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International Cricketer
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
You know how it goes, you have a few friends around, there's a few drinks, some food and bang, all of a sudden we are all discussing who the best cricketer ever is, can we even compare eras? Covered pitches, uncovered pitches, the advent of limited overs cricket, longer tours, multiple nations now playing the game, world cups....the debate goes on and on.
I've made lists in the past ranking the best cricketers of all time, the best bowler's etc but they can never be fully comprehensive because those who say that eras can not be compared are right. How would Hobbs or Bradman compare now? Or Laker, Trueman and co? How would their fitness hold up in a world with 3 different cricketing formats?
So I decided to put together a list of the best cricketers I have seen in the last 20 years (around about the time I've been watching the sport).
So here goes:
That top 20 was damn hard, I had to leave out Akhtar, Lee, Gayle, KP, Flintoff, Steve Waugh, Ganguly, I almost didn't include Boucher, Jayawardene and Kumble. The lkes of Hayden, Anwar, Smith, Steyn were almost all in with a shout.
So what do you guys think? What would your top 20 of the last 20 be?
I've made lists in the past ranking the best cricketers of all time, the best bowler's etc but they can never be fully comprehensive because those who say that eras can not be compared are right. How would Hobbs or Bradman compare now? Or Laker, Trueman and co? How would their fitness hold up in a world with 3 different cricketing formats?
So I decided to put together a list of the best cricketers I have seen in the last 20 years (around about the time I've been watching the sport).
So here goes:
Sachin Tendulkar
Tests: 198 Runs: 15, 837 Avg: 53.86
ODIs: 463 Runs: 18, 426 Avg: 44.83
The finest batsman of his generation, the highest run getter and a dashing entertainer. he will be remembered for his twilight double century in ODI cricket, his exceptional century at Perth and countless other breath taking innings. It isn't just that Tendulkar gets runs but it's the way he does it, the flourish of the bat through his cover drive, the straight shot for four and the dancing blasts against the spinners. A complete shot maker if there ever was one.
ODIs: 463 Runs: 18, 426 Avg: 44.83
The finest batsman of his generation, the highest run getter and a dashing entertainer. he will be remembered for his twilight double century in ODI cricket, his exceptional century at Perth and countless other breath taking innings. It isn't just that Tendulkar gets runs but it's the way he does it, the flourish of the bat through his cover drive, the straight shot for four and the dancing blasts against the spinners. A complete shot maker if there ever was one.
2. Wasim Akram
Tests: 104 Wickets:414 Avg: 23.62
ODIs: 356 Wickets: 502 Avg: 23.52
The greatest fast bowler ever? Possibly, the greatest fast bowler of his generation? Oh most definitely. Akram was the complete package, swing, seam, bounce and in his youth, sheering pace. My memories of his will be his brutal yorkers and dashing bouncers, the enthusiastic celebrations and the fear he wrought in batsmen, even in the latter stages of his career. If you want a young bowler to be great, show him videos of this man.
ODIs: 356 Wickets: 502 Avg: 23.52
The greatest fast bowler ever? Possibly, the greatest fast bowler of his generation? Oh most definitely. Akram was the complete package, swing, seam, bounce and in his youth, sheering pace. My memories of his will be his brutal yorkers and dashing bouncers, the enthusiastic celebrations and the fear he wrought in batsmen, even in the latter stages of his career. If you want a young bowler to be great, show him videos of this man.
3. Shane Warne
Tests: 145 Wickets: 708 Avg: 25.41
ODIs: 194 Wickets: 293 Avg: 25.73
Ahhh Warney, where to start? This is a man who knew how to court controversy, a real sports star but at the same time he knew what to do on the field. His leg spin was better than any I've ever seen and some say it is the hardest art to master. Then there was his ability to get under player's skins and just when they were at their lowest he would strike with beautiful crafted flight and turn. The term genius is often used too often but Warne was a genius.
ODIs: 194 Wickets: 293 Avg: 25.73
Ahhh Warney, where to start? This is a man who knew how to court controversy, a real sports star but at the same time he knew what to do on the field. His leg spin was better than any I've ever seen and some say it is the hardest art to master. Then there was his ability to get under player's skins and just when they were at their lowest he would strike with beautiful crafted flight and turn. The term genius is often used too often but Warne was a genius.
4. Muttiah Muralitharan
Tests: 133 Wickets: 800 Avg: 22.72
ODIs: 350 Wickets: 534 Avg: 23.08
No man has picked up more international wickets than Mr Murali, and no man has ever done it with so many smiles either. A true gentleman of the game, I always loved watching Murali bowl, there was a child like wonder whenever he came on to the field. There was an extra bounce, an extra loud appeal, a twirl, a flutter, it was as if Murali was some sort of mad hat artist going about painting his masterpiece. His time in Australia was sad and is more a stain on the Australians and their cricketing board and fans than it is on the great Murali.
ODIs: 350 Wickets: 534 Avg: 23.08
No man has picked up more international wickets than Mr Murali, and no man has ever done it with so many smiles either. A true gentleman of the game, I always loved watching Murali bowl, there was a child like wonder whenever he came on to the field. There was an extra bounce, an extra loud appeal, a twirl, a flutter, it was as if Murali was some sort of mad hat artist going about painting his masterpiece. His time in Australia was sad and is more a stain on the Australians and their cricketing board and fans than it is on the great Murali.
5. Ricky Ponting
Tests: 168 Runs: 13, 378 Avg: 51.85
ODIs: 375 Runs: 13, 704 Avg: 42.03
The greatest Aussie batsman since Bradman? Check. Australia's best captain? Check. The grumpiest man in an Ashes series? Check. It's sad that the second best batsman of our generation became a bit of a caricature in his final days, that grumpy, whingy old Aussie but he was on his day, the most entertaining and bloody minded batsman I've ever seen. Add to that a sharp cricketing brain and a tenure as captain in Asutralia's best generation and you have one of the icons of the sport.
ODIs: 375 Runs: 13, 704 Avg: 42.03
The greatest Aussie batsman since Bradman? Check. Australia's best captain? Check. The grumpiest man in an Ashes series? Check. It's sad that the second best batsman of our generation became a bit of a caricature in his final days, that grumpy, whingy old Aussie but he was on his day, the most entertaining and bloody minded batsman I've ever seen. Add to that a sharp cricketing brain and a tenure as captain in Asutralia's best generation and you have one of the icons of the sport.
6. Jacques Kallis
Tests: 162 Runs: 13, 128 Avg: 56.10 Wickets: 288 Avg: 32.43
ODIs: 321 Runs: 11, 498 Avg: 45.26 Wickets: 270 Avg: 31.69
Never as flamboyant or rampant as his competitors on this list, more content with grinding out runs and getting the odd wicket then actually destroying attacks or uprooting the top order, Kallis is the accountant of world cricket, and that is by no means criticism. Kallis is a great urn getter, a man you can count on when lessers have been bowled or caught at mid on.It's a relief that the greatest all rounder of the last 20 years is finally starting to get his just dues. And long may it continue.
ODIs: 321 Runs: 11, 498 Avg: 45.26 Wickets: 270 Avg: 31.69
Never as flamboyant or rampant as his competitors on this list, more content with grinding out runs and getting the odd wicket then actually destroying attacks or uprooting the top order, Kallis is the accountant of world cricket, and that is by no means criticism. Kallis is a great urn getter, a man you can count on when lessers have been bowled or caught at mid on.It's a relief that the greatest all rounder of the last 20 years is finally starting to get his just dues. And long may it continue.
7. Glenn McGrath
Tests: 124 Wickets: 563 Avg: 21.61
ODIs: 250 Wickets: 381 Avg: 22.02
Quite possibly the worst number 11 ever...lucky he was such a fine bowler then eh? McGrath was the closest thing to a machine I've ever seen on a cricket field, not a tank or a rocket propelled explosive, no, McGrath was a Rolex watch, always on time and always on point. He knew how to bowl the most naggingly annoying line in test cricket, his pace wasn't up to much when compared to contemporaries but had better judgement of line and length. He could seam the bowl and get the odd bit of swing. A great bowler, not quite as explosive as his peers but just as effective.
ODIs: 250 Wickets: 381 Avg: 22.02
Quite possibly the worst number 11 ever...lucky he was such a fine bowler then eh? McGrath was the closest thing to a machine I've ever seen on a cricket field, not a tank or a rocket propelled explosive, no, McGrath was a Rolex watch, always on time and always on point. He knew how to bowl the most naggingly annoying line in test cricket, his pace wasn't up to much when compared to contemporaries but had better judgement of line and length. He could seam the bowl and get the odd bit of swing. A great bowler, not quite as explosive as his peers but just as effective.
8. Brian Lara
Tests: 131 Runs: 11. 953 Avg: 52.88
ODIs: 299 Runs: 10, 405 Avg: 40.48
For me, Lara was never as complete a batsman as Tendulkar or Ponting but he may have been more expressive, more dashing...more cavalier. There was the high back lift, the jump forward, the exaggerated movements, all designed to catch the camera's eye. The greatest west Indian cricketer since Viv Richards, Lara had a tonne on his shoulders in a weakened, often embarrassing team. He never quite had the success as captain he would have hoped for but he was the one shining light in the teams worst point in history. He once asked, "Have I entertained?" The answer is a resounding "YES".
ODIs: 299 Runs: 10, 405 Avg: 40.48
For me, Lara was never as complete a batsman as Tendulkar or Ponting but he may have been more expressive, more dashing...more cavalier. There was the high back lift, the jump forward, the exaggerated movements, all designed to catch the camera's eye. The greatest west Indian cricketer since Viv Richards, Lara had a tonne on his shoulders in a weakened, often embarrassing team. He never quite had the success as captain he would have hoped for but he was the one shining light in the teams worst point in history. He once asked, "Have I entertained?" The answer is a resounding "YES".
9. Waqar Younis
Tests: 87 Wickets: 373 Avg: 23.56
ODIs: 262 Wickets: 416 Avg: 23.84
Fast and furious, on his day the fastest and meanest bowler on the planet, Waqar was one of my favourite players to watch. He had that sheering yorker that broke toes and a bouncer that made batsmen jump, sway and duck out of the way. He never quite gets the recognition that other great fast bowlers do but at his best he could compete with them all.
ODIs: 262 Wickets: 416 Avg: 23.84
Fast and furious, on his day the fastest and meanest bowler on the planet, Waqar was one of my favourite players to watch. He had that sheering yorker that broke toes and a bouncer that made batsmen jump, sway and duck out of the way. He never quite gets the recognition that other great fast bowlers do but at his best he could compete with them all.
10. Adam Gilchrist
Tests: 96 Dismissals: 416 Runs: 5, 570 Avg: 47.60
ODIs: 287 Dismissals: 472 Runs: 9, 619 Avg: 35.89
The greatest keeper/batsman to ever grace the game, Gilchrist was completely reliable behind the stumps, as good with the spin of Warne as he was with the fire of Lee. Add to that the ability to change the game with the bat, whether it was at the top of the order or with the tail. His 17 test hundreds speak volumes of his commitment to the art of batting, yet it never interfered with his exceptional glove work.
ODIs: 287 Dismissals: 472 Runs: 9, 619 Avg: 35.89
The greatest keeper/batsman to ever grace the game, Gilchrist was completely reliable behind the stumps, as good with the spin of Warne as he was with the fire of Lee. Add to that the ability to change the game with the bat, whether it was at the top of the order or with the tail. His 17 test hundreds speak volumes of his commitment to the art of batting, yet it never interfered with his exceptional glove work.
11. Inzamam-Ul-Haq
12. Rahul Dravid
13. Curtly Ambrose
14. Kumar Sangakkara
15. Alan Donald
16. Courtney Walsh
17. Muhammad Yousuf
18. Anil Kumble
19. Mark Boucher
20. Mahela Jayawardene
12. Rahul Dravid
13. Curtly Ambrose
14. Kumar Sangakkara
15. Alan Donald
16. Courtney Walsh
17. Muhammad Yousuf
18. Anil Kumble
19. Mark Boucher
20. Mahela Jayawardene
That top 20 was damn hard, I had to leave out Akhtar, Lee, Gayle, KP, Flintoff, Steve Waugh, Ganguly, I almost didn't include Boucher, Jayawardene and Kumble. The lkes of Hayden, Anwar, Smith, Steyn were almost all in with a shout.
So what do you guys think? What would your top 20 of the last 20 be?
