In One day international matches, the top 3 batsmen get chances of playing the new ball. There have been some great ODI batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Pointing, Sanath Jayasuriya, Sourav Ganguly have scored centuries for their respective nations.
Scoring centuries in any format cricket is not an easy job. There are few batsmen in One-day international history who have scored 3 successive centuries in One day international and helped their nations win matches with the match-winning performance.
In the current day cricket, Virat Kohli has scored 35 centuries while Hashim Amla 26. Other top quality batsmen have contributed big time to their team’s success.
Here we look at the 10 batsmen who have hit hattrick of centuries in One-day internationals
1. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)- 105*, 117*, 104, 124
The Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in 200. He played a total of 404 matches and scored 14234 runs with an average of 41.98, with 25 centuries and 93 half centuries. One of the best batsmen scored 4 successive centuries in One-day Internationals. He made all 4 successive centuries during the ICC World Cup 2015 held in New Zealand and Australia, retired after the quarterfinals match against South Africa on 18th March 2015 at Sydney Cricket Ground.
In group match against Bangladesh played at Melbourne on 26th February 2015, Kumar Sangakkara was in superb form remaining not out on 105 off 76 with 13 fours and 1 six. Both Dilshan and Sangakkara added 210 runs unbeaten stand for the 2nd wicket. Sri Lanka posted 332 runs for 1. In the chase, Bangladesh was bowled out for 240 in 47 overs.
Kumar Sangakkara continued his superb form in the next group match against England at Wellington on 1st March 2015. England batted first and posted 309 for 6 in 50 overs. Chasing the target of 310 runs, Dilshan and Thirimanne added 100 runs for the 1st wicket. Kumar Sangakkara played with positive intent remaining not out on 117 off 86 with 11 fours and 2 sixes. Sri Lanka won the match by 9 wickets.
In their next match against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, SCG played on 8th March, Kumar Sangakkara played a great knock scoring 104 off 107 balls. Sri Lanka lost the match by 64 runs. Australia posted 376 for 9 in 50 overs. Chasing the target, despite Sangakkara century, Sri Lanka lost the match.
In their final group match against Scotland played at Hobart on 11th March 2015, Kumar Sangakkara scored the 4th successive century. He made 124 off 95 balls with 13 fours and 4 sixes. Sri Lanka posted a massive total of 363 for 9 and bowled out Scotland for 215. Kumar Sangakkara was named as man of the match.
2. Zaheer Abbas- 118,105, 113
The Pakistan legend Zaheer Abbas made his ODI debut against England on 31st August 1974. He played a total of 62 One day internationals and scored 2572 runs with an average of 47.62. Right-handed batsman was in great form during India’s tour of Pakistan. Coming at number 3, He scored 118 off 86 during the 2nd ODI match against India played at Multan on 17th December 1982. Match reduced to 40 overs, Pakistan posted 263 for 2. Chasing the target, India could score 226 for 7. Pakistan won the match by 37 runs. Zaheer Abbas was named the man of the match for his 118.
He continued his excellent form by scoring 105 off 82 balls with 8 fours and 1 six during the 3rd ODI match played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 31st December 1982. The match was reduced to 33 overs each. In that match, Abbas came at number 3 as Pakistan scored 252 for 3. Chasing the revised the target of 176 from 27, India scored 193 for 4 in 27 overs, thus winning the match by 18 runs.
Zaheer Abbas scored 3 successive centuries against India during the 4th One-day international match played at Karachi on 21st January 1983. India scored a modest total of 197 for 6 in 40 overs. Chasing the target of 198, Zaheer Abbas made 113 off 99 balls with 11 fours and 3 sixes. Pakistan won the match by 8 wickets. For his century, Abbas was named as man of the match.
3. Saeed Anwar- 107,131, 111
Pakistan stylish left-handed batsman Saeed Anwar made his ODI debut against West Indies on 1st January 1989. He played a total of 287 ODI matches and scored 8824 runs with an average of 45.19, with 30 centuries and 51 half centuries.
Saeed Anwar while opening the innings made 107 off 108 balls against Sri Lanka in the Pepsi Champions Trophy match played at Sharjah on 30th October 1993. Pakistan posted 313 for 3 in 50 overs. Sri Lanka could only score 199 for 7 in 50 overs.
Pakistan left-handed batsman scored his 2nd century in a row in the 4th match of Pepsi Champions Trophy match against West Indies played at Sharjah on 1st November 1993. West Indies posted 260 for 9 in 50 overs. Chasing the target of 261 to win, while opening the innings Saeed Anwar scored 131 off 141 balls with 12 fours and 3 sixes. Pakistan won the match by 5 wickets with 1 over to spare. Saeed Anwar was named as man of the match.
His 3rd successive century came in the 5th match of Pepsi Champions Trophy match against Sri Lanka played at Sharjah on 2nd November 1993. Sri Lanka scored 270 for 6 in 50 overs. Chasing the target of 271 to win, Saeed Anwar scored a quick fire 111 off 104 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes. Pakistan won the match by 2 wickets. For his 111, Saeed Anwar was named as man of the match.
4. Herschelle Gibbs- 116, 116*, 153
The South African batsmen Herschelle Gibbs made his ODI debut on 3rd October 1996 against Kenya. He played a total of 248 matches scoring 8094 runs with an average of 36.13, along with 21 centuries and 37 half centuries.
While opening with Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs scored 116 off 126 balls in the ICC Champions Trophy match played at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 20th September 2002. In his innings of 116, he hit 13 fours and 3 sixes. South Africa posted 316 for 5 in 50 overs. Chasing the target of 317 to win, Kenya were bowled out for 140. Gibbs was named as man of the match for his 116.
Gibbs continued his superb form with a brilliant 116* not out during the first semi-finals against India of ICC Champions Trophy 2002 played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 25th September 2002. India posted 261 for 9 in 50 overs. Chasing the target of 262 to win, Gibbs played brilliantly scoring 116 off 119 balls before retiring hurt. South Africa lost the match by 10 runs.
His 3rd successive century came against Bangladesh in the 1st ODI match played at Potchefstroom on 3rd October 2002. South Africa batted first and Gibbs while opening the innings scored 153 off 131 balls with 17 fours and 3 sixes helping the hosts to post 301 for 8 in 50 overs. Chasing the target of 302, Bangladesh were bowled out for 133. Gibbs for his 153 was named the man of the match.
5. AB de Villiers- 114*, 102*, 102
One of the explosive batsmen in One-day international cricket made his debut for South Africa in coloured clothing on 2nd February 2005. He played a total of 228 One day internationals and scored 9577 runs with an average of 53.50 with 25 centuries and 53 half centuries.
In the 2nd One day international played against India at Gwalior on 24th February 2010, Sachin Tendulkar scored the first double century in ODI cricket. India posted 401 for 3 in 50 overs. Chasing the target of 402, AB de Villiers coming at number 5 remained not out on 114 off 101 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes. Despite his efforts, South Africa lost the match by 153 runs.
In the next ODI match against India at Ahmadabad on 27th February 2010, AB de Villiers scored 102 off 59 balls with 11 fours and 3 sixes, remaining not out. South Africa posted 365 for 2 in 50 overs. Chasing 366 to win, India could only score 275 in 44.3 overs. For his 102 off 59 balls, de Villiers was named as man of the match.
He scored his 3rd successive century against West Indies in the first ODI at North Sound, Antigua on 22nd May 2010. South Africa batted first and de Villiers coming at number 4 scored 102 off 101 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes. The visitors were able to score 280 for 7 in 48 overs. Chasing the target, West Indies were bowled out for 215. South Africa won the match by 66 runs via D/L method.
6. Quinton de Kock- 135,106,101
The stylish left-handed opener and wicketkeeper for South Africa made his ODI debut against New Zealand on 19th January 2013. He has played so far 90 matches and scored 3860 runs with an average of 45.41, 13 centuries and 15 half-centuries to his name.
India toured South Africa in 2013. In the first ODI played at Johannesburg against team India on 5th December 2013, de Kock smashed 135 off 121 balls with 18 fours and 3 sixes. South Africa posted a massive total of 358 for 4 in 50 overs. Chasing the target of 359, India were bowled out for 217 in 41 overs. Quinton de Kock for his 135 was named the man of the match.
He continued his superb touch in the 2nd One day international played at Durban on 8th December 2013. Opening with Hashim Amla, de Kock scored 106 off 118 balls with 9 fours. South Africa posted 280 for 6 in 49 overs. Chasing the target of 281, India were bowled out for 146 in 35.1 overs. De Kock for his 106 was named the man of the match.
In the last match of series played at Super Sports Park, Centurion played on 11th December 2013, South Africa batted first and posted 301 for 8 in 50 overs. Quinton de Kock made 101 off 120 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes. The match ended in a no result due to rain.
7. Ross Taylor- 112*, 102, 105*
The experienced New Zealand player Ross Taylor made his ODI debut on 1st March 2006 against West Indies. He has played a total of 204 One day internationals so far and scored 7267 runs with an average of 46.28, 19 centuries and 41 half centuries.
Ross Taylor played with positive intent during the 4th One day international against India at Hamilton on 28th January 2014. India posted a total of 278 for 5 in 50 overs with Rohit Sharma 79, MS Dhoni 79*, Ravindra Jadeja 62*. Chasing the target of 279 to win, Ross Taylor coming at number 4 scored 112 off 127 balls with 15 fours helped New Zealand winning the match by 7 wickets with 11 balls to spare. Ross Taylor was named the man of the match for his match-winning knock.
His 2nd successive century came in the final One day international against India played at Wellington on 31st January 2014. New Zealand batting first posted 303 for 5 in 50 overs. Ross Taylor coming at number 4 scored 102 off 106 balls with 9 fours and 1 six. Chasing the target of 304, India were bowled out for 216 in 49.4 overs. Ross Taylor was named a man of the match for his 102.
Ross Taylor continued his great touch with the bat scoring his 3rd successive century against Pakistan in the 1st One day international played at Dubai International Stadium, on 8th December 2014. New Zealand was invited in to bat by Pakistan. Ross Taylor batted brilliantly coming at number 4 as New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals. He scored 105 off 135 balls with 9 fours and 1 six. Despite his efforts, New Zealand scored 246 for 7 in 50 overs. Pakistan won the match by 3 wickets with 3 balls to spare.
8. Babar Azam- 120,123, 117
The young right-handed batsman from Pakistan, Babar Azam made his ODI debut on 31st May 2015 against Zimbabwe. He has played so far 43 ODI’s and scored 1848 runs with an average of 51.33, 7 centuries and 7 half centuries.
During the 1st One day international played against West Indies at Sharjah on 30th September 2016, Babar Azam coming at number 3 showed his class with a brilliant 120 off 131 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes. Pakistan posted 284 for 9 in 49 overs. Chasing the target of 285, West Indies were bowled out for 175 in 38.4 overs. Babar Azam was named the man of the match.
In the next ODI match against West Indies played at Sharjah on 2nd October 2016, Babar Azam continued his form with a quickfire 123 off 126 with 9 fours and 1 six. Pakistan posted a massive total of 337 for 5 in 50 overs. Chasing the target of 338 to win, West Indies scored 278 for 7 in 50 overs. Babar Azam was awarded the man of the match for his 123.
His brilliant form continued in the series with a successive 3rd century against West Indies played at Abu Dhabi on 5th October 2016, Babar Azam coming at number 3 made 117 off 106 balls with 8 fours and 1 six. Pakistan posted 308 for 6 in 50 overs. Chasing the target of 309 to win, West Indies were bowled out for 172 in 44 overs. Babar Azam was named a man of the match for his 117.
9. Jonny Bairstow- 138, 104, 105
The explosive right-handed batsman from England made his ODI debut against India on 16th September 2011. He has played so far 50 ODI’s and scored 1932 runs with an average of 50.84 with 6 centuries and 7 half centuries.
Jonny Bairstow opened the innings for England in the 4th One day international against New Zealand played on 7th March 2018 at Dunedin. A great effort by Jonny Bairstow who hit a quickfire 138 off 106 balls with 14 fours and 7 sixes, Joe Root 102 helped England post 335 for 9 in 50 overs. Chasing the target, Ross Taylor made 181 not out which was enough for New Zealand to win the match by 5 wickets with 3 balls to spare.
The explosive right batsman, Jonny Bairstow showed his class during the deciding One day international played at Christchurch on 10th March 2018. New Zealand posted just 223 in 49.5 overs. Chasing the target of 224 to win, opening the innings Bairstow smashed the New Zealand bowlers scoring 104 off 60 balls with 9 fours and 6 sixes. England won the match by 7 wickets with 104 balls to spare. Jonny Bairstow was named the man of the match.
His 3rd successive century came against Scotland at Edinburgh on 10th June 2018. A great batting effort by Scotland batsmen helped the hosts post a massive 371 for 5 in 50 overs. Chasing the target of 372 runs to win, Jonny Bairstow scored 105 off 59 balls with 12 fours and 6 sixes. Despite his efforts, England lost the match by just 6 runs.
10. Virat Kohli- 140, 157*, 107
Virat Kohli became the first Indian batsman to score 3 successive centuries in One-day Internationals. The Indian captain has been in tremendous form during the first 3 ODI matches against West Indies. Chasing a massive target of 322 runs to win, Virat Kohli came to the crease and dominated the West Indies bowling with ease.
(Photo by: Ron Gaunt / BCCI / SPORTZPICS)
In the first ODI match at Guwahati on 21st October, Kohli made 140 off 107 balls and helped team India to win the match by 8 wickets. It was an amazing batting performance by the Indian captain.
In the second ODI match at Vizag on 24th, Kohli continued his brilliant form and played a captains knock. He remained not out on 157 off 129 balls, helping team India posted a massive total of 321. The match ended in a tie.
In today’s third One day international at Pune, Virat Kohli played another captains knock and scored 107 off 119 balls but could not help team India register a win.