ODI Cricket: Top 10 greatest batting streaks

#4 Vivian Richards (West Indies): 1982-1986

Sir Vivian Richards during his 189* at Old Trafford.

Matches: 67, Runs: 2850, Average: 62, Highest: 189*, 100/50: 5/22, Strike-Rate: 97.

Vivian Richards holds the record for the highest rating point achieved by a batsmen in Odi cricket. For a lot of fans and experts alike, Viv will always be the greatest Odi batsman of all time and that is an entirely fair belief. His swagger, arrogance and presence on the crease is unlikely to be ever replicated.

Viv retired almost 30 years ago, his stats are still better than Kane Williamson. This is not a slight on Williamson but a mere acknowledgement of how good Richards was. Most batsmen reach their peak performance at the age of 30, and Viv was no different,

Between late 1982 and early 1986, Richards played 67 Odi matches and scored 2850 runs. His average was 62 and strike-rate 97. Those numbers are good enough to put modern batsmen to shame. Viv achieved them when an average of 35 and Strike-Rate of 75 was considered Godly.

During this period, he arguably played the greatest ODI knock of all time, the 189* against England at Old Trafford in 1984 stands the test of time.

He was in imperious form during the 1983 World Cup where he scored 367 runs at an average of 73. It was the last time West Indies reached a World Cup final and Viv was the one leading the charge for them. He was at the helm as ODI cricket was changed by Kerry Packer.

Richards scored 651 runs in the 1985 Benson and Hedges World Series Cup as West Indies continued their world domination. Captaincy bought a downturn in Richards' batting form as he continued despite poor form but what Richards achieved during those years is the parameter on which all future legends will be judged.