Every team in World Cricket look to win every game, the team with the most win percentage will end the season on a high. Its a simple equation – the number of wins in a year is directly proportional to the amount of success in the given year. But who will all feature in the list is what should be waited and seen. Cricmatez brings you the top 5 list for the most number of international wins in a calendar year.
- AUSTRALIA – 38 wins (2003)
It was in 2003, Australia started their domination in World cricket. No wonder they won most matches in the year. It was an all-star team that they had at that moment with the likes of Symonds, Hayden, Ponting, Warnr, McGrath and Lee to name a few. Ricky Ponting captained the Australian team back in 2003 to glory after taking over from his mentor Steve Waugh. Australia lifted their 3rd World Cup in 2003, after beating India in the final in the back of a splending hundred from Ricky Ponting. The Australian team of 2003 is number #1 in the list.
2. AUSTRALIA – 35 wins (1999)
Number #2 on the list is the Australian team of 1999 led by the inspirational and probably one of the best captains in world cricket – Steve Waugh. Australian team was not much an established team like, 2003 but Steve Waugh inspired a nation to dream about making big strides in the gentlemans game. He had a young team, but very much talented who would go to write their names in the annals of cricket history. It was in 1999, that Australia won the world cup for the first time since 1987 by beating Pakistan in the finals.
3. PAKISTAN – 34 wins (2011)
Number #3 on the list is the Pakistan team in 2011. The Pakistan team had a rollercoaster year under the able captaincy of Shahid Afridi. Pakistan could only be stopped by India in the 2011 World Cup, where a scintillating innings from Sachin Tendulkar sealed the deal for India. 2011 was the first time Ajmal represented Pakistan in a big tournament and he did his job well, but just could not complete the job on the given day. However, they earned a lot of laurels from critics in 2011.
4. AUSTRALIA – 33 wins (2007,2009)
Australian teams in 2007 and 2009 were immaculate as well under the able guidance of their captain, Ricky Ponting. 2007 was the year they won another World Cup, where an Adam Gilchrist special in the cup earned them the cup. It was like the Aussies were invincible, with them losing a few seniors but still managed to dominate the opposition. 2009 was another turnaround year, where many seniors in the team had called it a day but still the team was going well with flying colours. The Australian teams of 2007 and 2009 are no. #4 in the list.
5. SRILANKA – 33 wins (2014)
Srilanka, over the past few years has been the msodt consistent team in cricket championships. They reached the finals in 2007 and 2011 world cups, but luck was not on their side. In 2014, they started afresh winning the 2014 T20 World Cup beating India in the finals. 2014 was a transition year as well, with Angelo Mathews getting appointed captain. He has led his side well throughout the year, also he has matured very well as a batsman and as the captain of the team. He also bowled at crucial times and picked wickets which is an added merit of this extremely talented cricketer. Seniors like Sangakkara and Jayawardene ably contributed with runs and their expertise, which made job a bit easy. Srilanka is easily the best team in 2014. This places them #5 in the list of most international wins.
*All stats are updated till 31st December 2014
