1. Romesh Kaluwitharana + -- 3711 runs @ Av:22.22: SR:77.70 | Ct:132: St:75
2. Sachin Tendulkar -- 17598 runs @ Av:45.12: SR:86.26 | 154 wickets @ Av:44.26: SR:52.0 Econ:5.10
3. Hansie Cronje (c) -- 5565 runs @ Av:38.64: SR:76.47 | 114 wickets @ Av:34.78: SR:46.9 Econ:4.44
4. Darren Lehmann -- 3078 runs @ Av:38.96: SR:81.34 | 52 wickets @ Av:27.78: SR:34.4 Econ:4.83
5. Allan Border (vc) -- 6524 runs @ Av:30.62: SR:71.42 | 73 wickets @ Av:28.36: SR:36.4 Econ:4.66
6. Jonty Rhodes -- 5935 runs @ Av:35.11: SR:80.90
7. Angelo Mathews -- 547 runs @ Av:34.18: SR:80.32 | 20 wickets @ Av:31.45: SR:39.6 Econ:4.76
8. Shakib al Hasan -- 2340 runs @ Av:33.42: SR:76.47 | 100 wickets @ Av:30.91: SR:44.6 Econ:4.15
9. Andy Roberts -- 87 wickets @ Av:20.35: SR:35.8 Econ:3.40
10. Joel Garner -- 146 wickets @ Av:18.84: SR:36.5 Econ:3.09
11. Muttiah Muralitharan -- 515 wickets @ Av:23.07: SR:35.2 Econ:3.92
12. Robin Singh -- 2336 runs @ Av:25.95: SR:74.30 | 69 wickets @ Av:43.26: SR:54.1 Econ:4.79
13. Geoff Boycott -- 1082 runs @ Av:36.06: SR:53.56
1. Romesh Kaluwitharana + - RH
Little Kalu can give this team a bit of aggression in the opening overs and is very used to taking advantage of the fielding restrictions with all those scoops and over the infield shots. If nothing else, he would at least give the team a good start. Not the worst thing to have the best ODI batsman in the world as your opening partner either. As a keeper, he's quick, innovative and quite yappy behind the stumps. Who better to keep to Murali anyway.
2. Sachin Tendulkar - RH
Best batsman in the world, end of. Name it, he's done it. I have nothing to say, no adjective is enough. Plus his bowling is pretty darn good and at one point he was one of the better bowlers for India with those enormous leg spinners pitched into the rough.
3. Hansie Cronje (c) - RH
With some aggressive batting, intelligent medium-pace bowling and brilliant fielding, Cronje was a formidable competitor in the game. Exceptionally good at playing spin, he's tackled the best in the business and done well. Although not really being exceptional in Tests, his ODI record was far more impressive with the ability to go after the bowling as well as the temperement to build good partnerships. His medium pacers were also exceptionally useful, specially in the earlier part of his career so he could well play a role with the ball if we wishes to bring himself on. As a captain, he was inspirational and appeared to be an exceptional man manager. His captaincy records have been exceptional and to this day have been some of the best from his country. The unfortunate match fixing incidents however marred what was to be a great career at the helm for South Africa.
4. Darren Lehmann - LH
One of the more underrated players of all time, Lehmann is solid with the bat and yet an exceptional strokeplayer. His performances in this format of the game have been exceptional and he's a winner through and through. With aggression and finesse, his batting has been both entertaining and effective. He fits this slot in the lineup almost perfectly. His slow left armers are also exceptionally effective, useful and underrated as well. He will definitely turn his arm over for the team in the middle and late overs.
5. Allan Border (vc) - LH
A fighter to the very core, Border is one of the best batsman produced by Australia and indeed appears to have the gritty and determined approach that has epitomised them Aussies. Solid with the bat and a good fielder, Border brings a certain toughness to the middle order of this team. His immense experience as captain of Australia when they weren't so good a team, lands him the vice captaincy. His vaulable advice would come in handy for certain. Additionally, his slow left armers are more than useful in this format of the game.
6. Jonty Rhodes - RH
Arguably the best fielder in the world, expect backward point to be a no score zone. When he's not flying through the air taking blinders and effecting stunning, match-changing runouts, he's scoring some important runs in the middle of the innings. Able to play the situation and go for the hard hits as well, Jonty is an integral part of the middle order and will drive this team forward.
7. Angelo Mathews - RH
Widely regarded as the next best thing in Sri Lankan cricket. His consistency with the bat has got his country out of numerous tight situations. He has the ability to read the situation as well as go for the big shots. Certainly a match winner with the bat. As a bowler, he is capable of playing many roles. He can be restrictive with numerous unreadable variations in pace. Additionally he has the ability of moving the ball both away and into batsman that tends to lead to wickets in early overs. Not exceptionally quick but hits the deck hard and makes the most of it. Will probably come in as first change and continue the good work started by Roberts and Garner. May play a part in the middle overs and death as well if needed. A thinking cricketer and a future captain of Sri Lanka.
8. Shakib al Hasan - LH
A penetrative and economical left arm spinner, he would compliment Murali easily and make things very tight for batsmen. With those two bowling in tandem in the middle overs, expect some serious efficiency in the middle overs. With the bat as well, Shakib has been exceptional in a comparatively weak team. His consistency has been amazing and with a batsman averaging 30+ coming in at 8, this team can only reap in the rewards.
9. Andy Roberts - RH
Emotionless and expressionless, Roberts was a killer of a bowler who was another of those legendary West Indies quicks. Brutal and effective he took the game by storm. His intelligence however was one of his biggest weapons and very often got him wickets. His ability to move the ball as well as one of the most feared bouncers in the game made him a dangerous customer to deal with. His miserly economy rate was a mere additional bonus. Will partner Garner with the new ball.
10. Joel Garner - RH
Big Bird was one of those fearsome foursome in the 80's that combined exceptionally well with the other members of his team in Tests. In ODI's however he was a giant, and not just in terms of his massive 6 foot 8 frame. Impossible to get away in the death overs with those exceptionally accurate and deadly toe crushers. The bouncers, delivered from the clouds it seemed, and at a lively pace that when the mood took could be cranked up to the brisk side of rapid, the ball would rear alarmingly from barely short of a length. An exceptional average of 18.84 and economy of 3.09 is more than richly deserved. Will take the new ball.
11. Muthiah Muralitharan - RH
Simply put, the highest wicket taker of all time. In Tests, he's certainly a force to reckon with but in this format, he certainly comes into a class of his own. Takes wickets by the bucketfuls and rarely gives away runs cheaply as an economy rate of under 4 suggests with over more than a decade of bowling to boot. Additionally, he's number 11 slogger par excellece as well lol.
12. Robin Singh - LH/RH
The figures dont tell the entire story for this guy. Certainly one of the better fielders the Indians have produced, this man does it all; bats left handed, bowls right handed and throws with either. Holds the lower middle order together well and can score quickly if the situation demands. As a bowler, he's fairly useful in the middle overs with a mixed bag of cutters, slower ones and a bit of swing. A poor man's Kapil Dev and I was a poor man that round. As 12th man however, he's well worth his weight in gold.
13. Geoff Boycott - RH
Very unfortunate not to be in the starting lineup. Very solid bat who defies the odds to make runs. Not exactly his sort of format to thrive in but if the team ever need a player to bat solidly through the innings on a tough track this is the man to do it. Self-centered, arrogant, charming and brilliant, Boycs can easily step in for one of the others if the batting needs some serious steel.
