A finisher has one of the hardest jobs in the game. They walk in when the pressure is highest, with the equation tight and little time to settle. Success depends on temperament as much as technique. These five players did it better than anyone else over a long period, and a few others deserve mention too.
AB de Villiers could finish an innings as well as anyone, and his 149 off 44 balls against West Indies in 2015 included the fastest ODI century ever at that time, off 31 balls. Yuvraj Singh won the 2011 World Cup Player of the Tournament award with 362 runs and 15 wickets and hit six sixes in an over at the 2007 T20 World Cup. Others worth mentioning include Dinesh Karthik, Kieron Pollard, Jos Buttler, Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh, who hit five sixes in a row in the last over of an IPL match in 2023.
Here are the 5 greatest finishers in cricket history.
Top 5 Greatest Finishers in Cricket History
1. MS Dhoni
Dhoni is the standard by which every other finisher is measured. He played 350 ODIs, scored 10,773 runs at an average of 50.57, and had an astonishing 84 not outs. When most batters average in the thirties, a man who stays unbeaten that often in the middle order shows an exceptional ability to finish what he starts.
His best work came in run chases. He often paced an innings by taking singles and absorbing pressure, then accelerated in the last few overs, and his average in successful chases is above 100. The 2011 World Cup final is the most famous example, where he scored 91 not out and finished the game with a six over long-on. He also led India to the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy, so his calm was matched by his results as a captain.
2. Michael Bevan
Bevan was the original ODI finisher. The Australian played 232 matches, scored 6,912 runs at an average of 53.58, and was not out 67 times. He was a master of rotating the strike, and he rarely took chances until they were necessary.
His signature innings came in Sydney in 1996, when Australia were reduced to 38 for 6 chasing 173 against West Indies. Bevan made 78 not out and hit a boundary off the last ball to win the match by one wicket. For a generation of fans, that innings defined what a finisher was. He also contributed with left-arm wrist spin, which added to his value.
3. Lance Klusener
For a short period, Klusener was the most feared batter in the world. At the 1999 World Cup, he scored 281 runs at an average of 140.50 and took 17 wickets, winning the Player of the Tournament award. He could clear the boundary against any bowler, and his power was matched by a heavy bat and unusual timing.
His most famous moment was in the semi-final against Australia at Edgbaston. South Africa needed nine runs from the final over, and Klusener hit two fours off the first two balls. The scores were tied after a mix-up at the end, and Australia advanced on a better record. His career average of around 41 in ODIs, with a strike rate near 90, was outstanding for his era.
4. Andre Russell
In T20 cricket, Russell is one of the most destructive and greatest finishers in cricket. At his peak, he could change a match in a few deliveries, hitting sixes at a rate few players can match. His 2019 IPL season for Kolkata Knight Riders produced 510 runs at a strike rate of 204.81, along with 11 wickets, and he was named Most Valuable Player.
His strike rate in the IPL is well above 170 across his career, and he has been among the biggest six-hitters in franchise cricket worldwide. Because he also bowls fast and fields well, he is a complete package. His career has been affected by injuries, but at full fitness, he is one of the most feared players in the format.
5. Michael Hussey
Hussey earned the nickname Mr Cricket because of his obsessive dedication to the game. He played 185 ODIs for Australia, scoring 5,442 runs at an average of 48.15, and his ability to finish innings made him vital in the middle order. He also had a Test average of 51.52 across 79 matches, so his skills were not limited to limited-overs cricket.
His signature innings was a 60 not out off 24 balls in the 2010 T20 World Cup semi-final against Pakistan. Australia needed a huge total in the last few overs, and Hussey scored 60 off 24 balls to win the match with one ball to spare. He was most effective in knockout games, which made him one of Australia’s most valuable players.
FAQs
Q. Who is considered the greatest finisher in cricket history?
A. MS Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest finishers in cricket history.
Q. Who was known as the original ODI finisher?
A. Michael Bevan earned that reputation through his consistent performances for Australia.
Q. How many runs did Lance Klusener score in the 1999 World Cup?
A. Klusener scored 281 runs and also took 17 wickets in the tournament.
Q. How many runs did Andre Russell score in the 2019 IPL season?
A. Russell scored 510 runs at a strike rate of 204.81.
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