With 20-20 gaining popularity it won’t be too late that the 50 over a side matches will become history sooner or later. And whenever history is written legends are born and whenever ODI cricketing legends will be mentioned Michael Bevan will figure among the best of bests.

The Australian ODI specialist announced his retirement from first class cricket. Regarded as one of the not so elegant but very effective batsman, Michael Bevan was out of the one-day side because of niggling injuries that had sidelined him for most of the past two seasons.

The last of Bevan was seen at the 2003 World Cup in SA where he guided his side winning the finals. Known to be one of the priced wickets of the Aussie batting line-up, Bevan was a stubborn batsman who made every bowler work hard to get him out.

Bevan was one batsman who valued his wicket the most and started his innings by collecting singles and two’s but pressed the accelerator in the slog overs with much effect. He was called the ‘Not-Out’ batsman who averaged more than 50 in every inning of his; he batted when Australia would be 5 down with more than 150 runs needed. The team knew that as long as he is at the crease the Aussies have hope and the hope to win with plenty to spare.

Bevan has pretty much achieved what he wanted to achieve in life thru the game and if one had to look at his record in the one-day format, it’s just unbelievable. He played 232 limited-over internationals, scoring 6,912 runs, including six centuries, at an amazing average of 53.58.

Bevan played 18 Tests for Australia, scoring 785 runs at an average of 29.07, but enjoyed much greater success in the one-day game.

Also known as the man who finished matches off for his side was a part of the Australian sides that won the 1999 and 2003 World Cups and won many games for his country, with his calm approach to seemingly impossible run-chases.

Bevan’s most famous innings was against the West Indies in Sydney on New Year’s Day, 1996, when he hit the last ball of the match to the boundary to seal Australia’s win after they had slumped to 74-7, chasing 173 to win.

Bevan, who was also a handy left-arm spinner, bowled china mans, made his first-class debut for South Australia in 1989-90 and also played for New South Wales, Tasmania and in England for Kent, Leicestershire, Sussex and Yorkshire.

Michael Bevan will always be remembered as an integral part of Australia’s one-day plans for a decade who won innumerable matches single-handedly.

Here’s wishing my favorite and the genius all the very best for his retirement whom cricket lovers will surely miss for all times to come.