10 Greatest ODI cricketers of all-time

9. Adam Gilchrist

A perfect embodiment of class and dignity, Adam Gilchrist was a pivotal member of the Australian side which won three successive World Cups from 1999 to 2007. Often referred to as the “Big match player”, he registered a fifty-plus score in each of the three World Cup finals he played, the only player ever to do so.

He wasn’t larger than life or like anyone else in that might Australian side, maybe that’s what made him special. Unlike his mates who never hesitated to give it back with their words, he always let his bat do the talking and certainly, his willow showed no mercy. His strike-rate of 96.94 is second best only to AB de Villiers among cricketers with 9,000 runs or more in this format.

Behind the stumps, he was as cunning as a fox and quicker than light on most occasions. He made his presence felt in a game someway or the other and statistics of 905 dismissals as a keeper speaks for itself. Gilchrist was loved universally and perhaps, that respect beyond the boundaries is the finest achievement of his career.

Career statistics

Matches – 287 | Runs scored – 9,619 | Batting average – 35.89 | Strikerate – 96.94 | 100s/50s – 16/55 | Dismissals inflicted – 472