Britons vote Sachin Tendulkar as top opener in greatest ODI XI

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar received the highest votes from the British public to open the innings in the greatest ODI XI; West Indies' Chris Gayle chosen to partner him

Melbourne: Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar received the highest votes from the British public to open the innings in the greatest ODI XI.

West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle was elected to partner India's little master at the top of the order, according to cricket.com.au.

Sachin Tendulkar. Pic/ AFP

Tendulkar received 29 percent of the opening batsman vote, ahead of second-placed Gayle on 25 percent, Gilchrist (20 percent), Hashim Amla (12 percent) and Sanath Jayasuriya (8 percent).

South Africa's current ODI skipper AB de Villiers occupies the coveted No.3 position and is followed in the order by two West Indian legends in Brian Lara and Viv Richards.

Four Australians have been selected in the team.

Australia’s three highest one-day international wicket-takers - Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Shane Warne - were included in the star-studded final XI, alongside game-changing wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist.

It was a clear cut verdict for Gilchrist as keeper, the Australian earning 54 percent of the vote and named to bat at No.6 ahead of Proteas all-rounder Jacques Kallis.

Swing king and 1992 World Cup winner Wasim Akram joins the Australian triumvirate of bowlers to form an attack that boasts more than 1,000 matches and 1,556 wickets.

Over the past week, readers of Sportsday Live on the BBC website have selected the 50-over format’s best outfit from a shortlist of the very best one-day players.

The team was unveiled on the 'Tuffers and Vaughan Show', with former England skipper Michael Vaughan, Lancashire coach Ashley Giles and Australia legend Jason Gillespie also nominating their best one-day outfits.

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