Wayne Parnell Names His All-Time ODI XI, Includes 3 Indians
In a recent interview, former South Africa pacer Wayne Parnell revealed his all-time ODI XI, and the team he picked is a mix of some of the greatest players to have ever played the game. Parnell, who has played 38 ODIs for South Africa, opted for a strong lineup that includes three Indian players.
The 36-year-old started his team with two of the most destructive openers in the game, Sachin Tendulkar and Hashim Amla. Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, has an incredible record in ODI cricket, with 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83. Amla, on the other hand, is a dominant force in the game, with 8,113 runs at an average of 49.46.
The middle order of Parnell’s team is a powerhouse, with Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Michael Hussey, and Shahid Afridi all featuring. Kohli, one of the most successful batsmen of his generation, has amassed 12,138 runs at an average of 58.21 in ODIs. De Villiers, a destructive force with the bat, has 9,577 runs at an average of 50.66. Hussey, an Australian legend, has 5,445 runs at an average of 50.93, while Afridi, a hard-hitting all-rounder, has 8,064 runs at an average of 23.67.
Parnell then chose MS Dhoni as the captain of his team, a choice that is hard to argue with. Dhoni, one of the greatest captains in the game, has led India to numerous victories and has an incredible record as a finisher, with 4,878 runs at an average of 51.11.
The bowling lineup is equally impressive, with three of the greatest fast bowlers in the game, Wasim Akram, Brett Lee, and Waqar Younis, all featuring. Akram, a Pakistani legend, has 502 wickets at an average of 23.62, while Lee, an Australian great, has 310 wickets at an average of 23.63. Younis, another Pakistani legend, has 416 wickets at an average of 23.82.
The spin department is taken care of by Muttiah Muralitharan, one of the greatest spinners in the game. The Sri Lankan legend has 534 wickets at an average of 23.08, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time.
Parnell’s all-time ODI XI is a team that has a great balance of batting and bowling, and features some of the greatest players to have ever played the game. It will be interesting to see how this team would fare against some of the other all-time ODI XIs that have been named by former players.
It’s worth noting that Parnell’s team is not without its controversies, with some fans questioning the inclusion of Dhoni as captain, given his relatively recent retirement from international cricket. However, from a purely cricketing perspective, Dhoni’s record as a finisher and his ability to read the game make him an excellent choice as captain.
Overall, Parnell’s all-time ODI XI is a team that is filled with talent and depth, and is a team that would be a force to be reckoned with on any cricket field.
