ODI Cricket started in 1970s and got revolutionized after the rival Karry Packer World Series. The first ODI ever played was between England & Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia on January 5, 1971. Since then, there has been changes and records all over the news magazines and papers. Since being the limited over cricket and an era that was a bowler dominated, but the era didn’t remain same as batting evolved over to match the bowling. In this article, we’ll talk about the second milestone the ODI Batsmen reached to be into books. Here, we’ll read about cricketers who reached earliest to 2000 ODI runs.
5. Desmond Haynes
The Legendary opening batsman from West Indies, Desmond Haynes, was fifth on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 2000 ODI runs. Haynes, who was also 5th Cricketer to score 1000 ODI runs, scored his 2000th run in his 64th innings of his 64th ODI match.
Haynes achieved this career milestone on February 11, 1984 during the second final of Benson & Hedges World Series Cup at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia against the home side. When he reached these figures, he became the third West Indies Cricketer to score 2000 ODI runs.
Opening the batting for the Caribbean team, Desmond scored a meager 18 off 53 balls in a team total of 222/5 which had Viv Richards topscoring for the visiting team with a fine 59 off 70 balls. The match ended with tied score as Australia, while chasing, made 222/9 off their 50 overs.
4. Gordon Greenidge
Second partner of the Legendary Opening duo of West Indies, Gordon Greenidge, was fourth on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 2000 ODI runs. Greenidge, who was 2nd Cricketer to score 1000 ODI runs, scored his 2000th run in his 49th innings of his 49th ODI match.
Gordon achieved this career milestone on October 13, 1983 at Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, Srinagar during a match against India at their India tour. When he reached these figures, he became the second West Indies Cricketer to score 2000 ODI runs, behind Viv Richards.
Opening the West Indies batting with Desmond Haynes, he scored 44 off 58 balls to take his team to a 10 wicket win over the home side in a rain curtailed match. Haynes scored a 88-ball 55.
3. Zaheer Abbas
Pakistan Legend, Zaheer Abbas, who later on became ICC President as well, was third on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 2000 ODI runs. Abbas, who was 7th Cricketer to score 1000 ODI runs, scored his 2000th run in his 45th innings of his 45th ODI match.
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Zaheer achieved this career milestone on October 2, 1983 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur during a match against hosts India at their India tour. When he reached these figures, he became the first Pakistan Cricketer to score 2000 ODI runs.
Coming at number 3 for the visiting team, he scored a fine 48 off 59 balls before being adjudged lbw off the ball of Indian great Kapil Dev. Pakistan finished at 166/9 which India chased down within 41 overs with four wickets remaining.
2. Viv Richards
West Indies Legend, Viv Richards, was second on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 2000 ODI runs. Richards, who was 1st Cricketer to score 1000 ODI runs, scored his 2000th run in his 48th innings of his 49th ODI match.
Vivian achieved this career milestone on June 15, 1983 at Kennington Oval, London during a Prudential World Cup match against India. When he reached these figures, he became the first West Indies Cricketer to score 2000 ODI runs.
Coming at number 3 for the team, he scored a fine 119 off 146 balls before falling to Balwinder Singh Sandhu. West Indies finished at 282/9 off their 60 overs which India couldn’t chase and got bowled out for 216 under 54 overs.
1. Greg Chappell
Australian Legend, Greg Chappell, was atop the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 2000 ODI runs. Chappell, who was 3rd Cricketer to score 1000 ODI runs, scored his 2000th run in his 54th innings of his 55th ODI match.
Gregory achieved this career milestone on February 13, 1982 at Eden Park, Auckland during a tour match against hosts New Zealand. When he reached these figures, he became the first Australian Cricketer to score 2000 ODI runs.
Coming at number 4 for the team to chase a 241 set by the home team, Greg scored a swashbuckling 108 off 92 balls before falling. Australia couldn’t match the target and were bowled out for 194 under 45 overs.