The greatest ODI team of all time without a doubt is Australia. They have won 6 ODI World Cup titles. They have consistently had players that have been match winners and have won titles for them. They won the 2023 World Cup in India. They are one of the few teams that have had batting and bowling depth ever since the 1980s and it has not stopped.
Let’s look at the All Time Australia ODI Cricket XI
Opening Batters
Adam Gilchrist (WK)
The first opening batter in this team is none other than Adam Gilchrist. He is easily one of the best openers that Australia has seen. Adam Gilchrist has won the 2003 and the 2007 World Cups. He has played 287 ODIs for Australia. He has scored 9619 runs at an average of 35.89. He has hit 16 hundreds in ODI Cricket including his most famous one against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup Final in West Indies. He will also be the Wicket keeper in the team. Adam Gilchrist has taken 417 Catches as a Wicket keeper for Australia in ODI Cricket. Check here the best innings of Adam Gilchrist.
Matthew Hayden
It was a difficult choice between Matthew Hayden and David Warner for this slot. However Matthew Hayden edges him in this position. He has played 161 ODIs for Australia in which he has made 6133 runs at an average of 43.81. Matthew Hayden has scored 10 hundreds in ODI Cricket and has a highest score of 181*. He is so intimidating, especially against spinners. His sweep shot is the stuff of legend. Know here about Best Innings of Matthew Hayden
Middle Order
Ricky Ponting (C)
The greatest captain in the history of ODI cricket will Captain this team and will be the number 3 batter in this team. Ricky Ponting is the only Australian batter to have scored more than 13,000 runs in both Test Cricket and ODIs. He played 375 ODIs for Australia. He scored 13704 runs at an average of 42.04. Ricky Ponting has hit 30 hundreds in ODI Cricket. His most famous one was against India in the 2003 World Cup Final. He has won the 2003 and 2007 World Cups as captain. Read here the best innings of Ricky Ponting
Dean Jones
The late great Australian cricketer Dean Jones is at number 4 for this team. He was a special player and he played 164 ODIs for Australia. Dean Jones made 6068 runs at an average of 44.62. Dean Jones has hit 7 hundreds in ODI Cricket. He is the batter who will provide the experience in the middle order and he can bat for a long time. Dean Jones has a highest score of 145 in ODI Cricket.
Andrew Symonds
At number 5 will be the late Andrew Symonds. He was the best fielder in the Australian team. He was also a very handy batter at number 5. He played 198 ODIs for Australia. Andrew Symonds made 5088 runs at an average of 39.75. He has hit 6 hundreds in ODI Cricket with his highest score being 156. Andrew Symonds could bowl off spin. He took 133 Wickets in his ODI career. A genuine all rounder at number 5.
Michael Bevan
Michael Bevan is considered as one of the best finishers in the history of ODI Cricket. He is in the top 3 of all time. Michael Bevan was the most dependable batter in the middle order whenever Australia were in trouble. He played 232 ODIs in his career. He made 6912 runs at a very good average of 53.58. Michael Bevan has hit 6 hundreds in ODI Cricket. He was the batter who would win matches for Australia on a consistent basis. With him in the side, Australia looked invincible.
Lower Order and Bowlers
Shane Watson
The number 7 batter in this team is Shane Watson and that should be a very scary proposition for the opposition. He is one of the best all rounders in the modern era. He played 190 ODIs for Australia. He scored 5757 runs at an average of 40.54. Shane Watson has hit 9 hundreds in ODI Cricket and that includes a blistering innings of 185*. He was a fast bowling all rounder and he took 168 wickets in his ODI career. Shane Watson provides the perfect balance to this team.
Shane Warne
The lone specialist spinner in this team is Shane Warne. He was prolific in this format as well. Shane Warne was someone who was the biggest superstar in the 1990s. He played 164 ODIs for Australia. Shane Warne took 293 Wickets at an average of 25.74. He was the wicket taker for Ricky Ponting whenever he needed it. His battles against Sachin Tendulkar in the 1990s are still remembered to this day.
Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath can be considered among the Top 3 greatest fast bowlers to have played for Australia. He was a monster in the ODI format by bowling at one spot for 60 balls. He played 250 ODIs and in those Matches he took 381 wickets at a very good average of 22.02. Glenn McGrath has taken 7 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket. He was the One who dismissed Sachin Tendulkar in the 2003 World Cup Final. Glenn McGrath was someone who was very hard to take down.
Brett Lee
The second of the Top 3 greatest fast bowlers to have played for Australia is this man Brett Lee. In this format he was the fastest bowler for years and he was fit for years and was a match winner for Australia. Brett Lee played 221 ODIs in his career. He took 380 Wickets at an average of 23.36. Brett Lee has taken 9 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket. He was someone that the batters were afraid of and he got a lot of his wickets by bowling.
Mitchell Starc
The only bowler in this team that is playing active international cricket. Mitchell Starc is the best left arm fast bowler that Australia has had in ODI Cricket. He is the big match player that Australia has had. Mitchell Starc has so far played in 127 ODIs for Australia. He has taken 244 Wickets. Mitchell Starc is the winner of the 2015 and the 2023 ODI World Cup. He is best known for bowling the yorker and bowling out the batters. His ball to dismiss Ben Stokes in the 2019 World Cup is one of his best as well as his dismissal of Brendon Mccullum in the 2015 World Cup Final.
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