South Africa has always been one of the most competitive teams in world cricket. The quality of the players in the nation has been top-notch. One of the most talented countries in terms of cricket, the nation has an entirely different kind of love story with the ODI format of the game. Although they’re yet to win an ICC trophy, the nation has shown its dominance in the format over the years. The nation has produced some great batters like Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis. If we talk about modern-day cricket, the nation has had some great players like AB de Villiers and Faf Du Plessis. In this article, we will let you know about the top 10 batters with the most runs for the nation in ODI WCs.
1. Ab de Villiers
The most unique batter to ever play the sport, Ab de Villiers was a former South African right-handed middle-order batter. His range of shots was unbelievable, and he possessed the ability to dispatch the bowlers all around the ground. His lap shots were such a joy to watch. The batter was one of the greatest in modern-day cricket and gave a different dimension to the game. Also a wicket-keeper, he made his ODI debut against England in 2005. The batter was also loved by fans across borders. Such was the aura of the great AB de Villiers. He played three ODI WCs from 2007 to 2015 and scored 1207 runs.
2. Jacques Kallis
One of the best all-rounders to grace the sport of cricket, Jacques Kallis, was a former right-handed batter and a right-arm medium-fast bowler for South Africa. His all-round skills provided an excellent balance and structure to the team. Be it any format, the player was a regular inclusion in the squad. Kallis made his ODI debut against England in 1996 and established himself as a talented all-rounder in the team. With the ball in hand, he used to gift regular breakthroughs to his team. The go-to person in any crunch situation, Kallis played five ODI WCs from 1996 to 2011. He scored 1148 runs in ODI WCs.
3. Herschelle Gibbs
Herschelle Gibbs was a former wicketkeeper and a right-handed middle-order batter for South Africa. One of the best wicketkeepers to play the game and arguably the best in the nation, Gibbs made his ODI debut against Kenya in 1996. His wicketkeeping skills were too good for any other player to replace him in the squad. The player holds the record for the most international dismissals behind the stumps. He played three ODI WCS from 1999 to 2007 and scored 1067 runs. His career came to an unfortunate end after a bail hit his eye during a practice game against England.
4. Faf du Plessis
The batter is one of the best opening batters around the world in white ball cricket. His unique stance and strong wrists paved his way to the center stage in international cricket. The right-handed batter for South Africa is a revelation, especially in the shortest format of the game. Also a former skipper for his nation, Faf made his ODI debut at home against India in 2011. Since then, he has been a priority inclusion in the squad. He played three ODI WCs from 2011 to 2019 and scored 926 runs. Although he has not retired from white-ball formats, he is unable to play for his nation due to some issues with the cricket board.
5. Quinton de Kock
The left-handed opening batter for South Africa has established himself among the great South African batters. The talented southpaw has already scored three tons in the ongoing World Cup in India. After his ODI debut against New Zealand in 2013, the batter has become one of the highest run-scorers for his team. He played his first WC in 2015 and has already scored 857 runs in ODI WCs.
6. Hashim Amla
When he batted, he oozed class, pure class. The right-handed opening batter for South Africa was one of the best openers in the nation. His immaculate timing and pin-point placements left the bowlers bamboozled. Hashim Amla was a former South African player who made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2008. One of the batting prodigies in world cricket, Amla was a different entity when batted in full flow. He made 842 runs in ODI WCs from 2011 to 2019.
7. Gary Kirsten
Gary Kirsten was a former left-handed batter for South Africa. He was the pillar of the batting unit at the top order. He created the record for most test runs and centuries for South Africa until Jacques Kallis broke it. The southpaw played three ODI WCs from 1996 to 2003 and scored 806 runs. He also mentored India to glory in the 2011 WC.
8. Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith was arguably the best skipper for South Africa across formats. A batting maestro of the highest order, Smith was born in Johannesburg in 1981. The left-handed opening batter was a crucial factor in the dominance of the nation in world cricket. The southpaw made his ODI debut against Australia in 2002. His strong technique and classical batting display were much loved by his fans. One of the most consistent batters for the nation, he played three ODI WCs from 2003 to 2011 and scored 747 runs.
9. David Miller
Known as ‘Killer Miller,” David Miller is a left-handed middle-order batter for South Africa in the white-ball formats. His extensive range and tremendous hitting ability have made him one of the best finishers in the game. The southpaw is playing his third ODI WC since 2015 and has scored 598 runs in the three World Cups so far.
10. Andrew Hudson
Andre Hudson was a former right-handed batter for South Africa who made his ODI debut against India in 1991. He was the first batter to score a century for South Africa on test debut. A true fighter whose best game came under pressure situations, Hudson was a regular inclusion in the squad. He made 571 runs in two ODI WCs in 1992 and 1996.
