Top Five ODI teams in mid to late 90s

In every global sport, there are streaks of dominance by teams who look to be a cut above their competitors. In cricket, the Mighty Windies boasting of a plethora of match winners ruled the roost in the 70s and 80s. The turn of the new millennium saw Australia emerging as the Numero Uno ODI side winning a hat-trick of World Cups. With traditional powerhouses like West Indies and England witnessing a decline in the mid-90s, South Africa rose as one of the formidable challengers to Australia in limited overs cricket. The Proteas were at loggerheads with the Aussies in the battle for ODI supremacy. Then we had Sri Lanka who shed their underdog tag to become World Champions in 1996.

Meanwhile, sub-continent giants, Pakistan and India were always strong playing at home. New Zealand could not be written off as they were giant killers in major tournaments. It indeed was a highly competitive era in the shorter format of the game.

So let us go back in time and analyze as to who were the five strongest teams in ODI cricket in the mid and late 90s. I have taken into account the period from 1st Jan 1995 to 31st Dec 1999 for evaluating the results of the teams. The two major parameters for judging the success of a side was their ability to win matches consistently and the record at major ICC tournaments.

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#1 South Africa

Post their readmission to international cricket in 1992, South Africa established itself as a formidable team in the ODI arena. The Proteas were second to none when it came to winning ODI games on a consistent basis. The South Africans were brilliantly led by a master tactician in Hansie Cronje who got the best out his team.

They had the arsenal in both batting and bowling to beat the best team on their day. They were simply unbeatable at home and also were a potent force traveling overseas. The Green and Gold brigade comprised of a dependable opening pair of Gary Kristen and Herschelle Gibbs. The middle order looked compact with Jacques Kallis, Hansie Cronje, Daryll Cullinan and Jonty Rhodes. Quality all-rounders like Brian McMillan, Shaun Pollock, and Lance Klusener provided depth to their batting.

The Proteas pace attack was one of the most lethal with a battery of speed merchants led by ‘White Lightning’ Alan Donald. Donald formed a lethal pace attack with Shaun Pollock, Fanie De Villiers, and Jacques Kallis. The South Africans were an exceptional fielding unit boasting of world-class fielders in Jonty Rhodes, Herschelle Gibbs, Derek Crooks and Brian McMillan.

The South Africans who consistently made it to the knockouts of major choked at crucial moments.

South Africa's Top 15 ODI players (1995-2000) - Gary Kristen, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje, Jonty Rhodes, Mark Boucher, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald, Fanie De Villiers, Pat Symcox, Brian McMillan and Dave Richardson

ODI RECORD (Jan 1995-Dec 1999)

Played - 109 Won - 82 Lost - 23 Win % - 77.35

ICC World Cup

1996 – Quarterfinals

1999 - Semifinals

ICC Champions Trophy

1998 - Winners

#2 Australia

The Australians were among the top sides in the limited overs arena. The Aussies were a well-rounded side which boasted of a galaxy of match winners. The 'Kangaroos' were brilliantly led by two astute leaders in Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh. The opening looked formidable with the flamboyant Mark Waugh, the destructive Adam Gilchrist, and the dependable Mark Taylor. The middle order was well settled with the prolific Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Stuart Law and the gritty Steve Waugh. They had arguably the best finisher in the game in Micheal Bevan.

The Aussies boasted of a strong pace attack spearheaded by Glen McGrath. While 'Pidge' was an epitome of line and length, Damien Fleming could swing the ball both ways. Seamers like Micheal Kasprowicz, Jason Gillespie, and Paul Reiffel gave the Aussies plenty of seam options. The team had some handy all-rounders in Tom Moody, Brendon Julian and Ian Harvey who provided depth to the side.

However, Australia's biggest matchwinner was ace leg-spinner Shane Warne who could cast a web around the best. Warne could bamboozle the best with his natural drift and big spinning leg spinners.

Australia were the dominant side in major ICC tournaments winning the 1999 World Cup and being the losing finalist to Sri Lanka in the 1996 edition.

Australia’s Top 15 15 ODI players (1995-2000) - Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Steve Waugh, Michael Bevan, Tom Moody, Ian Healy, Shane Warne, Damien Fleming, Glen McGrath, Darren Lehmann, Mark Taylor, Stuart Law and Paul Rieffel

ODI Record (1995-1999)

Played - 120 Won - 68 Lost - 50 Win % - 56.67

ICC Cricket World Cup

1996 – Finalists

1999 - Winners

ICC Champions Trophy

1998- Quarterfinal

#3 Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's meteoric rise in One Day cricket was the success story of the mid 90s. Tagged as underdogs the Islanders turned around their cricketing fortunes by winning the 1996 World Cup under the shrewd captaincy in Arjuna Ranatunga. Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana revolutionized batting in power plays with their belligerent pinch hitting. The Lankan middle order had a batting maestro in Aravinda De Silva, Roshan Mahanama, Asanka Gurunsinge and the captain Ranatunga himself.

The seam bowling was led by left-arm medium pacer Chaminda Vaas who was a clever exponent at seaming the ball with an immaculate line. Vaas was partnered by Sanjeeva De Silva, Ravindra Pushpakumara, and Pramodya Wickramasinghe. However, Sri Lanka’s bowling spearhead was the legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who turned the ball like a top on any surface. The Old wily fox could cast a web around the best of batting line-ups with his conventional off-spinner and the 'Doosra'. Murali had good support from Upul Chandana and Kumara Dharamasena who were decent spinners in their own merit.

Sri Lanka's Top 15 ODI cricketers (1995-1999) - Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Aravinda De Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Roshan Mahanama, Hashan Tillakaratne, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumara Dharamasena, Upul Chandana, Pramodya Wickramsinghe, Marvan Atapattu, Avishka Gunawardene, Asanka Gurusinha and Russel Arnold

Sri Lanka ODI Record (1995-1999)

ODI Played - 132 Won - 69 Lost - 57 Win % - 54.76

ICC World Cup

1996 – Champions

1999 - Super Six

ICC Champions Trophy

1998 - Semifinalist

#4 Pakistan

Pakistan was by far the most talented ODI side in the mid and late 90s. The subcontinent powerhouse had a richness of talent with a galaxy of cricketing stalwarts. Saeed Anwar, whose strokes exhibited elegance, was their most dependable opener. He forged a potent opening partnership with the aggressive strokemaker Aamir Sohail. The middle order had some attacking batsmen in Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam Ul Haq, Saleem Malik and the ever consistent Mohammad Yousuf. The side had depth with quality all-rounders in Abdur Razzak and Azhar Mahmood.

The pace attack had a battery of world-class seamers in Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar. While Akram was the 'Sultan of Swing', Waqar was lethal with his deadly inswinging yorkers. The spin duo of Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed formed arguably the most lethal spin attack. Pakistan had the luxury of two wicket-keepers in Moin Khan and Rashid Latif, both were equally skilled with the willow. They had an enigmatic all-rounder in Shahid Afridi who could produce some whirlwind knocks with the bat and change the course of a game.

Pakistan Best ODI Players (1995-2000) – Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam Ul Haq, Saleem Malik, Moin Khan, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Mushtaq Ahmed, Abdur Razzak, Azhar Mahmood, Mohammad Yousuf, Aamir Sohail and Aaqib Javed

ODI Record (1995-1999)

Played - 149 Won - 79 Lost - 65 Win % - 54.1

ICC Cricket World Cup

1996 - Quarterfinalist

1999 - Finalist

Champions Trophy

1998- Quarterfinalist

#5 India

In the mid and late 90s, India were a force to reckon with in the limited overs arena. India had arguably one of the strongest batting units in world cricket. They had Sachin Tendulkar who was the best batsman of that era. Sachin was the lynchpin of the Indian batting and churned out with some master class knocks all through that era. Sachin formed a lethal opening duo with the prolific left-handed batsman Sourav Ganguly. The middle order had a plethora of world-class stroke makers in the wristy Mohammad Azharuddin, the ever dependable Rahul Dravid, and the cool and calm Ajay Jadeja. Nayan Mongia did a good job with his safe keeping behind the stumps. Meanwhile, Robin Singh and Manoj Prabhakar were decent allrounders in the side

The seam attack was well led by the seasoned pacer Javagal Srinath. Srinath formed a new ball pair with the tall and lanky Venkatesh Prasad. Ajit Agarkar exploded on the international scene with a bagful of wickets. Ace leg-spinner Anil Kumble was India’s frontline spinner who deceived the best with his flippers and top spinners.

Kumble had good support from spinners like Sunil Joshi, Venkatpathy Raju, Rajesh Chauhan and Nikhil Chopra The side also had some enigmatic cricketers in Vinod Kambli and Navjot Singh Sidhu who produced flashes of brilliance.

India’s Top 15 ODI Players (1995-1999) Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Nayan Mongia, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Sunil Joshi, Navjot Sidhu, Vinod Kambli, Ajit Agarkar and Nikhil Chopra

ODI Record (1995-1999)

Played - 166 Won - 75 Lost - 80 Win % - 48.07

ICC World Cup

1996 – Semifinalist

1999 - Super Six

ICC Champions Trophy

1998 - Semifinal

Teams that missed the cut

New Zealand were a dangerous side in the mid-90s with a bagful of quality all-rounders. The Kiwis had in strength in their batting with stroke makers like Nathan Astle, Stephen Fleming, Roger Twose, Craig McMillan and Adam Parore. The hard-hitting Chris Cairns, Gavin Larsen and Chris Harris lent depth to their side with all-round abilities. The Black Caps had Danny Morrison, Geoff Allot, Dion Nash and Simon Doull who were a handful in seaming conditions. Daniel Vettori came onto the scene as a quality left-arm spinner. Kiwis made it to the knockouts of all major tournaments during that time.

West Indies were still a competitive side with some firepower in their ODI squad. The 'Maroon Brigade' had the most gifted batsman of that era in Brian Lara. Besides Lara, the Windies batting formidable looked with Carl Hooper, Sherwin Campbell, Stuart Williams and Jimmy Adams. The side had good depth in the team with Phil Simmons and Keith Atherton who could bat and bowl. The deadly pace duo of Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh were among the best in the world. Despite having some world class players, the team never gelled together and was plagued by inconsistency.

England never took ODI cricket too seriously in the 90s as winning the Ashes was their major focal point. They had some quality cricketers but lacked the intent to challenge the big guns during that era.

Notable Mentions - Alec Stewart, Micheal Atherton, Nick Knight, Graeme Hick, Graham Thorpe, Neil Fairbrother, Darren Gough, Dominic Cork, Phil Defreitas, Chris Lewis

Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe who were the latest entrant into the international area posed formidable challenges to the top teams with their combative style of cricket and superlative fielding.

Notable Mentions - Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Alistair, Heath Streak, Paul Strang, Neil Johnson, Henry Olonga, Eddo Brandes, Guy Whittall, Craig Ervine