Cricket is a game of uncertainties, where the outcome can change in a matter of moments. In such situations, the role of a finisher becomes crucial.
A finisher is a middle-order batsman who can score runs quickly and consistently in the final overs of a limited-overs match, either chasing a target or setting one.
A finisher has to be calm, confident, and adaptable, and possess a wide range of skills and shots to deal with different scenarios and bowlers. A finisher can turn the tide of a match in his team’s favor, and often be the difference between winning and losing.
Today, we will look at the top 10 best finishers in cricket history, and their achievements. These are the batsmen who have shown remarkable ability and consistency in finishing matches for their teams, and have earned the respect and admiration of fans and experts alike. We will rank them based on their statistics, records, and impact in the limited-overs formats of the game.
10. Michael Hussey (Australia)
Michael Hussey, also known as Mr. Cricket, was one of the most reliable and versatile batsmen of his era.
He made his international debut at the age of 28, but soon established himself as a vital cog in the Australian batting line-up. He was equally adept at playing the anchor role or the aggressor role, depending on the situation.
He had a calm and composed temperament, and a knack of finding the gaps and rotating the strike. He was especially effective in the T20 format, where he had a strike rate of 136.29 and an average of 37.95.
Hussey’s most memorable finishing act came in the 2010 World T20 semi-final against Pakistan, where he smashed 60 runs off 24 balls, including 18 runs off the last over, to take Australia to an improbable victory.
He also played some crucial knocks in the 2007 World Cup, helping Australia win the tournament. However, he did not participate in the 2015 World Cup as he had retired from international cricket in 2012. Over his career, Hussey scored over 12000 runs across formats.
9. Chris Cairns (New Zealand)
Chris Cairns was one of the most destructive all-rounders of his generation. He was a powerful hitter of the ball, who could clear the boundaries with ease.
He was also a handy medium-pacer, who could bowl at a good pace and swing the ball. He was a match-winner for New Zealand, who often bailed them out of trouble with his batting or bowling. He was particularly effective in the ODI format, where he had a strike rate of 84.26 and an average of 29.46.
Cairns’ most notable finishing feat came in the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy final against India, where he scored an unbeaten 102 off 113 balls, and took New Zealand to their first major title.
However, his performance in the 1999 and 2003 World Cups was not as stated. His best score in World Cup matches was 60. He retired from international cricket in 2006, with over 9000 runs and 200 wickets across formats.
8. Kieron Pollard (West Indies)
Kieron Pollard is one of the most explosive and entertaining batsmen in the modern game. He is a specialist in the T20 format, where he has played for various franchises around the world.
He is known for his ability to hit sixes at will, and his athleticism in the field. He is also a useful medium-pace bowler, who can bowl tight overs in the death.
He was a key player for the West Indies, who have won two World T20 titles in 2012 and 2016.
Pollard’s most remarkable finishing performance came in the 2019 IPL final against Chennai Super Kings, where he scored 41 runs off 25 balls, and took Mumbai Indians to a thrilling one-run win.
He also played some crucial knocks in the 2012 and 2016 World T20s, where he scored 178 and 106 runs respectively, at a strike rate of over 150.
As of April 2022, Pollard is no longer active in international cricket. He announced his retirement from international cricket on April 20, 2022. He has scored over 12,175 runs and taken 312 wickets across T20 formats. His career statistics in ODIs include 2,706 runs and 55 wickets. In T20 Internationals, he has scored 1,569 runs and taken 42 wickets.
7. Jos Buttler (England)
Jos Buttler is one of the most innovative and dynamic batsmen in the current era. He is a master of playing unconventional shots, such as the ramp, the scoop, and the reverse sweep. He is also a quick runner between the wickets, and a brilliant wicket-keeper.
He is a vital member of the England team, who have revolutionized their limited-overs cricket in the last few years. He is especially dominant in the T20 format, where he has a strike rate of 144.61 and an average of 34.85.
Buttler’s most impressive finishing display came in the 2018 IPL match against Chennai Super Kings, where he scored an unbeaten 95 off 60 balls, leading Rajasthan Royals to a four-wicket win.
He scored 253 runs at an average of 31.63 in 2019 World Cup. He played a crucial role in the final match, scoring 59 off 60 balls, and helped England lift their maiden trophy. He has scored over 11,856 runs across formats.
6. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Shahid Afridi, also known as Boom Boom, was one of the most exciting and unpredictable batsmen of his time. He was a fearless hitter of the ball, who could change the course of a match in a matter of overs.
He was also a skillful leg-spinner, who could bowl with variations and accuracy.
He was a charismatic leader and a livewire in the field. He was a legend for Pakistan, who often inspired them to remarkable victories. He was mainly a force in the ODI format, where he had a strike rate of 117.01 and an average of 23.58.
Afridi’s most memorable finishing act came in the 2009 World T20 final against Sri Lanka, where he scored an unbeaten 54 runs off 40 balls, and took Pakistan to their first World T20 title. In the 2011 World Cup, Afridi was the joint highest wicket-taker along with Zaheer Khan of India, taking 21 wickets in eight matches. However, the number of runs he scored in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups is not specified in the sources.
Afridi retired from Test cricket in 2010. He announced his retirement from international cricket in May 2011, but returned in October the same year.
He retired from ODI cricket in 2015. After Pakistan’s group stage elimination from the 2016 T20 World Cup, Afridi stepped down from captaincy.
He was not selected afterwards and on 19 February 2017, Afridi announced his retirement from international cricket. He has scored over 11,185 runs and taken 541 wickets across formats.
5. Vivian Richards (West Indies)
Vivian Richards, also known as the Master Blaster, was indeed one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He was a dominant and aggressive player, who could intimidate any bowler with his presence and style.
He had a superb technique and a wide range of shots, and could adapt to any situation and condition. He was a leader and a champion for the West Indies, who ruled world cricket in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a legend in the ODI format, where he had a strike rate of 90.20 and an average of 47.
Richards’ most outstanding finishing feat came in the 1979 World Cup final against England, where he scored an unbeaten 138 runs off 157 balls, and took West Indies to their second consecutive title. However, the number of runs he scored in the 1983 and 1987 World Cups is not specified in the sources.
Richards retired from international cricket in 1991. He scored 8,540 runs in Test matches and 6,721 runs in ODIs. The total number of runs he scored across formats is not specified in the sources, but it is known that he scored over 36,000 runs in first-class cricket.
4. Lance Klusener (South Africa)
Lance Klusener, also known as Zulu, was one of the most effective and consistent finishers of his era. He was a hard-hitting batsman, who could score runs at a rapid pace and under pressure. He was also a lethal fast bowler, who could bowl yorkers and slower balls with precision. He was a match-winner for South Africa, who often carried them over the line with his batting or bowling. He was a star in the ODI format, where he had a strike rate of 89.91 and an average of 41.10.
Klusener’s most remarkable finishing performance came in the 1999 World Cup, where he scored 281 runs at an average of 140.50, and a strike rate of 122.17. He also took 17 wickets at an average of 20.58, and was named the player of the tournament. He played some sensational innings in the Super Six and the semi-final stages, where he almost took South Africa to the final. He retired from international cricket in 2004, with 1,906 runs in Test matches and 3,576 runs in ODIs. He took 80 wickets in Test matches and 192 wickets in ODIs. The total number of runs he scored and wickets he took across formats is not specified in the sources, but it is known that he scored over 7,000 runs and took over 250 wickets.
3. Michael Bevan (Australia)
Michael Bevan, also known as the Finisher, was one of the finest and most successful batsmen of his generation. He was a master of chasing targets, and had an uncanny ability to calculate the required run rate and plan his innings accordingly.
He had a solid technique and a calm demeanor, and could play shots all around the wicket. He was a key player for Australia, who dominated the world cricket in the 1990s and 2000s. He was a genius in the ODI format, where he had a strike rate of 74.16 and an average of 53.58.
Bevan’s most memorable finishing act came in the 1996 New Year’s Day match against West Indies, where he scored an unbeaten 78 off 88 balls, and hit a four off the last ball to win the match for Australia.
He also played some vital knocks in the 1999 and 2003 World Cups, where he scored 375 and 197 runs respectively, at an average of over 50.
He retired from international cricket in 2004, having scored 785 runs in Test matches and 6,912 runs in ODIs.
The total number of runs he scored across formats is not specified in the sources, but it is known that he scored over 10,000 runs.
2. AB de Villiers (South Africa)
AB de Villiers, also known as Mr. 360, is indeed one of the most talented and versatile batsmen of the current era.
He can play any shot in the book, and invent some of his own. He can switch gears from defence to attack in an instant, and dominate any bowling attack.
He is also a superb fielder and a capable wicket-keeper and a legend for South Africa, who have often relied on his brilliance to win matches. He is a phenomenon in the ODI format, where he has a strike rate of 101.1 and an average of 53.5.
De Villiers’ most astonishing finishing display indeed came in the 2015 ODI match against West Indies, where he scored 149 runs off 44 balls, and broke the record for the fastest ODI century (31 balls) and the fastest ODI 150 (64 balls).
He also played some crucial innings in the 2007, 2011, and 2015 World Cups. In the 2007 World Cup, he scored 146 runs against West Indies. In the 2011 World Cup, he scored 107 not out against West Indies. In the 2015 World Cup, he scored 482 runs.
1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, also known as Captain Cool, is arguably the greatest finisher and captain in cricket history. He is a master of chasing targets, and has a calm and composed approach to pressure situations.
He has a unique style of batting, where he can play both conventional and unconventional shots, and manipulate the field and the bowlers.
He is also a brilliant wicket-keeper, and a strategic and inspirational leader. He is a legend for India, who have won several trophies under his captaincy. He is a legend in the ODI format, where he has a strike rate of 87.56 and an average of 50.57.
Dhoni’s most iconic finishing feat came in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka, where he scored an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls, and hit a six to seal the victory and the title for India.
These are the top 10 best finishers in cricket and their achievements. They have shown remarkable skill, consistency, and impact in the art of finishing matches for their teams. They have earned the respect and admiration of fans and experts alike. They have left a lasting legacy in the game of cricket.