Though homo sapiens cannot predict the future, following are some of the players who have been at the heart of cricket world, have amazed and enchanted us with their talent and skill, have created their own space in cricket history, have served their countries as national players to the best of their abilities (well, the above applies to most of them! :P) and may be playing their last world cup, all the more reason not to miss this world cup!
SACHIN TENDULKAR - What more can be said of this living legend! What more may i write that has already not been documented! Undoubtedly, the best cricketer to have set his feet on the cricket field ever, Sachin Tendulkar has been a symbol of excellence, passion, dedication, commitment and never say die attitude for over 21 years! His constant desire to keep on learning the art of cricket is amazing and his ever increasing thirst to play for India is unbelievable. Hugely popular in every part of the globe and highly respected among his contemporaries, Sachin has found a very special place in the hearts of millions of cricket fans.
No cricketer has ever brought so much to the game as the Maestro. To name a few, the paddle sweep, the upper cut to fast bowlers like Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson, the glorious and spell bounding extra cover drives, teaching Harbhajan "the doosra", teaching Sreesanth how to control swing and teaching Yuvraj how to play Mendis! This might be his last world cup. Cricket shall never be the same and no ball shall ever be played in the same manner. A reason good enough to follow this world cup.
JACQUES KALLIS - The best all rounder in the modern era, Kallis has seen it all in his long and amazing career. Few bring to the cricket field the grace, elegance and calm that he does. A team man to the core, Kallis has always put team ahead of personal goals and thats the only way he knows to play cricket.Great hands in slips, a rock solid technique backed up by the ability to smash the bowlers all around the park and the ability to provide crucial breakthroughs with the ball by pace, swing and bounce make him an invaluable asset to the team. At 35, he would surely be trying to win the tournament for South Africa as this world cup might be his last and he might as well be the last cricketer in the classical mould!
SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL - An unsual but original stance at the crease is what has come to represent this little cricketer off late, overshadowing many of the priceless qualities, envy of every budding cricketer. Playing his fifth and probably the last world cup, Shivnarine Chanderpaul has an unending supply of concentration and is impervious to distractions. In the times when the West Indian cricket has hit an all time low, he is one man who takes pride in representing his country, a thing he does with ample grace and discipline.When it comes to batting, few wickets are more highly prized than his.
MARK BOUCHER - Even though he has not been selected to play this world cup, this article shall be incomplete without mentioning about this machine! Nerves of steel and an uncanny ability to perform under pressure situations with the bat is what distinguished this wicketkeeper from his contemporaries. Unlike the dashing strokeplay of Adam Gilchrist or the raw power of Dhoni, Boucher's batting was characterized by patience and an ability to rally the troops even in the worst of situations. The responsibility to finsih the innings with a flair or to provide the finishing touches to a huge chase resided with him, a duty he fulfilled to the best of his abilities.
BRETT LEE - Pace, charisma and athleticism are few of the characteristics that define this genuine fast bowler from Australia. Hugely popular in India, Brett Lee has given nightmares to the best of batsmen of his era. A will to constantly improve resulted in bowling consistent lines and lengths at neck-break speeds! Rarely have fast bowlers been able to wean the long handle when required; Brett Lee brings a lot to the lower order and has rescued his team more often than not. Back in the Australian side after suffering from a few injuries as well as being ignored by the selectors and his captain, Brett Lee is a treat to watch.
ZAHEER KHAN - A left arm medium pacer, Zaheer has been the linchpin of India's pace attack for almost a decade. Known for his aggressive bowling in his early days, Zaheer has made a name for himself by mastering the art of swinging the cricket ball both ways. His bowling is as much of an art as it is economical. Shouldering the pace attack for his country almost single handily has resulted in the burden of huge expectations and a recurring bout of injuries. Probably playing his last world cup, Zaheer forms an integral part of the Indian team.
CHRIS GAYLE - No one treats the bowlers with more disdain than this giant from West Indies! One of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball, Chris Gayle spells doom for the opposition when on song.Probably playing his last world cup, he, in his own words, would not like to wait for another four years to win the world cup! If Gayle fires, the world cup shall certainly be lit up by the spectacle of his fireworks!
SCOTT STYRIS - Another of the long list of all rounders from New Zeland, Scott styris is the mainstay of the Kiwis middle order and rallies the bowling attack in the middle overs. He provides stability to the Kiwi line up and add to that his immense experience, he is a valuable asset in their team. At 35, he is probably participating in his last world cup.
RICKY PONTING - Cricket, the Gentleman's game, shall be relieved the day Ponting hangs his boots! A selfish cricketer to the core, Ponting pretends to be oblivious to the strength of the opposition and has always failed to accept defeat gracefully. Three time Ashes loosing captain is a feat never achieved before by an Australian captain! Marked by over optimistic and mostly foolish attitude, Ponting is someone to watch out for if you hate him as much as he might be adding another feather in his cap by loosing the world cup as the captain.
MUTTIAH MURALITHARAN - Controversy and obliviousness are the two words that first strike the mind on thinking about the record holder of the most number of test wickets. Hardly a cricketer who has been a record holder has had such a lack of knowledge about the game or such a fear for the cricket ball as he displays on the field. Shouting at every instance of ball hitting the pad and running as if a bull dog was coming his way when thrown the ball to, Muralitharan is known for spinning the ball at any surface.
A deformed elbow is only a part of the story. Murali has exceptionally supple wrists and a shoulder that rotates as rapidly as a fast bowler's at the time of delivery. A combination of all these factors enables him to turn the ball far more than most orthodox finger-spinners! On a the other side, Murali has displayed great grit and determination in facing all the controversies and not for once does the smile fades from his face, giving him the name of the smiling assasin! Somewhere, somehow, he is certainly able to represent cricket in terms of being a gentleman.
RAY PRICE - The best Zimbabwean spinner since Paul Strang, Ray Price offers a lot to Zimbabwe with his willy left arm spinners. An economical one day bowler, Price is bound to play a major role in Zimbabwe's campaign. Though he may be suffering from partial deafness due to meningitis in his early years, Zimbabwean cricket shall never be dumb when speaking about their prolific cricketer.
SACHIN TENDULKAR - What more can be said of this living legend! What more may i write that has already not been documented! Undoubtedly, the best cricketer to have set his feet on the cricket field ever, Sachin Tendulkar has been a symbol of excellence, passion, dedication, commitment and never say die attitude for over 21 years! His constant desire to keep on learning the art of cricket is amazing and his ever increasing thirst to play for India is unbelievable. Hugely popular in every part of the globe and highly respected among his contemporaries, Sachin has found a very special place in the hearts of millions of cricket fans.
No cricketer has ever brought so much to the game as the Maestro. To name a few, the paddle sweep, the upper cut to fast bowlers like Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson, the glorious and spell bounding extra cover drives, teaching Harbhajan "the doosra", teaching Sreesanth how to control swing and teaching Yuvraj how to play Mendis! This might be his last world cup. Cricket shall never be the same and no ball shall ever be played in the same manner. A reason good enough to follow this world cup.
JACQUES KALLIS - The best all rounder in the modern era, Kallis has seen it all in his long and amazing career. Few bring to the cricket field the grace, elegance and calm that he does. A team man to the core, Kallis has always put team ahead of personal goals and thats the only way he knows to play cricket.Great hands in slips, a rock solid technique backed up by the ability to smash the bowlers all around the park and the ability to provide crucial breakthroughs with the ball by pace, swing and bounce make him an invaluable asset to the team. At 35, he would surely be trying to win the tournament for South Africa as this world cup might be his last and he might as well be the last cricketer in the classical mould!
SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL - An unsual but original stance at the crease is what has come to represent this little cricketer off late, overshadowing many of the priceless qualities, envy of every budding cricketer. Playing his fifth and probably the last world cup, Shivnarine Chanderpaul has an unending supply of concentration and is impervious to distractions. In the times when the West Indian cricket has hit an all time low, he is one man who takes pride in representing his country, a thing he does with ample grace and discipline.When it comes to batting, few wickets are more highly prized than his.
MARK BOUCHER - Even though he has not been selected to play this world cup, this article shall be incomplete without mentioning about this machine! Nerves of steel and an uncanny ability to perform under pressure situations with the bat is what distinguished this wicketkeeper from his contemporaries. Unlike the dashing strokeplay of Adam Gilchrist or the raw power of Dhoni, Boucher's batting was characterized by patience and an ability to rally the troops even in the worst of situations. The responsibility to finsih the innings with a flair or to provide the finishing touches to a huge chase resided with him, a duty he fulfilled to the best of his abilities.
BRETT LEE - Pace, charisma and athleticism are few of the characteristics that define this genuine fast bowler from Australia. Hugely popular in India, Brett Lee has given nightmares to the best of batsmen of his era. A will to constantly improve resulted in bowling consistent lines and lengths at neck-break speeds! Rarely have fast bowlers been able to wean the long handle when required; Brett Lee brings a lot to the lower order and has rescued his team more often than not. Back in the Australian side after suffering from a few injuries as well as being ignored by the selectors and his captain, Brett Lee is a treat to watch.
ZAHEER KHAN - A left arm medium pacer, Zaheer has been the linchpin of India's pace attack for almost a decade. Known for his aggressive bowling in his early days, Zaheer has made a name for himself by mastering the art of swinging the cricket ball both ways. His bowling is as much of an art as it is economical. Shouldering the pace attack for his country almost single handily has resulted in the burden of huge expectations and a recurring bout of injuries. Probably playing his last world cup, Zaheer forms an integral part of the Indian team.
CHRIS GAYLE - No one treats the bowlers with more disdain than this giant from West Indies! One of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball, Chris Gayle spells doom for the opposition when on song.Probably playing his last world cup, he, in his own words, would not like to wait for another four years to win the world cup! If Gayle fires, the world cup shall certainly be lit up by the spectacle of his fireworks!
SCOTT STYRIS - Another of the long list of all rounders from New Zeland, Scott styris is the mainstay of the Kiwis middle order and rallies the bowling attack in the middle overs. He provides stability to the Kiwi line up and add to that his immense experience, he is a valuable asset in their team. At 35, he is probably participating in his last world cup.
RICKY PONTING - Cricket, the Gentleman's game, shall be relieved the day Ponting hangs his boots! A selfish cricketer to the core, Ponting pretends to be oblivious to the strength of the opposition and has always failed to accept defeat gracefully. Three time Ashes loosing captain is a feat never achieved before by an Australian captain! Marked by over optimistic and mostly foolish attitude, Ponting is someone to watch out for if you hate him as much as he might be adding another feather in his cap by loosing the world cup as the captain.
MUTTIAH MURALITHARAN - Controversy and obliviousness are the two words that first strike the mind on thinking about the record holder of the most number of test wickets. Hardly a cricketer who has been a record holder has had such a lack of knowledge about the game or such a fear for the cricket ball as he displays on the field. Shouting at every instance of ball hitting the pad and running as if a bull dog was coming his way when thrown the ball to, Muralitharan is known for spinning the ball at any surface.
A deformed elbow is only a part of the story. Murali has exceptionally supple wrists and a shoulder that rotates as rapidly as a fast bowler's at the time of delivery. A combination of all these factors enables him to turn the ball far more than most orthodox finger-spinners! On a the other side, Murali has displayed great grit and determination in facing all the controversies and not for once does the smile fades from his face, giving him the name of the smiling assasin! Somewhere, somehow, he is certainly able to represent cricket in terms of being a gentleman.
RAY PRICE - The best Zimbabwean spinner since Paul Strang, Ray Price offers a lot to Zimbabwe with his willy left arm spinners. An economical one day bowler, Price is bound to play a major role in Zimbabwe's campaign. Though he may be suffering from partial deafness due to meningitis in his early years, Zimbabwean cricket shall never be dumb when speaking about their prolific cricketer.
Lovely theme man and of course greatly written...:-)
ReplyDeleteThank u... Looking forward to more support as well as positive criticism from you... :)
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