Aislabie
Test Cricket is Best Cricket
This season, teams will be required to sign two star players each. These players will be amongst the most skilful (and oldest) professionals in the world. They are:
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
With 30 Test centuries from 164 Test matches, Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been on top of his game for a very long time. He broke into the Test side as a nineteen-year-old in 1994 and made his final appearance 21 years later. He still holds out hope for a recall.
Murray Goodwin
For a couple of years in the late 1990s, Murray Goodwin was one of Zimbabwe's most prolific batsmen, averaging over 40 in Test cricket before withdrawing from selection. He has accumulated 71 first-class centuries, the same number as Chanderpaul has managed.
Matthew Hayden
With 30 Test centuries and a best of 380, the intimidating left-hander will be looking to punish bowling attacks. After retiring from Test cricket, he spent three years as a successful Twenty20 specialist, demonstrating his versatility and power for the highest bidder.
David Hemp
David Hemp may not be a household name, but even in his 45th year he remains his country's leading batsman. With a good ODI record and 30 first-class century, Hemp may be a good low-budget option for a cash-strapped franchise.
Brian Lara
Many consider him to be one of the best who ever lived; certainly, he has the highest Test and first-class scores to his name. He's only played three competitive games since 2008, all in Zimbabwe, but has looked in good touch in recent exhibition matches.
Misbah Ul-Haq
He may be advancing in years, but the Pakistan Test captain has showed no hints of diminishing ability. In the last twelve months he has equalled the fastest ever Test hundred and captained his country to the World Cup quarter-finals. A must-have for anyone.
Khurram Khan
He's the oldest centurion in ODI cricket. Since the World Cup he has announced his retirement from internationals, but remains an essential acquisition for most teams. He combines classy batting with effective bowling and energetic fielding; who wouldn't want him?
Steve Tikolo
For a long time, he was considered the best batsman outside Test cricket. With Kenyan cricket in a rough patch, he returned to the side aged 42 and proved to be not only their most consistent batsman, but an effective weapon with the ball also.
Adam Gilchrist
Widely considered to be the greatest 'keeper-batsman of all time, Adam Gilchrist is expected to fetch silly money in the auction. Prolific and destructive in all formats, and a high-price franchise player as recently as 2013, he will be in demand in this auction.
Glen Chapple
Taker of almost 1,000 first-class wickets and scorer of six first-class centuries, it seems deeply puzzling that Glen Chapple only ever played one ODI. All the same, he remains an able and canny performer despite being well into his forties.
Trent Johnston
A clever medium pacer and excellent leader, Trent Johnston was one of Ireland's most prolific seam bowlers. While others like Boyd Rankin grabbed the headlines, it was usually Johnston who put in the hard yards. In his final T20 international, he put in perhaps his best performance.
Lameck Onyango
Perhaps the only man in cricket with more siblings than Ed Joyce, Lameck Onyango's medium-pace has gradually improved with age. That may not be saying overly much, but he did take four for 29 against Hong Kong last year. Might be worth a punt.
Ajith Ekanayake
You might wonder why anyone would want to sign some random Sri Lankan domestic spinner, but his excellent stats coupled with the fact that he continued to play until he was 46 with no drop in form before finally retiring, suggest that he would be a valuable pick.
Brad Hogg
He's never been much of a long-format bowler, but his self-belief took him out of the commentary box and into the BBL. Since then, he's played IPL as well, and represented Australia at the World Twenty20. Now into his 45th year, he retains the powers of someone much younger.
Muttiah Muralitharan
With a scarcely believable 800 Test wickets, around half of the world believes that Murali was the greatest spinner who ever lived. With his supple wrists and wide-eyes, his unique bowling was feared by batsmen around the world. He should be in great demand.
Pravin Tambe
Pravin Tumbe was plucked frominfirmity obscurity to play for Rajasthan Royals in 2013, and has been one of the most effective Twenty20 bowlers in India ever since, although he struggled in the Ranji Trophy. All the same, he remains at the peak of his powers.
Mohammad Tauqir
Tauqir was a controversial selection as Emirati skipper for the World Cup, but he acquitted himself well as his team gained something of a cult following. Despite appearing innocuous, he has a decade of ODI experience to draw upon.
Shane Warne
You couldn't have one without the other - Warne and Murali, appearing together one last time. He seems to be all about poker, plastic surgery and Liz Hurley these days, but the temptation for a franchise to united Warne and Murali in a single bowling attack must be great.
Specialist Batsmen
Shivnarine ChanderpaulWith 30 Test centuries from 164 Test matches, Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been on top of his game for a very long time. He broke into the Test side as a nineteen-year-old in 1994 and made his final appearance 21 years later. He still holds out hope for a recall.
Murray GoodwinFor a couple of years in the late 1990s, Murray Goodwin was one of Zimbabwe's most prolific batsmen, averaging over 40 in Test cricket before withdrawing from selection. He has accumulated 71 first-class centuries, the same number as Chanderpaul has managed.
Matthew HaydenWith 30 Test centuries and a best of 380, the intimidating left-hander will be looking to punish bowling attacks. After retiring from Test cricket, he spent three years as a successful Twenty20 specialist, demonstrating his versatility and power for the highest bidder.
David HempDavid Hemp may not be a household name, but even in his 45th year he remains his country's leading batsman. With a good ODI record and 30 first-class century, Hemp may be a good low-budget option for a cash-strapped franchise.
Brian LaraMany consider him to be one of the best who ever lived; certainly, he has the highest Test and first-class scores to his name. He's only played three competitive games since 2008, all in Zimbabwe, but has looked in good touch in recent exhibition matches.
Misbah Ul-HaqHe may be advancing in years, but the Pakistan Test captain has showed no hints of diminishing ability. In the last twelve months he has equalled the fastest ever Test hundred and captained his country to the World Cup quarter-finals. A must-have for anyone.
Batting All-Rounders
Khurram KhanHe's the oldest centurion in ODI cricket. Since the World Cup he has announced his retirement from internationals, but remains an essential acquisition for most teams. He combines classy batting with effective bowling and energetic fielding; who wouldn't want him?
Steve TikoloFor a long time, he was considered the best batsman outside Test cricket. With Kenyan cricket in a rough patch, he returned to the side aged 42 and proved to be not only their most consistent batsman, but an effective weapon with the ball also.
Wicketkeeper-batsmen
Adam GilchristWidely considered to be the greatest 'keeper-batsman of all time, Adam Gilchrist is expected to fetch silly money in the auction. Prolific and destructive in all formats, and a high-price franchise player as recently as 2013, he will be in demand in this auction.
Seam bowlers
Glen ChappleTaker of almost 1,000 first-class wickets and scorer of six first-class centuries, it seems deeply puzzling that Glen Chapple only ever played one ODI. All the same, he remains an able and canny performer despite being well into his forties.
Trent JohnstonA clever medium pacer and excellent leader, Trent Johnston was one of Ireland's most prolific seam bowlers. While others like Boyd Rankin grabbed the headlines, it was usually Johnston who put in the hard yards. In his final T20 international, he put in perhaps his best performance.
Lameck OnyangoPerhaps the only man in cricket with more siblings than Ed Joyce, Lameck Onyango's medium-pace has gradually improved with age. That may not be saying overly much, but he did take four for 29 against Hong Kong last year. Might be worth a punt.
Spin bowlers
Ajith EkanayakeYou might wonder why anyone would want to sign some random Sri Lankan domestic spinner, but his excellent stats coupled with the fact that he continued to play until he was 46 with no drop in form before finally retiring, suggest that he would be a valuable pick.
Brad HoggHe's never been much of a long-format bowler, but his self-belief took him out of the commentary box and into the BBL. Since then, he's played IPL as well, and represented Australia at the World Twenty20. Now into his 45th year, he retains the powers of someone much younger.
Muttiah MuralitharanWith a scarcely believable 800 Test wickets, around half of the world believes that Murali was the greatest spinner who ever lived. With his supple wrists and wide-eyes, his unique bowling was feared by batsmen around the world. He should be in great demand.
Pravin TambePravin Tumbe was plucked from
Mohammad TauqirTauqir was a controversial selection as Emirati skipper for the World Cup, but he acquitted himself well as his team gained something of a cult following. Despite appearing innocuous, he has a decade of ODI experience to draw upon.
Shane WarneYou couldn't have one without the other - Warne and Murali, appearing together one last time. He seems to be all about poker, plastic surgery and Liz Hurley these days, but the temptation for a franchise to united Warne and Murali in a single bowling attack must be great.
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