LONDON, England — In a testament to their stellar form and extraordinary contributions on the field, West Indies cricket icons Sherfane Rutherford, Nicholas Pooran, and Andre Russell have earned prestigious spots in ESPNcricinfo’s coveted Teams of the Year for One-Day International (ODI) and T20 cricket.
Sherfane Rutherford’s selection to the ODI Team of the Year comes as no surprise, following a phenomenal year with the bat. The 26-year-old amassed 425 runs in just seven innings, boasting an astonishing average of 106.25.
Rutherford’s feats included an exceptional streak of five consecutive 50-plus scores, placing him among an elite group of West Indian greats such as Gordon Greenidge, Chris Gayle, and Shai Hope, all of whom have six consecutive fifties to their names. His consistency and dominance edged out competitors like teammate Keacy Carty and England’s Harry Brook.
The ODI team also features a vibrant mix of talent, including Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Wanindu Hasaranga; Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Mohammad Nabi; England’s Liam Livingstone; Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed; and Pakistan’s Haris Rauf.
Pooran’s explosive T20 form
Nicholas Pooran, a dynamo in the T20 format, earned his place in the T20 Team of the Year after a jaw-dropping run in 2024. Pooran compiled a staggering 2,331 runs across 74 innings, with an impressive average of 40.89 and a blistering strike rate of 157.3. His tally included one century and 15 fifties, underscoring his unmatched ability to anchor and accelerate innings.
Andre Russell’s year was equally electrifying, cementing his reputation as one of the game’s finest all-rounders. With 1,075 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 185.3, coupled with 49 wickets at a strike rate of 26.2, Russell proved invaluable in every aspect of the game.
Joining Pooran and Russell in the T20 Team of the Year are standout players like Australia’s Travis Head; England’s Phil Salt; India’s Tilak Varma, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah; South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs; Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan; and Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana.
These accolades reflect a resurgence in West Indies cricket, showcasing individual brilliance on the global stage. Rutherford, Pooran, and Russell have proven themselves as cricketing powerhouses, earning recognition alongside the world’s finest.
