Dream Team: ODI XII from the best of 2014

ODI XII of 2014: Hashim Amla, Kane Williamson, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers (vc), Steve Smith, Angelo Mathews (c), Dale Steyn, Mohammed Shami, Matt Henry, Ajantha Mendis and Faf du Plessis

The year 2014 has witnessed some great individual performances in One-Day International (ODI) cricket, with some going on to rewrite the record books. While Corey Anderson broke Shahid Afridi’s 18-year-old record for the fastest hundred, Rohit Sharma’s 264 became the highest score in the ODI format, Stuart Binny bowled a dream spell of six for nine, and minnows Zimbabwe managed to defeat the formidable Australia! With the ICC World Cup coming up next year, Suvajit Mustafi lists the Dream ODI XI of 2014.

 

1. Hashim Amla (South Africa) – Opener

M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Avge	S/R	100s	50s
18	18	1	892	122*	52.5	80.6	5	2

Amla has been a prolific run-getter for South Africa and has unexpectedly excelled in this particular format. He has remained consistent over the years and has anchored the South African batting. With five ODI hundreds this year, the world number three batsman, is an automatic choice for this spot.

 

2. Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – Opener

M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Avge	S/R	100s	50s
12	12	1	770	123	70	87.1	1	7

Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avge	Econ R	S/R	5w
29.3	162	6	2-19	27	5.49	29.5	0

Right since the junior levels, Williamson was always rated very highly, but the 24 year old, rose above expectations, and transformed himself into one of the most feared batsmen in the world. In Brendon McCullum’s absence, Williamson has also led the New Zealand side with fair amount of success. Williamson, ranked number nine batsman in the world, is usually No. 3 batsman but with the middle order already packed, he makes it in as an opener. Williamson is a brilliant fielder and can bowl more than useful off-spin.

 

Openers: The duo of Amla and Williamson, pip the likes of Aaron Finch, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Quinton de Kock. They form a solid opening pair, two batsmen with very good technique, who have the temperament to build innings and at the same time can score runs at a brisk pace, setting the apt platform for the middle order.

 

3. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – No. 3 and Wicketkeeper

M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Avge	S/R	100s	50s	Ct/St
28	28	1	1256	128	46.5	87.7	4	8	39

Sangakkara has most runs in this format for 2014. He has been one of the prime reasons for Sri Lanka to do well this year and has scored everywhere. He is currently ranked fourth in this format and it’s impossible to ignore his class, as he makes it to the team as a wicketkeeper-batsman ahead of Mahendra Singh Dhoni (who has only played 10 innings), Mushfiqur Rahim, Denesh Ramdin and de Kock.

 

4. Virat Kohli (India) – No. 4

M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Avge	S/R	100s	50s
21	20	2	1054	139*	58.6	99.6	5	8

Kohli suffered a rough patch during the tour to England, but that did not dent his overall ODI numbers in 2014. His dream run with the bat continued in this format as he kept on breaking one record after another. He brought up his 21st hundred in November and the startling fact remains that he has played only 146 ODIs.  At this rate, the world’s number two ranked batsman and is likely to surpass all batting records in ODI cricket if he continues in the same vein.

 

5. AB de Villiers (South Africa) – No. 5 and Vice-captain

M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Avge	S/R	100s	50s
16	16	4	879	136*	73.3	114.5	2	6

Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avge	Econ R	S/R	5w
14	83	3	2-28	27.7	5.92	28	0

AB de Villiers is arguably the best batsman in the world cricket today and no team is complete without him. He once again had a dream run in this format, averaging over 73 and scoring at a strike rate of over 114! The South African ODI skipper is named the vice captain of the Dream Team. De Villiers, who is an excellent fielder, can keep wickets and in this year he has also picked up a couple of wickets. Is there anything he can’t do?

 

6. Steve Smith (Australia) – No. 6

M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Avge	S/R	100s	50s
12	12	1	541	104	49.2	88.4	2	3

Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avge	Econ R	S/R	5w
18.3	96	5	3-16	19.2	5.2	22.2	0

Smith’s rise in international cricket has been phenomenal. The newly appointed Australian Test captain is one of the smartest brains going around. He can fashion his game according to the situation, is calm under pressure and is an excellent finisher. He is amongst the best fielders in world and is more than a useful leg spin bowler. Smith’s has played only 12 ODIs in 2014 but has made a difference to the Australian side. In the series against South Africa in November, Smith played two match-winning knocks, and in October his catch to dismiss Fawad Alam stole the headlines and was evidence of his sharp mind. In fact, he has pouched 15 catches in 2014, in only 12 outings, something incredible for a non-wicketkeeper.

 

7. Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) – No. 7 and Captain

M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Avge	S/R	100s	50s
32	31	11	1244	139*	62.2	89.4	1	9

Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avge	Econ R	S/R	5w
141.4	651	18	3-51	36.2	4.59	47.2	0

Mathews is the captain of the side. The Sri Lankan skipper has led from the front and steered the island nation’s cricket to a new age. Mathews is an asset in this format and as an all-rounder he has consistently won matches with both — bat and ball. The number one ODI all-rounder scored his maiden hundred in this format in November. His bowling numbers may not look very impressive, but check the economy rate. In modern day ODI cricket, an economy rate of 4.59 is truly exceptional.

 

Middle order: The middle order comprises the apt combination of steadiness and firepower. With run-machines Sangakkara and Kohli at Nos. 3 and 4 respectively, there is dependability as well as ability to score at a good run-rate. De Villiers comes in next and towards the second half of the innings, he is the best man for the job. He can guide the innings to a point and then go berserk. In Smith and Mathews, there are two men who are not only excellent finishers, but ones who can drop the anchor in crisis. Unfortunately Faf du Plessis misses out. He has had an excellent year but he is better suited in the top five, which seems pretty settled now.

 

8. Dale Steyn (South Africa) – Fast bowler

M	Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avge	Econ R	S/R	5w
14	115.1	584	22	4-34	26.5	5.07	31.4	0

Steyn is the best fast bowler in the world at the moment and he leads the pace battery. Currently ranked number three among ODI bowlers, Steyn instils fear in a batsman’s mind with his lethal out-swingers and deceptive short balls. He has proved himself in every condition and is a certainty in any current World XI. The South African cricketer is also an excellent athlete and can wield the willow if needed. However, with this batting line-up, it’s unlikely that he will have to do so.

 

9. Mohammed Shami (India) – Fast bowler

M	Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avge	Econ R	S/R	5w
16	141.3	872	38	4-36	22.9	6.2	22.3	0

Shami is the joint highest wicket-taker in the calendar year. He has claimed four-wicket hauls four times in this year. He has been quite expensive but what goes in his favour is the fact that he has bowled at the death overs and most of the time, he has done it brilliantly. He has managed 38 in 16 ODIs, which is some feat and the Bengal bowler was also named in the ICC World XI side for 2013-14 season.

 

 

10. Matt Henry (New Zealand) – Fast bowler

M	Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avge	Econ R	S/R	5w
6	56	290	10	5-30	15.3	5.17	17.6	0

Henry’s name may surprise a lot but the 23-year-old has done enough to claim a spot in the eleven. Earlier this year, Henry made his debut against India in Wellington and notched a match-winning four for 38. From the seam-bowling friendly tracks in New Zealand to flat ones in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Henry has adjusted beautifully, by altering pace and length. In the series decider tie against Pakistan, he picked up a fifer, helping the Kiwis win an away bi-lateral tournament. The youngster has had a brilliant start to his international career with 19 wickets from just only games!

 

11. Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – Spinner

M	Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avge	Econ R	S/R	5w
17	142.3	822	38	4-60	21.6	5.8	22.5	0

Mendis is the joint highest wicket-taker along with Shami. He may not have consistently bowled well, but has picked up wickets regularly. The 29 year old mystery spinner has been brilliant and unplayable on certain occasions, while in a few games he has leaked runs. But out of the lot, Mendis by far has been the most successful spinner this year with a good strike rate of 22.5.

Bowling: In Steyn, there’s a bowler who can run in with full steam and can bowl in any situation. He is the leader of the pack. In Shami, the side has an effective new ball bowler who can come later on and bowl at the death. While Steyn’s strength is his out-swingers, Shami’s strength lies in his in-swing bowling. Henry is accurate and someone who possesses the ability to bowl in middle-overs and also pick up wickets. Mendis is a mystery spinner and on his day can run through the opposition. The bowling has variations – Mathews can bowl tight medium-pace, while Smith can bowl leg spin and if needed Williamson can chip in with tight off breaks.

 

12th Man

Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Avge	S/R	100s	50s
15	15	0	790	126	52.7	88.6	3	4

It’s unfortunate that despite of having had a wonderful year, Faf du Plessis doesn’t make it to the eleven. Du Plessis is best utilised when he bats in the top five, and with Sangakkara, Kohli and de Villiers in there, it’s difficult to fit him. Even watching Du Plessis field is a spectacle and thus the South African is named the 12th man.

 

(Suvajit Mustafi consumes cricket for lunch, fiction for dinner and munches numerous other snacks throughout the day. Yes, a jack of several trades, all Suvajit dreamt of was being India’s World Cup winning skipper but ended up being a sports writer, author, screenwriter, director, copywriter, graphic designer, sports marketer, strategist, entrepreneur,  philosopher and traveller. Donning so many hats, it’s cricket which gives him the ultimate high and where he finds solace. He can be followed at @RibsGully and rivu7)

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