Sherfane Rutherford now holds the highest batting average in ODI history among players with at least 500 runs, following his sixth half-century in just 13 matches during West Indies’ clash with England today (June 3).
The left-handed batter made his ODI debut against the same opposition in December 2023, though he began modestly with a six-run outing. He quickly found his footing in the second match, scoring 63 in an innings where West Indies were dismissed for 202. He ended the series with a brief nine-ball three in Bridgetown, concluding a mixed start to his international 50-over career.
What followed was a remarkable run of form, with five consecutive fifty-plus scores, including a century. During the West Indies’ tour of Sri Lanka in October, Rutherford compiled scores of 74*, 80, and 50*, finishing as the highest run-scorer of the series. Despite West Indies losing the series 2-1, Rutherford was the only batter to cross the 200-run mark across both sides, ending with 204 runs.
He continued his purple patch in the next ODI series against England, where he struck 54 off 36 balls in his only appearance with the bat. Rutherford’s maiden ODI century came against Bangladesh in Basseterre, where he played a decisive role in a chase of 295. West Indies were in trouble at 94 for 3 when he came to the crease, but he steadied the innings in partnership with Shai Hope (86) to guide the team to victory.
WI: 251-9 (40)
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) June 3, 2025
A valiant 91-run stand for the eighth wicket guides West Indies to a respectable total 👏#ENGvWI #Cricket pic.twitter.com/puWV6QU4Yl
On Monday, June 3, he reached the 500-run milestone in just his 11th ODI innings, scoring a composed 70 off 71 deliveries. Coming in at 28 for 3 in the seventh over, Rutherford’s knock helped West Indies reach 251 for 9 in a rain-curtailed match.
With this effort, Rutherford's ODI average climbed to 70.87, the highest ever for any player, male or female, with a minimum of 500 runs. He also became the only West Indian to average over 50 in the format and one of just three batters worldwide to maintain an average above 60.
Among active male players, Saim Ayub (64.37), Shubman Gill (59.04), and Virat Kohli (57.88), Sanju Samson (56.66) round out the top five in terms of ODI batting averages.
Highest batting average in men’s ODIs (min.500 runs)
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | 100 | 50 |
| Sherfane Rutherford | 13 | 567 | 70.87 | 1 | 6 |
| Ryan ten Doeschate | 33 | 1541 | 67 | 5 | 9 |
| Saim Ayub | 9 | 515 | 64.37 | 3 | 1 |
| Shubman Gill | 55 | 2775 | 59.04 | 8 | 15 |
| Virat Kohli | 302 | 14181 | 57.88 | 51 | 74 |
| Sanju Samson | 16 | 510 | 56.66 | 1 | 3 |
| Dawid Malan | 30 | 1450 | 55.76 | 6 | 7 |
| Babar Azam | 131 | 6235 | 55.17 | 19 | 37 |
| Michael Bevan | 232 | 6912 | 53.58 | 6 | 46 |
| AB de Villiers | 228 | 9577 | 53.5 | 25 | 53 |
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
