ODI Cricket has always been amazingly full of incidents that any sport would be proud of. Since inception in 1970s it moved from one change to another and it keeps on happening till now. From the over limit to reduce from 60 to 50 and then different rules and now the two ball rule. From Caribbeans rule to it getting open to other countries with India opening the door for the World Cup to move out. Today we’ll talk about the cricketers who reached earliest to 3000 ODI runs.
5. Sunil Gavaskar
Indian Cricket Legend Sunil Gavaskar took the fifth spot on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 3000 ODI runs. Sunny, who was also first Indian Cricketer to score 3000 ODI runs, scored his 3000th run in his 101st innings of his 107th ODI match.
Gavaskar achieved this career milestone on October 31, 1987 during a Reliance World Cup match at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur against New Zealand.
Set a target of 222 to chase by the Kiwi team, Sunil, opening the Indian batting with Krishnamachari Srikkanth, scored an authoritative 103 not out off 88 balls to take India to a 9 wicket win within 33 overs.
4. Javed Miandad
Pakistan Legend Javed Miandad took the fourth spot on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 3000 ODI runs. Javed, who was also first Pakistan Cricketer to score 3000 ODI runs, scored his 3000th run in his 95th innings of his 100th ODI match.
Miandad achieved this career milestone on November 17, 1986 during a home series match at Ibn-e-Qasim Bagh Stadium, Multan against the visiting West Indies team.
Set to chase a target of 203, coming in at number 4 for the home team, Javed scored a meager 30 off 76 balls in a losing cause as Pakistan were bowled out for a paltry 113.
3. Gordon Greenidge
Caribbean Legend Gordon Greenidge took the third spot on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 3000 ODI runs. Greenidge, also the third West Indies Cricketer to score 3000 ODI runs, scored his 3000th run in his 72nd innings of his 72nd ODI match.
Gordon achieved this career milestone on October 16, 1986 during an away series match at Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar against the hosts Pakistan team.
Set to chase a paltry 165, Greenidge, opening the innings with Richie Richardson for the touring side, scored a 104-ball 67 as West Indies chased down the target by 4 wickets with more than 4 overs remaining.
2. Desmond Haynes
Opening partner of Caribbean Legend Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes took the second spot on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 3000 ODI runs. Haynes, also the second West Indies Cricketer to score 3000 ODI runs, scored his 3000th run in his 89th innings of his 90th ODI match.
Desmond achieved this career milestone on March 27, 1985 during a home series match at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad against New Zealand team.
Set to chase a paltry 52 from 22 overs in a rain curtailed match, Haynes scored just 4 in a match that West Indies won by 6 wickets with 5 overs remaining.
1. Viv Richards
Caribbean Legend Viv Richards took the top spot on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 3000 ODI runs. Vivian, also the first West Indies Cricketer to score 3000 ODI runs, scored his 3000th run in his 69th innings of his 74th ODI match.
Viv achieved this career milestone on May 31, 1984 during an away series match at Old Trafford, Manchester against hosts England team.
Coming in at number 4 for the visiting team after winning the toss, Richards carried his bat through in a 170-ball 189 not out taking West Indies to 272/9 off 55 overs. In reply, England were bowled out for a paltry 168.