Top 5 Batsmen with best strike rate and average at no. 5 and 6 in ODIs

A team with the best batsmen has always had the edge over the rest of the competitors. While the top order is very vital as far as the scheme of things are concerned but the middle order forms the backbone of the team. Batsmen playing in the middle order, especially in the no. 5 & 6 have to be responsible and very versatile. They are the ones who have the dual reputation; they either become heroes or the main culprit of the match. One day they might have to anchor the innings while the other day the team may require them to score aggressively and win tough matches. Therefore, the batsmen who can score freely and have good striking abilities are most preferred for the role. Here are the players with the best strike rate and average at this important position. 5. MS Dhoni – SR: 85.93, Avg: 48.13: (Photo Source: Getty Images) MS Dhoni is perhaps the best finisher the world has ever seen. The Indian skipper has been the most trusted man for India to bat at the important middle order positions of no. 5 & 6. He enters mostly under tense situations where the team needs runs at a quick rate. The World Cup winning skipper has scored runs at an average of 48.13, hitting at a strike rate of 85.93 at these batting positions. 4. Michael Hussey – SR: 86.78, Avg: 45: Australian cricketer Michael Hussey. (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) Surprisingly, Michael Hussey ranks above the explosive MS Dhoni. He was one the finest left-handers to have played this game. ‘Mr. Cricket’ was an established ODI player in the Australian team and played a critical role in the middle order. Hussey came to the scene in 2004 and retired in 2012 with over 6000 runs to his name after playing 185 games. He was a versatile batsman but would generally perform the role of a middle order batsman batting where he averaged 42 with and had a strike rate of 86.78. 3. Eoin Morgan – SR: 89.32, Avg: 39.47: Eoin Morgan. (© Getty Images) England’s T20I captain Eoin Morgan is at number three in the list. Morgan is known for his unorthodox way of striking the ball. The left-hander has been the most consistent middle order batsman for England in recent times, especially while chasing targets. He normally bats in the middle of the order and averages 39.47 with a strike rate of 89.32. 2. Suresh Raina – SR: 94.13, Avg: 35.41: Suresh Raina. (© Getty Images) It’s always an advantage for a team if it has a good all-rounder. For team India, Suresh Raina provides that advantage. Raina has kept evolving and has grown into an impact player. His ability to score runs quickly and accelerate the run rate makes him an important part of the team. And when it comes to batting at number 5 and 6, the southpaw has scored at an average of 35.41 with an amazing strike rate of 94.13. 1. Andrew Symonds – SR: 94.57, Avg: 44.59: Andrew Symonds. (© Getty Images) Aussie all-rounder Andrew Symonds may have retired long ago but he still has the best average and strike for a batsman at this position. Symonds was the part of the ‘invincible’ ODI team led by the Ricky Ponting. His role in the team was specific and was a vital part of the middle and lower middle order. The beefy all-rounder was known for hitting the ball miles. He averaged 44.59 with a strike rate of 94.57. (Stats source: Espncricinfo) (All Stats updated till 1st September 2016) Also read: Top 10 Highest individual scores in ODIs