The finisher has very few roles in cricket. These are the players who come in when the game is on the line, when there are sometimes a few overs to go and millions of people are watching. The task they have is not difficult but overwhelming, to end the match, whatever the case.
The same question has been posed by fans of all generations, who want to know who the best finisher in the world is? The solution is multi-dimensional, which is influenced by times, formats, and memorable performances. The only thing that will not change is the fact that the finisher can transform unthinkable situations to legendary wins.
What Makes a Great Finisher?
A finisher cannot be merely a hard hitter. The attributes of greatness are:
- Coolness under pressure – The skill to remain calm when the run rate demanded by the task soars to the heavens.
- Speed in death overs – Making individuals into boundaries and boundaries into goal-winning impetus.
- Stability in clutch moments– To win, not once in a career.
- Technique and power combination – When to protect, when to switch attack, when to roll sixes.
These qualities tend to be reduced to the debate of who the best finisher in the world is. There were those players who had perfected the timing aspect, others had had to use brute force, but all of them had the ability to close the deal.
Legendary Finishers in Cricket History
1.MS Dhoni – Captain Cool
There is no talk of finishers which is complete without MS Dhoni. Dhoni has a legendary reputation of being able to absorb pressure and perform at the right time due to his ice-cold temperament. His six in the 2011 world cup final is still marked in the history of cricketing. Dhoni was the embodiment of a finisher as he had 47 successful run chases in which he had never been beaten. His strategic genius and composure rendered him the great closer.
2.Michael Bevan – Australia’s Rescue Man
Prior to Dhoni, Michael Bevan was the benchmark of finishing. Bevan had a calculated run chase ODI average of 53.58. His 1995-96 knock against the West Indies was a famous example of his skill to save Australia in dire situations. Bevan was not a showman but his consistency and calmness ensured that he was one of the best finishers of all time in the history of the game.
3.Lance Klusener – South Africa’s Power Hitter
Klusener was a man of brute strength to the finish. His performance during the 1999 world cup where he single handedly represented South Africa is memorable. Klusener was a fearless hitter and known to hit last-ball sixes, and was named Wisden Cricketer of the Month in 2000. He represented the violent element of finishing.
4.Jos Buttler – England’s Modern Finisher
Jos Buttler is the new breed of finishers. Buttler has become the backbone of England in white-ball cricket with a very high ODI average of more than 40 and the ability to play in any position. His capacity to speed up during the last overs and be a captain of England makes him one of the most feared finishers in modern times.
5.Kieron Pollard – The IPL Giant
The reputation of Pollard has been established by his towering sixes and match winning knocks with Mumbai Indians. Pollard is known to have crossed boundaries with a lot of ease and has more than once revived games in the IPL and international cricket. The presence of this man at the crease causes bowlers to tremble during death overs.
6.AB de Villiers – Mr. 360
AB de Villiers was an innovative finisher. He was known as Mr. 360 because of his capacity to play shots all around the ground. de Villiers was an artist who was powerful with a century in ODI in only 31 balls and over 19,000 international runs. He was as successful in setting up an innings as he was in sending bowlers flying out of the field.
7.Shahid Afridi – Pakistan’s Game Changer
The explosive batting style of Afridi made him the ultimate game changer of Pakistan. The final performance of 2009 in T20 World Cup is a testimony to his performance under pressure. Afridi was unpredictable, and this unpredictability was his strength as well as his attractiveness with 32 Man of the Match awards.
8.Michael Hussey – Mr. Cricket
Hussey was also known as Mr. Cricket and he was the reliable finisher in Australia. His consistency is indicated by his average of 120.83 in the seventh position in the ODI. His 2010 T20 semifinal knock against Pakistan in 2010 highlighted his capability to remain calm and perform at the time when it is most needed.
9.Chris Cairns – New Zealand’s All-Round Finisher
Cairns was the batting and bowling combination that made him the clutch player of New Zealand. His century in the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy final is an iconic one. Cairns was a towering sixes and balanced contributor who was known to contribute immensely.
10.Javed Miandad – Pakistan’s Last-Ball Hero
The final six of Miandad, who played in the 1986 Austral-Asia Cup final against India, is one of the most iconic moments in the history of cricket. Having an ODI chasing average of 66.24, Miandad was steady and fearless and played the role of a finisher before it became a professional term.
Final Word
The finishers are the life blood of the most exciting moments in cricket. These legends have had eras, whether it is the calm sixes of Dhoni, the explosive knocks of Afridi, the calculated chases of Bevan or the innovative strokeplay of de Villiers.
Although cricket has had numerous legends, there is still a debate among the fans on who is the best finisher in the world. The fact is, completion is an art that is defined by circumstances, sometimes it is patience, sometimes it is power, and in many cases it is nothing more than bravura.
Read More: Game Heroes Revealed: Detroit Pistons vs Lakers Player Stats and Highlights
