Top 5 ODI teams in international cricket between 2000-2009

#1 Australia

This Australian team was perhaps the greatest side of this generation

Australia were the Kings of ODI cricket during the initial decade of the 21st century. The Kangaroos were an indomitable force which boasted of a galaxy of cricketing superstars who could win matches on their own.

The Aussies were brilliantly first, by Steve Waugh and later, Ricky Ponting, both of whom instilled a high degree of resilience and combativeness into their playing style. The Australian batting was a well-oiled machine where each batsman played his role to perfection.

The big and burly Hayden and the destructive Adam Gilchrist formed a lethal opening duo which tore apart the best of bowling attacks. Ricky Ponting was a prolific run scorer who spearheaded the middle order comprising of Damien Martyn, Lehmann and Steve Waugh. The Australians possessed two of the finest finishers in Michael Bevan and Michael Hussey during the decade.

The Kangaroos had quality all-rounders a plenty in Andrew Symonds, Tom Moody, James Hopes and Ian Harvey who provided valuable contributions with both bat and ball.

The pace attack comprised of tearaway seamers who could run through the defences of the best batting line-ups. Led by Glen McGrath, whose immaculate line and length troubled all top order batsmen, the Aussies also contained speedsters Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait who could torment top quality batsmen with their sheer pace.

Left-arm seamer Nathan Bracken was one of their most successful bowlers in limited overs cricket. Spin wizard Shane Warne was arguably their greatest match-winner as he bamboozled batsmen with his big turning leg spinners and produced some magical spells at major ICC tournaments.

The Australians were the most athletic side on the field and raised the bar of fielding with the likes of Ricky Ponting, Micheal Clarke and Andrew Symonds throwing themselves around. The Australians played their best cricket at major ICC events and won back to back ICC World Cups in 2003 and 2007 and even lifted successive Champions Trophy titles in 2006 and 2009.

ODI Record Jan 2000- Dec 2009

Matches-282; Won-202; Lost-66; Tied-3; Win%: 71.63

ICC World Cup 2003: Champions

ICC World Cup 2007: Champions

ICC Champions Trophy 2006: Champions

ICC Champions Trophy 2009: Champions

ICC Champions Trophy 2004: Semifinalist