Australia boasts of rich history in cricket. They have been the most successful team in both ODIs and Test Cricket. Australia is the only side to have won five World Cup titles in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015. From Don Bradman to Alan Border, from Ricky Ponting to Steve Smith, Australian Cricket has produced a number of word class players over the years.
There is no denying that the Australia has been the most dominant team in the last two decades. A lot of credit for that must be given to Australian Cricket for unearthing countless number of world-class batsmen. The Australia trio of David Warner, Aaron Finch and Steve Smith currently forms the backbone of Australia’s limited over’s side.
In the recent ODI against India, Aaron Finch became the second-fastest Australian to reach 5000 runs in ODIs. In this article, we take a look 6 fastest Australians to score 5000 ODI runs:
6. Ricky Ponting: 137 innings
Former Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting left the game as one of the best Australian cricketers of all-time. His records in the game as a batsman or as a skipper speak for itself.
The Ricky Ponting-led unit led the ICC rankings for a decade and won two consecutive ICC World Cups titles in 2003 and 2007. Having said that, Ricky Ponting was also a prolific run-getter for the team. He is currently the highest scorer for Australia in both ODIs and Tests. Besides, he is the sixth-fastest Australian to reach 5000 ODI runs. He reached the landmark in 137 innings.
2. Michael Bevan : 135 innings
Michael Bevan holds the recognition of being one of the greatest finishers the world has ever seen. Michael Bevan made his Australian cricket debut in 1994 and by 1995-96 season, he became a regular member of the side.
Bevan never looked back thereafter and kept piling of runs for the side. In his international cricket career, he engineered a lot of chases for Australia. Michael Bevan is the fifth fastest Australian to reach 5000 runs in One-Day Internationals. He reached 5000-run mark in 135 innings.
4. Mathew Hayden: 133 innings
The tall Australian former opener sits fourth in the list. There is no denying that Mathew Hayden is one of the best Australian openers in its cricketing history. In his stellar cricketing career, Hayden has scored runs in all the nations he has played against. When it comes to big games, Mathew Hayden stood up on most of the times for his side.
He is credited for singlehandedly taking the game away from the opposition. Hayden is the fourth fastest Australian to reach 5000-run mark in ODI. He completed the feat in 133 innings
3. Dean Jones: 128 innings:
The man who is known for revolutionizing ODI cricket, Dean Jones enjoyed a stellar international career for Australia. He made a significant contribution in helping Australia win their first ICC World Cup title in 1987. Jones was a mainstay in Australia’s middle-over for close to a decade. He is currently the third-fastest Australian to complete 500 ODI runs. He reached the landmark in 128 innings.
2. Aaron Finch: 126 innings
Australia’s limited over’s skipper completed 5000 ODI runs for Australia in the recent ODI against India. He reached the landmark in his 126th inning and with that, he became the second-fastest to reach 5000 runs in One-Day Internationals. In his illustrious career, Finch has represented Australia in 130 internationals, scoring 5097 runs thus far.
1. David Warner: 115 innings
David Warner is currently one of the best openers in world cricket. He has been a valuable asset for Australia across the format for many years now. Warned has made rapid strides in international cricket and currently holds the record for being the fastest Australian batsman to reach 5000 runs in one-day internationals. He completed 5000 runs in One-Day Internationals in 115 innings.
