Australia and its performances in the One-Day International (ODI) format are well known to everyone. They are the only team to have won a World Cup five times! Over the years, Australia has produced some of the best ODI cricketers who have helped their team and the sport, in general, to grow as a whole. Here, in this article, we look at the Australian cricketers with most matches in ODIs and their records in this format.
1. Ricky Ponting (374 Matches)
Ricky Ponting, one of Australia’s most successful captains and a batter par excellence, is the first to feature on the list. He represented Australia in ODIs from 1995 to 2012 in 374 matches. The right-handed top-order batter hails from Tasmania and is the highest run-sorer for Australia in the 50-over format, with 13,589 runs at an average of 41.81. Besides this, he has also scored 29 hundred, the third highest in ODIs, and has the highest score of 164.
2. Steve Waugh (325 Matches)
Steve Waugh represented Australia in 50-over cricket for 17 years (1986-2002), appearing in 325 matches. He was as influential with his bat as he was with his captaincy. In 325 games, he scored 7569 runs at an average of 32.9. Steve was also pretty handy with the bowling and took 195 wickets at an average of 34.67.
3. Adam Gilchrist (286 Matches)
Adam Gilchrist, one of the world’s best wicketkeeper batters, is next to feature on the list. Gilchrist played in ODIs from 1996 to 2008 in 286 matches and scored 9595 runs, including 16 centuries. He is also regarded as one of the top wicketkeepers in cricket. In 286 games, he took 416 catches, the most by any wicketkeeper, and did 46 stumpings.
4. Allan Border (273 Matches)
Allan Border, Australia's 1987 World Cup-winning captain and an all-round player, is next on the list. Allan made his ODI debut against England in 1979 and played his last match in 1994 against South Africa. He scored 6524 runs at an average of more than 30 and also took 73 wickets with his slow left-arm orthodox bowling.
5. Glenn McGrath (249 Matches)
It would be incorrect to talk about Australian cricket and not mention Glenn McGrath. He is the joint highest wicket-taker for Australia in ODIs with 380 wickets to his name at an average of 21.98. McGrath made his ODI debut in 1993 against South Africa and retired in 2007 against Sri Lanka.
6. Michael Clarke (245 Matches)
Next on the list is Michael Clarke, a right-handed middle-order batter who loved to play his shots and look for runs. Clarke was Australia’s 2015 World Cup winning team’s captain. He played ODI cricket from 2003 to 2015 and scored 7981 runs at an average of 44.58. He was also a part-time bowler and took 57 wickets with his left-arm orthodox spin.
7. Mark Waugh (244 Matches)
Another all-rounder to feature in the list is Mark Waugh. Mark played the role of a right-handed middle-order batter and used to bowl right-arm medium fast. From 1988 to 2002, Mark played 244 ODIs and scored 8,500 runs at an average of 39.35, with 18 hundred and 85 fifties to his name. He also picked up 85 wickets at an average of 34.56, with his best bowling figures of 5 for 24.
8. Michael Bevan (232 Matches)
Next, we have Michael Bevan, who represented Australia in the 50-over format for 11 years (1994–2004). He was a left-handed batter who used to bowl part-time left-arm wrist bowling. In 1994, he played his first ODI match against Sri Lanka and his last game against the same team in 2004. In 232 games, Bevan scored 6912 runs, with six hundred to his name, and also picked up 36 wickets.
9. Brett Lee (221 Matches)
Brett Lee is one of the few fast bowlers to feature on the list and is famous for his attacking bowling style and fierce pace. Lee played his first ODI match against Pakistan in 2000. He played in a total of 221 games and picked up 380 wickets at an average of 23.36, including nine five-wicket hauls, the most by any Australian bowler. In 2012, he retired from ODI cricket after playing his last match against England on July 7.
10. Damien Martyn (208 Matches)
Damien Martyn, one of the most elegant batters of his time, is next on the list. He had a pretty sound technique and was a delight to watch. He had all the shots in his armoury and was a difficult batter to bowl. Martyn played in ODIs from 1992 to 2006 in 208 matches and scored 5346 runs at an average of 40.80. Besides this, he was also one of Australia’s best fielders.