ODI’s Greatest Trios – Where do Shikhar-Rohit-Virat stand?

#3. Matthew Hayden - Adam Gilchrist - Ricky Ponting

Australia's dominating trio poses after the 2007 World Cup triumph

The captain of the Australian juggernaut Ricky Ponting and two of its leading men Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist composed a top order that made the bowlers sweat. The attacking opening left-handed duo of Hayden and Gilchrist was complemented by one of the greatest ODI batsmen of the era, Ricky Ponting. They decimated the opponents at the earliest of the opportunities.

Collectively, these three Aussies played 116 ODI matches in seven years from 2001 to 2008. They added 13,253 runs to the Australian total and together struck 30 centuries. Hayden led the run tally with 4695 runs, however, Ponting maintained a better average of 48.35 while scoring 4449 runs. Gilchrist made up with his speed and with a strike rate of 101.38 was the quickest of the three.

Trio’s combined individual average comes down to 44.32. Along with 30 ODI centuries (Hayden 9, Gilchrist 7, Ponting 14), they contributed for 73 fifties as well. These include the World Cup-winning knocks of Ponting (2003) and Gilchrist (2007).