What a world ODI XI would look like if it was picked on the turn of the 21st century, based purely on the ICC player rankings.

Like we did while picking this current ODI XI, we’ve chosen the five top-ranked batsmen, the top wicketkeeper and all-rounder, and the top two quicks and the top two spinners, since the all-rounder is fast bowler. They were all picked as per the ICC ODI Rankings from December 31, 1999.

Here, then, is the world ODI XI at the turn of the century, based on the ICC player rankings at the time.

Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Batting ranking: 5th (762 points)

By the end of 1999, Sachin Tendulkar had already established himself as an ODI legend. The India batter had already accumulated 8,571 runs at 42.85 in the format, with a highest score of 186*. He slapped 24 centuries in this time, already breaking the record for the most hundreds in ODI cricket – no one else had more than 17. At the time, he was crucial to the Indian 50-over setup, almost carrying their batting lineup with his genius.

Adam Gilchrist (Australia) (wk)

Batting ranking: 10th (724 points)

Adam Gilchrist had made his ODI debut in just 1996, but had already made an impression in the format. Part of Australia’s World Cup-winning team, he recorded the joint second-most wicketkeeping dismissals in the tournament. In 76 ODIs, he had already scored 2,376 runs and recorded five hundreds and 10 fifties. Gilchrist had already scored at least 200 runs and five or more dismissals in an ODI series five times in the four years since his ODI debut.

Sourav Ganguly (India)

Batting ranking: 4th (780 points)

With 4,705 runs in 126 ODIs, Sourav Ganguly had already become India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in ODIs. He averaged over 42 in the format, recording nine centuries including his career-high score of 183. While he wasn’t India’s skipper by then, Ganguly was setting the tone for a long and successful run at the helm during this time. He also established a swashbuckling opening partnership with Tendulkar, becoming India’s most prolific pair in ODIs.

Mark Waugh (Australia)

ICC ODI batting ranking: 3rd (782 points)

One of the heroes of Australia’s Cricket World Cup triumph, Mark Waugh was their second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, just 23 runs behind his brother Steve. He was excellent in the previous edition in 1996 too, finishing as Australia’s top batsman with 484 runs at 80.66, just behind Tendulkar, who lead the batting charts. Despite playing in a team of generational superstars, Waugh created a name for himself with his stylish strokeplay and consistent performances.

Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

All-rounder ranking: 2nd (462 points)
Batting ranking: 7th (748 points)

Despite being the No.2 all-rounder at the time, Kallis comes into his XI because the player at the top – Lance Klusener – comes in through his batting rank. Arguably the greatest all-rounder to grace the game, Kallis had already taken world cricket by storm in the late 90s. By December 2019, he had registered 2,550 runs at 40.47 and picked up 56 wickets in 77 ODIs. He was South Africa’s second-highest run-scorer in the 1999 World Cup, smashing 312 runs at an average of 52.

Michael Bevan (Australia)

Batting ranking: 1st (859 points)

The first real ‘finisher’ in ODIs, Michael Bevan truly transformed the role of a lower-order batsman in limited overs cricket. At the turn of the century, he had scored 3,845 runs at an astonishing average of 59.15 in the middle order (No.4-7), including three centuries and 26 half-centuries. His overall average at that point – 60.33 – was the highest in the history of ODI cricket, with a cut-off rate of just five games! In many ways, he revolutionised the game.

Lance Klusener (South Africa)

All-rounder ranking: 1st (491 points)
Batting ranking: 2nd (803 points)

This incredible all-rounder from South Africa has the best ‘average ranking’ among these 11 players. While his top spot in the all-rounders’ list is not surprising, it’s his No.2 ranking in the batting charts that was incredible. The left-hander topped the batting average list for ODIs in 1999, scoring 854 runs at a ridiculous average of 94.88. He had also snapped up 85 career wickets in 66 ODIs by this time, averaging just 26.09 with the ball. Lance Klusener was at the top of his game, literally and figuratively, at the turn of the century.

Shaun Pollock (South Africa)

Bowling ranking: 1st (812 points)

From 1997 to 2007, Shaun Pollock never dropped from the top three of the year-end ODI rankings. While the 90s were just the beginning of his illustrious career, they laid the foundation for an era of excellence from the Proteas quick. By December 1999, he had already picked up 118 ODI wickets in just 83 games, becoming South Africa’s second-most prolific bowler in the format. In ’99 alone, he produced 37 dismissals in the format at an extraordinary average of 18.97.

Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan)

ICC ODI bowling ranking: 4th (742 points)

With 210 wickets in 111 games, Saqlain Mushtaq rose quickly during this time, becoming Pakistan’s most prolific spinner in ODI cricket. Overall, he had the third-most ODI wickets for them by December 1999, behind the golden duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. His average of 19.41 was the lowest in the top 23 wicket-takers of all time in the format at the time, and only the second-lowest in the top 50.

Glenn McGrath (Australia)

Bowling ranking: 2nd (755 points)

52 wickets, 27 games – Glenn McGrath’s 1992 ODI stats were only behind one other bowler, compatriot Shane Warne. An extraordinary bowler who set new standards for accuracy across formats, McGrath was a force to be reckoned with in the 90s. Overall, he had picked up 147 wickets in 101 matches by the turn of the century.

Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)

Bowling ranking: 7th (717 points)

While his most destructive years were still ahead of him, Muttiah Muralitharan broke many records in the 90s as well. By December 1999, the Sri Lanka wrist-spinner was already their highest-wicket taker in the format, with 177 wickets in 129 games. 38 of those wickets came in 1999 – he was the joining sixth-highest wicket-taker that year, with the second-best economy rate in the top 12.

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