When it comes to run – chases as hard as 12 or thirteen an over, all teams need that electrifying spark hidden away in the batting order which can ignite a blistering shower of sixes and fours. Now, of course, some of these extra special batsmen are supernaturals to the game. The likes of Chris Gayle and MS Dhoni feature in this countdown of the Top 10 Sloggers in the game.
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| Thisara Perera missed out in the countdown. (via Zimbio) |
10. Kevin Pietersen
KP has been out of the t20 game for a few months now for England, but he has always been lighting up the stadium with huge hits, come what may. He is the standout big-hitter in the England set up and has serious competition in the improving Ravi Bopara. In limited overs, the 33 year-old boasts an average of nearly 42 and a high score of 130. Have the glory days finished for the England great? He is nearing an age where a lot of the sloggers in this article are, pre-retirement.
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| Pietersen is past his best. (via Telegraph)
9. Dwayne Bravo
The all dancing, all rounder turned thirty a couple of weeks back and is now the ODI captain for his nation. He is entering a period of responsibility and stability needed to show his power as skipper. He is at the peak of his career, after a brilliant IPL season where he took over 20 wickets and was also one of the key batsmen for the Super Kings. He has an average of 24 and a high score of 112.
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| Bravo is in the form of his life. (via HindustanTimes)
8. AB De Villiers
The South African “wiki” is is nation’s main resort for large run chases. When the likes of Hashim Amla and Jaques Kallis are not performing, it is up to the 29-year old talisman to show up and get the Proteas across the line. A high score of 146 and an average of 49.29 show just why he is one of the best in the business.
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| De Villiers is the go to man for South Africa. (via IBNLive)
7. Brendon McCullum
Brendon ‘O Mac is a revelation in the sport and more importantly, the ODI scene. He has transformed into one of the best wicketkeeping batsmen around and his record 158 off just 73 balls show just why. A fantastic record shows an average of 30 and a high score of 131 for the 31 year old.
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| McCullum is a revelation. (via Bettor)
6. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi is undoubtedly one of the greatest batsmen to grace the limited overs format. While boasting the record for quickest centuries and fifties in ODI’s, recent form has started to slip away from the 33 year old’s repetoire. He made a sensational comeback to the Pakistan side in July against West Indies when he smashed 76 and also grabbed 7 wickets. He may be a bowler all-rounder now, but Boom Boom’s 23 average and 124 high score speak for itself.
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| Afridi has the record for the quickest ODI fifty and hundred (via Criclens)
5. MS Dhoni
The ice-cool captain is always there for his country, and is never under a slight of pressure from the Indian fans, they know he will get the job done. A fantastic statistical showing for the 32 year old skipper denotes that his batting average in ODI’s is 51 and he has a high score of 183 not out.
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