Cricket’s popular and thrilling One-Day International (ODI) format requires teams to score as many runs as they can in 50 overs. In one-day international cricket, a batsman must possess technique, endurance, and aggression in order to score a century. However, despite having illustrious careers, some well-known cricketers have never reached a century in an ODI. Seven such players who failed to make the three-figure mark in this format are listed below:
1.Ian Botham (England): Among the all-time greats, Botham dominated the sport in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In Test cricket, where he hit 14 hundreds and claimed 383 wickets, he was a prolific run scorer and wicket-taker. He also played a significant role in the 1981 Ashes series victory for England, as he turned in some of the most enduring performances in cricket history.
He played in 116 ODI matches, but never managed to record a century. He recorded 2113 runs with a strike rate of 79.10 and an average of 23.211 with a top score of 79.
2.Michael Vaughan (England): In 2005, Michael Vaughan, one of England’s greatest captains and batsmen, helped his country win the Ashes for the first time in history. In addition, he was a classy and refined batsman who averaged 41.44 and amassed over 5000 runs in Test cricket, including 18 hundreds. In India between 2001 and 2002, he got three centuries and was particularly effective against spin bowling. Despite appearing in 86 ODI matches, he never scored a century.
He scored 1982 runs with a strike rate of 68.39 and an average of 27.152, and his top score was an undefeated 90.
3.Graham Thorpe (England): Graham Thorpe was a trustworthy and dependable batsman for England who played in over 100 Test matches and amassed over 6000 runs with 16 centuries and an average of 44.66. He also played in over 100 ODIs. He was a flexible batsman who could adjust to many circumstances and surroundings. In challenging situations, he produced some of his best performances for England, including his undefeated 119 against South Africa at Trent Bridge in 2003 and his unbeaten 200 against New Zealand in Christchurch in 2002.
He played in 82 ODI matches, but never managed to record a century. His highest score was 89, and he amassed 2380 runs with an average of 37.183 and a strike rate of 74.01 during his career.
4.Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan): Misbah-ul-Haq guided Pakistan to the top of the Test rankings in 2016, making him one of the nation’s most successful captains and batters. In addition, he was a cool-headed and collected batsman who averaged 46.62 and amassed over 5000 runs in Test cricket, including 10 hundreds.He played 162 matches in ODI cricket, however he never scored a century.
He scored 5122 runs with a strike rate of 73.75 and an average of 43.404, and his top score was an undefeated 96.
5.Dinesh Karthik (India): With more than 150 international games across all forms, Dinesh Karthik is one of the most seasoned wicket-keeper batsman in India. He participated in several notable Indian victories, including the World T20 championship in 2007 and the Nidahas Trophy final in 2018.Additionally, he has amassed more than 3000 runs in international cricket, including two centuries and 19 half-centuries.He played 94 matches in ODI cricket, however he never scored a century.
His highest score was 79, and he amassed 1752 runs with an average of 30.52 and a strike rate of 73.70.
These are a few well-known cricketers who, while having lengthy and fruitful careers, have never reached a century in an ODI. They have encountered numerous challenges and obstacles, but they have also gained the respect and affection of their supporters and contemporaries. They have demonstrated that there are other abilities and attributes that great cricketers possess in addition to scoring a century in an ODI match.
