- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Opinion
After choosing the Test XI, here comes my NSW ODI XI of this century.
1. David Warner
List A stats – 7022 runs, 44.16 average, 23 hundreds
ODI stats – 5267 runs, 45.80 average, 18 hundreds
One of the most destructive openers in ODI cricket, it was a no-brainer choosing David Warner in this XI. At the top of the order, Warner has played countless match-winning knocks for Australia.
With over 5000 ODI runs and 18 ODI tons, Warner has built a reputation of being one the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball across Australia.
2. Mark Waugh
List A stats – 14663 runs, 39.1 average, 27 hundreds
ODI stats – 8500 runs, 39.35 average, 18 hundreds
Ahh, Junior. How could I not include him? A player whom I wished I got to see play, Mark Waugh scored runs for fun as an opener. The third-highest run-scorer for Australia in ODI cricket, it was another no-brainer having Mark Waugh in this XI.
3. Steve Smith
List A stats – 5966 runs, 45.19 average, 11 hundreds
ODI stats – 4162 runs, 42.46 average, nine hundreds
While his credentials as a white-ball player aren’t as strong as his red-ball stats, Smith’s game as an ODI player has continued to evolve throughout the years. Promoted as first-drop months before the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, Smith would end up being Australia’s leading run-scorer in the tournament as Australia won a fifth World Cup.
(Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
4. Michael Clarke (captain)
List A stats – 9905 runs, 42.51 average, nine hundreds
ODI stats – 7981 runs, 44.58 average, eight hundreds
Watching Michael Clarke bat in his peak was one thing that I always looked forward to as a youngster. Playing effortless cover-drives against the quicks and dancing down the wicket to the spinners, Clarke was a solid rock in Australia’s top four. Captaining Australia to their 2015 World Cup title, no one else came close to being considered as captain of this XI.
5. Simon Katich
List A stats – 7550 runs, 35.78 average, seven hundreds
ODI stats – 1324 runs, 35.78 average, one hundred
Although Katich is an opener, I feel he could do well down the order at number five. A handy player of spin who could plug the gaps. His career in Australian colours rose after leaving Western Australia for the Blues in 2002.
Now the head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the upcoming IPL edition, eyes will be on the Western Australian for the next few months.
6. Michael Bevan
List A stats – 15103 runs, 57.86 average, 13 hundreds
ODI stats – 6912 runs, 53.58 average, six hundreds
The original finisher and the highest ODI average among Australian cricketers – need I say any more?
7. Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper)
List A stats – 6503 runs, 33.01 average, nine hundreds, 318 catches, 50 stumpings
ODI stats – 3122 runs, 31.53 average, two hundreds, 170 catches, 11 stumpings
Behind Adam Gilchrist and Ian Healy among most Australian dismissals in ODI cricket with the gloves, Brad Haddin was another no-brainer. Down the order, Haddin played many cameos for Australia with his counter-attacking 20s and 30s.
8. Mitch Starc
List A stats – 249 wickets, 20.94 average, 5.02 economy
ODI stats – 178 wickets, 22.22 average, 5.1 economy
There’s just something about left-armers named Mitchell who know how to create havoc with a cricket ball. Whether it be with the new ball, middle-overs or at the death, call on Starc, and he’ll take wickets. His feats in the 2015 and 2019 World Cup with the ball makes Starc arguably the best quick to come from NSW after Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee.
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
9. Brett Lee
List A stats – 438 wickets, 24.05 average, 4.69 economy
ODI stats – 380 wickets, 23.36 average, 4.76 economy
Equal highest Australian ODI wicket-taker among Glenn McGrath. No need to explain this inclusion.
10. Nathan Hauritz
List A stats – 196 wickets, 32.87 average, 4.65 economy
ODI stats – 63 wickets, 34.15 average, 4.74 economy
While Stuart MacGill had more success as a List A bowler for NSW, Hauritz had more success as an Australian player and more opportunities in the green and gold while contracted as a NSW player. With his tight and accurate off-spin, Hauritz was set to spin Australia to the 2011 World Cup title before a shoulder injury a month before the tournament called curtains on his international career.
11. Glenn McGrath
List A stats – 463 wickets, 21.6 average, 3.79 economy
ODI stats – 381 wickets, 22.02 average, 3.88 economy
Australia’s greatest ODI bowler, was there ever any doubt on Glenn McGrath’s inclusion in the XI?
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.