Top 10 Individual Scores By A Number 11 Batter In ODIs

The one who comes at the number 11 position in a batting line-up tends to be the least skilled batsman. He isn’t known for his batting skills and, most often, doesn’t have the ability to stay at the crease for too long and score runs.

However, there have been occasions when these batsmen have surprised one and all with solid knocks. Over the years, we have seen some heart-warming knocks by a number 11 batsman in ODI cricket. In this article, we take a look top 10 individual scores by a number 11 batsman in ODIs.

Top 10 Individual Scores By A Number 11 Batter In ODIs:

10. Jeetan Patel 38 off 34 against Sri Lanka

New Zealand’s former spinner Jeetan Patel sits at the number 10 position in the list. He recorded his highest score while batting at number 11 position in the 2007 World Cup semi-final match against Sri Lanka in Jamaica.

Sri Lanka batted first and managed to score a formidable score of 289 runs in the first innings. In pursuit of the target, New Zealand exhibited a poor batting performance and lost 9 wickets for 149 runs. Jeetan Patel then came at the crease at the number 11 position and went on to score a 34-run knock off 38 balls. His knock, however, went in vain as New Zealand lost that match.

9. Mitchell McClenaghan: 34 off 43 against South Africa in 2014

New Zealand’s fast bowler, Mitchell McClenaghan holds the record for the ninth highest run-scorer by a number 11 batsman in Test Cricket. He reached the feat during South Africa’s tour of New Zealand in 2014. The second ODI of the series saw South Africa managing 282 runs in the first innings.

In reply, New Zealand batted poorly as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. They had lost 9 wickets for 134 runs on the board. Mitchell McClenaghan then walked out to the crease and managed to score 34 runs in 43 deliveries. He stitched a 74-run partnership with Ronchi for the last wicket but to no avail. South Africa, in the end, won the match by 72 runs.

8. Mushtaq Ahmed: 34 off 50 against South Africa in 2000

Mushtaq Ahmed is regarded as one of the greatest spinners ever to play for Pakistan. He took as many as 161 wickets in 144 ODIs for Pakistan during his international cricket career. Apart from his bowling exploits, the former Pakistan cricketers also played a valuable knock as a number 11 batsman across formats.

His best knock at the number 11 position in ODIs came against South Africa in the 6^th match of the Triangular series in 2000. Pakistan put in a disappointing batting performance in the first innings. They lost 9 wickets for just 98 runs in the first innings.

Mushtaq Ahmed then walked out to bat and he shared a valuable partnership with Shoaib Malik. They added 55 runs for the last wicket before Malik got out for 28. Mushtaq Ahmed remained unbeaten on34 off 50 deliveries. South Africa won that game by 7 wickets.

7. Chris Pringle- 34 off 22 against West Indies in 1994

The 5^th match of the Wills World Series in 1994 saw New Zealand take on West Indies in Guwahati. West Indies batted first and managed to score 306 on the board in 50 overs. In response to that, New Zealand never got going and lost nine wickets for just 123 runs. Chris Pringle then walked out to bat at the number 11 position. He showed aggressive internet and smashed two fours and two sixes en-route to his 22-ball 34-run cameo. It’s currently the seventh-highest score by a number 11 batsman in ODIs.

6. Steven Finn: 35 off 24 balls against Australia in 2011

England toured Australia for a 7-match ODI series in 2011. After four games, Australia were leading 3-1 and the next game was a must-win for England. Australia batted first in the fifth ODI and managed to score 249 runs.

England, however, showcased another disappointing performance with the bat. They lost nine wickets for just 145 runs. Steven Finn then walked out to bat at number 11 position and managed to score 35 runs in just 24 deliveries, a knock which was laced with five fours and 1 six. However, despite that, England were bundled out for 198 runs in the second innings.

5. Peter Ongondo- 36 runs in 42 balls against West Indies in 2001

The West Indies Cricket Team went to Kenya in 2001 to play a three-match ODI series. West Indies won the first ODI and Kanya had to win the next game to stay alive in the series. Kenya batted first in the second ODI but didn’t show any resilience with the bat.

They lost nine wickets for just 26 runs on the board. Peter Ongondo then walked out to bat to join Jimmy Kamande at the crease. The duo added 66 runs for the final wicket to take the team to 192 runs. Peter Ongondo scored 36 runs in 42 deliveries, a knock which was laced with 2 fours and 1 six. He was the last one to get out. His knock is currently the fifth-highest score by a number 11 batsman in ODIs.

4. Joel Garner- 37 off 29 balls against India in 1983

The former West Indies cricketer, Joel Garner reached his best score as a number 11 batsman in the ICC World Cup 1983. India and West Indies played against each other in the opening encounter of the tournament. India batted first in that encounter and managed to score 262 runs for 8 wickets.

West Indies, in reply, had lost 9 wickets for just 157 runs. Joel Garner then came to the crease and joined Andy Roberts. The duo paced their innings beautifully as they kept rotating the strike took their total as close to the target as possible. Joel Garder was dismissed after scoring 37 off 29 balls, a knock that had one six.

3. Makhaya Ntini: 42 off 35 balls against New Zealand

South Africa’s seamer, Makhaya Ntini is one of the most loved cricketers in the cricket fraternity. He was part of South Africa’s squad during the South Africa tour of New Zealand for a six-match ODI series. South Africa looked clueless with the bat as he could only manage 119 for 9 wickets. Makhaya Nitin then joined hands with Albie Morkel for the final wicket of the innings.

Ntini looked positive right from the start of his inning. He scored 3 boundaries and two sixes in a sensational 35-ball 42-run knock. Ntini remained unbeaten on 42 as South Africa managed to score 186 runs in the first innings. New Zealand chased down the score with 5 wickets in hand.

2. Shoaib Akhtar- 43 runs in 16 balls against England in 2003

Pakistan squared up against England in the 2003 World Cup encounter on 22^nd February. England batted first and managed to post a decent score of 246 runs for 8 wickets. Michael Vaughan and Paul Collingwood both scored respective half-centuries.

In pursuit of that, Pakistan put in a disappointing batting performance. They lost 9 wickets for just 80 runs on the board. Shoaib Akhtar then walked out to bat at the number 11 position and joined Saqlain Mushtaq at the crease.

Akhtar played with an aggressive intent as he smacked five fours and three sixes en-route to his 16-ball 43. He eventually was dismissed by Andrew Flintoff as Pakistan were bundled out for 134 runs and, with that, lost the game by 112 runs.

1. Mohammad Amir: 58 off 28 balls against England in 2016

For those of you who don’t know, Mohammad Amir is the only number 11 batsman in the history of ODI cricket to score a fifty. He reached the feat in an ODI match against England on 30^th August 2016.

Opting to bat first, England scored a gigantic score of 444 runs in 50 overs. In pursuit of the score, Pakistan lost nine wickets for just 199 runs on the board. England, at that stage, were looking to bundle out Pakistan quickly but Mohammad Amir had other ideas.

He walked into bat and hit the balls to all parts of the ground. He went on to score 58 runs in just 28 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes. It’s currently the highest ever score by a number 11 batsman in ODI cricket.