In ODI crickеt, thе rolе of a middlе-ordеr battеr at thе No. 5 position is pivotal, oftеn sеrving as thе fulcrum around which an innings pivots.
Thе ability to navigate the complexity of the middlе ovеrs, stabilise the innings, and accelerate when required makes this spot a challenging yet crucial batting position Yet some batters have scored a big chunk of their career runs in this slot.
So, let’s take a look at the top 10 batsmen with the most ODI runs at the No. 5 batting position.
Most ODI Runs at No. 5
| Player | Runs | Innings | High Score | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arjuna Ranatunga (SL) | 4675 | 153 | 102* | 38.63 |
| Steve Waugh (AUS) | 4117 | 135 | 120* | 37.42 |
| Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) | 4077 | 132 | 114 | 35.14 |
| Inzamam-ul-Haq (PAK) | 3473 | 105 | 85 | 41.84 |
| Andrew Symonds (AUS) | 3473 | 96 | 156 | 44.52 |
| MS Dhoni (IND) | 3169 | 83 | 134 | 50.30 |
| Angelo Matthews (SL) | 3116 | 87 | 139* | 51.08 |
| Yuvraj Singh (IND) | 3040 | 92 | 139 | 39.48 |
| Eoin Morgan (ENG) | 3008 | 98 | 124* | 36.68 |
| Jonty Rhodes (SA) | 2734 | 90 | 121 | 40.80 |
Key Insights on Leading Run Scorers at No. 5 in ODIs
All-Time ODI Batting Performance Records at No. 5
Arjuna Ranatunga leads the chart for most runs at No. 5 in ODIs, amassing 4675 runs in 153 innings for Sri Lanka in this position.
Ranatunga scored 3640 of his runs while leading Sri Lanka. This is the most runs by a captain at No. 5 in ODIs.
MS Dhoni’s 3169 runs in 83 innings are the most by a wicketkeeper-batter while batting at No. 5 in ODIs.
India’s Yuvraj Singh has scored the most centuries at No. 5 in ODIs, with seven knocks to his name. (Check the top century-makers at each batting position in ODIs here.)
Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan has smashed the most fifty-plus scores in this slot, having brought up 37.
Australia’s Andrew Symonds has struck the most sixes in this position, having sent down 80 maximums.
Shakib, on the other hand, has scored the most fours at No. 5, having smashed 370.
2906 of Andrew Symonds’ 3473 runs ended up in Australia’s wins, the most by a No. 5 batter in winning causes in ODIs.
AB de Villiers has the highest batting average at No. 5 in ODIs, having scored 2027 runs at 77.96 in 42 innings (minimum 1000 balls faced).
Glenn Maxwell has recorded the highest strike rate at No. 5. He scored 1330 runs in 43 innings at a strike rate of 125.23 for Australia (minimum 1000 balls faced).
Best Individual ODI Innings at No. 5
South Africa’s Hеinrich Klaasеn has brought up thе highеst individual scorе at No. 5 in ODIs. He smashed 174 off 83 balls against Australia in the 2023 Cеnturion ODI.
Klaasen’s 174 ranks as the fourth-fastest 150 score in ODIs, having crossed the mark off 77 deliveries.
The fastest 150-run knock in ODIs also belongs to a No. 5 batter, AB de Villiers. He reached there in 64 balls, eventually ending up with an unbeaten 162 off 66 balls against the West Indies in Sydney in the 2015 World Cup.
AB de Villiers’ unbeaten 162 is the highest individual score by a No. 5 batter in the ODI World Cup.
Venue, Opponent, and Year-wise Performance at No. 5 in ODIs
Shakib has scored 2001 of his 4077 runs at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, the most by a No. 5 batter at a single ground in ODIs.
Overall, Shakib has aggregated 2320 runs in Bangladesh, the most by a No. 5 batter in his home country in ODIs.
Australia’s Steve Waugh has collected the most runs by a No. 5 batter against an ODI team. He scored 1265 runs in 31 innings against South Africa.
Eoin Morgan (1191 vs AUS) and Ranatunga (1140 vs PAK) are the other No. 5 batters with 1000-plus runs against a team in ODIs.
England’s Paul Collingwood has scored the most runs at No. 5 in a calendar year in ODIs. He scored 1014 runs in 29 innings in 2007.
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