When ODI Cricket got into existence, it was West Indies who ruled Cricket. ICC Cricket World Cup wins in 1975 and 1979 are testaments to this fact and so is that it was West Indies that India had to win against in 1983 for their first Cricket World Cup win. Well, 1983 was also the first Cricket World Cup to have traveled outside Caribbeans. Why are we made to discuss about the records or supremacy of a team when the topic is about individuals? The reason lies in the list of individuals we’ll be talking about here. So, let’s talk about Cricketers who reached earliest to 1000 ODI runs.
5. Desmond Haynes
West Indies Great Desmond Haynes is fifth on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 1000 ODI runs. Haynes, who would go on to play 238 ODIs, scored his 1000th run in his 34th match and 34th ODI innings.
Desmond reached this career milestone on January 24, 1982 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia against hosts Australia in the second final of Benson & Hedges World Series Cup. Opening the West Indies batting with Gordon Greenidge, Haynes scored a fine 52 off 85 balls in a team total of 235/9. In reply, the hosts were bowled out for a paltry 107 to handover a 128 run win to the visiting team.
4. Geoffrey Boycott
England Great & famous Commentator Sir Geoffrey Boycott is fourth on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 1000 ODI runs. Boycott, who would go on to play 36 ODIs, scored his 1000th run in his 32nd match and 30th ODI innings.
Geoffrey reached this career milestone on June 4, 1981 at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London against visiting Australia. Set to chase a target of 211, Boycott, like usual, opened the England batting with Graham Gooch, to score a fine 75 off 135 balls as the home team chased down the total with 6 wickets remaining.
3. Greg Chappell
Australian Great & former India Coach Greg Chappell is third on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 1000 ODI runs. Chappell, who would go on to play 74 ODIs, scored his 1000th run in his 27th match and 26th ODI innings.
Greg reached this career milestone on November 23, 1980 at Adelaide Oval, Australia against New Zealand in a Benson & Hedges World Series Cup match. Chappell, coming in at number 3 for the Aussies, scored a paltry 25 off 34 balls as the home team set a target of 218 for the Kiwis. The Kiwi team chased down the target with three wickets remaining.
2. Gordon Greenidge
West Indies Great Gordon Greenidge is second on the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 1000 ODI runs. Greenidge, who would go on to play 128 ODIs, scored his 1000th run in his 23rd match and 23rd ODI innings.
Gordon reached this career milestone in May 1980 at Headingley, Leeds, England against hosts England. Opening the West Indies batting with Desmond Haynes (also in this list), Greenidge scored a fine 78 off 147 balls in a team total of 198. In reply, the hosts were bowled out at 174 to handover a 24 run win to the visiting team.
1. Viv Richards
West Indies Great & fearsome Stroke-player Sir Vivian Richards is atop the list of cricketers who reached earliest to 1000 ODI runs. Richards, who would go on to play 187 ODIs, scored his 1000th run in his 22nd match and 21st ODI innings.
Viv reached this career milestone on January 22, 1980 at Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia against England in a Benson & Hedges World Series Cup match. Set to chase a target of 209 by England, Richards came in at his usual number 3 to score a fine 65 off 87 balls as the Caribbeans team chased down the target with more than 2 overs and 8 wickets remaining.