2014 REVIEW..........

ODI XI of the year

A bearded wonder, a pocket-sized epitome of consistency, a suspended offspinner and the hottest property in Indian cricket feature in our selection of the most handy cricketers in ODIs this year.

1. Hashim Amla (18 matches, 892 runs, Avg 52.27)

Another excellent year for the bearded wonder in ODIs, his second best since 2011 (1058 runs in 15 innings). He played a major role in South Africa winning four out of the five ODI series played in 2014, scoring centuries in each of them. He began the year with back-to-back hundreds against Sri Lanka (109, 101) in a three-ODI series and continued his glorious form in the tri-series in Zimbabwe, where another century and two half-centuries followed. Amla's only century in a losing cause came in the fourth ODI at Canberra and although South Africa couldn't end the year on a winning note, he was one of the most prolific openers of the year.

2. Aaron Finch (18 matches, 790 runs, Avg 43.88)

The opening combination of David Warner and Aaron Finch raked up 540 runs at a little over 49. While Warner excelled in the Test arena, Finch made his outings in ODIs count. He began the year with two centuries against England during the five-match ODI series at home. In Melbourne he hit a match-winning 122 and followed it with another hundred in Perth.

His 102 against South Africa went in vain as AB de Villiers dished out some brutal hitting on the Australian bowlers but Finch's contribution were more than handy in Australia making the final of the tri-series. He missed out against Pakistan in the three-match ODI series in the UAE against Pakistan but made amends with an innings of 109 against South Africa in Canberra - a series that Australia comfortably won 4-1.

3. Kane Williamson (12 matches, 770 runs, Avg 70)

Kane Williamson is one batsman who has dominated all three formats in 2014. His last 10 ODI innings resemble a rookie cricketer's list of highest scores: 71, 70, 65, 60, 88, 10, 70, 46, 123 and 97. He has been the bedrock of New Zealand's success in 2014, winning two of the three ODIs the team took this year.

In the series against India in Januray, Williamson scored half-centuries in all five ODIs and carried the momentum forward in the five-match series against Pakistan, where he notched up 346 runs with two fifties and a century. Even though Ross Taylor gave him stiff competition in terms of runs, Williamson ended as New Zealand's highest run-scorer in 2014.

4. Virat Kohli (21 matches, 1054 runs, Avg 58.55)

India's batting sensation had a good beginning to the year with a century in Napier against New Zealand, a series which India lost comprehensively 4-1. He had an equally impressive Asia Cup but a horror series in England, where all Kohli managed was 54 runs from four innings, dented his in confidence. However, he roared back to form in the fourth ODI against West Indies and since then has been in top-notch form. Kohli captained India to a 5-0 series win against Sri Lanka in November, where he managed 329 runs at 82.25, including a match-winning century in the final ODI in Ranchi.

5. AB de Villiers (wk) (16 matches, 879 runs, Avg 73.25)

Although de Villiers featured in just 13 matches, he played a pivotal role in South Africa's dominant run this year. His figures were freakishly strong: 212 in three games against Sri Lanka, 215 in four during the Zimbabwe tri-series, 159 in three against New Zealand and 271 in four ODIs against Australia. His 136 against Australia in the opening game of the tri-series was a brutal exhibition of his big-hitting prowess. His 106-ball innings (11x4, 2x6) made a mockery of Australia's total of 327 as South Africa chased it down with almost four overs to spare.

6. Angelo Mathews (capt) (32 matches, 1244 runs, Avg 62.20, 18 wickets)

Undoubtedly, the player of the year. The Sri Lankan captain led from the front in more matches than one can count. The fact that Mathews scored over 1200 runs speaks volumes about the improvement he has brought in his batting. With one century and nine fifties, he was crucial to Sri Lanka's success - winning the Asia Cup, beating Pakistan in the UAE and prevailing comprehensively over New Zealand at home. Against India, where Sri Lanka were hammered 5-0, Mathews scored 339 runs. His bowling, however, wasn't at par with 18 wickets.

7. Chris Jordan (18 matches, 29 wickets, economy rate 5.75)

Chris Jordan experienced a fruitful 2014. His 5 for 29 bundled Sri Lanka out for 96 back in May at Old Trafford and he ended the series with 12 wickets from five matches. Later, in six matches in Sri Lanka, Jordan was consistent in picking up two wickets in each of the ODIs. His only sub-par performance came against Australia in January, where he conceded runs at over five and bagged six wickets.

8. Morne Morkel (14 matches, 24 wickets, economy rate 5.79)

While Dale Steyn spearheaded the South African attack, Morkel acted as the perfect partner. The tall fast bowler had a decent start against Sri Lanka with five wickets in three matches. Despite being a bit expensive, Morkel scalped six wickets from four matches in the Zimbabwe tri-series. However, the rain-hit ODI series in New Zealand is where Morkel troubled batsmen the most with his pace and bounce and got among the wickets (six in two games). His best outing came during the Australia series, where his 5 for 21 gave South Africa their only win of the series.

9. Sachithra Senanayake (18 matches, 27 wickets, economy rate 4.38)

Before he was banned from bowling due to a suspect action, Senanayake's tally read 22 wickets from 16 games. After serving a five-month ban, the Sri Lanka offspinner was cleared to bowl and he marked his return to international cricket with five wickets from two matches against England at home. Much like he did against them in May - nine wickets from five matches - Senanayake continued to expose England's vulnerability to spin on sub-continent pitches.

10. Mohammed Shami (16 matches, 38 wickets, economy rate 6.16)

The joint-highest wicket-taker of the year, Shami leaked runs regularly in New Zealand despite picking up 13 wickets in five matches. During the Asia Cup, he bagged a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh and made full use of the conditions in England - eight wickets from four matches. Despite Shami's alarming economy rate, he made life difficult for West Indies with two four-wicket hauls in October.

11. Ajantha Mendis (17 matches, 38 wickets, economy rate 5.76)

Mendis continued to bamboozle opponents with his variations and emerged as the other highest wicket-taker of 2014. Twice he got a four-wicket haul and five times managed three in an innings. His best of 4 for 60 came in the Asia Cup, where he restricted India to a total of 264. Mends bagged nine wickets in the tournament and after not getting enough chances in England, Mendis pocketed 20 wickets in his last three series - South Africa (three matches), India (two matches) and England (five matches).