Top 10 batsmen with most runs scored in a bilateral series
Top teams meeting in a 5 or more ODI bilateral series gives a chance not only to viewers to watch some quality cricket but also to the players who get to play against each other multiple times. This gives them a chance to know each other’s weaknesses and strengths.
It also gives batsmen a chance to know about bowlers and pummel them into the ground. Especially on flat pitches that are norm right now in bilateral series all over the globe. Here are the top 10 batsmen with most runs in a 5 or more match bilateral series.
10. Ramnaresh Sarwan (West Indies) – 436 runs West Indies in India, 2002-03
Mat: 7 | Avg: 109 | HS: 99* | 100s: 0 | 50s: 4
Ramnaresh Sarwan was once the most talented batsman in the West Indian lineup along with Brian Lara. West Indies visited India for a tour of 3 Tests and 7 ODIs. Ramnaresh Sarwan batting at no.4, always had the knack to finish the matches with ease.
His 4 half centuries and a highest of 99* in the 4th ODI, sadly came in a losing cause, when India overhauled West Indies’ total of 324 thanks to Dravid’s century and Sanjay Bangar’s blazing 50. Sarwan ended the series with 436 runs with an average of 109.
9. Rohit Sharma (India) – 441 runs India in Australia, 2016
Mat: 5 | Avg: 110.25 | HS: 171* | 100s: 2 | 50s: 1
Rohit Sharma showed why he is one of the best openers in One Day Internationals right now. He scored 2 consecutive hundreds in the first two matches of the series, both in losing causes. His 171* was a masterpiece in how to build an innings in ODIs and how to accelerate in the end. His second century was also brilliant, but India lost both the matches in agonizing fashion, with bowlers failing to defend 300+ totals each time.
His series ended with 441 runs with an average of 110.25 and a score of 99 in the final ODI.
8. Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan) – 448 runs Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in UAE, 2013-14
Mat: 5 | Avg: 149.33 | HS: 140* | 100s: 3 | 50s: 0
Pakistani top order batsman Mohammad Hafeez had a fun series against Sri Lanka in 2013-14. He scored a massive 448 runs in just 5 matches with 3 centuries. His average was an astonishing 149.33 and 2 of his centuries were not out efforts.
This meant that he made sure that he won the match for Pakistan and stays there till the end. He also played a huge role in Pakistan winning the 5 match series 3-2.
7. Salman Butt (Pakistan) – 451 runs Bangladesh in Pakistan, 2007-08
Mat: 5 | Avg: 90.20 | HS: 136 | 100s: 2 | 50s: 2
Salman Butt was Pakistan’s best opener after Saeed Anwar before his disgraceful downfall due to spot fixing matches in England. But before that, he was one of the most aggressive batsmen in ODIs. This was evident when Bangladesh toured Pakistan in 2007-08.
He scored 451 runs in 5 matches with the help of 2 centuries and 2 fifties in 5 matches, with a highest score of 136. Pakistan won the series 5-0 and Butt was the man of the series.
6. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 454 runs England in Sri Lanka, 2014-15
Mat: 7 | Avg: 75.66 | HS: 112 | 100s: 1 | 50s: 4
The elegant left-hander Kumar Sangakkara is at the number 6 spot with 454 runs against England in 2014-15 season. England was touring Sri Lanka after a long time and battled it out in a 7 match ODI series. Sangakkara scored a single hundred and 4 fifties in 7 matches and ended with an average of 75.66. Sri Lanka demolished the English team to win the 7 match series 5-2.
5. Kevin Pietersen (England) – 454 runs England in South Africa, 2004-05
Mat: 7 | Avg: 151.33 | HS: 116 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 1
Kevin Pietersen had just burst onto the international scene and got a chance to play against the country of his birth in South Africa. He scored an astonishing 454 runs in 7 matches with 3 centuries and 1 fifty. He also hit 36 fours and 15 sixes during the course of the series.
With 3 not outs from 6 innings in 7 matches, Pietersen announced himself on the international scene with an average of 151.33.
4. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 455 runs West Indies in India, 2002-03
Mat: 7 | Avg: 65 | HS: 140 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 1
Chris Gayle was another revelation on the West Indies’ tour to India in 2002-03. Having made his debut in 2001, Gayle was still raw and part of the revolving door policy of West Indies’ opening problem. But he along with Wavell Hinds formed a formidable opening partnership for some time and the consistency showed in his performance against India in the 7 match ODI series.
Gayle scored 455 runs in 7 innings at the top with 3 centuries and 1 fifty. His highest score was 140 and he hit 13 sixes in the process.
3. Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe) – 467 runs Kenya in Zimbabwe, 2009-10
Mat: 5 | Avg: 116.75 | HS: 178* | 100s: 2 | 50s: 1
A surprise name at no.3 in the list is that of Zimbabwean opener Hamilton Masakadza. Masakadza scored 467 runs in 5 matches against Kenya, when Kenya toured Zimbabwe in 2009-10.
Masakadza had made his debut for Zimbabwe in 2001 and has been a constant fixture in Zimbabwean sides. He made those 467 runs at an average of 116.75 with 2 centuries, including a career-best 178* and 1 fifty. His exploits helped Zimbabwe win the 5 match ODI series 4-1.
2. George Bailey (Australia) – 478 runs Australia in India, 2013-14
Mat: 6 | Avg: 95.60 | HS: 156 | 100s: 1 | 50s: 3
Australia’s ODI tour to India in 2013-14 was one run fest that no one will forget. The 7 match series played on flat decks produced ridiculous amount of runs every match and saw India chase down totals of 340+ on two occasions, once winning a match chasing 350 with 9 wickets in hand.
However for Australia, Captain George Bailey was the shining star when it came to Australia giving a tough fight to Indians in the whole series. He scored a hundred, his career best 156 and couple of 90s and an 85 in the series, which went down to the wire. India won the 7 match ODI series 3-2, with 2 matches washed out due to rain.
Bailey on the other hand, enjoyed making minced meat out of Indian bowlers in the series, which saw a record number of sixes being hit from either side.
1. Rohit Sharma (India) – 491 runs Australia in India, 2013-14
Mat: 6 | Avg: 122.75 | HS: 209 | 100s: 2 | 50s: 1
The same series also saw the emergence of Rohit Sharma as one of the most entertaining batsmen in ODI cricket. He hit 2 hundreds and a fifty in the series and became the third batsman in ODI cricket to score a double hundred, when he scored 209 in the 7th ODI in Bangalore.
He also scored a brilliant 141* in Jaipur as India chased down a total of 360 with the loss of just one wicket. He scored a mind-boggling 491 runs at an average of 122.75 and a highest score of 209, which included a world record 16 sixes.
(All stats updated till 23rd January 2016)
Also read: Top 11 successful run chases in and against Australia
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