Sri Lankan Cricket Fans

Full Version: SLCF Top 50 Test Cricketers
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
DISCUSSION

50. Kapil Dev
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 24

Peak 33
Bat
M -33 , Inns - 51 , Runs - 1562 @ 32.54 , HS - 116 , 100s - 2 , 50s - 9 , (From 06/09/1985 to 30/01/1982 )

Bowl
M -33 , Inns - 56 , Wkts - 146 @ 27.2 , SR - 51.82 , BBI - 85/8 , 5W - 14 , 10W - 1 , (From 13/10/1979 to 23/02/1983 )

[Image: 275ac32b3561d63eb4b2d3643170953a.jpg]

For a few seconds, time stood still - as Kapil Dev ran backwards, his eye on the ball, the fate of a World Cup final hanging in the balance. The ball landed so securely into his hands for such a difficult chance that it was truly astonishing. Viv Richards was the batsman and the moment his Kapil took the catch, a glorious turning point in Indian cricket, as they romped home to their first ever WC win in 1983.

Kapil's the first of the 4 great all-rounders the world was blessed with in the 1980's to appear on our list. His bowling was one nurtured and mastered on the dustbowls of Asia with wonderfully crafted seam and swing. Dev's undying determination bowling on those pitches saw him leave cricket with the highest individual wicket record on his retirement. A wonderfully clean hitter of the ball, his 175 against Zimbabwe in the 1983 WC is arguably one of the greatest displays of hitting most of the world never got to see for it was not broadcast. That it came from when India were 5/17 makes it all the more incredible.

50. AB De Villiers
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 24

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 53 , Runs - 3209 @ 71.31 , HS - 278 , 100s - 10 , 50s - 14 , (From 20/02/2014 to 10/06/2010 )

[Image: 440582-ab-de-villiers-test-shot-70.jpg]

It is quite possible that AB De Villers is not human. The man they call Superman could do just about anything on the cricket field. And apparently off it - as an accomplished guitar player who's also released a pop album in South Africa attests. As a product of the modern era where batting has been taken to uncharted territories with the idea of 360 hitting and superhuman batting feats in all formats, de Villiers is unquestionably the gold standard.

De Villers is the owner to the fastest half-century (16 balls), century (31 balls), fastest 150 in an ODI and the fastest to reach 9000 runs in ODIs. Incredibly De Villiers only took 9005 balls to reach the milestone. Yes, you read that right. All his 24 ODI tons have come at a strike rate greater than 100. These are records that beggars belief. He also carries the great tradition of brilliant South African fieldsman and is widely considered to be one of all time great men in the field, from his keeping days to his many feats reminiscent of Jonty Rhodes. His lethal batting was best on display in the 2016 IPL season when he hit his way to 687 runs off just 407 balls with a SR of 168. But for all this De Villers's mightest feat, may be one from the Test arena, when in 2008, his 106* guided SA to a record chase of 414 at Perth. A series that SA would eventually go on to win - a historic first win in Australia.

49. Graham Gooch
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 23

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 61 , Runs - 3664 @ 61.07 , HS - 333 , 100s - 12 , 50s - 15 , (From 16/06/1994 to 21/06/1990 )

[Image: graham-gooch-180711.jpg]

In short, Gooch is the greatest run scorer cricket has ever seen. His 67057 runs scored across First Class and List A is a record that is unlikely to be ever toppled. Gooch was plucked out of Essex and sent on a tour to Australia when he was just 21 in 1975. He promptly scored a pair on debut and was dropped after one series. He returned to the fold in 1978, scoring well and was named the Wisden Cricketer of the year in 1980. Then another roadblock arrived in the form of a 3-year ban, courtesy of a rebel tour to South Africa. This stop-start nature of his career looked to have taken a full toll when upon his return from the ban he lost form so significantly that he was dropped from even the Essex second XI.

But once he regained his form, and crucially handed the captaincy, Gooch blossomed at international level late into his career. His 333 and 126 against India in 1990 at Lord's is the highest tally in a single match in the history of the game. His match-winning knock of 154  against the WI in 1991 in a team total of 254 when only two other batsmen got to double figures, against an attack of Marshall, Walsh, Patterson and Ambrose remains one of the greatest innings of all time. Years after his retirement he was appointed batting coach, first of Essex and then of England, and formed a great relationship with Alistair Cook, the man who would go on to be the highest run scorer for England, breaking Gooch's own record.

49. Jim Laker
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 23

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 65 , Wkts - 146 @ 17.73 , SR - 58.73 , BBI - 53/10 , 5W - 7 , 10W - 3 , (From 05/07/1951 to 21/08/1958 )

[Image: Laker_at_Old_Trafford.jpg]

"Jim, did you do something good today?" asked his Austrian wife when Laker returned home from "Laker's match". His wife had been fielding congratulatory calls all day following Laker's astonishing feat. Perhaps when he took all 10 in the innings against Australia playing for Surrey earlier in the season the world and his wife should have taken note. In the end, it read 19/90. Including all 10 in the first innings at The Oval in 1956.

There really is not much beyond this you need to look at when assessing Jim Laker - as the remarkable feat along would have been enough for anyone else. Yet in 46 Tests, Laker took 193 wickets at an incredible average of 21. His 19-fer also propelled him to 46 wickets in that 1956 Ashes series, the most for a 5 match series and yet to be broken. With his partner in crime, Tony Lock, also of Surrey, the pair helped country and county dominate their respective levels in the times they played.


48.Bill O'Reilly
Nominated by 12.50% users, Highest Ranking - 23

[Image: 57019.jpg]

Don Bradman called Bill "Tiger" O'Reilly the greatest bowler he had batted against or had seen. High praise to be sure. In all, Tiger stood a looming 6'2 tall with wild arms famously flapping as he approached the bowling crease for delivery. He bowled leg spin at almost medium pace along with an array of top-spinners and googlies with unerring accuracy and sharp bounce. A quick bowler in spinners clothing, Tiger had a fierce competitiveness to him. On the field and off it. Hence the name "Tiger".

His record of 144 wickets in just 27 matches at 22, at an incredible economy rate of 1.9, in a decade of batting dominance in the 1930s illuminates his greatness. With his great friend Clarrie Grimmett, the pair dominated bowling in the years between the two great wars. 104 of O Reilly's wickets came against England, including the dismissal of the great Wally Hammond 10 times. From the second Australia won one of their least famous wins -  the singular match in they won in the Bodyline series that O' Reilly orchestrated - he never looked back.


47.Courtney Walsh
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 21

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 58 , Wkts - 157 @ 21.12 , SR - 52.97 , BBI - 74/6 , 5W - 8 , 10W - 1 , (From 20/06/1997 to 15/12/2000 )

[Image: 20150505083533.jpeg]

Courtney Walsh could not bat, as his average of 7 and 43  tests ducks attests, but he could bowl. And he bowled a lot. He is in fact, one of the only 5 men in the history of test cricket to have sent down more than 5000 overs. Walsh was cut slightly differently to the all pace, decimating relentless of the other great West Indian quicks. A true workhorse, durable enough to last from 1984 to 2000, Walsh is also one of the 5 bowlers to have claimed over 500 Test wickets and the first to get there. He also held the record for most Test wickets from 2000 to 2004. With Curtly Ambrose he formed the last great hurrah of the legendary West Indian fast bowling partnerships, combining to take an incredible 419 wickets in 49 Tests. You will be hardpressed to find a truer servant to West Indian cricket and to its legacy.

46.Richie Benaud
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 20

Peak 33
Bat
M -33 , Inns - 47 , Runs - 1272 @ 28.91 , HS - 122 , 100s - 3 , 50s - 4 , (From 12/12/1959 to 26/11/1954 )

Bowl
M -33 , Inns - 65 , Wkts - 179 @ 23.86 , SR - 70.5 , BBI - 72/7 , 5W - 15 , 10W - 1 , (From 19/10/1956 to 11/01/1963 )

[Image: 32168afb1eaa33789ba5194952812aaa.jpg]

"Marvellous" came the call from Richie. For anyone growing up post-1970's, it was Richie Benaud who brought cricket into their living room. Richie's voice was one of common sense, sensibility and integrity which created interest and inspired, whenever he spoke. It is no surprise that these are all the same qualities that anchored him throughout his playing days, and in particular, as captain where he and Frank Worrell of West Indies single-handedly rekindled interest in Test Cricket with their adventures and aggressive captaincy in the 1960's following the dull nature of cricket in the 1950's.

For all of it, though, Benaud had a very mediocre start to his career. With 13 Tests under his belt, his career was heading nowhere. It all changed on a tour to South Africa in 1957/58 when he picked up 106 wickets on tour along with 817 runs. A year later Benaud, with little prior experience at leadership, was promoted to captain ahead of Neil Harvey.

Benaud embraced the responsibility of leadership and lead from the front on his first assignment - an Ashes series at home against favoured England. 132 runs at 26.4 and 31 wickets at 18.83 ensured he won his first Series as captain and would never lose another Ashes series nor any other series he captained. Following the Ashes, he took Australia to India and Pakistan and conquered both tours. His instinctive and daring captaincy was best on display in the famous tied Test. 6/92 on the final day chasing 233, a win looked remote at 6/109 with 124 runs still to get at tea. But with an attacking partnership between himself and Alan Davidson, the pair took Australia to 226. The rest, of course, is history but Benaud, the all-rounder, terrific leg spinner,  the captain, then later the media darling will forever be remembered.

45. Aubrey Faulkner
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 19

[Image: abf.png]
Before the likes of Keith Miller and Imran Khan bestrode the world game -  those all rounders with devilish looks - Aubrey Faulkner was breaking hearts in the early 1900s. A rare, unorthodox talent, Faulkner was one of the finest all-rounders the game has ever seen. A powerful batsman whose batting blossomed late in his career and a leading exponent of googly bowling, Faulkner is best remembered for his brilliant spell at Leeds of 6-17 in 11 overs. He married that with constant success for South Africa where he netted 1288 runs and 72 wickets for them in a single season of cricket.  The first South African to 1000 runs and 100 wickets at Test level, he also dismissed Jack Hobbs four times. He remains the only man to average over 40 with the bat and under 30 with the ball (1000 run qualification)

He continued his dominance in Australia where he once again topped averages with 732 runs and an average of 73.20 in 1910/11 including a tremendous 204 in Melbourne. From there he moved to England to live, and retired from the international game, and would join the War and fought on the Western Front. Many argue that his finest innings came outside of the test arena, when in 1921, he demolished Australia, unbeaten on tour in 34 games,  with a brilliant 153 which gave AC Mclarens XI victory. That he did this as a broken war hero, called upon out of retirement for the game, makes this an incredible performance. When he moved to England he opened up a world renowned cricket school in London, the first of its kind and help shape the careers of many world players. However, with his years in the war - where he earned a DSO and Order of the Nile - weighing him down and the continued financial trouble of his cricket school playing on his mind, Faulkner tragically took his own life in a small store room in the cricket school he founded

45. Derek Underwood
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 19

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 63 , Wkts - 140 @ 21.44 , SR - 66.72 , BBI - 32/7 , 5W - 10 , 10W - 4 , (From 10/08/1967 to 26/07/1973 )


[Image: Derek-Underwood.jpg]
Derek Underwood
"Deadly" Derek Underwood, thus named for his lethal bowling on the sticky wickets of the 60s and 70s was a left-arm spinner who had taken 1000 first class wickets by the time he was 25. "Spinner" might be a loosely used term for Underwood who bowled at near medium pace and known for his in-swinging deliveries when the weather was on his side. And in England, it was generally always speaking his language.

A captains dream due to his accuracy, Underwood thought of bowling as a "low mentality profession: plug away, line and length, until there's a mistake". And in all Underwood induced just shy of 300 mistakes at Test level at an average of 25. Underwoods most famous spell is surely the 4 wickets he got in 27 balls in the final half an hour at the end of the fifth Test in 1968. After a heavy thunderstorm on the fifth day had nearly ended the game, Underwood's spell squared an Ashes series that Australia was winning 1–0 with just 5 mins to spare.


44. Barry Richards
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 17

[Image: In-front-of-Compton.jpg]
Perhaps Test Crickets greatest loss - Barry Richards the South African opener, who by any who'd seen him, was a supernatural talent.In his all too brief appearance at Test level, he blitzed a side captained by Bill Lawry in 1971 to the tune of 504 runs at 74 in 4 games to help inflict a 4-0 loss on the Aussies at home. There his career ended - due to isolation. Richards was from that rare school of opener who combined attack with a brilliant technique, as he tore apart attacks.

During isolation, Richards played for a number of teams in different countries.  His revered stint in Hampshire where he scored an amazing 2395 runs in his first season, 1968, more than anybody else in the country. And went on to form one of the most destructive opening partnerships in county cricket with Gordon Greenidge. In 1970–71,  for South Australia, Richards scored 325 in a single day against Western Australia off an attack that included Dennis Lillee, Graham McKenzie, Tony Lock and Tony Mann. 1538 runs in 10 matches at 109.86 is how that season ended.

He would later reappear in World Series Cricket in 78/79 to score 500 runs in 5 games with two centuries that included a 207 against the Australians. Cricket's greatest loss? Maybe.


44. Joel Garner
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 17

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 63 , Wkts - 147 @ 21.41 , SR - 49.34 , BBI - 60/6 , 5W - 6 , 10W - 0 , (From 26/12/1981 to 12/03/1987 )

[Image: joel-garner-bowling-for-west-indies-duri...?s=594x594]
When the man-mountain that was Joel Garner approached the crease it felt like a shadow moving across the ground and near-certain doom for the batsmen. The rest of the revered West Indian bowlers may have had larger reputations but that did not make "Big Bird" any less lethal. Garner was relentless, miserly and destructive. To the tune of a bowling average that barely touched 20. 259 wickets were scalped in conjunction with the rest of the attack.

He possessed a great yorker that descended from such a height that it was nearly impossible to keep out. And using his height Garner was able to extract bounce from virtually any surface and any length. This made him perfectly suited for one day cricket where he was arguably even a more difficult customer. He partnered an incredible economy rate of just over 3 with an eye-popping average of 18. Indeed, he is one of the only two men to have over 100 ODI wickets with a sub 20 average. All this culminated in the World Cup final in 1979  against England, when he grabbed 5 for 39, which remains the best performance by a bowler in a final;  including a spell of 5 wickets for 4 runs.

43. W G Grace
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 16

[Image: 2053017584_bdab06c27e.jpg]
Dr William Gilbert Grace scored some 54,000 first class runs, including 126 centuries. He also took 3000 first class wickets and was a brilliant fielder before the girth, that he became famous for, set in. These numbers, particularly in the batting,  are stupendous given the terrible pitches cricket was played on in that era. And it was for this sheer volume of runs that he was simply called - The Champion. He began his career at the tender age of 18 and scored 224* for All-England against Surrey in 1866. He would go on to play a record equaling 44 seasons of cricket. 1871 though, would be the year "WG" would completely capture the imagination. 17 first class centuries were scored in that season - WG accounted for 10 of them. In all he scored an incredible 2739 runs - the first time this was achieved, at an average of 78. To put this into perspective - the next best was 1068. It was this year that led to the moniker of - The Champion.

WG was also an amateur- or even a Gentleman, and within crickets context, this was hugely important. Grace had status and thus an audience. Others may stake a claim to being the greatest to play the sport but there can be no argument that Grace was the most important and influential person to have played the game. He invented batting as we know it, he popularised the game from a past time to England's summer sport. When cricket wasn't even an international sport he'd played in Australia, New Zealand, Malta, Northern Ireland, Ceylon and a number of other countries.

But make no mistake -  he did not do this due to the kindness of his heart. He is notoriously known to have made more money from the game than any professional to have played in his era, even though he played under amateur status. Stories are rife with Grace charging for the use of his name or making any appearance. He arguably also had the first sports advertising deal with Coleman mustard.

The tall, imposing man with the unmistakable beard is said to have been the most recognisable face in the empire outside of royalty. Indeed he was treated like it regardless. Grounds were named after him. Ticket prices would double when he played. Grace knew his worth and he reveled in it. It meant an interest whenever he played or where ever he played. Everyone tried to copy the great man thus expanding the game he was developing and working on, to other corners of the globe. The Champion was also known for his attitude of winning at all cost and had a reputation for his gamesmanship. Indeed, it was Grace's running out of Sammy Jones in 1882 - when Jones had thought ball dead, looked at Grace, nodded, and gone down to pat down the pitch, that Grace took the ball and whipped the bails off. That resulted in Fred Spofforth's full anger being brought down on England to defend a target of 85 that gave birth to the Ashes. His legacy lives on in the sport and as a man. WG Grace - forever The Champion.

42. Ken Barrington
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 15

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 53 , Runs - 3214 @ 68.38 , HS - 256 , 100s - 11 , 50s - 14 , (From 25/07/1963 to 08/02/1968 )

[Image: Ken_Barrington.jpg]
It was not uncommon to see Ken Barrington smoking in the change room, watching the match unfold intently before he went out to bat at Number 3. Barrington was a great many things - nervous, fidgety, nonplussed by bumpers, but he was also courageous, adaptable, dogged with a lion heart. He started his career as a flashy shotmaking upstart from Surrey with a talent large enough that some called him "the biggest thing since Dennis Compton". But his Surrey and then England career went nowhere when he was dropped from even Surrey and tasked with carrying the kit from one ground to the other.

Determined to make his return, Barrington reengineered his technique and attitude to become the stonewalling giant he would later be famous for. With no less help from Alec Bedser and Jim Laker, Barrington would go on to form England's backbone in throughout the 1960's.

While Barrington, appreciated as he was,  held a reputation for dire and diabolical batting in England he was held in exceptional regard elsewhere he played in the world. Particularly in Australia and India where he was a beloved figure for his batting and jovial nature. This is not a coincidence as 14 of his 20 Test hundreds came away from home. Indeed a unique record, Barrington was often thought of being more of a match saver than a match winner. all-rounders only lost one Test in which he made three figures but also won eight. He twice peeled off 4 centuries in consecutive matches. On retirement, he became a beloved tour manager within the England team which further elevated his status when England travelled abroad. Sadly he died of a second heart attack but not before leaving the game with an average of 58 and over 6000 Test runs to his name.

41. Graeme Pollock
Nominated by 12.50% users, Highest Ranking - 19

[Image: graeme-pollock-2118149.jpg]
"Next time you decide to play like that, send me a telegram", said Bradman of a 19-year-old Pollock's innings in his 3rd Test in Sydney in 1963. His 122 was the youngest by a South African and still remains so. Trent Bridge in 1965 saw arguably his finest innings, a brilliant 125 scored in just over 2 hours in a team total of 269. This having come in at 16/2 and then later being reduced to 80/5. This was no village hitting either and is described as one of the cleanest and most beautiful innings ever played in England since the second world war. A year later against the Australians Pollock made 209 runs from a team total of 353 despite batting with an injured groin which restricted his footwork and running.

Pollock, Procter and Richards are a lost generation of cricketers to Test cricket. The mind only boggles at the possibilities that could have arisen had they played full careers. But at least Pollock got to play 23 Tests, and he reeled off runs at an alarming rate. 2256 runs all up at an incredible average of 60. Pollock scored heavily domestically after isolation which included 16 unofficial tests played against rebel teams from England, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Australia. 1376 runs, including 5 centuries, at an average of 65.52 was the final tally there. He was still scoring hundreds at the ripe age of 42 against Rebel Australian teams in 1987 when he officially signed off from cricket underscoring his genius. If only.

40. Allan Donald
Nominated by 18.75% users, Highest Ranking - 21

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 61 , Wkts - 177 @ 20.5 , SR - 42.67 , BBI - 71/8 , 5W - 12 , 10W - 1 , (From 18/08/1994 to 10/12/1998 )

[Image: 17donald.jpg]
It is fitting that when South Africa returned to the fold in 1992 that they brought with them the man they called "White Lightning" to terrorise international batsman for nearly a decade. Allan Donald bowled with a venom and a fierceness that suggested he was none too pleased to have been kept away from the international arena. With a wonderfully classical action and white zinc painted across his cheeks and nose like war paint, Donald thundered into the crease and gave plenty of good batsmen in the 1990s a lot of awkward moments. 300 wickets in all with an average a tick over 22 and 200 ODI wickets at just over 21 showcased the greatness of the man.

At Trent Bridge in 1998, with England needing just 247 to win, Donald took the new ball against Mike Atherton and unleashed a spell that both would go on to call their most intense moments in Test cricket. Those who witnessed it could scarcely argue the point. "White Lightning" did not strike that time but he did plenty of other times. With an increased workload due to him being SA's go to bowler in the era, Donald's body broke down. Now a much sought after coach, Donald still stands out as one of the best bowlers of the 1990s in an era spoilt for choice.

39. Michael Holding
Nominated by 12.50% users, Highest Ranking - 15

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 64 , Wkts - 159 @ 21.38 , SR - 47.67 , BBI - 92/8 , 5W - 10 , 10W - 2 , (From 21/04/1976 to 10/12/1983 )

[Image: mh.jpg]

When Holding got to the top of his mark, you stopped to catch your breath. A hurdler and a long jumper in his youth, Holding put all that body conditioning and precision to use as he strode gracefully, and purposefully,  at full pelt, yet with feet that barely seemed to touch the ground for it did not make a sound - leading to umpires calling him "Whispering Death". Holding was easily one of the fastest bowlers in the world in an era filled with true greats and made for compelling viewing.

In 1976 at The Oval, Holding captured 14 wickets for 149, to date, the best Test figures by a West Indian. 9 of them bowled, 3 of them LBW.  It was a truly magical spell of pure fast bowling, on a slow dead pitch. Then, of course, there is the over to Geoff Boycott in 1981 at the Kensington Oval. Boycott, a master technician and a dogged fighter, simply could not compete with the sheer ferocity of the bowling that day - a 6 ball exchange that is arguably the greatest bowled in the sport.

38. Shaun Pollock
Nominated by 12.50% users, Highest Ranking - 17

Peak 33
Batting
M -33 , Inns - 44 , Runs - 1335 @ 46.03 , HS - 111 , 100s - 2 , 50s - 5 , (From 06/08/2000 to 12/12/2003 )

Bowling
M -33 , Inns - 62 , Wkts - 153 @ 19.31 , SR - 51.14 , BBI - 87/7 , 5W - 9 , 10W - 0 , (From 24/10/1997 to 06/08/2000 )

[Image: Rehzv.jpg]
When you come from a cricketing family, there is always additional pressure on you; to carry on a legacy and to also stand out on your own. When your father is Peter Pollock, a splendid fast bowler,  and uncle Graeme Pollock, universally recognised as an all-time great, both tasks become nearly impossible.

Letting go of his pace early on in his career, Pollock preferred to adopt a model of consistency. With an action and approach that saw the ball delivered very close to the stumps, Pollock hit a length and line and could stay there for days. This paid rich dividends as he collected 400+ Test wickets, and became the first South African to do so. His batting never resulted in extravagant scores but he scored runs when it mattered and could hit the ball as cleanly as anyone. Perhaps Pollocks greatest achievement is that he not only successfully carried on his family's legacy but was also able to leave a large mark on it as his own
man too.

37. Keith Miller
Nominated by 18.75% users, Highest Ranking - 18

Peak 33
Batting
M -33 , Inns - 56 , Runs - 1962 @ 37.02 , HS - 147 , 100s - 6 , 50s - 6 , (From 10/02/1950 to 12/07/1956 )

Bowling
M -33 , Inns - 63 , Wkts - 115 @ 22.89 , SR - 60.32 , BBI - 107/6 , 5W - 5 , 10W - 1 , (From 20/01/1950 to 21/06/1956 )

[Image: miller1.jpg]

Keith Miller is a beloved Australian figure, their greatest all rounder and a cult hero. Miller was a debonaire, handsome, brooding man who's irreverence towards the sport he played only elevated his status. This perspective of cricket was, of course, developed through his years in WW2 as a fighter-bomber pilot, where he escaped his own allotment of near death experiences. "I'll tell you what pressure is son. Pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse - playing cricket is not.", these words perfectly encapsulated Miller's entire outlook on life and the "pressures" of cricket.

He made his name in the Victory Tests, the celebratory series of matches between English and Australian servicemen following WW2.  But his finest game before the returning to Test cricket was his 185 scored for the Dominions XI at Lords -  To this day one of the finest shows of hitting ever seen at the home of cricket.

Miller was an aggressive batsman with an off drive like a rifle shot, and generally batted as high up as at No3. As a bowler, he was often quicker than his great friend and bowling partner Ray Lindwall. With whom he formed one of the most celebrated and enduring new ball pairings in the sport. The pairs battles and friendship with Len Hutton and Denis Compton is the stuff of legend. Miller, with his view on life forever altered due to the war, was a man who cherished the competition above all else. So much so that he once got himself out bowled purposely when Australia were 3/364 against Essex citing a lack of competition, much to the fury of Bradman. It is no surprise that his best performances were produced when the competition was at it's more fervent - against the West Indies and England, the two best sides in the era. Miller was, of course, part of the Invincibles tour and Australia owed much to him for the success of that legendary tour. Miller totalled 1,088 runs for the tour at an average of 47.30 and took 56 wickets at 17.58 and held onto 20 catches. His death was a deeply sad loss for cricket and Australia.


36. Anil Kumble
Nominated by 6.25% users, Highest Ranking - 9

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 62 , Wkts - 184 @ 27.39 , SR - 58.73 , BBI - 141/8 , 5W - 13 , 10W - 4 , (From 03/11/2001 to 16/03/2005 )

[Image: attachment.php?attachmentid=49696&d=1412380622]
Anil Kumble was a gentlemanly cricketer who carried himself to the highest standard on the field and off it. Only the second man to have claimed the perfect 10 in an innings, albeit with some controversy as his great friend, Javagal Srinath, bowled wides to ensure "Jumbo" had an even shot at the 10.

Throughout the mid to late 90's cricket was blessed with 3 great leg spinners. But Kumble was the most unique of all. Far from
being the classic spinner he operated at near medium pace and relied more on change of pace and unerring accuracy, that was supported with a devastating flipper.

A bowler who once bowled 72 over in an innings and another time, came back to bowl with a broken jaw and still managed to claim the wicket of Brian Lara , Kumble was a tireless workhorse with a big heart, who along with Srinath formed the backbone of India's attack throughout much of their careers. In all, he sent down 40850 balls in his career. He is one of three men to have taken over 600 Test wickets and is the 3rd on the all-time list. He also boasts an incredible 30+ times of taking 5 wickets or more in an innings. A record he shares with just 3 others in the game.

As a much-respected figure in the game, he was appointed as the chairman of the ICC cricket committee as well has being offered the chance to coach India.

35. Javed Miandad
Nominated by 18.75% users, Highest Ranking - 18

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 46 , Runs - 2731 @ 62.07 , HS - 271 , 100s - 9 , 50s - 10 , (From 09/02/1985 to 01/12/1989 )

[Image: javed_miandad_20071008.jpg]

Abdul Kardar, Pakistan's first Test captain,  proclaimed that Miandad was the "find of the decade" when he first saw him. And in 1976 a 19-year-old Miandad scored a century on debut (163) and in his third match, a double followed. He ended the series with 504 runs against New Zealand at 126. Kardar, it seems, had it got it perfectly right. Indeed it was incredible that Miandad was even picked - when the side had a batting line up that consisted of Mushtaq Mohammad, Majid Khan, Sadiq Mohammad, Zaheer Abbas, Asif Iqbal and Wasim Raja. Such was the brilliance of that they saw in Miandad.

Javed would go on to be recognised as the greatest batsman from Pakistan. With a batting average that never dropped below 50, Miandad stroked, ran and deflected his way to 8000 plus Test runs. A batsman who was never bogged down Miandad had a get out of jail shot whenever he needed it, in any situation. This mastery of the scoreboard would also go on to make him a brilliant ODI batsmen. His greatest test feats include back to back centuries in the West Indies against attacks of Ambrose, Marshall, Walsh and Patterson and superlative doubles in England and India

Miandad usually reserved his very best for India, and none more so than legendary six he hit off the last ball when four runs were needed against Chetan Sharma. Captaincy seemed inevitable, but as an abrasive and as a too-hands-on approach figure,  a player revolt or two was never far away. When the squad refused to play under him the great Imran Khan ascended to the throne. However, both shared the captaincy intermittently in the 80's, and Khan has often credited Miandad with the huge impact he had has his deputy. And the old duo signed off with the 92 World Cup win in 92 with Miandad contributing 6 half centuries

34. Herbert Sutcliffe

Nominated by 12.50% users, Highest Ranking - 9

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 54 , Runs - 3319 @ 69.15 , HS - 176 , 100s - 14 , 50s - 14 , (From 19/12/1924 to 15/08/1931 )

[Image: 00077A6A00000C1D-3709310-image-m-10_1469561024976.jpg]

Herbert Sutcliffe's career will always be spoken of in conjunction with 3 players. First with Percy Holmes, his opening partner at Yorkshire, then with Jack Hobbs, in the greatest opening Test partnership in the history of the game, and later with the young Len Hutton, again for Yorkshire. Yet the man stood out on his own accord. His Test average of 60 elevates him to a level only a select few have touched. Remarkably, it never once fell below 60 during his career.

Sutcliffe put a heavy price on his wicket and coupled with an insatiable appetite for runs, he became the true personification of a run machine. Armed with a great eye, droves of determination and boundless powers of concentration Sutcliffe compiled runs upon runs during an incredible career. He was also noted for being one of the finest batsmen on those infamous sticky wickets - indeed he was known as a man for a crisis and considered the best batsman when the team needed him the most on the most difficult surfaces.

33. Waqar Younis
Nominated by 12.50% users, Highest Ranking - 12

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 61 , Wkts - 191 @ 19.56 , SR - 36.41 , BBI - 76/7 , 5W - 19 , 10W - 4 , (From 18/10/1990 to 25/07/1996 )

[Image: 151250.2.jpg]

When Imran Khan saw the young Waqar Younis on TV, playing a domestic match, he was moved to come to the ground to watch the bowler. The next day he told Younis that he's going to be joining the national team. And so, the world got to meet this fast bowler from Pakistan with a slingshot action, doing things with the ball that was so alien, most people thought it illegal. Younis became known for his reverse swinging yorkers, a skill he learned while he was primarily used as an old ball bowler when Imran was still playing. "Banana swing" as it was called, were impossible balls to hit or get out of the way of. With its searing speed and then late dip and drop, Waqar shattered stumps and toes alike.

With Wasim Akram, the pair formed one of the most lethal new ball pairings of their generation or any other. Moving the ball at alarming speed, in and out, with the new and old balls, the two were simply brilliant viewing. Younis can, of course, claim to have been the quicker and indeed throughout his career, he was one of the fastest in the sport. His old ball skills also made him an incredible asset in Limited overs cricket. With over 400 wickets at the second best strike rate in the game, there are plenty of batsmen who are happy he is no longer playing. On retirement, he's dabbled intermittently with coaching where Younis has found dealing with the PCB  as tricky as batsmen found his bowling.  

32. Clive Lloyd
Nominated by 18.75% users, Highest Ranking - 8

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 56 , Runs - 2743 @ 52.75 , HS - 242 , 100s - 8 , 50s - 13 , (From 06/04/1973 to 18/02/1977 )

[Image: 19sld7.jpg]

Clive Lloyd strode the world game as if he owned it. And for nearly two decades he and his side did. It wasn't always so and the 1975 tour to Australia proved to be a watershed moment for him, West Indies and world cricket at large. Lloyd had been made captain just a year earlier and improved his game to meet the demands with a 100 off 85 balls and a double late in the Tour to India. When the team arrived in Australia a tight contest was expected. But a 5-1 smashing - swept away by a tsunami in the form of Lillee and Thompson, meant West Indies had nowhere to hide and a realisation that their way of carefree cricket was no match for the hard-nosed tough game Australia played.  Lloyd was deeply affected by the loss and reflected upon it heavily on their return to the islands. It was here he decided to fight fire with fire and scour the islands for his own battery of fast bowlers.

What followed was a domination of the sport that has not been seen in cricket before or since, nor in any other sport barring All Blacks in rugby. Lloyd had a run of 27 tests where he never tasted defeat and the West Indies became the most feared and revered team and they set about breaking down social barriers as the team was seen "as the culmination of the possibility of the black man"

A powerful batsman himself, Lloyd could tear apart an attack on a whim. But was given to playing within himself due to the team's needs. He was ever a man for the occasion and instinctively knew when to turn it on. None more so than when he scored a brilliant century in the 1975 World Cup final, his fist and last ODI century from a position of 3/50.

31. George Headley
Nominated by 25.00% users, Highest Ranking - 10

[Image: George-Headley1.jpg]

George Alphonso Headley was once described as the "yardstick against which all West Indian batsmen will be measured". Such was the reverence the man they called "Black Bradman" was held to. Indeed, Headley was West Indies in the 1930's and West Indies-Headley. Never has the fortunes of one team depended so much on a singular entity. His other nickname "Atlas" typified the nature of West Indies swimming or sinking on Headley's back. All told, before the war,  Headley scored 25.61% of the runs scored in Tests by West Indies, more than twice as many as the next best batsman, and two-thirds of the team's centuries, scoring ten of the team's first fourteen centuries in Test cricket. With all this on his shoulders, the man still managed to average 60, the third best average of all time for batsmen who've scored more than 2000 Test runs. This was truly a great, great batsman.

But perhaps even his greatest run-scoring feats at Test, First Class or League cricket could not eclipse the importance of his success had for the West Indies. Headley became an icon for a team establishing themselves in a white man's sport. Headley was described as "demonstrating black capacity". Writer M. Manley said of Headley that "in his carrying "the hopes of the black, English-speaking Caribbean man ... He was black excellence personified in a white world and in a white sport." Excellence, there can be no better word to describe Headley.

30. Rahul Dravid
Nominated by 25.00% users, Highest Ranking - 7

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 54 , Runs - 3329 @ 72.37 , HS - 270 , 100s - 11 , 50s - 12 , (From 11/04/2002 to 16/03/2005 )

[Image: Rahul-Dravid-e1465848456804.jpg]
Everything about Rahul Dravid was correct, proper and of another time. One of the true gentleman to have played the game Dravid's classically correct batting may not be seen in the game again. A technique built on supreme technicality, Dravid had all the shots and played them all, so perfectly. Allied to this were vast amounts of concentration, ensuring he became one of the all-time greats. Dravid could bat forever if needed, without ever looking winded.

At times he did; his 12 hour, 270 run vigil as captain, earned India its first series win in Pakistan in 2004. This was after his 835 min ode in Adelaide to help India win a test in Australia a year earlier. His 233 in the first innings, after coming in at 4/85 and a 72 not out in the second, sealed the the game. In 2011 in England, when the rest of the team disintegrated around him to a 4-0 loss, Dravid battled alone to the tune of 461 runs at 76.83 with three hundreds. In all, he had scored over 26% of India's runs in that series. Although he initially struggled in ODI's Dravid became a consistent enough scorer and backed by his keeping, played a pivotal role for India in the shortened format of the game.

He was part of the much celebrated Big Four batsmen in the Indian line-up - Tendulkar, Ganguly, VVS Laxman being the other three. He was the backbone off of which his other cavalier teammates played off. However, even in a career of so many highlights, his debut innings of 95, so classically perfect in every aspect, and his supporting act in the incredible Eden Garden recovery that saw India win after following on will forever stand the test of time. "The Wall" as he came to be known is now playing a pivotal coaching role at the U19 and A team levels in India. They could not ask for a better student and master of the game.

29. Leonard Hutton
Nominated by 31.25% users, Highest Ranking - 10

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 58 , Runs - 3354 @ 68.45 , HS - 206 , 100s - 10 , 50s - 17 , (From 22/07/1948 to 09/07/1953 )

[Image: 21564.jpg]

When Herbert Sutcliffe gave a young boy of 13, a neighbour, some batting tips in his backyard, he could have hardly predicted who Len Hutton would turn out to be. Hutton impressed the England opener, as he did with everyone else involved in Yorkshire cricket at the time. Hutton rose through the ranks quickly, as an opening batsman with a superb technique and solid defence in the Yorkshire tradition, and at 17, was the youngest debutant for the county. Hutton however, felt a great burden on him at a young age - that of expectation. This was further elevated when Sutcliffe labelled him "a discovery of a generation". All before he'd played for England. And when he got the chance he did not fail to deliver. In only his sixth Test Hutton wrote himself into the record books in 1938 with the then highest individual score of 364. A record that stood for some 20 years.

Hutton continued to score consistently after the war but criticism of the nature of his runs was never too far away. "Dull" and "Pedestrian" were often used to describe Hutton's style. However, Hutton's style can be said to be a product of necessity more than anything else; for both Yorkshire and England became so heavily reliant on his contributions that Hutton felt a great deal of pressure to meet those expectations. It is, however, when Hutton was appointed the captain of England in 1952 that signified the stature Hutton was truly held to. Hutton, a professional, and not an amateur or a gentleman, was the first such appointment in England's cricketing History. It was indeed a paradigm shifting change. And it was proved to be a masterstroke as Hutton, the tough, determined professional from Yorkshire, regained the Ashes for England after a 20-year wait. And as if to prove a point, Hutton went out in a blaze of glory by touring Australia and retaining the Ashes in 1955/56 and was promptly knighted a few years later

28. Greg Chappell
Nominated by 50.00% users, Highest Ranking - 14

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 60 , Runs - 3182 @ 60.04 , HS - 235 , 100s - 9 , 50s - 16 , (From 28/11/1975 to 07/02/1981 )

[Image: 89999.4.jpg]
It is a shame that World Series Cricket statistics are not officially recognised, for Greg Chappell's best performances arguably came in those 14 Super Tests where he amassed five hundreds and a total of 1415 runs at 56.6. This includes a dream run against West Indies - 45 and 90 in Barbados, 7 and 150 in Trinidad, 113 in Guyana and 104 and 85 in Antigua, all scored against an attack of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Colin Croft and Joel Garner on their home wickets.

It is these sorts of superlative batting feats that lead many to consider him the best Batsmen since Bradman to come out of Australia. Chappell, above all else, was a stylist who initially had a penchant for on side scoring. But with a changed grip on the advice of Bradman himself, he began to see more success. Indeed 7000+ Test runs at an average of 53 is the sign of a truly great player for that era when you consider the quality of attack that was going around the circuit. Chappell's career had all but an air of inevitability to it, and when he was made captain it seemed preordained. But leadership roles proved a trickier job than batting for Chappelle as, first as captain and later as coach, controversy followed him everywhere. From the infamous underarm incident and his spats with Indian captain Ganguly when he was the head coach that lead to the entire squad turning on him, life after cricket has proved harder than it was on it for Chappell.

27. Fred Trueman
Nominated by 56.25% users, Highest Ranking - 12

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 63 , Wkts - 172 @ 20.6 , SR - 47.65 , BBI - 44/7 , 5W - 12 , 10W - 3 , (From 20/08/1959 to 18/06/1964 )

[Image: _41835920_trueman270.jpg]
"Fiery" Fred Trueman was the first bowler to claim 300 Test wickets. He did so in 67 Tests at an average of 21 and a strike rate of 49. A brilliant strike rate given the era of defensive cricket he played in. Trueman was a true character of the game, so large that it could not be contained, but not for want of trying. England played 110 Tests during his career, but frequent clashes with authorities meant that Trueman was left out of teams he so clearly should have played in. It seemed impossible that, as he recorded season after season of 100+ wickets for his beloved Yorkshire, mostly with sub 20 averages, that he kept getting ignored. Trueman himself believed he would have topped 400 Tests wickets had he been given more chances.

With a physique atypical for a fast bowler -  short but powerfully built - Trueman thundered into the crease and let go of the ball with his infamous "cartwheel" action. The mind only boggles at what he could have achieved had he actually been given his due. "The greatest bowler to ever draw breath?". Quite possibly.

26. Allan Border
Nominated by 62.50% users, Highest Ranking - 12

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 57 , Runs - 3012 @ 62.75 , HS - 196 , 100s - 10 , 50s - 12 , (From 02/01/1983 to 18/09/1986 )

[Image: article-0-05444EB5000005DC-642_468x306.jpg]
How can anyone possibly quantify what Allan Border has meant for Australian cricket? Handed the team during Australia's darkest of times - with World Series Cricket and Rebel tours crippling the side, it was Border who stood on either side of the WSC ban and reconciliation to hold all the broken parts together. As Australia went from one loss to the other from the late 70's to the late 80's it would be hard to imagine anyone other than Border being able to muster the courage and the character needed to not only keep the team together but also to inspire and instil a belief that better days were coming. All the while not breaking down himself.

Border's durability within that context is incredible; with 153 of his 156 tests coming consecutively, still a world record. He lead from the front as he compiled more runs than anyone in a career by the time he retired - 11, 174 Test runs at 50 and an amazing 156 catches. He finally helped Australia turn the corner after a decade in the abyss with their celebrated 1987 World Cup win. But the following Ashes tour in 1989 was when Borders endurance truly paid off. From then on Australian cricket strengthened to such a degree that they dominated the sport for nearly two decades. Borders legacy is secured as his the debt Australia owes to him


25. Steve Waugh
Nominated by 56.25% users, Highest Ranking - 7

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 53 , Runs - 2876 @ 71.9 , HS - 200 , 100s - 9 , 50s - 16 , (From 26/11/1993 to 03/07/1997 )

[Image: sp4.jpg]
What makes a man? For Steven Roger waugh, it is arguably watching his younger twin brother, score a 100 on debut from the sidelines, after having been dropped to include him. Waugh burst onto the international arena; an all shot making, aggressive all-around player with style, who dominated his debut Ashes series. Then his form faded and he was unceremoniously dumped from the side. When he eventually forced himself back into the side he was a changed player. He took everything his mentor, Allan Border, had taught him, and put away all the flash strokes and focused on consistency. From that period on Waugh was arguably the best batsman in the world for a period, which included a a decade averaging nearly 57 between 93-04, a tremendous era of bowling talent.

Waugh's greatest ability was his ability to dig Australia out of holes, scoring runs when it got absolutely desperate for Australia, and thus establishing himself as the most valuable player in that era. Adversity was when the Ice Man came forth. It was him who stood up when the baton of the best side in the world exchanged hands in 1995 as his epic 200 took Australia to a win in the West Indies. It was his inspirational 120* that saw Australia take on the challenge to win 7 games in a row on their way to winning the 1999 WC.  In the the 87 WC semi-final against Pakistan, he scored 18 runs in the final over, the margin of victory in the end. His often overlooked bowling shone in his early days - In the 87 WC, he restricted NZ to 3 runs when 7 were needed. In the final, Waugh bowled a 2 run penultimate over when 19 were needed off the last 2. His flint-eyed grit and ruthlessness were what saw him captain Australia to an unprecedented 16 test wins in a row. Waugh retired, by the measure of anyone, as a true symbol of Australia .

24. Ricky Ponting
Nominated by 56.25% users, Highest Ranking - 7

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 54 , Runs - 3329 @ 72.37 , HS - 270 , 100s - 11 , 50s - 12 , (From 11/04/2002 to 16/03/2005 )

[Image: 139637.2.jpg]
Ricky Ponting was reckless youth, a middling captain tasked with a difficult job, and one of the greatest fielders the game has ever seen. But the glue that held all these parts together was his batting. "Punter", as he was known, didn't just bat, he dominated, every ball, every shot,  a statement of intent. Jarrod Kimber affectionately called his 100's the "**** you 100". Ponting didn't just want to score 100's he wanted to destroy attacks while he did it.

A batting prodigy who once scored 4 centuries in a week as a child he signalled early that he was the heir apparent as the next big thing out of Tasmania. But brushes with authority and the sheer depth of the Aussie talent pool meant Pointing had to wait to have his chance. When he did,  it was batting on another level. A man who possessed all the shots and could play them all to devastating effect, Ponting quickly established himself as the hottest no 3 in world Cricket. In a run of 49 games between 2003 and 2009 Ponting averaged 70. No one one than Bradman has had a higher average for such a duration. ODI cricket came easily to him and his 149 in the 2003 WC final killed the contest in a matter of hours. It would be remiss to talk about Ponting without mentioning his fielding. Arguably one of the most complete fielders the game's ever seen, Ponting took 196 catches and seemingly hit the stumps at will. And based on our rankings the Ponting is indeed the second greatest batsmen to come from Australia.

23. Kumar Sangakkara
Nominated by 62.50% users, Highest Ranking - 10

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 63 , Runs - 3816 @ 65.79 , HS - 319 , 100s - 13 , 50s - 18 , (From 08/09/2011 to 17/06/2015 )

[Image: hqdefault.jpg]
Kumar Sangakkara was unlike any Sri Lankan cricketer that had come before him. A man who, at times, seemed like he could easily be retrofitted into an era at the start of the century, he was not the cavalier exponent of batting that the Sri Lankan's are known for, nor the misrepresented underdog who would only smile back at the opponents. Sangakkara, with the deeds of his bat, his words and his presence, elevated the side and Sri Lankan cricket to hitherto unseen stature in international cricket. A prime accumulator of runs, his tally of 12400 at 57, batting at the pivotal number three indicates his pedigree. But this includes 40 odd tests where he kept. As pure batsman, Sangakkara averages an astronomical 67 in 86 Tests. Sangakkara did not burst onto the side as a natural talent -  his all weather, all condition technique was one he purpose-built like a mechanic in a shop over years of patience and hard work. And when the runs started to flow, oh how they flowed. Sangakkara feasted on 11 double 100s, the most after Bradman with 12, and scored a century against all test playing nations. A man not known for iconic centuries, his 230, never broadcast, in the Asia cup final in 2002, while keeping, is perhaps his finest. A close second his 192 against Australia in a one-man show that saw him pull off the near impossible in Hobart. As he aged, Sangakkara was like a black hole devouring runs. He was the quickest man to 8000, 9000, 10000 (joint), 11000, 12000 Test Runs and ended his career with 28,016 international runs in all formats, second behind Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time list.

With his great mate, Mahela Jayawardene, the pair formed the second most successful batting combination in the game. Including the world record partnership of 624, the highest in first class cricket. For all his feats of run-making, criticism was not far away for Sangakkara in the limited overs formats. Primarily for his stoic approach to batting that had a negative impact on the teams own goals. This makes Sangakkara's renaissance as a LOI batsmen all the more remarkable. 6000 runs in his last 5 years at 52, including a world record four consecutive centuries in the 2015 WC attests to what Sangakkara could do when the mood set in. Had he played for - how to put this - a more "significant" side in cricket, his status would have been one of an immortal. That he has nearly achieved this anyway, makes Sangakkara all the more special

22. Ian Botham
Nominated by 62.50% users, Highest Ranking - 9

Peak 33
Batting
M -33 , Inns - 56 , Runs - 2466 @ 44.84 , HS - 208 , 100s - 7 , 50s - 13 , (From 16/07/1981 to 12/07/1984 )

Bowling
M -33 , Inns - 58 , Wkts - 167 @ 21.5 , SR - 48.29 , BBI - 48/7 , 5W - 13 , 10W - 4 , (From 10/08/1978 to 27/11/1981 )

[Image: Sir-Ian-Botham-AM-Wicked-1.jpg]
"Right then, let's have a bit of fun" was what Botham reportedly said to Graham Dilley as Dilly strode out to the wicket with England at 135-7. Following on, 92 runs behind, staring at defeat, was when Ian Botham wrote himself into folklore and became a cricketing and cultural icon. His breathtaking 149* gave England a slender lead. And with an inspired BoB Willis, England won the impossible test. This feat alone would have been enough for any mortal. But Botham, ludicrously, repeated these performances in the next two games to bring home an improbable Ashes series win.

Beefy Botham is unparalleled as England's greatest match winner because of his incredible ability to fire both cylinders more often any other.  Botham has managed to score a 100 and take a 5fer in a Test an amazing 5 times. The closest second only achieved this twice. He was also the first to score a century and take a 10fer in a Test. A rockstar cricketer bar none. His charity work earned him a deserving knighthood and his entertaining style now comes in the form of his voice for the sky commentary team.

21. Sunil Gavaskar
Nominated by 56.25% users, Highest Ranking - 5

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 59 , Runs - 3480 @ 62.14 , HS - 221 , 100s - 15 , 50s - 12 , (From 24/01/1976 to 30/08/1979 )

[Image: jisxnpadecdsi.jpg]
Sunil "Sunny" Gavaskar burst onto international cricket bigger than anyone before or since him. The staggering 774 runs scored in his debut series against the West Indies is still a record for a debutant. And when he eventually signed up from cricket, he left with the most runs scored by an individual, the most centuries and the most matches played. That he did this while batting at the precarious position of the opener, in an era with some exceptional fast bowlers, is one of the reasons many consider him to the greatest opener of all time.

Incredibly 13 of his 34 centuries came against the West Indian sides of the 70's and 80's. Even if these were not runs scored against the best the Islands had to offer, it still remains one of the most remarkable records in the history of the game. He is to date, still, the man who has scored the most centuries and centuries against the West Indies. It should come has no surprise that Gavaskar's technique was an impeccable study of technicality and a slow burn scoring rate. The "little master as he was known, stands a giant in the game.
20. Sydney Barnes
Nominated by 50.00% users, Highest Ranking - 5

[Image: 052523.jpg]

When Archie McLaren picked Sydney Francis Barnes for the 1901/02 Ashes tour to England it was called "the most daring experiment in the history of the game". Barnes was not a prominent county professional, for he barely played any county cricket during playing career, preferring league cricket. Barnes, a man well attuned to the need for financial stability and thought county cricket was too much work for very little monetary reward. For all intents and purposes, Barnes was a medium pace bowler, but he could seam, cut, break the ball from his great height like a spin bowler. Skills that saw him trouble batsmen in practically every level he played at. When McLaren picked him he did so on the back of a few sightings of him bowling. Barnes signed the contracts reluctantly but repaid this faith with 19 wickets in 2 Tests in Australia. Thus starting a Test career as a wicket taking machine that did not see it's equal until Murali arrived, nearly a century later.

Barnes's 189 wickets in 27 matches meant he picked up a staggering 7 wickets per Test. However, lingering doubts remain as to the full extent of what Barnes may have been able to achieve had he not been so -let's say - difficult an individual, that saw him left out of matches he clearly ought to have played. A notoriously abrasive character Barnes even rubbed McLaren, the man who championed him, the wrong way. On a boat trip on rough seas which threatened to sink the ship, McLaren is meant to have remarked: "Well, if we go down, that bugger Barnes will go down with us". Still, When Barnes did play his potency was unmatched, his last 4 years yielded 122 in 15 matches at 14, as he feasted on hapless new entrants South Africa. Some claim him to be the greatest bowler of all time. With a record such as his, it is a decent argument,      

19. Adam Gilchrist
Nominated by 75.00% users, Highest Ranking - 9

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 44 , Runs - 2270 @ 64.86 , HS - 204 , 100s - 8 , 50s - 10 , (From 02/01/2001 to 09/10/2003 )


[Image: adamgilchrist1_narrowweb__300x410,0.jpg]

Adam Gilchrist is the only pure keeper on our list and it stands to reason that this is because he's the greatest wicket keeper batsmen of all time. Gilchrist popped into Test cricket with 81 runs and 5 dismissals on debut but it was his 149 in his second Test against Pakistan that showed what Gilchrist was all about. A brilliant counter-attacking batsman who could turn matches off his own bat from perilous positions.

It seemed inevitable that he would have a successful ODI career, and for most of his life, he spent it tearing apart attacks with hitting both clean and wonderous. A man for the big occasion - his 149* in the 2007 World Cup final is arguably his greatest cricketing moment. For a man who replaced massive shoes of Ian Healy, it is a true testament to the hard work he put into his keeping that has left no one murmuring any misgivings about his keeping ability either. Gilchrist often portrayed a clean image, as a man who "walked" in a team of non-walkers. However, spats with umpires and the questioning of Murali's action publically suggested that he was not always the perfect gentleman he oft tried to be. Regardless, Adam "Church" Gilchrist will go down in history as a unique player, who redefined a role, and is still seen as its pinnacle

18. Dale Steyn
Nominated by 68.75% users, Highest Ranking - 10

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 61 , Wkts - 187 @ 21.28 , SR - 38.19 , BBI - 51/7 , 5W - 13 , 10W - 4 , (From 08/11/2007 to 02/01/2011 )

[Image: 88903.2.jpg]

Dale Steyn is unquestionably the greatest bowler of his generation and then some. Perhaps even the greatest of all time. His strike rate of an eye-popping - the lowest for any bowler who has claimed 100 wickets or more. Ever. But when you put it into the context of the era he played in, with bigger bats, flatter pitches and when there are more batsmen with 50+ averages than at any time in the game's history, Steyn's claim is amplified if not confirmed.

To see him is to feel him. The sprint up to the wicket, the fiery release, the bulging eyes and muscles and veins that have to hold on for dear life to ensure they don't burst; Steyn made fast bowling what it is supposed to be. Brutal, fierce and lethal. Tying his legacy to the greats of the past. He bowled fast, over 150kmph when he wanted, and swung it both ways, often very late. And his mastery of reverse swing made him the complete bowler.

It is no coincidence that Steyn's career aligned with SA's rise as the most dominant team in the sport. He helped SA win in ENG and in Australia for the fist time since readmission and in the case of Australia the first time anyone beat them in what seems a generation.

But this was no quick bowler who fired when conditions suited his style. He's greatest feat is unquestionably when he went to India and decimated them in those dust bowls with a strike rate of 37 and an average of 21 while picking up 26 wickets in 6 games. With his body breaking down after years of relentless pursuit of excellence and the sport itself moving to an even more batting dominant phase, Steyn may yet be the last great fast bowler we witness in the sport. Perhaps even the last great bowler we see. Period.

17. Dennis Lillee
Nominated by 75.00% users, Highest Ranking - 13

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 64 , Wkts - 200 @ 21.98 , SR - 45.08 , BBI - 89/7 , 5W - 16 , 10W - 5 , (From 26/12/1975 to 27/11/1981 )


[Image: dennis-lillee.jpg]

Caught Marsh, Bowled Lillee. This pairing for a dismissal appeared 95 times in Test cricket, the most in the history of the game and a testament to a great Bowler. Dennis Keith Lillee, however, was much more than an odds and bobs statistic. He burst onto Shield cricket in 1969 at the age of 20 and gave batsmen nightmares with his sheer pace. Within a year he was called up for Australia and took a 5/84 on Debut in an Ashes Test. A year later he toured England on his first Ashes tour and ripped England apart with 31 wickets, the most by either side, at 17.

And then, brutally, his body let him down in 1972, just two years into his career. A stress fracture in his lower vertebrae saw him forced out of the game. A lesser player and character would have turned away from the game forever. But Lillee was not such a man. Sticking to a strict fitness regime, Lillee, incredibly, returned to Test cricket 2 years later. It was on his return that he was paired with Jeff Thompson to form their scintillating partnership. Around this time, the game itself was going through a revolution. Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket was undergoing its early development stages. Lillee, by then a superstar and a hugely popular figure within Australian fans and culture was an automatic choice for Packer's marketing campaign of the event. Lillee supported the enterprise wholeheartedly, as he was always of the opinion, often outspokenly so, that cricketers were not making enough money. By then Lillee had cut down his pace to focus on subtle movement and accuracy, and after a lacklustre first season of WSC, he captured the imagination everyone who followed the Super Tests in 1978 to capture 46 wickets at 22.  The once record holder of the most Test wickets, Lillee is now a world renowned coach and talent scout for Australia and other nations. A role he has embraced just as easily as he embraced being one of cricket's greatest bowlers of all time.


16. Wally Hammond
Nominated by 68.75% users, Highest Ranking - 4

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 55 , Runs - 3410 @ 71.04 , HS - 336 , 100s - 13 , 50s - 9 , (From 23/06/1928 to 31/03/1933 )


[Image: 300px-Wally_Hammond.jpg]

Walter Reginald Hammond, died in South Africa, poor, possibly alone and without much happiness or ceremony. A stark contrast to the career and legacy he had in Cricket. With over 7000 test runs at an average of 57, Hammond was often compared with Bradman during their playing days together. Bradman, however,  was often eclipsing him and this led to Hammond's obsession with his great rival and an undying need to be better than him.

The words used to describe Hammond's batting and style were "regal", "majestic", "thoroughbred" as he tore apart attacks that came before him with his magnificent offside play and driving. An attacking player with skill to play any shot that was required, Hammond recorded 905 runs in 5 match series in 1928/29, a world record. Only to be toppled by, you guessed it, Bradman a year later. A moody, distant and sometimes hated figure by even his own teammates, Hammond's poor health later in his life ended his career. But no amount of what is said of the man could ever dim the achievements of his bat as a true cricket immortal.


15. Jacques Kallis
Nominated by 62.50% users, Highest Ranking - 2

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 59 , Runs - 3438 @ 70.16 , HS - 177 , 100s - 13 , 50s - 15 , (From 04/09/2003 to 27/04/2006 )

M -33 , Inns - 65 , Wkts - 91 @ 30.38 , SR - 60.41 , BBI - 54/6 , 5W - 3 , 10W - 0 , (From 02/01/2001 to 10/03/2004 )


[Image: Jacques+Kallis+Australia+v+South+Africa+...ftQc0l.jpg]

There can be no qualms about Jacques Kallis place as the greatest All-Rounder in the Post 2000 era. His record, across multiple formats, over such an incredible span of time, is a testament to Kallis's incredible staying power. With over 10,000 runs, 200 wickets and 100 catches, in both Tests and ODI's, Kallis almost seems superhuman. A supreme accumulator of runs, a nippy medium pace bowler, and one of the biggest bucket-hands to have stood at slip, Kallis it seems could do it all.

Yet. Yet, there are always lingering doubts raised about his greatness. Not dominating enough, not pretty enough on the eye, not taking the opposition by the scruff of the neck, selfish -  these are the common objections thrown the way of Kallis. If these questions bothered Kallis there were no signs of it. In 2003/04 he made a century in five consecutive matches, only the 4th man to do so in all of history. In 2007, repeated the feat in 4 Tests. Along the way, he recorded a fastest Test 50. He re-invented himself in the IPL and signed off with the most Man of the Match awards in tests and 3rd highest in ODI's. The debates may rage on but Kallis stands a colossal.


14. Jack Hobbs
Nominated by 75.00% users, Highest Ranking - 2

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 54 , Runs - 3261 @ 65.22 , HS - 211 , 100s - 11 , 50s - 14 , (From 21/01/1910 to 16/01/1925 )

[Image: jack_hobbs.jpg]

Was it 197 or 199? Centuries that is. And the man in question is, of course, Sir John "Jack" Berry Hobbs. 2 centuries scored in India and in Ceylon were not given first-class status, but some authorities do. And the debate rages on. What is, however, unequivocally true is that Jack Hobbs is one of the finest men to have graced the game of cricket. And with the ranking, he has received here and in many other similar lists - he is simply the greatest opener of all time.

Hobbs came to be called "The Master" because of his redefining of batsmanship and the complete command he had, playing against various conditions against varying opposition. And for doing it season upon season for Country and County. His record 197 FC centuries and the highest runs in FC cricket are unlikely to ever be surpassed. His Test record of over 5000 runs at 57 is immense when you consider that he opened the batting. Hobb's, however, had humble beginnings. Born into poverty and a father who died early instilled in him a great need to turn cricket into a profession and a livelihood more than anything else. Turned down by Essex early on, Tom Hayward of Surrey helped Hobbs earn a place at Surrey. Making a name for himself as a promising player, Hobbs worked harder and harder on his game to become a better player. And with Hayward, he formed an exceptional opening partnership for Surrey. Between Hobbs's debut in 1905 and Hayward's retirement in 1914, the pair shared 40 opening partnerships in excess of 100 runs. Hayward had significance influence on Hobbs as a cricketer and together the pair were the first to turn running between the wickets into an art form with quick singles and the idea of putting the bowler off their game early on in an innings.

When it came time for England, Hobbs allied himself with Herbert Sutcliffe of Yorkshire, and together the pair formed the greatest opening partnership of all time in Test cricket. Opening together 37 times, they recorded 15 century stands and averaged just over 87. Hobbs's early career before the great war was marked by his terrifically free-scoring ability. Nimble on his feet and always looking to score, Hobbs took on bowlers and particular the opposition's strongest as a way to put them off their game. After the War and having served in the RAF, Hobbs once again redefined his style to be more refined and accumulative in nature. So much so that almost half his near 200 FC centuries came after he had passed the age of 40. A true behemoth of a run scorer, a gentleman and true great of the sport.


13. Glenn McGrath
Nominated by 81.25% users, Highest Ranking - 7

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 65 , Wkts - 175 @ 20.43 , SR - 47.65 , BBI - 38/8 , 5W - 12 , 10W - 1 , (From 08/12/1995 to 03/04/1999 )

[Image: Glenn-McGrath02.jpg]

Imagine batting against a bowling machine that got stuck bowling at your most vulnerable spot as a batsman. That is what Glenn McGrath did for the entirety of his career. Nothing about McGrath made him a particularly domineering bowler, there was no outrageous swing or seam but he did enough. And he did it often. A bowler with immense confidence in his ability McGrath had the great audacity to target the best player in the opposition. For him taking wickets was not enough. He wanted the big fish, and more often that not, he could follow through on the plan. With Shane Warne, he formed a bowling partnership that yielded more wickets than any other in the history of the game. While Warne may have picked up more wickets, it was McGrath who would soften up the top order and loosen the hinges for Warne to a walkthrough.

When the baton passed from West Indies to Australia as the leading force in world cricket in 1995, it was McGrath that led the attack, and there he remained until the end of his career. His 536 wickets is the greatest ever as a fast bowler. Such was the importance of McGrath to Australia, that him missing the 2005 Ashes test at Lords, through a freak injury, is still seen as the pivotal moment when England were able to claw their way back into the competition after 16 years of pain. As befitting a man of his legend, he went out on a high in the 5-0 revenge Ashes tour in 2007 and tacked on another World Cup in 2007 with a record 26 wickets to his name.

12. Wasim Akram
Nominated by 100.00% users, Highest Ranking - 4

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 61 , Wkts - 177 @ 20.84 , SR - 47.31 , BBI - 119/7 , 5W - 13 , 10W - 2 , (From 14/04/1988 to 28/09/1994 )

[Image: 116473.2.jpg]

If asked who the most difficult bowler they faced was from a batsman from the late 80s to 1990's, the answer more than likely will always be Wasim Akram. Including Viv Richards who said that he was glad that he was on the retirement lane when Wasim had just started his career. Batsmen would often report having to face six different deliveries in each over, more often than not as soon as they walked in. Akram, quite clearly touched by some higher power, demonstrated such sublime bowling while mastering all of it, that it elevated bowling to an art form.

While it was the under the tutelage of the great Imran Khan that saw Wasim blossom as a great bowler, it was under Javed Miandad's insistence that saw Akram play for Pakistan. He repaid the faith placed in an unknown club bowler, when in just his second Test in 1985, Akram claimed 10 wickets in a game against New Zealand. Forever linked to his partnership with his great bowling partner Waqar Younis, the two terrorized batsmen all over the world with pace, swing and the newly invented reverse swing.

Owner of over 900 international wickets, Akram was also a brilliant bowler in limited overs cricket with incredible accuracy that saw his economy rate under 4 over a career of over 300 ODI's. And it was in that format, perhaps, that saw his greatest performance - that over in the 1992 World Cup final. When Imran threw the ball to Akram, England were well placed for a win, but with 2 consecutive deliveries, surely the work of cricketing gods themselves, Akram removed Alan Lamb and Chris Lewis to seal Pakistan's charge to victory and Akram's own place in cricketing folklore.

11. Curtly Ambrose
Nominated by 87.50% users, Highest Ranking - 6

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 62 , Wkts - 164 @ 18.84 , SR - 51.6 , BBI - 45/8 , 5W - 10 , 10W - 3 , (From 23/03/1990 to 10/02/1995 )

[Image: curtly.jpg]

Curtly talk to no man. In all fairness, he did not need to. And neither did anyone else for fear of making the "raging bull" see red. West Indies may have produced a stockpile of all time great quicks well into the 90's but Ambrose stood out, in more ways than. Ambrose used his 6'7 height to its fullest advantage as he produced steepling bounce that choked batsmen from a good length. He was quick, he was accurate and just a terror for anyone who had to face him. 405 Test wickets at 21 coupled with an economy rate of 2.3 made Ambrose an irresistible force in the 90s. There were no get out shots, no room to breathe and no getting away.

When he was on song, he was a sight to behold. Usually, the best position to witness it was from the sidelines in the safety of your couch. And even then, you could feel the man breathe fire. England felt his wrath more than anyone else - with 164 wickets going down at 18. His spells against Australia in Perth when he picked up 7/1 and his britzkreig 6/34 v South Africa stand out in a lifetime of highlights. But perhaps his absolute decimation of England at Port of Spain in 1994 when England needed 194 to win was his finest, a spell that saw him take 6/24 and England all out for 46. That bounding run up and fists pumping as wickets cartwheeled all over the ground is a sight no cricket lover will soon forget.

Ambrose missed out on the top 10 by a whisker - tied on points with No 10 but with 1 less vote.
10. Brian Lara
Nominated by 93.75% users, Highest Ranking - 4

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 60 , Runs - 3781 @ 65.19 , HS - 400 , 100s - 13 , 50s - 10 , (From 21/06/2002 to 25/11/2005 )

[Image: main-qimg-1c873c85180cb4b853abb3cc27278901-c]

The backlift was so impossibly high that it seemed improbable that it would come down to meet the ball. Yet it did, and it was oh so glorious when it did. Brian Charles Lara can stake a claim to, a triple, a quadruple and a quintuple century. The only man to do so with the first two incredibly coming at Test level; highlights an insatiable appetite for runs and a pure love batting rooted in his childhood.

His divine 277 in Sydney, in only his 5th Test and his maiden century telegraphed to the world what was about to come. It also turned the game and the series for the West Indies. From then on Lara went about compiling massive century after another. The highlights being the 375 and 501* he scored within the space of a few months. As the West Indies fell slowly from their position as the dominant force in world cricket, Lara continued to be the shining light in a team struggling to hang on to their past glorious. But with the pressures of captaincy, superstardom, pay disputes, board politics and his own lack of form turning on Lara, his great run seemed on the wane towards the end of the century.

And then, somehow, out of nowhere, Lara rekindled the genius. In 1999, with Australia rampant, Lara turned the series off his own bat. His two centuries in that series, a 213 and a 153*, will rank amongst the greatest ever scored. Indeed, the 153* was voted by Wisden to be the 2nd greatest Test innings played behind Bradman's 270 v Eng in 1936. He then followed it up with a performance so dominant against Sri Lanka and Muttiah Muralitharan, that the great bowler said it was the best he'd seen anyone play him. On dustbowls in Sri Lanka, in a losing cause, Lara scored a ridiculous 668 runs at 114 with 3 centuries. Upon his retirement in a post-match press conference, Lara asked fans "Did I entertain?". That you did Mr Lara. That you did.

9. Richard Hadlee
Nominated by 93.75% users, Highest Ranking - 5

Peak 33
Batting
M -33 , Inns - 48 , Runs - 1440 @ 36.92 , HS - 151 , 100s - 1 , 50s - 8 , (From 11/03/1983 to 11/12/1987 )

Bowling
M -33 , Inns - 62 , Wkts - 196 @ 18.47 , SR - 45.25 , BBI - 52/9 , 5W - 18 , 10W - 4 , (From 12/03/1982 to 12/03/1987 )

[Image: _44395406_hadlee_bat_bowl.jpg]
To be a player that is considered - without a shadow of a doubt - as the greatest from a country requires an elite player of the highest order. Richard Hadlee is by some margin, and let's be honest, is the only candidate from New Zealand that was a true giant of the sport.

Hadlee was an all-rounder by trade but in truth, his batting average of 27 never reflected the talent he had as a batsman. As a bowler, though, his standing in the era that he played, as a fast bowler of the highest order can never be challenged or parameterized. The original "Sultan of Swing", Hadlee had command of the ball whether he was moving it away or in. A genuinely quick bowler when he started his career, Hadlee, would, later, cut his run up and pace to focus on consistency of length and line. A change that saw him go from being just a good bowler to a great one.

Hadlee announced himself to the world stage in 1978 when he helped New Zealand to a historic first win over England. His figures of 6 for 26 triggering an England collapse for 64 chasing a target of 137. In 1980 in Dunedin Hadlee's 11 wicket game helped New Zealand to a historic defeat of the West Indies, prior to their some 15 year run of world dominance. Hadlee took his brilliance to Nottinghamshire where he married his mastery of swing with the grassy pitches of Trent Bridge to 3 season record that is simply remarkable - 319 wickets at an average of just under 14, while achieving the rare county double of a 1000 runs and 100 wickets in s season.

However, his greatest performance as an individual, undoubtedly came against Australia in 1985 when he recorded 33 wickets in just 3 Tests to take New Zealand to a historic first ever win in Australia. He raced to 400 wickets to be the first man to get there and remains to this day and quite possibly ever, the greatest New Zealand cricketer.

8. Sachin Tendulkar
Nominated by 100.00% users, Highest Ranking - 2

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 59 , Runs - 3650 @ 70.19 , HS - 217 , 100s - 15 , 50s - 12 , (From 03/12/1997 to 21/02/2002 )

[Image: 10stat5.jpg]
Cricket prodigies are a rarity in cricket, but with Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar,  from the second he picked up cricket at age 11 to the day he retired, he had never looked anything other than being a great of the game. Whispers were rampant in India about this teenaged boy destined for giant feats. And indeed, he debuted in Test cricket at the ripe old age of 16. Since that day Tendulkar has torn apart attacks from all over the world in all sorts of conditions. Usually lacing each innings with his trademark on drive and every other shot in the book - played to near technical perfection as you will get. A short diminutive batsman with impeccable technique and temperament Tendulkar has scored 34, 347 international runs and an even 100 international centuries. Not since the days of Jack Hobbs had run scoring of this magnitude been witnessed. Without being too presumptuous it would be difficult to imagine either of these records ever been surmounted. There were many highlights in a career of highlights but his 114 at Perth aged 19, announced his true genius. Just days after he had scored 148 in Sydney when blonde leg-spinner debuted. The beginnings of one of the greatest batsman - bowler battles of any era.

From there, Tendulkar left fans and peers in awe for the entirety of his career. One particular fan was the great Donald Bradman himself, who alluded to Tendulkar that he was the batsman that reminded him of himself the most. Tendulkar often saved his best for Australia - the best side in his era - the sign of a true great - as he peeled off 11 centuries against them at 55. Perhaps Tendulkar's greatest feat was his incredible ability to stave off the immense pressure placed on him from his teens to the day he retired from a frantic and obsessive fan base of over a billion fans. While questions were raised as he clung on to the tail end of his career - chasing the ever elusive 100th 100, no one can truly say they wanted Sachin gone.  If Cricket were truly a religion, Indian fans made Sachin their god. A true blockbuster superstar, Tendulkar handled all that with such grace and repaid it with such incredible success, that he left the entire cricketing world to hold him in immeasurable reverence.


7. Shane Warne
Nominated by 100.00% users, Highest Ranking - 3

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 66 , Wkts - 210 @ 21.34 , SR - 44.37 , BBI - 94/7 , 5W - 13 , 10W - 5 , (From 02/01/2002 to 03/11/2005 )

[Image: shane-warne-2159290-1450787850-800.jpg]

Cricket historian Gideon Haigh once remarked, "there will sooner be another Bradman than another Warne". An apt summation of a true cricketing genius sent down to us from somewhere up there. Shane Keith Warne, was a failed Australian Rules Football player and a beach bum for whom Cricket was his second choice of sport. When you then reflect on where his career ended those beginnings only make his story even more remarkable. Voted one of Wisden's 5 cricketers of the century, his Test beginning did not remotely hint at the phenomenon cricket had been blessed with. He famously recorded a return of 1/150 on debut and ended his Test summer with figures of 1/228 against India in 1991. A year later in 1992 in Sri Lanka, he took 0/78 in his the first innings in Colombo. But the second innings jump-started a career that was in the doldrums when he took Sri Lanka's last 3 wickets for no runs and took Australia to an outlandishly improbable win by 16 runs. This, the first of many such instances where Warne, like Steve Waugh, could summon victory from the jaws of defeat through sheer force of will. In 1993, he delivered his first ball in an Ashes Test. A delivery that baffled Mike Gatting and England so completely that it ushered in a new era of Ashes competition that was to be dominated by Warne. It was outrageously labelled the "ball of the century".

From that year on Warne dominated the game - with three consecutive years of over 50 wickets as he raced to break records. 1998 saw his 300th wicket. He added a WC to his name in 1999 with a titular semi-final performance where Warne turned the game with force of will when Australia was dead and buried.  Warne had the world at his feet.

As Warne got accustomed to his stardom, the showman in him also emerged. It was not uncommon for Warne to talk about yet another mystery ball or two he'd developed prior to every Ashes series. That slow amble up to the wicket, the zinc on his lips and nose, all those endless mind games from the slips and while bowling -  all an elaborate show to con the batsman into thinking one thing while doing another. As a leg spinner - it is now widely consented that he is the greatest of them all. Above all, it was his sheer mastery of a very difficult skill that elevated his bowling to greatness. The control he had with these leg spinners, the subtle variations in spin and length and line were a true spectacle to watch and dissect.

Warne's great mind for the sport had many expecting him to lead Australia at some stage. With brushes of vice-captaincy, this idea only grew amongst his peers and the great writers of the game. However, as Warne's stardom grew, so did his brushes with scandal and authorities. To the point where he was even dropped by Steve Waugh in 1999. Injuries forced him out for an entire summer and he was also banned for a year for taking a banned substance. Upon his return to cricket in 2004, Warne's appetite for wickets and victory were insatiable. His last three full years of cricket yielded 70, 96 and 49 wickets. He broke the world record tally of career wickets as he marched passed Murali, and became the first man to take 600 Test wickets in 2005.

That 2005 Ashes series performance, is arguably Warnes finest ever as a cricketer. Ironically it came in defeat, but his tally of 40 wickets in 5 Tests at 19 and 242 runs, coming at a time when his personal life was in crisis off the field, highlighted the greatness of the man on it. His roaring competitiveness in that series and his never say die attitude helped keep Australia alive in the series which would go on to be labelled as arguably the greatest Test series ever played. Warne retired following the revenge Ashes series in 2007 when Australia whitewashed England 5-0 along with his great mate Glenn McGrath. As with our list,  it seems imminent that as time wears on, his stock as the second greatest Australian cricketer ever will only rise.

6. Viv Richards
Nominated by 87.50% users, Highest Ranking - 2

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 50 , Runs - 3483 @ 72.56 , HS - 291 , 100s - 12 , 50s - 15 , (From 03/01/1976 to 27/03/1981 )

[Image: 08viv3.jpg]

Richards published his Autobiography in 1982 calling it  - "Hitting Across the Line". A direct reference to his brilliant technical ability to take a good length ball on the off side and whip it through midwicket. His trademark shot and the ones that demoralised many a bowler in the 70's and 80's. That technique was born in Antigua and refined in England when he trained there for 6 weeks. The poets amongst us may refer to Richards's technique as "rupturing the imperial traditions way of doing things a certain way" but in the cricketing sense, it marked the hand-eye coordination of a man that was on another level compared to his peers and others before and since.

When Richards's walked out to the middle it was an event. The swagger, the arrogance, the complete dominance of the arena around him as he walked in, the chewing of the gum as if were an enemy of itself, and the piercing stare he had all added to the aura around the man. Bowlers were put off even before they'd run up to the wicket. The alpha male had arrived. WG Grace may have said the crowd are here to see him literally, Richards just implied it.

In 11 Tests in 1976, he scored 1710 runs, at an astonishing average of 90.00, with seven centuries. A record that stood for some 30 years. From that year on Richards was widely considered the best batsman of his time and possibly across many eras. Comparing him to his peers on a statistical level might yield a result where Richards does not appear to be any better than the Gavaskars, Borders, Miandads and Chappells of the era. But to be considered above all of them meant there was something special about Richards. It was the sheer dominance and masterfulness of his innings. He took on bowlers, hooked them, took them to through his favourite midwicket region and was so devastating that he could muscle away the initiative within a couple of hours at the crease. This aggressive and fearlessness in his play coupled with how relaxed and determined he was at all times made him an utterly intimidating prospect for the opposition. It would be remiss to talk about Richards without any mention of his all-round fielding skills. A brilliant fieldsman aided by his great eye and dead eye accuracy that culminated in the running out Alan Turner, Ian Chappell and Greg Chappell in the 1975 World Cup final which Richards ranks as his finest moment in his career still.

Richards, of course, translated this aggressiveness easily into ODI cricket. He is without a doubt still the greatest ODI batsmen of all time. In nearly every poll done by of any note, Wisden, ESPN Cricinfo etc, he has always been rated at the No1 ODI batsmen of all time. His 189* out of a team total of 272 may yet be his finest batting display. An extraordinary batsmen, Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, takes a worthy place in our top 10.

5. Malcolm Marshall
Nominated by 100.00% users, Highest Ranking - 2

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 64 , Wkts - 196 @ 17.65 , SR - 40.37 , BBI - 22/7 , 5W - 15 , 10W - 3 , (From 30/03/1984 to 21/07/1988 )

[Image: 49907.jpg]

Based on our list and ranking, Malcolm Marshall is the greatest fast bowler of all time.

Yet another reaffirmation of the title he holds, almost universally, as the greatest fast bowler, and perhaps even the greatest bowler of all time.  That he could be thusly acknowledged in an era - from the 70's all the way up to the turn of the century - where West Indies alone had such a star-studded production line of exceptional to all time great level fast bowlers, is one thing. But when you consider the rest of the field of fast bowlers in that era - the Khans, Hadlee's, Lillee's - you start to develop a picture of just how truly exceptional Marshall was to stand out from the crowd.

Marshall was different to the rest of the giants that came out of the WI's. Short in stature but agile, he whistled into the crease like a sidewinder let loose. Known for his cricketing intelligence, Macko had stacks of courage and incredible courage and stamina as a bowler. For a while, he was possibly the quickest bowler going around in the international circuit. But this was a bowler that was much more than about pure pace. His mastery of the inswinger and outswinger were allied with an almost legendarily bouncer that slid onto the batsmen at rapid pace. Later in his life, he added a leg cutter to his armoury that saw him excel in dusty pitches as well. England was reserved for his best displays - the sight of him walking out to bat with a broken thumb, with his hand in plaster and batting one handed while helping Larry Gomez to a 100, and then, pushing past the pain barrier to claim an incredible 7 for 53 is etched in cricketing folklore. When he returned to England in 1988 he took 35 wickets at 12. From 1983-89, Marshall's average barely went north of 20, with 4 years where it was sub 20. Success in the subcontinent that was a distant dream for many other great fast bowlers, came naturally to Marshall. Such is the stature of the man that when he died of cancer at 41, the outpouring of emotion and sadness from all corners of the world, showed just how highly esteemed his position was in the cricketing greats list.

4. Imran Khan
Nominated by 100.00% users, Highest Ranking - 2

Peak 33
Batting
M -33 , Inns - 46 , Runs - 1756 @ 53.21 , HS - 136 , 100s - 4 , 50s - 11 , (From 07/11/1985 to 12/12/1991 )

Bowling
M -33 , Inns - 59 , Wkts - 171 @ 15.9 , SR - 42.51 , BBI - 58/8 , 5W - 12 , 10W - 3 , (From 29/01/1980 to 07/11/1986 )

[Image: 116447.3.jpg]

An Oxford graduate in Political Science, a chancellor of Bradford University, recipient of an honorary fellowship by the Royal College of Physicians, philanthropist, politician, tall, dark and handsome to boot. A man who mixes with the highest classes of society and status who could charm the socks off anyone. For any man worth his time, this may seem enough. But for Imran Khan Niazi, a Pashtun, and a descendant of a warrior poet, all this came after he had excelled at cricket to the point where he is usually considered in the top 10 cricketers to have ever played the sport. Given his ranking on our list it this has not escaped our voters either.

At Royal Grammar School Worcester where he schooled, he was regarded as the finest cricketer they'd seen in a generation and his stock only grew as he joined Pakistan's national team in 1971. Although he started as a medium pace bowler, by 1978 he was establishing himself as a genuinely quick bowler, when he finished third at 139.7 km/h in a fast bowling contest at Perth in 1978, behind Jeff Thomson and Michael Holding, but ahead of Dennis Lillee, Garth Le Roux and Andy Roberts. But it would take the turn of the next decade to see the true greatness of Imran. 1982, he recorded a series of 9 Tests that beggars belief - 62 wickets at 13.29 each. This run included a 40 wicket haul in just 6 Tests against India on the dust bowls of Pakistan. It included the Test where Khan scored a century and took 10 wickets in a match to become only the second man to do so after Ian Botham. His batting average of 61 in that series brought forth the ability of this man with the bat. Indeed, it was the first sign of the dual brilliance of Imran that we remember him for now.

In his often quoted record - his last 10 years in a 49 Test run - Imran averaged 50 with the bat in those years and 19 with the ball. Thus making the case for being the 2nd greatest all rounder of all time after Sobers. Imran could claim to be on par with the great quicks of his era in Marshall and Hadlee. While equally impressing as an exceptional batsman. That a man as magnetic off the field as he was on it would go on to lead Pakistan was all but inevitable. And perhaps the aura around the man is what helped galvanise the talented but often scatter-brain nature of Pakistan cricket to fight under one banner. Imran holding the 1992 WC in his hands at the MCG is one of the most iconic images in the sport. It was perfectly fitting that Imran himself, Pakistans greatest ever player, took the final wicket that day to seal the win in the final -  which would also turn out to be his final act in international cricket. Talk about going out on a high.
The Top 3

3. Muttiah Muralitharan
Nominated by 100.00% users, Highest Ranking - 2


Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 63 , Wkts - 250 @ 17.32 , SR - 41.06 , BBI - 46/8 , 5W - 23 , 10W - 9 , (From 20/06/2003 to

11/07/2007 )

[Image: Muttiah-Muralitharan.jpg]
It would be unkind - but most likely true -  to tell generations of Sri Lankans of the past and the future that they will never see another player like Murali again from the Island nation. The bowler with the most Test wickets in a career - 800 -  a spinner of unorthodox trickery and masterful control, Muttiah Muralitharan, ranked here as the greatest pure bowler of all time,  stands atop the mountain as he looks down on us mere mortals.

To talk about Murali is hard because there is just so much to say. But a good starting point is always to pander to cricket's love of stats. And with Murali, there are plenty that beggars belief.  800 career Test wickets, the most in the history of the game. 1347 international wickets, the most by anyone. 67 five-wicket hauls. 22 times of 10 or more wickets in a Test. Including in 4 consecutive Tests. An average of 22. Trust me when I say -  the second best for most of these stats are a distant second.

While Murali was consistently picking up wickets from early on his career, it reached the stratosphere when the century turned. From 2000 to 2008 in a 76 Test - 539 wicket run, Murali averaged seven wickets per match at a 19. Sixteen out of his 19 Man-of-the-Match awards also came during this period. Even if you exclude Zimbabwe and Bangladesh from these stats it still reads a run of 61 Tests - 409 wickets run at 22.

Murali is arguably the greatest Match winner of all time as well. Before he arrived Sri Lanka had won 2 of their 38 previous Test matches. His arrival had an instant effect as SL won 2 of their next 5 Tests. A ratio that was to be maintained throughout Murali's 18-year run. In the 132 Tests he played, SL won 53. Murali took 430 wickets at 16 - an average of 8 per Tests. That SL relied on Murali is an understatement as he took 40% of the SL's wickets in the matches he played, and 42.2% in the wins that he was a part of. Perhaps only the great George Headley could claim to have had such an epic burden on his shoulders in their part in their respective team's fortunes.

Of course, all of this may never have eventuated when it went horribly awry for him at the MCG in 1995 when he was called for throwing by umpire Darrel Hair. And thusly started the endless debate about Murali's validity as a bowler. The great Arjuna Ranatunga, perhaps realising what a national treasure Murali would eventually be, formed a protective barrier around him as Murali set about proving his case.

Never before had a bowler not only has to battle lack of support in an attack, or play for a middling side that no one took seriously but also be continuously questioned about the legality of the wickets he was piling up. It would certainly have broken a lesser man - and many have fallen by the wayside - but not Murali. He surpassed Walsh and Warne to twice claim the individual bowling record on his way to 800 and made Sri Lanka a forced to be reckoned. All the while with a smile on his face.

Peter Roebuck once wrote that cricket owes Murali an apology. However, as wonderful a sentiment as that is, what the cricket world really owes Murali is their unreserved admiration and respect. For what he has achieved as bowler almost certainly will never be toppled. They called him the Bradman of bowlin. Or was Bradman the Murali of batting?


2. Garfield Sobers
Nominated by 93.75% users, Highest Ranking - 1

Peak 33

Batting
M -33 , Inns - 55 , Runs - 3481 @ 71.04 , HS - 365 , 100s - 14 , 50s - 9 , (From 22/08/1957 to 25/07/1963 )

Bowling
M -33 , Inns - 61 , Wkts - 125 @ 27.94 , SR - 76.39 , BBI - 73/6 , 5W - 5 , 10W - 0 , (From 13/01/1961 to

26/12/1968 )

[Image: gsobers.jpg]
When Garfield Sobers eventually scored his first Test hundred in 1958 he was translating what many saw in him to tangible goods. The brilliance of the man was only enhanced when he continued that first century and built the highest test score by an individual - 365* - which lasted for nearly four decades. He followed this up with
2 more centuries in the next two innings he batted. Pakistan was pulverised for 824 runs in 5 Tests and he followed this with 557 runs and three more hundreds against India. A star was born. But the cricket world had only seen a glimpse of what was to come.

Sobers made the West Indies side as a slow bowler, but the world soon realised they were witnessing the greatest pure cricketer to every play the sport. Sobers had every arrow in his quiver, a batsman, a pace bowler, a SLA, a chinaman and paired with that was his all-time great fielding skills. Put together he is quite easily the greatest All rounder to have ever drawn breath. Indeed it was Bradman himself who called him a "5 in 1 cricketer". Of course, his strongest suit was his batting, and in all 8000 Test runs were scored at nearly 58. Enough for him to walk into any ATG side. But when he tried his hand as a pace bowler in the early 1960's his career entered a different dimension. It all came to a head on the 1966 tour to England where in five Tests he scored 722 runs at an average of 103.14 with 3 centuries and took 20 wickets at 27.25, as well as taking 10 catches. All while being captain and leading WI to a 2-1 win over them.

In fact, if you ignore the first three years of his career - from 1958-1974 he averaged nearly 63 in 79 matches, which was easily the best during that period. In an eight-year period between 61 and 68 when Sobers's bowling was at its peak, he averaged 27 with 125 wickets. Keeping in mind that Sobers was often the last bowler called upon given the strength of the West Indian attack. The 1960's were indeed the Sobers decade with Wisden awarding the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World title (retrospectively) eight times in 13 years, including 7 in 10 between 1960 and 1970.

Sobers also dominated cricket outside the Test arena and is the only man to have scored 1000 runs and taken 50 wickets for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield. He did this twice. For Nottinghamshire, he immortalised himself further by being the first man to hit six sixes in one over in first class cricket. When he led the Rest of the World XI in 1972, Sobers played an innings of such enormous magnitude, scoring 254,  it was described by Don Bradman as "probably the greatest exhibition of batting ever seen in Australia". This against Dennis Lillee who had dismissed Sobers first ball in the 1st innings of that game. Sobers's all round excellence can be typified by a record he achieved 3 times, that of scoring 300 runs and taking 20 wickets in a series. To put that into context - it has only been done 15 times in the entirety of the game. And no one else more than twice.  

This list was an exercise to find the greatest cricketer - there is no argument that Sobers embodies this tag more than anyone else.



1. Sir Donald Bradman
Nominated by 100.00% users, Highest Ranking - 1

Peak 33
M -33 , Inns - 51 , Runs - 4835 @ 102.87 , HS - 334 , 100s - 19 , 50s - 8 , (From 29/12/1928 to 10/06/1938 )

[Image: 220px-Bradman%26Bat.jpg]

[Image: 003932-don-bradman.jpg]

This countdown has been a journey and it is fitting that the man at the top of the pile, while predictable, is The Don. A man who personifies the idea of a pinnacle and of the possibility of achieving the impossible. His batting average of 99.94, is unquestionably known to every single cricket fan. Personally, I believe it is a statistic that transcends sport and enters the realms improbable human feats. An achievement, which by any rule man has made or discovered renders Bradman an anomaly, a rarity so large that he simply should not even exist. Jarrod Kimber wrote "You couldn't remake him now, even as an experiment. It was a fluke, a one-off. An anomaly". Yet he did exist, and he will forever be the yardstick by which all cricketers are measured. And in over 140 years of cricket, no one has even come close. And that is the crux of the matter, it is often said that what made Bradman special is not just that he was the best,  but that he was just so darned better than anyone else. Statistically speaking his average was in fact, 64% better than anyone after him.

Wisden hailed Bradman as, "the greatest phenomenon in the history of cricket, indeed in the history of all ball games". Statistician Charles Davis analysed the statistics for several prominent sportsmen that included - Pele, Michael Jordan, Ty Cobb (baseball), Jack Nichalous, by comparing the number of standard deviations that they stand above the mean for their sport. The statistics show that "no other athlete dominates an international sport to the extent that Bradman does cricket".  By Davis' reckoning, a basketballer would need a career average of 43 points a game, a golfer more than 25 major titles or a tennis player 15-20 grand slam titles in 10 years to be "Bradman-equivalent" As an example, the respective records in are .366 (baseball), 30.1(basketball) 18(Golf titles) and 18 (Tennis grand slams).

His body of work touches on the genius because what other batsmen may consider career highs was the norm for Bradman. And he repeated these feats many times over. His detractors suggest that he primarily played against one opposition. And it is true that 70% of his games was against England. Inversely, though, his average of a near 100 came against the strongest opposition of that era. Think about that for a minute. While you do, consider this, in 1930 at the age of 22, he went to England and decimated them with 2960 first-class runs and 974 Test runs in 5 games, with 334 in a day at Leeds. Playing that same Test were Hobbs, Sutcliffe and Hammond. From that day on, all of them played catch up. It was this run feast that prompted the Bodyline tactics when England arrived in Australia. Bradman had embarrassed England and he needed to be stopped. Before that 1930 series, England had won 7 of the 10 preceding series and lost just 1. They were the best side in the world. In one tour, one man reshaped history. Even in that Bodyline series, it was considered an achievement when they could lower the great man to an average of 56.

When the War ended Bradman was nearing 40 and was gravely ill. Many wondered if the great man would be able to keep up his staggering record given that he lost 8 years to the war. When cricket resumed in 1946 he put all those doubts to the shade with 187 in his first innings back.  This was of course followed by the infamous 1948 Invincibles tour. In which he summoned 173 runs of the highest order to lead Australia to the first chase of over 400 in a Test. All this genius perhaps came at a cost - for Bradman was not a typical Australian. In many ways, though, how could a genius like that be "normal". He was often described as a stubborn and sometimes difficult man and did not keep many close relationships. Indeed his run-ins with the great Tiger O'Reilly and Keith Miller are well documented. But to a man, they held him unshaded reverence. He undoubtedly remains an Australian and cultural and indeed a sporting icon. His administrative career saw him wield power in Australia that was possibly only second to the Prime Minister. He has a museum dedicated to him and his record is still seen as the Cricketing Everest that none are likely to ever summit.

The unrivalled, greatest of them all.
1. Don Bradman
2. Garfield Sobers
3. Muttiah Muralitharan
4. Imran Khan
5. Malcolm Marshall
6. Viv Richards
7. Shane Warne
8. Sachin Tendulkar
9. Richard Hadlee
10. Brian Lara
11. Curtly Ambrose
12. Wasim Akram
13. Glenn McGrath
14. Jack Hobbs
15. Jacques Kallis
16. Wally Hammond
17. Dennis Lillee
18. Dale Steyn
19. Adam Gichrist
20. Sydney Barnes
21. Sunil Gavaskar
22. Ian Botham
23. Kumar Sangakkara
24. Ricky Ponting
25. Steve Waugh
26. Allan Border
27. Fred Trueman
28. Greg Chappell
29. Len Hutton
30. Rahul Dravid
31. George Headley
32. Clive Lloyd
33. Waqar Younis
34. Herbert Sutcliffe
35. Javed Miandad
36. Anil Kumble
37. Keith Miller
38. Shaun Pollock
39. Michael Holding
40. Allan Donald
41. Graeme Pollock
42. Ken Barrington
43. WG Grace
44. Joel Garner
44. Barry Richards
45. Derek Underwood
45. Aubrey Faulkner
46. Richie Benaud
47. Courtney Walsh
48. Bill O'Reilly
49. Jim Laker
49. Graham Gooch
50. AB de Villiers
50. Kapil Dev


DISCUSSION