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David Willey: England all-rounder picks all-time greatest ODI XI

David Willey of England celebrates dismissing Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan during the 3rd One Day International

England all-rounder David Willey picks his greatest all-time ODI XI. Will any of his international team-mates make the cut?

We're ready to go for the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.

I'm sure it will be a sell-out so hopefully the weather holds off as all the guys are looking forward to building on the win at Edgbaston and hopefully secure a series win.

It's a shame the last game at Bristol was a washout, but it has at least given me some time to think up an all-time greatest ODI XI...

Chris Gayle

David Willey celebrates dismissing Johnson Charles
Image: David Willey faced up against Chris Gayle at the World T20 earlier this year

So destructive up top. He is one of those players who can take the game away from you in a handful of balls. As a bowler, trying to work out your plans in the powerplay to someone like that, especially at a small ground, is a nightmare. Gayle can clear the biggest of boundaries.

Batsman like him, Brendon McCullum etc, have helped change the perception of what a par score is in one-day cricket - he is a genuine match winner.

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Sachin Tendulkar

I was tempted to throw Jason Roy or Alex Hales in my top two after the way they batted at Edgbaston - they were two innings of the highest quality and if they continue to play like that I'll be happy to get them straight in there at the top of my XI...

But do I really need to say anything about Tendulkar? Just an unbelievable player. I haven't been fortunate enough to play against him, but obviously watched a lot of him as a kid. His stats are fantastic, he just continuously scored runs. 

Virat Kohli

India's Virat Kohli celebrates after victory in the World T20  clash with Australia
Image: Virat Kohli celebrates a match-winning half century for India against Australia at the World T20

How Kolhi went about it in the World T20 and in the IPL; he made 50 every time almost, it was mind-boggling. He is Mr Consistent and is my first name on the team sheet for that reason.

He seems to score runs without taking risks - when you bowl at him you feel like he is not getting away from you but then you look up at the scoreboard and actually has accumulated a ton of runs. Joe Root at his best is very similar in that sense.

Kumar Sangakkara

Similar to Kohli in the sense he is just so consistent. Plus, he just reads the game exceptionally well. He knows exactly when he needs to score a boundary to release a bit of pressure.

He has played at the highest level for many years and so the experience he would bring to my middle order is invaluable. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to play against him.

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers hit 39 for South Africa in the match with Australia
Image: The powerhours that is AB de Villiers comes in at five in the order

The powerhouse that is De Villiers! He scores his runs so quickly and hits the ball to all areas, a true 360 degree player. He is just impossible to set a field to.

Coming in at five in the order - he could obviously go up higher - he can cause problems with the fielding restrictions and having five men in the ring, it creates gaps for him. 

Adam Gilchrist

Gilchrist takes the gloves. He is probably one of the first wicket-keeper batsmen to be a genuinely brilliant batsman, paving the way for the likes of Jos Buttler. He set the trend.

I've slotted him in at six rather than opening like he often did in one-dayers, but it's tough to find a spot for all these players.

Jacques Kallis

Image: Jacques Kallis - the greatest all-rounder ever to play cricket?

The greatest all-rounder ever in my book. So heavily influential in the game with both bat and ball and it's great to have him coming in at seven in my side - people say this England team can bat all the way down!

My dad [Peter Willey] always encouraged me to work on all three aspects of my game growing up so I could always contribute something. I found I wasn't particularly good at any of them initially! But Kallis was the master.

Wasim Akram

My main strength is being able to swing the white ball in the early overs. The way that players come at bowlers in the opening powerplay now, getting some sideways movement is vital for me and serves me quite well.

Wasim was a genius with the swinging ball over the years, both up front, and obviously at the back end with his reverse swing.

Brett Lee

Raw pace. It's important to have a good balance to the side in the make-up of your bowlers and Lee is there to provide that pacey element.

In his pomp he was rapid and he'd be a great asset to have, offering great control and consistency as well as speed. Plus he always had that knack of taking wickets.

Shane Warne

Image: Shane Warne adds some legspin threat and a bit of theatre to the team

The legspin of Warne also adds another dimension. Plus I loved the theatre he always used to bring to the occasion. Even if nothing was happening, his body language and the way he went about his business always made you feel like something was about to.

Adil Rashid has spent some time working with him and though it's hard to know what's going through Adil's head at times, I'm sure he has picked his brains. It seems to be working as Rash has been very economical as well as taking wickets in this series.

Muttiah Muralitharan

It's absolutely crucial to take wickets in those middle overs in ODIs, so by pairing Warne with Murali, I'm sure this side has that taken care of.

Similar to what we try to do with Rash and Moeen Ali, these two spin it both ways, and they both have unbelievable records. Plus, Murali would be great fun to have in the team!

Live One-Day International Cricket

Watch David Willey in action in the fourth ODI between England and Sri Lanka at The Oval, live on Sky Sports 2 from 12.30pm on Wednesday.

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