All time England ODI XI - The dream team

All time England ODI XI – The dream team: The inventors of the game of cricket, England have been a brute force as far longer version of the game is concerned. They have not only played the most number of Test matches but have also won the second most number of matches in the whites. But somehow due to their traditional thinking or love for old-school cricket they haven’t been able to adjust to the tempo of shorter versions of the game and especially 50-over cricket. But that certainly doesn’t give us a conclusion that they have been deprived of meticulous players in the colourful jersey as there have been some mind-boggling talents who have enriched the legacy of English cricket in their very own way and have carved their name in the folklore of the English cricket. Today, we present the All time England ODI XI – The dream team: (Basis: Most runs and wickets) 1. Marcus Trescothick: Marcus Trescothick. (© Getty Images) The English southpaw Marcus Trescothick was known for his destructive demeanor and is one of the greatest English openers ever. There was something captivating about his stroke play which drew him comparisons with the likes of David Gower and Graham Gooch. In 123 ODIs, Marcus hammered 4,335 runs at an average of 37.37 with 12 centuries and 21 half-centuries. It was stress-related illness which cut short his international career. Trescothick has scored maximum number of ODI tons for England and is also part of the highest opening partnership of 200 runs with Vikram Solanki in a ODI for England. 2. Andrew Strauss: (Photo Source: Getty Images) The South African born English cricketer, Andrew Strauss was the cog-wheel of English batting line-up during his playing days. Andrew was a very classical player and a true reflection of English mannerism to perfection as far as batting is concerned. His ODI career spanned for 8 years in which he stroked 4,205 runs at an average of 35.63 with 6 tons and 27 fifties at a strike-rate of nearly 81. The English southpaw had crossed the mark of 150 runs twice in ODIs which came against Bangladesh and India respectively. 3. Ian Bell: Ian Bell. (© Getty Images) Ian Bell masks the face of a magician with the bat who could never do justice to his meticulous skills. But yet this chap has scored in excess of 20 Test tons and is the leading run-scorer for his country in ODIs which reflects his extraordinary talents. In 161 ODIs, Bell scored 5,416 runs at an average of 37.87 with 4 centuries and 35 half-centuries. After England’s horrific World Cup campaign, Bell was dropped from the ODI side. Subsequently, after few months he took retirement from ODI cricket. 4. Kevin Pietersen: Kevin Pietersen. (Photo Source: AFP) These South African born players who later turn to English cricket for international career have something special in them. Kevin Pietersen was a special case, special case of talent as well as an out of the box character who never fitted in the English frame of things. But nothing can sway away his achievements from the 22 yards. KP is a brutal batter born to take the center stage. He enthralled the nation of UK with his gallant display of batsmanship which makes him a crowd-puller. The inventor of the switch-hit has featured in 134 ODI matches and has blasted 4,422 runs at an average of 41.32 and holds a blistering strike-rate of 86.70. 5. Paul Collingwood (Captain): Paul Collingwood. (© Getty Images) The English all-rounder Paul Collingwood might well have retired from the game but he will always remain in our hearts as that understated hero of the ODI format who won English team many a matches with his jaw-dropping all-round performances. In 2006/07 Commonwealth Bank series his back-to-back innings of 120 and 70 runs in the first two finals helped England defeat the Australian side in their den. Overall, Paul scored 5,092 runs and is the second leading run-scorer for England in ODIs. He played 197 ODIs and accumulated 5 tons and 26 fifties. Collingwood also scalped 111 ODI wickets. He had also led England to World T20 title in 2010. 6. Andrew Flintoff: Andrew Flintoff. (© Getty Images) Considered as an exceptional talent, Freddie Flintoff was as breath-taking sight on the field of cricket as you would ever see. With the bat he could hit lusty blows and entertain the crowd while with the ball he troubled even the best in the business with his pace and accuracy. Flintoff featured in 141 ODIs and scored 3,394 runs with the bat in hand while with the ball he took 169 ODI wickets. Flintoff had a blistering strike rate of 88.82 with the bat and scored 3 centuries and 18 half-centuries. 7. Alec Stewart (wicket keeper): Alec Stewart. (© Getty Images) The former English glove-man, Alec Stewart is epitomized as the greatest English wicket-keeper batsman to have represented the three lions. Alec was a classical English batter who believed in graciousness rather than playing with brute power. His touch strokes were pleasing on the eyes and gave tingling sensations to the heart of many. Stewart caressed 4,677 runs in 170 ODI matches with 4 centuries and 28 fifties. He also had 174 dismissals to his credit which included 159 catches and 15 stumpings. 8. Ian Botham: Sir Ian Botham. ( © Getty Images) Botham was an all-round superstar whose extraordinary skills and larger than life attitude made him an unparalleled talent not only in the folklore of English cricket but throughout the world. With the ball, he claimed 145 wickets in 116 matches at an economy of 3.92 while with the willow in hand he amassed 2,113 runs with 9 half-centuries. Botham was the face of never-ending self-belief and etched his theory which suggests that cricket matches are won by inspiration than preparation in the minds of millions. 9. James Anderson: (Photo Source : Getty Images) Perhaps one of the greatest fast bowlers in the last decade or so, James Anderson is also the most successful bowler for the English side in international cricket. Jimmy has 700 international scalps to his name. He is a prodigy as far swinging the ball is concerned and with time and age he has learned all the tricks and trade of swing bowling which has garnered him success even in overseas conditions. Anderson has represented England in 194 ODI matches and has grabbed 269 scalps at a miser economy of 4.92 with 2 fifers and 11 four-wicket hauls. 10. Darren Gough: (Photo Source : Getty Images) In the eras of middle of 1990s and early 2000s Yorkshire born bowler Darren Gough emerged as one of the best English pacers along with Bob Willis and Ian Botham. Gough might have not had the perfect physique which we associate with fast bowlers but it was his hard-work and dedication that he was a rare English bowler who could reverse-swing the ball and his deceptive slower deliveries added to his variations. Darren is the second leading wicket-taker for England in ODIs with 234 wickets in 158 matches. He was also handy with the bat and could clear the ground on certain occasions. 11. Stuart Broad: (© Getty Images) The lanky English fast bowler Stuart Broad is the second leading wicket-taker for England in international cricket with 550 wickets. Broad is a match-winner and has the capacity to turn matches on its head. He is that kind of a bowler who gives the captain confidence of taking over when the situation looks out of hands and knows how to deliver the goods for his side. Broad is a strike bowler and has taken 177 wickets in 119 ODI matches. He is the third highest wicket-taker for his country in 50-overs format. The southpaw is a dependable lower-order batsman as well. Also read : Watch: Yuvraj Singh smacks 6 sixes in an over against Stuart Broad

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All time England ODI XI - The dream team

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