ODI Team of 2009

It’s Christmas Eve and most of the cricket in 2009 has been played. About time, then, for a team of the year; starting with limited overs cricket…

1. Tilakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) – 2009 record: 980 runs @ 57.64, top score: 160, 4 hundreds

Dilshan has come of age this year. His astounding eye and aggressive approach has ensured Sri Lanka a flying start and he has looked almost invincible towards the end of the year, culminating with a preposterous 160 from just 124 balls as his side just failed to chase 415 against India last week.

2. Shane Watson (Australia) – 1013 runs @ 50.65, top score 136*, 3 hundreds and 29 wickets @ 21.41, best 3-29

The Aussie opener did a good job when called upon to open during the Ashes, but he has found some real form in the shorter version of the game. Showing signs of turning into a world-beating all-rounder.

3. Virender Sehwag (India) – 800 runs @ 47.05 best 146, 3 hundreds

I almost left Sehwag out of both the Test and one-day sides, but after his recent form that seems a little harsh. Sehwag has played a number of telling innings in both forms of the game this year and spearheaded an India side who have reached no 1 in the world in Tests and no 2 in ODI rankings.

4. Paul Collingwood (England) – 705 runs @ 50.35, top score 105*, 1 hundred and 17 wickets @ 32.47, best 3-16

Collingwood’s form has been at the heart of England’s turn around in form.  In turmoil after the one-day series against Australia, the side hit back with strong performances at the Champion’s Trophy and an impressive victory in South Africa. Collingwood has been at the heart of it all; reliable with the bat, a partnership-breaker with the ball and stunning in the field.

5. Yuvraj Singh (India) – 783 @ 39.15, top score 131, 2 hundreds, 14 wickets @ 40.28, best 3-31

Another superb year for Yuvraj. Whilst his form has been patchy at times, he has been destructive at times, particularly towards the start of the year when he blasted centuries against West Indies and Sri Lanka. He has developed into India’s X-Factor and they missed him sorely at the Champion’s Trophy.

6. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 671 runs @ 51.61, top score 105*, 2 hundreds and 26 wickets @ 22.88, best 3-8

Shakib Al Hasan has single-handedly carried Bangladesh cricket for some time now. Another wonderful year by the all-rounder adds more weight to Bangladesh’s continued status as a Test-playing nation. It would be a tragedy for someone of Shakib’s quality to miss out on top level international competition.

7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India) – 1198@70.47, best 124, 2 hundreds

Has led India with style and ruthlessness. Dhoni’s wicket-keeping has been solid, his batting explosive and he even took the gloves off to have a bowl against West Indies – and took a wicket. Dhoni has matured into a world –class captain and has shouldered the responsibility of batting in the middle order with ease.

8. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) – 259 runs @ 28.77, top score 48 and 24 wickets @ 28.66, best 4-20

Often overlooked in such lists, the New Zealand skipper has stepped his game up a gear this year, especially in one-day cricket. Vettori’s miserly off-spin has made him one of the most valuable properties in world cricket and he has improved his batting in the lower order. Like Shakib, he is often left to carry a modest team.

9. Umar Gul (Pakistan) – 27 wickets @ 25.51, best 4-58

Had a wonderful World Twenty20 and has spearheaded the Pakistan bowling attack during a tough year, on and off the pitch. His sharp pace and spearing yorker make him the world’s premier limited-overs seam bowler.

10. Dale Steyn (Souh Africa) – 26 wickets @ 27.26, best 4-27

The Proteas paceman’s season has been hampered by injury lately, but his form early in the season, against Australia, was outstanding. He also enjoyed a good Champion’s Trophy, despite South Africa’s failings.

11. James Anderson (England) – 34 wickets @ 23.91, best 5-23

Over the last two years, Anderson has developed from a pacey chancer to leader of England’s bowling attack. Reliable in Test matches, he has been outstanding in the one-day game. When England need a wicket, they throw the ball to Anderson. Finished the year by destroying an experienced South Africa, claiming five for 23 to lead England to a historic series victory.

Sehwag On the Verge of History

Virender Sehwag, the mercurial Indian batsman, stands on the verge of history today after playing the most brutal innings in Test history, on day two of the final Test with Sri Lanka.

Sehwag hammered 284 from just 239 balls and will become the first man to complete three Test triple-tons if he can find another 16 runs tomorrow, moving past Brian Lara and the great Don Bradman.

It will also most likely be the fastest triple in history, surpassing his own record of 278 balls against South Africa in 2008.

After struggling for consistency in the early part of his career, Sehwag has come of age, forming a key cog in the Indian Test side.

It can’t be easy playing in a side with greats of the game such as Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. But if he finds the 16 runs he needs tomorrow, his name will be etched into the history books as holder of a record that will take some beating.