Top 5 batsmen with most ODI runs in a single calendar year

Sometimes a sportsman reaches stratospheres that are totally unheard of and confronts challenges in a manner that makes people stare at him in unabashed disbelief. It is a time when he hits his ‘purple patch’, a time when he is at his absolute peak.

In the five-decade history of ODI cricket, there have been a handful of occasions when a batsman has owned an entire calendar year and has demolished every bowling attack that he encountered. And, needless to say, these willow wielders have carved a niche for themselves with their stupendous performances with the bat in hand.

In this article, let us have a look at 5 batsmen who have scored the most ODI runs in a single calendar year:

5. Matthew Hayden (1601 Runs)

Matthew Hayden at his best was a sight that the bowlers shuddered. Hayden’s ability to read the length quickly and the power that he possessed made him a nightmare for bowlers around the world.

In the year 2007, the big-hitting left-hander was at his marauding best. In the 30 innings that he played in that calendar year, Hayden blasted 1601 runs at an average of 59.29, including 5 hundreds and 6 fifties.

Hayden played a pivotal role in Australia winning the 2007 World Cup by emerging as the leading run-scorer of the tournament. He pummeled 659 runs during the entire competition at an average of 73.22 and also scored 3 hundreds as well. Hayden retired from the game in 2008, after the Tri-nation CB series involving Sri Lanka and India.