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England's transformation from ODI underachievers to world champions represents cricket's most remarkable tactical revolution.Following their humiliating 2015 World Cup group-stage exit, England adopted ultra-aggressive white-ball strategies under Eoin Morgan's visionary captaincy.This risky strategy worked out to incredible success- the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup victories to cement their status as the dominant force.

 

Previously attacked as conservative batters, England today breeds the most devastating stroke-makers in cricket. There is no fear of going over the line, scoring quickly, and subjecting opposing bowlers to incessant pressure in their fearless philosophy. This cultural change also changed the performance of individuals, as batsmen tore centuries of performances at even higher rates. There are only six England batsmen who have exceeded ten ODI centuries- the club of consistent excellence across a period of years in the international competition.

 

These batsmen are the embodiment of the development of England since the classical accumulation of Joe Root up to the explosive finishes of Jos Buttler. A century each has its tales of flexibility, mental power and match-winning genius that transformed the identity of English cricket. Let's examine the top six England batsmen whose ODI century tallies stand as testaments to sustained individual excellence.

 

Top 6 England Batsmen With Most ODI Centuries 

 

Rank	Player	ODI Centuries	Innings	Total Runs	Average	Strike Rate
1	Joe Root	20	178	7,655	~50	87
2	Eoin Morgan	13	207	6,957	39	93
3	Jason Roy	12	110	4,271	39	105
3	Marcus Trescothick	12	122	4,335	37.37	85.21
5	Jonny Bairstow	11	107	5,500+	44*	105*
6	Jos Buttler	11	160+	5,500+	39	117

 

Top 6 England Batsmen With Most ODI Centuries Detailed Analysis

 

Joe Root – 20 Centuries

 

 

Joe Root is the only king of the English ODI centuries with 20 Centuries in 178 innings, which is an outstanding percentage of a high level of performance. The total of 7,655 of his runs passed the 50 average mark as one of the best accumulators in the history of the game, offering some stability to the explosive England line so badly needed.

 

Root is the one who holds the batting order of England together and turns strike efficiently and takes advantage of loose deliveries. It is his classical touch and contemporary agility that renders him indispensable irrespective of the circumstances, whether it is working on English green or spinning Asian soils.

 

Contrasting to other teammates who believe in boundaries, Root builds innings systematically, making partnerships to prosper and speeding up where needed. His anchoring role can be judged by the fact that his strike rate 87 is humble compared to the modern level. The fact that Root has been successful in the Tests and in ODI demonstrates great versatility that is not common among contemporary experts.

 

Also Read | Most Hundreds in ODI Cricket: Record Holders and Statistical Analysis

 

Eoin Morgan – 13 Centuries

 

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Eoin Morgan restructured the white-ball in England cricket and has scored 13 ODI centuries, besides changing the tactical approach of England on a fundamental level. With a 93 strike rate and an average of 39, the captain, who was born in Ireland, had run 6,957 in 207 innings, the most prolific ODI run-scorer in England.

 

The leadership legacy of Morgan is not purely about statistics, but he developed the culture of fearless batting that promoted the creation of aggressive shots at any circumstances during matches. His legendary status was made possible by the fact that his captainship brought England its maiden 2019 world cup trophy.

 

The most devastating of Morgan's innings, 148 out of only 71 against Afghanistan in that world cup, were examples of sheer power-hitting that put the bowling once in terror. His middle-order finishing skills coupled with tactical skills made him unreplaceable. Morgan still has an influence in England and, despite being retired, his impact is evident in its sustained white-ball hegemony, as present-day players are put into practice according to his philosophies.

 

Jason Roy – 12 Centuries 

 

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The 12 ODI centuries made by Jason Roy in 110 innings is the best example of the aggressive opening philosophy of England. He made his debut in May 2015 and amassed 4,271 runs at 39 average with 105 strike rate that was explosive- according to his boundary hitting ability.

 

Roy was also heavily involved in the 2019 World Cup victory of England with scorching starts that set the early psychological dominance. His fearless approach often destroyed opposition attacks within powerplays, creating platforms teammates exploited ruthlessly.

 

The combination of Roy and Jonny Bairstow made the England opening combination the most devastating in the history of England and they consistently delivered century partnerships in rapid terms. Unfortunately, form struggles made Roy not be a part of England ODI and this was the last time Roy represented England against Bangladesh in 2023. Although his career had to end prematurely, his work during England white-ball revolution cannot be refuted, and modern openers are eager to act in the same manner.

 

Marcus Tescothick -12 Centuries 

 

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The 12 centuries of 122 innings by Marcus Trescothick were a masterpiece of batting in England in the pre-revolution era, and was done in a classical style, as ultra-aggression had not yet become a norm. The calming cover drives of the left hander were turned into trademark shots as he made 4,335 runs at an average of 37.37 and 85.21 strike rate, which was good of his time.

 

Trescothick opened with Andrew Strauss and was bowled and had to play the power plays when the field was restricted in favor of bowlers, unlike the present rules. His style focused more on timing, not on strength, and he has been putting balls in holes instead of a consistent clearing of boundaries. The career of Trescothick did not coincide with the tactical revolution in England, but his work formed the basis on which future players would build.

 

His patience in building innings and his tendency to punish loose deliveries was of value, but his strike rate is pedestrian in comparison with the contemporary openers with an average of 100-plus. Trescothick represents England's batting evolution—from accumulation-focused to boundary-obsessed approaches.

 

Jonny Bairstow – 11 Centuries

 

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The 11 ODI centuries out of 107 matches played by Jonny Bairstow demonstrate the way he has changed into a middle-order batsman to an explosive opener. Bairstow started his career playing in different positions but his career path took a massive turn when he was made to play opening position towards the world cup 2019.

 

Being an opener, he has an average of 44 and a strike rate of 105, which are the figures of ideal balance of aggression and consistency. The eleven centuries had come in opening, and showed his professional superiority in that occupation. The best score of 141 against West Indies in Southampton in 2017 was the best example of how Bairstow can control bowling attacks in every aspect.

 

The association with Jason Roy, made his opponents terrified, where his opening stand went immensely high and usually determined the match before the middle overs had started. Bairstow's wicketkeeping skills add versatility, making him invaluable across formats despite occasional form fluctuations that characterize aggressive batsmen.

 

Jos Buttler – 11 Centuries

 

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The 11 ODI centuries that middle order batsman Jos Buttler has scored are a testament to how exceptionally well he played, as lower order batsmen hardly ever score as many centuries. His 5,500-plus career at 39 with a spectacular 117 strike rate (top of the century-makers in England) depict ravaging finishing skills.

 

Buttler has become a lower-order slogger and middle-order batsman who is reliable enough to shore up chases or charge brutally when the need arises. His explosive power-hitting broke the norms of wicketkeeping-batting, and made bashed keepers the world over adopt a focus on attack.

 

The example of composure when faced with tightest pressure was the case of Buttler in the 2019 final of the World Cup against the New Zealand team where he had made 59 out of 60 balls to score a match-winning 110-run partnership with Ben Stokes. Buttler is currently leading England in all formats, but he keeps developing, combining the role of a leader with devastating batting that frightens the bowling strikes all over the world.

 

Also Read | Who has the highest individual score in ODI cricket? [Updated 2025]

 

Conclusion

 

The best six ODI century-makers in England reflect the white-ball cricket development of the country since conservative accumulation towards fearless aggression. Joe Root's 20 centuries lead comfortably, showcasing sustained excellence across diverse conditions.

 

The tactical revolution by Eoin Morgan did not only change his career but it also changed the whole direction that England took in the World Cup that it won. Although batting veterans such as Trescothick were a symbol of pre-revolution, current heroes such as Roy, Bairstow, and Buttler were ultra-violent in their philosophies and reshaped potential.

 

The aggregate 79 centuries of these batsmen through the different periods of time illustrate how England has always manufactured talent of the world. Newer generations can only break these records with even more difficulty but still possible with the persistence in committed aggressive, boundary-oriented type of cricket which is now the English identity in the limited-overs form of the game.