ZnCo2O4 microspheres with hierarchical mesoporous structures composed of ultrathin nanosheets cross-linked with metallic NiSi x nanowires are successfully synthesized on Ni foam via a combined facile chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and simple but powerful chemical bath deposition (CBD) followed by a calcination process. The ZnCo2O4 microspheres/NiSi x nanowires are directly employed as binder- and conductive-agent-free anodes for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The resultant integrated electrodes exhibit remarkable electrochemical performances in terms of high specific capacity, superior rate capability and outstanding cycling stability due to their advantageously structural features including mesoporous feature of ZnCo2O4 microspheres, highly conductive NiSi x nanowire scaffold and cross-linked network structure with the intimate interconnection between ZnCo2O4 microspheres and NiSi x nanowires. A reversible capacity up to 701mAhg−1 after 340 cycles at a high current density of 1Ag−1 and a capacity of about 373mAhg−1 after 10 cycles even at a current density as high as 4Ag−1 can be retained, suggesting their great potential as efficient electrodes for high-performance LIBs.