Greatest New Zealand ODI XI of all time
Despite possessing a population of less than five million, New Zealand have managed to produce plenty of great cricketers and consequently remained one of the stronger teams across all formats. One can argue that their dynamic brand of cricket is best suited for ODIs.
Aside from unfurling enterprising batsmen and efficient bowlers, their usually world-class fielding as well as receptive approach to the modern game make them a dangerous outfit across different types of pitches.
Also Read: Greatest South African ODI XI of all time
In this segment, let us convene an all time lineup comprising New Zealand's greatest ever players in the 50-over format. Emphasis has been honed in on consistency against the top teams as well as memorable performances in key matches. The assortment of eye-catching batsmen and steadfast bowlers turn this cross-generational dream team into a robust unit.
#5 Openers
With his calculated stroke-play and propensity of building substantial scores, Martin Guptill is very much the prototype modern-day limited-overs opener. Over the course of the last few years, he has built a formidable reputation by destroying myriad bowling attacks. The attacking right-hander has played 154 ODIs thus far and hammered 5863 runs at an average of 43.75 and strike-rate of 87.24 with as many as 13 centuries and 33 fifties.
A cricketer's true worth can never be gleaned from statistics alone. Brendon McCullum's contribution to New Zealand cricket goes beyond numbers. At a time when his team were happy to be the perennial underdogs, his confident and brazen leadership pulled them out of their comfort zone. Leading by example, he was at his scintillating best at the top of the order. The belligerent batsman smashed 6083 runs from 260 matches at a tremendous strike-rate of 96.37.