2023 Cricket World Cup: Ranking the top 10 ODI batters by strike rates

Here, SABC Sport takes a look at 10 batters who are primed to set the Cricket World Cup alight with their skills. 

Listed in order of strike rate, these batters would be a prized wicket for any bowling attack.

Glen Maxwell - 124.68

The Australian has recently recovered from an ankle injury and will be eager to rediscover some form in the middle. Aside from being devastating with the bat, he is a great fielder and useful with the ball, with his right-arm off breaks picking up 64 scalps over his career. 

Jos Buttler - 118.00

The England talisman is the most experienced batter on this list. However, this time around, the wicketkeeper will have the added pressure that comes with the defending champions tag. Incredibly, Buttler has struck 162 sixes since he burst onto the scene in 2012. 

Heinrich Klaasen - 111.64

South Africa's lower-order blast master has been in red-hot form of late, scoring 174 off 83 in a recent win over Australia. It was Klaasen's third hundred in the 50-over format, to go with five 50s and a healthy average of 41.34. Few are hitting the ball as cleanly as the left-hander at the moment. 

Hardik Pandya - 110.21

The all-rounder has come on leaps and bounds for India, becoming a senior player with multiple responsibilities in the ODI set-up. While brisk with the ball in hand, Pandya has played several match-winning innings at the bottom of the order for the hosts.

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Wanindu Hasaranga - 110.19

The Sri Lankan has turned heads ever since his ODI debut in 2017, where he became just the third debutant in history to claim a hat-trick. And while Hasaranga averages a handy 28.77 with the ball thanks to his leg breaks, it's his batting at the back end of an innings that has also proved dangerous.

Rashid Khan - 106.32

Khan is Afghanistan cricket's first global superstar thanks to his deft skill with the ball, which has earned him a miserly 19.53 average. Somewhat incredibly, he averages the same with the bat and will not die wondering at the end of the innings. In the recent Asian Cup, Khan made some important contributions with the willow.

Suryakumar Yadav - 105.70

The Indian star announced himself on the white-ball stage by hooking Jofra Archer for six with the very first ball he faced. Yadav went through some difficult times against Australia earlier this year, recording three consecutive ducks. But the 360-degree hitter has returned to form recently, recording his highest ODI score of 72 not out off just 37 balls.

Jonny Bairstow - 103.92

Partnering Buttler at the top of England's batting order, Bairstow has racked up 11 centuries at an impressive 45.09. The right-hander was key in their World Cup campaign four years ago. However, with all of England's Test matches, Bairstow has played just nine ODIs in the last two years.

David Miller - 103.33

Who would have thought Miller Time would have lasted so long? The Proteas' premier slogger recently passed 4,000 ODI runs at a fair click and has shown no signs of slowing. Miller has had a great 2023, recording five 50s and two big not-outs in his last ten innings. 

Shubman Gill - 102.84

Arguably the most in-form batter on this list. Opening the innings for India, Gill has already scored six centuries, including a brilliant 208 (149) against New Zealand in January. His incredible numbers have boosted his average to 66.10. At home in front of the Indian crowd, the stage is set for more fireworks from Gill.

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