Two flamboyant openers go head-to-head in the latest match-up of our top 64 ODI players ever
ODI GOAT: Greenidge v Sehwag
The #ODIGOAT is cricket.com.au's knockout competition to determine the greatest ODI player of all time. We've selected our top 64 ODI players and now we're asking YOU to do the hard work – that is, narrow it down to one. Set up in much the same way as a tennis tournament, each day you'll see head-to-head match-ups, with the winner of those progressing to the next round to square off with their next challenger. From 64, we'll go to 32, to 16, 8, 4 and ultimately our final. So cast your VOTE and decide just who is the greatest ODI player in history!
GORDON GREENIDGE (WEST INDIES)
Matches: 128 | Runs: 5,134 | Average: 45.03 | SR: 64.92 | 100s: 11 | HS: 133no
Why he makes the list: As dominant as Gordon Greenidge was as a batsman, and he was truly dominant, he will forever be linked with his partner in crime Desmond Haynes. The pair formed one of the most destructive opening combinations the game has seen and embodied the attacking and carefree spirit of the world-beating Windies side of the 1980s. As a duo they combined for 5,150 runs – the third most by any opening combination, behind the Ganguly-Tendulkar and Hayden-Gilchrist double-acts. Their average of 52.55 is unmatched by any pair with 2,000 or more runs. And while those numbers are impressive alone, it's the manner in which they scored their runs –bashing teams into submission with 15 century stands – which ultimately defines the duo. A dual World Cup winner, Greenidge is in the upper echelon of elite opening batsmen.
Image Id: ~/media/BCD3060C2B6141A4BBEC0F20E44A313BPerformance we loved: It had to be one where the dynamic duo teamed up to take down an opponent. This one just happens to be their highest partnership. In March 1987, the Windies were set 192 to win from 50 overs in Christchurch. A middle order that boasted Richardson, Hooper and Richards was not needed. Greenidge did a majority of the heavy lifting, hitting 16 fours and four sixes on his way to his highest score of 133no. Haynes enjoyed the show at the other end, posting 53 from 100 balls as the target was reached inside 40 overs.
VIRENDER SEHWAG (INDIA)
Matches: 251 | Runs: 8,273 | Average: 35.05 | SR: 104.33 | 100s: 15 | HS: 219
Why he makes the list:The phrase 'stand and deliver' sums up no player better than Virender Sehwag. With almost non-existent footwork but a brilliant eye and hands to match, Sehwag was at his best when he planted his feet and swung through the line. While he stood in the shadow of Sachin Tendulkar (who didn't?) in his early years, both in style and substance, he quickly became his own man by thrashing bowling attacks with disdain at a rate not even the Little Master could match. His favourite victims were New Zealand; in 23 matches against the Black Caps he plundered six centuries at 52.59. The two crowning moments of his 14-year career came eight months apart; the first was winning the 2011 World Cup in April (despite making a second-ball duck) and the second in December when he set a new high water mark in ODI cricket by hitting 219 against the West Indies in Indore.
Performance we loved: Look no further than his double-century. Sachin got there first in 2010, but Viru trumped him to post the highest score in the 50-over format. Amid the carnage there was a method to his mayhem. Sehwag brought up his 50 with a six from 41 balls before motoring to triple figures, needed only another 28 deliveries to bring up his century. Another 43 balls were needed before he raised the bat for his 150, which was followed by another 28-ball blitz to get to the magical 200.
#ODIGOAT First Round: Tendulkar v Sharma
#ODIGOAT First Round: Akram v Starc
#ODIGOAT First Round: Garner v Donald
#ODIGOAT First Round: Richards v de Silva
#ODIGOAT First Round: Azharuddin v Miandad
#ODIGOAT First Round: Dev v Vettori
#ODIGOAT First Round: Lloyd v Border
#ODIGOAT First Round: Jones v Clarke
#ODIGOAT First Round: Waqar v Johnson
#ODIGOAT First Round: Warne v Kumble
#ODIGOAT First Round: Hooper v S. Waugh
#ODIGOAT First Round: Imran v Hadlee
#ODIGOAT First Round: Lee v Akhtar
#ODIGOAT First Round: M. Waugh v Jayasuriya
#ODIGOAT First Round: De Villiers v Boucher
#ODIGOAT First Round: Lara v Amla
#ODIGOAT First Round: Gilchrist v McCullum
#ODIGOAT First Round: Gayle v Haynes