Top 100 in ODI history - 2: Tendulkar, 1: Richards
- Thread starter sifter132
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AbhishekS
Chairman of Selectors
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I think the current write-ups are simply perfect. Sifter is doing a wonderful job here. I don't comment much on this thread but I have been a silent reader of all this since the start and I have absolutely loved it.
You need to realize that he has to collect information, stats, highlights, videos, etc. of 100 players, and that's not at all easy. If you want to know more about a particular player, you can always head towards Cricinfo or Wikipedia.
Yes sifter. 2 page formal essay with double space for each player. Thank You.
Bevab
Staff Member
I think the current write-ups are simply perfect. Sifter is doing a wonderful job here. I don't comment much on this thread but I have been a silent reader of all this since the start and I have absolutely loved it.
You need to realize that he has to collect information, stats, highlights, videos, etc. of 100 players, and that's not at all easy. If you want to know more about a particular player, you can always head towards Cricinfo or Wikipedia.
It was a suggestion TBH. I never ever criticized them, they're obviously beautiful. I've also been reading them, and just said what I felt for the betterment of the thread.
sami ullah khan
Panel of Selectors
Malcolm Marshal is one bowler I regret not having seen bowl. I was too young to understand cricket when he used to play.
Varun
ICC Board Member
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Sifter's been doing a great job. I've been absolutely loving it. He's not doing an in-depth breakdown of top 100 ODI cricketers, and even then he's providing sufficient information on the players. His current descriptions are simply to the point, and I don't think much is needed beyond that.
Thanks for the love guys...you're making me blush 
I could write more, and for some players I sit there and the words positively gush out because I know them so well. Others I don't. So I tried to reach a middle point where I'm writing enough to help someone who has never seen/heard of a player, and not too much that I have to spend all day researching But I think Bevab you are right, the further down the list we go, the more highlights I've got to write about, so there's probably going to be more info.
We've also reached a milestone...we are halfway! Only 50 players left to reveal...well actually we already know who the 50 players are (read the first post of this thread to see the list).
I've got quite a few top 20s/30s etc. on my spreadsheet from some of you, thanks for contributing.
If you haven't posted or PMed your lists, then there is still time! But just so you know I won't be reordering the players that have already been written about (for now at least), even if 5 of you put Shoaib Akhtar as your #12 player for example. Easiest thing to do is just take my 50 names and put them in some type of order.
Anyway...on with the show...later today I'll have an Aussie quick and a South African batsman.
I could write more, and for some players I sit there and the words positively gush out because I know them so well. Others I don't. So I tried to reach a middle point where I'm writing enough to help someone who has never seen/heard of a player, and not too much that I have to spend all day researching
But I think Bevab you are right, the further down the list we go, the more highlights I've got to write about, so there's probably going to be more info. We've also reached a milestone...we are halfway! Only 50 players left to reveal...well actually we already know who the 50 players are (read the first post of this thread to see the list).
I've got quite a few top 20s/30s etc. on my spreadsheet from some of you, thanks for contributing.
If you haven't posted or PMed your lists, then there is still time! But just so you know I won't be reordering the players that have already been written about (for now at least), even if 5 of you put Shoaib Akhtar as your #12 player for example. Easiest thing to do is just take my 50 names and put them in some type of order.
Anyway...on with the show...later today I'll have an Aussie quick and a South African batsman.
#50 - Craig McDermott
Role: RH fast bowler, almost always with the new ball. RH bat, most often at #9.
Debut: vs West Indies, Melbourne, 1985.
Matches: 138
Wkts: 203
Avg: 24.71
Econ: 4.03
Legacy: McDermott had a lovely textbook bowling action, using it to gain swing with the new ball at good pace. He was also a fine death bowler, especially later in his career as he learned a couple of different slower balls to complement his yorkers. McDermott seemed to thrive late in games with the pressure on and his record shows that, a better average in the 2nd innings of a match than the 1st.
Unfortunately injuries played a major role in McDermott's career. McDermott started as a 19 year old, but the wear and tear on his body meant he retired at just 30
It was a shame because McDermott was still bowling well even up to the end. In fact if you take out the first 2 or 3 seasons when McDermott was really just a raw kid, and start counting with his return to the Aussie side in the 1987 World Cup, McDermott averaged 21.42 with the ball over his last 9 seasons.
Despite his frequent injuries, McDermott was an athletic guy and was proud of his general fitness. It aided him in the field, one of the better fielding fast bowlers of his day and he used to rocket the ball in from the boundary.
Still has a lot to do with the game. Has coached a lot of junior cricket, was Australia's bowling coach last year (with good success), and now is going back to work at Australia's 'Centre of Excellence'. His son Alastair McDermott is a chip off the old block - not just in looks either - has a growing reputation as a good death bowler for Queensland.
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 5/44 (10) vs Pakistan, Lahore, 1987. Semi final of the World Cup and Imran and Javed had steadied Pakistan's chase of 268. Both fell to other bowlers, but McDermott's fast and accurate bowling at the end, finished off the lower order and Pakistan were eliminated from their home World Cup.
2) 3/29 (11) vs England, Birmingham, 1993. Robin Smith went off, making 167, and getting England to 277. McDermott was head and shoulders above the rest of the Aussie bowlers, removing Gooch, Stewart and Thorpe, all while conceding at least 15 runs less than anyone else.
3) 2/8 (7) vs West Indies, Adelaide, 1995. In effect it was 3/8 because McDermott ran out Sherwin Campbell before dismissing Richardson and Hooper in his excellent opening spell leaving WI at 4/17 chasing 243. So demoralised were they that West Indies just batted out the overs, making 6/121, with Chanderpaul, Adams and Harper all scoring 20s and 30s at strike rates of under 50.
Highlights:
Role: RH fast bowler, almost always with the new ball. RH bat, most often at #9.
Debut: vs West Indies, Melbourne, 1985.
Matches: 138
Wkts: 203
Avg: 24.71
Econ: 4.03
Legacy: McDermott had a lovely textbook bowling action, using it to gain swing with the new ball at good pace. He was also a fine death bowler, especially later in his career as he learned a couple of different slower balls to complement his yorkers. McDermott seemed to thrive late in games with the pressure on and his record shows that, a better average in the 2nd innings of a match than the 1st.
Unfortunately injuries played a major role in McDermott's career. McDermott started as a 19 year old, but the wear and tear on his body meant he retired at just 30
It was a shame because McDermott was still bowling well even up to the end. In fact if you take out the first 2 or 3 seasons when McDermott was really just a raw kid, and start counting with his return to the Aussie side in the 1987 World Cup, McDermott averaged 21.42 with the ball over his last 9 seasons.Despite his frequent injuries, McDermott was an athletic guy and was proud of his general fitness. It aided him in the field, one of the better fielding fast bowlers of his day and he used to rocket the ball in from the boundary.
Still has a lot to do with the game. Has coached a lot of junior cricket, was Australia's bowling coach last year (with good success
), and now is going back to work at Australia's 'Centre of Excellence'. His son Alastair McDermott is a chip off the old block - not just in looks either - has a growing reputation as a good death bowler for Queensland.Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 5/44 (10) vs Pakistan, Lahore, 1987. Semi final of the World Cup and Imran and Javed had steadied Pakistan's chase of 268. Both fell to other bowlers, but McDermott's fast and accurate bowling at the end, finished off the lower order and Pakistan were eliminated from their home World Cup.
2) 3/29 (11) vs England, Birmingham, 1993. Robin Smith went off, making 167, and getting England to 277. McDermott was head and shoulders above the rest of the Aussie bowlers, removing Gooch, Stewart and Thorpe, all while conceding at least 15 runs less than anyone else.
3) 2/8 (7) vs West Indies, Adelaide, 1995. In effect it was 3/8 because McDermott ran out Sherwin Campbell before dismissing Richardson and Hooper in his excellent opening spell leaving WI at 4/17 chasing 243. So demoralised were they that West Indies just batted out the overs, making 6/121, with Chanderpaul, Adams and Harper all scoring 20s and 30s at strike rates of under 50.
Highlights:
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#49 - AB de Villiers
Role: RH bat, initially an opener but has settled at #4. Wicket-keeper.
Debut: vs England, Bloemfontein, 2005.
Matches: 127
Runs: 4998
Avg: 49.00
S/R: 93.19
Catches: 99
Stumpings: 3
Legacy: AB de Villiers is one of the most gifted players in the game: His batting is full of shots (even the unorthodox); he can hit the ball powerfully; disrupt the spinners with his foot movement; and run between the wickets quickly. He's played some steadying innings and quite a few destructive ones. In short, he's almost the prototype for the modern batsman (Virat Kohli also deserves a nod).
Came into the team with as a 19 year old with big expectations. De Villiers performed decently in his first few years, but since 2008/09 his career has taken off with a breathtaking set of numbers:
2004/05-2008: 72 ODIs, 2202 runs @ 36.10, S/R: 83.57, 3 centuries
2008/09-2012: 55 ODIs, 2796 runs @ 68.19, S/R: 102.49, 10 centuries
Has played 37 of his 127 ODIs as the designated wicket-keeper, which is a shame in a way because it wastes his talent in the field. De Villiers has been blessed with a set of hands that are the envy of world cricket, he can make astonishing catches look simple. Mark Waugh is the only one I can identify that was able to do similar feats so easily. Of course de Villiers is an excellent mover across the ground too making him arguably the leading fieldsman of his era.
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 146 (130) vs West Indies, St George's, 2007. De Villiers was opening here in the 'Super 8s' stage of the World Cup. He had partnerships with Kallis, Gibbs and Boucher as the Windies were put to the sword. De Villiers went from 100 to 146 in only 16 balls, hitting out because he had cramp.
2) 121 (85) vs England, Cape Town, 2009. Thumped a very good England attack around the park with some brilliant strokeplay, even pulled out the ramp shot. 50 came off 39 balls, the 2nd off 36 balls. Particularly took to Jimmy Anderson, hitting him for 27 off the 12 balls they faced each other.
3) 106* (106) vs New Zealand, Wellington, 2012. 2 catches and a stumping with the gloves for AB, before coming out in the 10th over with SA wobbling at 3/35 in their chase of 254. Wasn't an innings of pyrotechnics, but of smart play. He took what the Kiwis gave him, working the ones, punishing the bad ones and accelerating towards the end when more risks could be taken. Perfect innings for the situation.
Highlights: Fielding montage in the 2nd one
Role: RH bat, initially an opener but has settled at #4. Wicket-keeper.
Debut: vs England, Bloemfontein, 2005.
Matches: 127
Runs: 4998
Avg: 49.00
S/R: 93.19
Catches: 99
Stumpings: 3
Legacy: AB de Villiers is one of the most gifted players in the game: His batting is full of shots (even the unorthodox); he can hit the ball powerfully; disrupt the spinners with his foot movement; and run between the wickets quickly. He's played some steadying innings and quite a few destructive ones. In short, he's almost the prototype for the modern batsman (Virat Kohli also deserves a nod).
Came into the team with as a 19 year old with big expectations. De Villiers performed decently in his first few years, but since 2008/09 his career has taken off with a breathtaking set of numbers:
2004/05-2008: 72 ODIs, 2202 runs @ 36.10, S/R: 83.57, 3 centuries
2008/09-2012: 55 ODIs, 2796 runs @ 68.19, S/R: 102.49, 10 centuries
Has played 37 of his 127 ODIs as the designated wicket-keeper, which is a shame in a way because it wastes his talent in the field. De Villiers has been blessed with a set of hands that are the envy of world cricket, he can make astonishing catches look simple. Mark Waugh is the only one I can identify that was able to do similar feats so easily. Of course de Villiers is an excellent mover across the ground too making him arguably the leading fieldsman of his era.
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 146 (130) vs West Indies, St George's, 2007. De Villiers was opening here in the 'Super 8s' stage of the World Cup. He had partnerships with Kallis, Gibbs and Boucher as the Windies were put to the sword. De Villiers went from 100 to 146 in only 16 balls, hitting out because he had cramp.
2) 121 (85) vs England, Cape Town, 2009. Thumped a very good England attack around the park with some brilliant strokeplay, even pulled out the ramp shot. 50 came off 39 balls, the 2nd off 36 balls. Particularly took to Jimmy Anderson, hitting him for 27 off the 12 balls they faced each other.
3) 106* (106) vs New Zealand, Wellington, 2012. 2 catches and a stumping with the gloves for AB, before coming out in the 10th over with SA wobbling at 3/35 in their chase of 254. Wasn't an innings of pyrotechnics, but of smart play. He took what the Kiwis gave him, working the ones, punishing the bad ones and accelerating towards the end when more risks could be taken. Perfect innings for the situation.
Highlights: Fielding montage in the 2nd one
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#48 - Chaminda Vaas
Role: LH fast-medium bowler, always taking the new ball. Useful LH lower order bat, most often at #8 or #9.
Debut: vs India, Rajkot, 1994.
Matches: 322
Runs: 2025
Avg: 13.68
S/R: 72.52
Wkts: 400
Avg: 27.53
Econ: 4.18
Legacy: Vaas could swing the new or old ball and it was his job to get as much value out of the new ball as possible before the Sri Lankan spinners were unleashed. He combined that swing with his straight ball, where he scrambled the seam, and suddenly the batsmen weren't sure what was swinging and what was straight.
As Vaas' career wore on his pace and strike rate faded a little, but he still maintained great economy. Even towards the end of his career when 5 RPO was the norm, Vaas always seemed to be in the low 4s.
Vaas was at his peak in the early 00s, and during that time he was the leading wicket taker at the 2003 World Cup. He also achieved two hat-tricks in his career, and he still owns the best bowling figures in ODI history (8/19 vs Zimbabwe).
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 5/14 (9.3) vs India, Sharjah, 2000. An embarrasing collapse by India in the Sharjah tournament final, all out for 54 while chasing Sri Lanka's 299, the biggest loss in history at the time. Vaas got the first 4 to make India 4/19 (Ganguly, Tendulkar, Yuvraj & Kambli).
2) 8/19 (8) vs Zimbabwe, Colombo, 2001. Here Vaas took the first 8 wickets with expert swing and control, including a hat-trick of Carlisle, Wishart & Taibu. Zimbabwe were all out for 38 and SL won in only 4.2 overs, still a record for least overs required in a chase.
3) 6/25 (9.1) vs Bangladesh, Pietermaritzburg, 2003. World Cup and another hat-trick for Vaas, this time with the first 3 balls of the match! Vaas got an unprecedented 4th wicket in the 1st over, another in the 5th over and Mortaza to finish the innings in the 32nd. Easy win for SL.
Highlights:
Role: LH fast-medium bowler, always taking the new ball. Useful LH lower order bat, most often at #8 or #9.
Debut: vs India, Rajkot, 1994.
Matches: 322
Runs: 2025
Avg: 13.68
S/R: 72.52
Wkts: 400
Avg: 27.53
Econ: 4.18
Legacy: Vaas could swing the new or old ball and it was his job to get as much value out of the new ball as possible before the Sri Lankan spinners were unleashed. He combined that swing with his straight ball, where he scrambled the seam, and suddenly the batsmen weren't sure what was swinging and what was straight.
As Vaas' career wore on his pace and strike rate faded a little, but he still maintained great economy. Even towards the end of his career when 5 RPO was the norm, Vaas always seemed to be in the low 4s.
Vaas was at his peak in the early 00s, and during that time he was the leading wicket taker at the 2003 World Cup. He also achieved two hat-tricks in his career, and he still owns the best bowling figures in ODI history (8/19 vs Zimbabwe).
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 5/14 (9.3) vs India, Sharjah, 2000. An embarrasing collapse by India in the Sharjah tournament final, all out for 54 while chasing Sri Lanka's 299, the biggest loss in history at the time. Vaas got the first 4 to make India 4/19 (Ganguly, Tendulkar, Yuvraj & Kambli).
2) 8/19 (8) vs Zimbabwe, Colombo, 2001. Here Vaas took the first 8 wickets with expert swing and control, including a hat-trick of Carlisle, Wishart & Taibu. Zimbabwe were all out for 38 and SL won in only 4.2 overs, still a record for least overs required in a chase.
3) 6/25 (9.1) vs Bangladesh, Pietermaritzburg, 2003. World Cup and another hat-trick for Vaas, this time with the first 3 balls of the match! Vaas got an unprecedented 4th wicket in the 1st over, another in the 5th over and Mortaza to finish the innings in the 32nd. Easy win for SL.
Highlights:
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sami ullah khan
Panel of Selectors
Chaminda Vaas, perhaps the most underrated man ever to have played for Sri Lanka.
StinkyBoHoon
National Board President
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Location
- Glasgow, Scotland
one of the 2000s under-rated stars. maintained a respectable average in an era when a lot of bowlers fell by the wayside. probably would have been selected in a world ODI XI most years during his prime playing career.
fortunately I think the weight of his aggregates have made people take notice of just how effective he was (400 wickets, putting him 4th overall in the all time ODI wicket takers) a little bit of "don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." definitely warrants a top 50 spot.
fortunately I think the weight of his aggregates have made people take notice of just how effective he was (400 wickets, putting him 4th overall in the all time ODI wicket takers) a little bit of "don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." definitely warrants a top 50 spot.
The other thing about Vaas is that he never had much pace support at the other end. Malinga, Maharoof and Kulasekara are more recent players, whereas Vaas was usually partnered with Nuwan Zoysa or Wickremasinghe or Dilhara Fernando. Zoysa was talented but injury prone, Wickremasinghe was steady but not penetrative, and Fernando was quick but loose. So yes, Vaas was the constant threat that really carried Sri Lanka's new ball bowling for a long time. I think the downside to him being rated higher though is those Zimbabwe and Bangladesh games drop Vaas' average by about 2 by themselves , he was only averaging around 30 vs the other top 7 teams.
#47 - Kumar Sangakkara
Role: LH batsman, most frequently at #3. Wicket-keeper for 286 of his 330 ODIs.
Debut: vs Pakistan, Galle, 2000.
Matches: 330
Runs: 10636
Avg: 38.25
S/R: 75.53
Catches: 324
Stumpings: 81
Legacy: Sangakkara is an attractive batsman to watch, a flamboyant stroke maker particularly through the off-side, where you often see him flashing the blade in the classical 'one knee on the ground' pose. The fact that he keeps wicket well is a bonus and had given Sri Lanka a lot of flexibility when selecting their team over the last 10-12 years. He was also captain of Sri Lanka for a couple of years up to and including the last World Cup, leading Sri Lanka to the final. Plays better with responsibility: averaging 47.45 as captain vs 36.84 non-captain, and 39.93 as keeper vs 26.26 without gloves.
Took a little while to get going in ODI cricket with the bat, averaging just 28 in his first 3-4 years in the game. But he made a big impression on a touring Australian team early in 2004, and since then Sangakkara has averaged 41.91 over his last 8 years. Sangakkara's weakness has been an inability to convert starts into big scores. He has only 13 100s vs 72 50s and a player coming in at #3 should be converting those 50s into 100s a bit more regularly.
Sangakkara is a well spoken gentleman off the field (and on it too occasionally...:P), and became the first current player to deliver the Cowdrey Lecture at Lord's in 2011 where he spoke bravely about the failings of cricket administration in Sri Lanka, among other things. He's been a fine role model for young Sri Lankans to play the game hard, but fair and with respect for your opponents.
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 128 (155) vs India, Adelaide, 2008. Really hot day and Sangakkara had to work hard after SL were 2/6 early. His first 50 was slow, off 88 balls, but with the ship steadied he accelerated with more aggressive shots towards the end. SL's 238 was overtaken in the final over by India, yet Sangakkara was named Man of the Match.
2) 112 (110) vs Pakistan, Karachi, 2008. Opening the batting this time in the Asia Cup and Sangakkara was the fulcrum of the innings, batting well with Kapugedera and Silva to get SL to 302, a winning score.
3) 90 (43) vs India, Rajkot, 2009. India made a massive 414, yet only won by 3 runs thanks to rampaging batting from Dilshan and Sangakkara. While together they put on 128 in only 12.3 overs, Sanga dominating the partnership. Was given a couple of lives, but it was the belligerence of the innings and not the purity which was the focus.
Highlights:
, he was only averaging around 30 vs the other top 7 teams. #47 - Kumar Sangakkara
Role: LH batsman, most frequently at #3. Wicket-keeper for 286 of his 330 ODIs.
Debut: vs Pakistan, Galle, 2000.
Matches: 330
Runs: 10636
Avg: 38.25
S/R: 75.53
Catches: 324
Stumpings: 81
Legacy: Sangakkara is an attractive batsman to watch, a flamboyant stroke maker particularly through the off-side, where you often see him flashing the blade in the classical 'one knee on the ground' pose. The fact that he keeps wicket well is a bonus and had given Sri Lanka a lot of flexibility when selecting their team over the last 10-12 years. He was also captain of Sri Lanka for a couple of years up to and including the last World Cup, leading Sri Lanka to the final. Plays better with responsibility: averaging 47.45 as captain vs 36.84 non-captain, and 39.93 as keeper vs 26.26 without gloves.
Took a little while to get going in ODI cricket with the bat, averaging just 28 in his first 3-4 years in the game. But he made a big impression on a touring Australian team early in 2004, and since then Sangakkara has averaged 41.91 over his last 8 years. Sangakkara's weakness has been an inability to convert starts into big scores. He has only 13 100s vs 72 50s and a player coming in at #3 should be converting those 50s into 100s a bit more regularly.
Sangakkara is a well spoken gentleman off the field (and on it too occasionally...:P), and became the first current player to deliver the Cowdrey Lecture at Lord's in 2011 where he spoke bravely about the failings of cricket administration in Sri Lanka, among other things. He's been a fine role model for young Sri Lankans to play the game hard, but fair and with respect for your opponents.
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 128 (155) vs India, Adelaide, 2008. Really hot day and Sangakkara had to work hard after SL were 2/6 early. His first 50 was slow, off 88 balls, but with the ship steadied he accelerated with more aggressive shots towards the end. SL's 238 was overtaken in the final over by India, yet Sangakkara was named Man of the Match.
2) 112 (110) vs Pakistan, Karachi, 2008. Opening the batting this time in the Asia Cup and Sangakkara was the fulcrum of the innings, batting well with Kapugedera and Silva to get SL to 302, a winning score.
3) 90 (43) vs India, Rajkot, 2009. India made a massive 414, yet only won by 3 runs thanks to rampaging batting from Dilshan and Sangakkara. While together they put on 128 in only 12.3 overs, Sanga dominating the partnership. Was given a couple of lives, but it was the belligerence of the innings and not the purity which was the focus.
Highlights:
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