The ICC ODI team of 2022 has been named and it includes a bowler and a batsman from West Indies. In addition, two each from Australia, New Zealand, India and one each from Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh were included.
The ICC had stated that the team was selected based on their all-round exploits with bat, ball or in a calendar year. Accordingly, the ICC Men’s ODI Team of 2022 is,
1. Babar Azam (c) – Pakistan
In the nine matches that Barber has played this year, the 28-year-old has scored eight more than fifty runs, three of which he converted into centuries. He finished the year with 679 runs at an impressive average of 84.87.
Babar had a memorable year as Pakistan ODI captain, winning three out of three tournaments. Pakistan were unstoppable in the ODI format, losing just one match (against Australia) out of nine. His leadership skills mean he will lead the ICC Men’s ODI team in 2022.
2. Travis Head – Australia
Normally an attacking middle-order batsman, Head brilliantly reinvented himself as an ODI opener, becoming one of Australia’s most consistent batsmen in the format. It was a year to remember for Head, who became the first name on the Australian team sheet – scoring 550 runs at 68.75 in nine matches.
His runs came at a strike rate of 112.24 and included two centuries and three fifties.
3. Shai Hope – West Indies
Hope, who made his ODI debut six years ago and since 2017, has finished as the highest run-scorer in ODIs for the West Indies every year.
This year was no different and the 29-year-old was once again one of the few stars to shine for West Indies in a difficult year where they won just 5 of the 21 ODIs they played.
Hope did not get off the greatest of starts in 2022 but in typical fashion started to grind out runs in the latter half. He finished the year with 709 runs, which include three hundred and two fifties, at an average of 35.45.
Shai Hope was often the lone warrior for West Indies in ODIs this year and as a result, four of his five fifty-plus scores this year came in losses. The one that didn’t – his 119* off 130 against the Netherlands – fetched him the Player of the Match in the first game of the three-match series in May-June 2022.
Chasing 241 in Amstelveen in a rain-reduced 45-overs-a-side game, Hope displayed the immaculate temperament he is known for and batted through till the end.
He was part of two 100-run partnerships, first with Shamarh Brooks for the first wicket and then with Brandon King for the unbeaten fourth wicket. Between the two partnerships was a mini-collapse but Hope weathered the storm to guide West Indies to victory.
Hope has so far played 99 ODIs where he has scored 4308 runs at a high average of 48.95. 21 fifties and 13 centuries belong to his score bag.
4. Shreyas Iyer – India
Mostly at No.4, Iyer played 17 matches during the calendar year and scored 724 runs at an average of 55.69. He scored his runs at a blistering pace of 91.52 which included one century and six fifties.
5. Tom Latham (wk) – New Zealand
Often considered a strong batsman, Tom Latham added a new dimension to his game in 2022, often playing the role of finisher from the No. 5 position.
Latham scored 558 runs in 15 matches at an average of 55.80 and a strike rate of 101.27. He scored two fifties and two centuries during the year, becoming an indispensable player in the New Zealand middle order. Latham was also strong behind the wicket, effecting 16 dismissals.
6. Sikandar Raza – Zimbabwe
2022 saw Zimbabwe’s resurgence on the international stage and much of it came down to one man – Sikandar Raza. Raza scored 645 runs at an average of 49.61 and a strike rate of 87.16, scoring two fifties to complete three centuries.
With the ball, Raza was ever-reliable, taking 8 wickets at over 5 per over.
7. Mehidy Hasan Miraz – Bangladesh
Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as one of ODI cricket’s most consistent all-rounders in 2022, with some brilliant displays.
He took 24 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 28.20 with a best figure of 4/29. He scored 330 runs with one century and a half-century at an impressive average of 66.
8. Alzarri Joseph – West Indies
Alzzari Joseph developed from a highly rated prospect to a reliable performer for West Indies in 2022. Not lacking in pace but sometimes in accuracy, Joseph worked on his shortcomings and became a fearsome prospect for the batsmen to face.
Joseph played 17 matches and took 27 wickets at an average of 25.70 and a strike rate of 33.4. He was also stingy with an economy rate of 4.61 with best figures of 3/36.
He was the second-highest wicket-taker for West Indies in 2022, ahead of Akeal Hossain.
9. Mohammad Siraj – India
Siraj bowled both new and old balls and managed to take 24 wickets in 15 matches. His best figures were 3/29, with an economy of 4.62 wickets and an average of 23.50.
10. Trent Boult – New Zealand
The left-arm pacer has been a beacon of consistency for nearly a decade and 2022 has been no different.
Boult played just six matches in 2022 but made a huge impact in them. He took 18 wickets at an impressive average of 12.38 and a miserly economy of 3.98, with a best figure of 4/38.
11. Adam Zampa – Australia
The leggie enjoyed his joint most prolific year in ODI cricket, equaling his 30-wicket haul since his debut in 2016. His performances this year have been even more impressive considering 9 of the 12 games he has played have been at home in poor conditions.
The ICC ODI team of 2022: Babar Azam(c), Travis Head, Shai Hope, Shreyas Iyer, Tom Latham(wk), Sikandar Raza, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Siraj, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa.