who have played the most consecutive ODIs in the history of the format.

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#5 Richie Richardson - 132 (1987-1993)

Richie Richardson captained West Indies in the 1992 World Cup

When he made his ODI debut in 1983, Richie Richardson walked into a team containing some of the most intimidating names in cricket history. As those exalted players bid adieu to the game one after another, the middle-order batsman gradually found himself forming the fulcrum of a team in transition.

The man, who was expected to be Sir Viv Richards' successor, could not quite express himself like the great man. However, he managed to carve a luminous career by amassing more than 12,000 runs across both Tests and ODIs combined.

From January 1987 to November 1993, Richardson played in all of West Indies' 132 ODIs. During that particular time period, the debonair right-hander scored 3704 runs at an average of 33.07 and strike-rate of 65.65 with four centuries and 27 fifties. He also participated in his team's underwhelming World Cup campaigns in 1987 and 1992, the latter as captain.

#4 Shaun Pollock - 133 (2000-2005)

Shaun Pollock was an integral part of South Africa's lineup during the early to mid 2000s

One of the most underrated cricketers of all time, Shaun Pollock was an extremely valuable player for South Africa during the course of his iconic career. Blessed in multiple facets of the game, he complemented his consistent seam bowling with some useful batting from the lower-order.

From March 2000 till February 2005, Pollock played 133 consecutive ODIs for the Proteas. During that phase, he picked up 174 wickets at an impressive average of 24.51 and remarkable economy-rate of 3.69. In the 50-over format, only Muttiah Muralitharan fared better with the ball in those five years.

In addition to his probing bowling, Pollock also scored more than 1000 runs at a strike-rate of 87.16 with four fifties. During the 2003 World Cup held in Africa, the all-rounder captained South Africa in an ignominious campaign which ended in a group stage exit following a botched Duckworth-Lewis calculation in their crucial game against Sri Lanka.

#3 Hansie Cronje - 162 (1993-2000)

Hansie Cronje's career was cut short by the infamous match-fixing scandal

The image of a teary-eyed Hansie Cronje confessing his guilt in the Kings Commission hearings in Cape Town remains the most moving moment in the history of cricket. Before the vices of match-fixing imparted irreversible damage to his reputation in the game and beyond, he was an astute captain who masterminded South Africa's surge in the 1990s. Cronje's profound tactical acumen as well as unflappable demeanour enabled him to oversee a productive spell at the helm of affairs.

Extra Cover: Hansie Cronje - leader, liar, legend

Between September 1993 and March 2000 wherein his career ended in ignominy, Cronje played 162 successive ODIs. He captained South Africa in 137 of those matches and led them to victory on 99 of those occasions.

During the seven-year phase, the right-hander scored 4988 runs at an average of 39.27 and strike-rate of 76.25 with two centuries and 36 fifties. While his decision to play Pat Symcox in place of Allan Donald cost the Proteas in the 1996 World Cup quarter-final against West Indies, Cronje also could not prevent a harrowing tie in the 1999 World Cup semi-final against Australia.

#2 Andy Flower - 172 (1992-2001)

Andy Flower did not miss any ODI from his debut till April 2001

Since making his ODI debut in Zimbabwe's group stage clash against Sri Lanka at New Plymouth during the 1992 World Cup, Andy Flower did not miss a single match for his country until April 2001. Upon remaining injury-free despite donning the wicket-keeping gloves as well, he took part in a whopping 172 successive ODIs. At a time when Zimbabwe were a very competitive team in the 50-over format, his dexterous batting provided the bedrock for their admirable rise.

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During the nine-year phase at the peak of his career, Andy Flower accumulated 5267 runs at an average of 33.54 and strike-rate of 72.83 with two centuries and as many as 44 fifties. In addition to his exploits with the bat, he also effected 150 dismissals (120 catches and 30 stumpings) behind the stumps. After enduring forgettable campaigns in the 1992 and 1996 World Cups, Flower played his part in Zimbabwe's progression to the Super Sixes of the 1999 edition.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar - 185 (1990-1998)

Sachin Tendulkar shouldered India's batting fortunes for the vast majority of the 1990s

In sharp contrast to his relatively sombre accumulation of runs during the latter part of his fabled career, Sachin Tendulkar was an untamed monster in the 1990s. Despite having to carry the burden of an inconsistent batting lineup, he combined the roles of sheet anchor and spark plug with consummate ease.

From April 1990 and April 1998, Tendulkar played an astonishing 185 consecutive ODIs. Not surprisingly, he was the most prolific run-scorer as well as century-maker during that eight-year period. The dynamic right-hander piled on 6620 runs at an average of 40.61 and strike-rate of 84.51 with 15 tons and 40 fifties.

Some of his memorable knocks during this particular phase include the successive centuries against Australia in the Coco-Cola Cup at Sharjah. Interestingly, his match-winning 131-ball 134 in the final also marked the end of an unmatched streak in the 50-over format. Tendulkar's stretch of consecutive ODI appearances was kept to 185 as he did not take part in the opening match of the Coca-Cola Triangular Series against Bangladesh in Mohali.