Nervous 90: Players with Most Nineties in ODI Career

ODI cricket: A batsman also thinks of scoring big runs for his country. And a century is the best thing he can do for his team because it can help his side stay in a good position. But the pressure when a batter touches the 90-run mark is immense. That period of 90 to 100 can make any batter in the world feel pressure.

And we have seen many times that players often get tired in their nineties and miss their century. But do you know which batter has the most 90s in his career? Certainly, Sachin Tendulkar is one of them. But there are a few other batters who have been unlucky in their career. In this article, we will discuss the players with the most nineties in their ODI career.

5. Jacques Kallis (8 times) between 1996-2014

If you talk about the best all-rounder ever in the game of cricket, Jacques Kallis certainly makes it to the top. The former South African all-rounder was equally good in both departments of the game. He is fifth on the list. Kallis made his ODI debut against England at Cape Town in January 1996. He ended up as the 8th highest ODI run-scorer in the game. Kallis played 328 ODIs and scored 11579 runs at an average of 44.63, with 17 centuries and 86 half-centuries as well. But he was dismissed in his nineties, a total of 8 times in his career.

4. Aravinda de Silva (9 times) between 1984-2003

The former Sri Lankan skipper is next on the list. Aravinda de Silva was one of the greatest players in Sri Lanka. He made his ODI debut against New Zealand at Moratuwa in March 1984. He represented his country in over 300+ ODI matches in his 19-year-long career. Aravinda played 308 matches and scored 9284 runs in his career. He also has 11 centuries and 64 fifties in his career. But what makes him in this list is that he has got out nine times in his nineties.

3. Nathan Astle (9 times) between 1995-2007

Nathan Astle was one of the toughest opening batters in the late 90s and early 2000s. The former opening batter made his debut against West Indies at Auckland in January 1995. He played a total of 223 ODI games in his career. Astle has scored 7090 runs at an average of 34.92, along with 16 centuries and 41 half-centuries. But he was unfortunate that he got out nine times in his nineties in his 12-year-old ODI career. 

2. Grant Flower (9 times) between 1992-2010

Grant Flower was one of the best cricketers that Zimbabwe has given to the cricketing world. He has also captained his national side at the highest level. Grant was good with both the bat and ball. He made his international debut in a test match against India at Harare in October 1992, and in the very same month he played his first ODI match against India. Grant has played in 221 ODI games and has scored 6571 runs at an average of 33.52 with 104 wickets as well. He has also scored six centuries and 40 half-centuries, but unfortunately, he has got out nine times in his nineties.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (18 times) between 1989-2012 (Highest in ODI cricket)

Well, if you are searching for any batting record, you will find this name always at the top. Sachin Tendulkar ended his career with almost every batting record in this game. And he was unfortunate that he also finished with his unwanted and unusual record. Sachin made his ODI debut against Pakistan at Gujranwala in December 1989. He finished with the most matches, highest runs, highest centuries, and highest nineties. In his 22-year-long incredible career, he has played 463 matches, scored 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83, and taken 154 wickets as well. Sachin has also hit 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries. But 18 times, he was dismissed in his nineties. That shows that he would have hit another 18 centuries.

Nervous 90: List of Players with Most Nineties in ODI Career