ODI Cricket has evolved over the years, from 70s to 80s to 90s and to what we have now. Cricketers, also, moved from generation one to now meaning the era of rare ODIs to an era when Cricket is happening almost 365 days a year. The cricket, played between two teams who got international status by the International Cricket Council has seen greats coming out from nowhere in each decade. From Viv Richards to Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli, each generation saw many greats leading their team to glory. Today, we discuss the Cricketers who reached the earliest to 4000 ODI runs.
5. Gordon Greenidge
Sir Gordon Greenidge was seen as the most destructive and dominant opening batsman from the era West Indies led the world cricket. Greenidge was fifth on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 4000 ODI runs. Greenidge, also the third West Indies Cricketer to score 4000 ODI runs, scored his 4000th run in his 96th innings of his 97th ODI match.
Gordon achieved this career milestone on May 21, 1988 during an away series match at Headingley, Leeds against hosts England.
West Indies won the toss and put England into Bat in this match. England, riding on 39 & 32 of Pringle and Graham Gooch respectively, scored 186/8 off their 55 overs. In reply, the Caribbean team were bowled out for 139 off 46.3 overs. Greenidge could only contribute 21.
4. Allan Border
Allan Border, the Australian World Cup winning Captain of 1987 Cricket World Cup, was fourth on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 4000 ODI runs. Border, also the first Australia Cricketer to score 4000 ODI runs, scored his 4000th run in his 145th innings of his 155th ODI match.
Allan achieved this career milestone on October 13, 1987 during a Reliance World Cup match at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe won the toss and put Australia into bat. Coming in at number 4 for the Australian team, Border top-scored for the Kangaroos with a gritty 67 off 88 balls in a team score of 235/9 from their 50 overs. Zimbabwe, in reply, were bowled out for 139 off 42.4 overs.
3. Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad, key member of World Cup winning Team of Pakistan, was third on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 4000 ODI runs. Miandad, also the first Pakistan Cricketer to score 4000 ODI runs, scored his 4000th run in his 116th innings of his 121st ODI match.
Javed achieved this career milestone on October 8, 1987 during a Reliance World Cup match at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad, Pakistan against Sri Lanka.
In India: Politics & Entertainment
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. Coming in at number 4, Man of Match Miandad scored a 100-ball 103 in a team score of 267/6 off 50 overs. Sri Lanka, in reply, finished at 252 all out.
2. Desmond Haynes
West Indies Opening Batsman, Desmond Haynes, who held the most ODI Centuries records when he called off his career, was second on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 4000 ODI runs. Haynes, also the second West Indies Cricketer to score 4000 ODI runs, scored his 4000th run in his 110th innings of his 111st ODI match.
Desmond achieved this career milestone on December 30, 1986 during a Benson & Hedges Challenge Series match at Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth against Pakistan.
West Indies won the toss to put Pakistan into bat. Pakistan scored 199/8 off 50 overs. West Indies, in reply, were bowled out for 165 in 46.2 overs. Haynes could only score 25.
1. Viv Richards
Sir Viv Richards, mainstay of the West Indies team which dominated the world, was first on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 4000 ODI runs. Viv, also the first West Indies Cricketer to score 4000 ODI runs, scored his 4000th run in his 96th innings of his 88th ODI match.
Richards achieved this career milestone on April 14, 1985 during a home Series match at Albion Sports Complex, Albion, Berbice, Guyana against visiting New Zealand.
New Zealand won the toss and put West Indies into bat. Coming in at number 4 for the Caribbean team, Vivian scored a 78-ball 51 in a team total of 259/5 off 50 overs. New Zealand, in reply, were bowled out for 129 in 48.1 overs.