Team tactics at different ICC Cricket World Cups

May 28 (CRICKETNMORE) - Over the 44 years since the first World Cup that has never been more obvious than in the tactical evolutions that have taken place in the white-ball game. Mike Brearley’s Art

BEVAN FINISHES

While Kaluwitharana and Sanath Jayasuriya were game-changers at the top of the order, it was Australia who produced the first real finisher.

Michael Bevan’s one-day average of 53.58 still ranks in the top five all-time in the sport, and to reinforce his value, it is even higher when batting in his favoured No.6 position, as well as in chases.

Virat Kohli may have overtaken Bevan as the greatest chaser of them all, but the Australian was the pioneer in the position.

During Australia’s dominant run in the late 90s and early 2000s, Bevan was the glue who allowed the top order the freedom to play their shots.

His ability to bat with the tail was one of the defining characteristics of that Australian team, as he averaged 52.80 at the 1999 World Cup and 49.33 four years later.