sami ullah khan
Panel of Selectors
^Another Pakistani bowler. I can think of Aaqib Javed. Waqar, Waseem and Saqlain have to be higher on your list. I may be forgetting some names. May be Mushtaq Ahmed.
Top 100 in ODI history - 2: Tendulkar, 1: Richards
- Thread starter sifter132
- Start date
^WRONG! 
Aaqib Javed didn't make the top 100, nor Mushie. All 100 are listed in the first post of the thread if you want to check out everyone.
#83 - Abdul Qadir
Role: Specialist RH Leg spinner. Useful tail-ender, batted most at #8 or #9 (RH batsman).
Debut: vs New Zealand, Birmingham, 1983.
Matches: 104
Runs: 641
Avg: 15.26
S/R: 75.50
Wkts: 132
Avg: 26.16
Econ: 4.06
Legacy: Qadir is the oldest spinner on this top 100 list and he played an important role in opening the eyes of those who thought ODI cricket was all about fast bowlers bowling a 'dry length' and firing in yorkers at the death. Qadir had a busy style and many variations. Many batsmen couldn't pick his googly (or flipper or other mystery balls) and were forced to read him off the pitch - often with fatal consequences.
Had the confidence of Imran Khan and Qadir's best games were when Imran was captain. Also handled the bat pretty well and famously got Pakistan home in a World Cup game vs West Indies with 14 needed off the last over (link below
).
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 41 (68) & 4/21 (12) vs New Zealand, Birmingham, 1983. On debut, the mysterious Qadir entranced NZs top order. He won Man of the Match despite Pakistan losing the game.
2) 5/44 (12) vs Sri Lanka, Leeds, 1983. Only a week later in his third match, the Sri Lankans had their turn to succumb to Qadir's trickery. Dias, Mendis, Ratnayake, Ranatunga and De Alwis the wickets.
3) 4/31 (10) vs England, Rawalpindi, 1987. Qadir loved the World Cup (all 3 games I've listed - World Cup games). Gooch, Robinson, Lamb and Downton were his victims in Pakistan's win.
Highlights:
#82 - Damien Martyn
Role: RH Middle order batsman, spent most time at #4.
Debut: vs West Indies, Sydney, 1992.
Matches: 208
Runs: 5346
Avg: 40.80
S/R: 77.73
Legacy: Ah the lovely style of Martyn. Elegant stroke player who never seemed to try and hit the ball too hard, relying on timing instead. Martyn was an efficient scorer in the middle order and filled the #4 spot capably after Mark Waugh moved up to open and Michael Bevan returned to #6. Interestingly, only played 9 games as an opener but made 2 of his 5 centuries opening the batting.
It says a bit for Australia's strength during his career that Martyn played over 200 games, but 'only' made 5346 runs I guess because he was rarely relied upon for runs (Graeme Smith for example has over 1000 more runs in 27 less games).
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 116* (135) vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2000. Martyn was opening with Hayden and ended up carrying his bat as Australia were all out for 191. M.Waugh (14), Gilchrist (22) and McGrath (11!!) were the only ones to make it into double figures apart from Martyn.
2) 104* (121) vs South Africa, Brisbane, 2002. I was there in person for this - lovely innings. Big partnership with Ricky Ponting on what turned out to be a tricky Gabba pitch (Ponting and McKenzie only others to get past 40).
3) 101* (114) & 1/34 (6) vs England, Hobart, 2003. It was 2/25 when Martyn came in, but support from Bevan and Maher got Australia to 271 - a winning score. In England's chase Martyn's occasional mediums brought Trescothick unstuck.
Highlights:
Aaqib Javed didn't make the top 100, nor Mushie. All 100 are listed in the first post of the thread if you want to check out everyone. #83 - Abdul Qadir
Role: Specialist RH Leg spinner. Useful tail-ender, batted most at #8 or #9 (RH batsman).
Debut: vs New Zealand, Birmingham, 1983.
Matches: 104
Runs: 641
Avg: 15.26
S/R: 75.50
Wkts: 132
Avg: 26.16
Econ: 4.06
Legacy: Qadir is the oldest spinner on this top 100 list and he played an important role in opening the eyes of those who thought ODI cricket was all about fast bowlers bowling a 'dry length' and firing in yorkers at the death. Qadir had a busy style and many variations. Many batsmen couldn't pick his googly (or flipper or other mystery balls
) and were forced to read him off the pitch - often with fatal consequences. Had the confidence of Imran Khan and Qadir's best games were when Imran was captain. Also handled the bat pretty well and famously got Pakistan home in a World Cup game vs West Indies with 14 needed off the last over (link below
). Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 41 (68) & 4/21 (12) vs New Zealand, Birmingham, 1983. On debut, the mysterious Qadir entranced NZs top order. He won Man of the Match despite Pakistan losing the game.
2) 5/44 (12) vs Sri Lanka, Leeds, 1983. Only a week later in his third match, the Sri Lankans had their turn to succumb to Qadir's trickery. Dias, Mendis, Ratnayake, Ranatunga and De Alwis the wickets.
3) 4/31 (10) vs England, Rawalpindi, 1987. Qadir loved the World Cup (all 3 games I've listed - World Cup games). Gooch, Robinson, Lamb and Downton were his victims in Pakistan's win.
Highlights:
#82 - Damien Martyn
Role: RH Middle order batsman, spent most time at #4.
Debut: vs West Indies, Sydney, 1992.
Matches: 208
Runs: 5346
Avg: 40.80
S/R: 77.73
Legacy: Ah the lovely style of Martyn. Elegant stroke player who never seemed to try and hit the ball too hard, relying on timing instead. Martyn was an efficient scorer in the middle order and filled the #4 spot capably after Mark Waugh moved up to open and Michael Bevan returned to #6. Interestingly, only played 9 games as an opener but made 2 of his 5 centuries opening the batting.
It says a bit for Australia's strength during his career that Martyn played over 200 games, but 'only' made 5346 runs I guess because he was rarely relied upon for runs (Graeme Smith for example has over 1000 more runs in 27 less games).
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 116* (135) vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2000. Martyn was opening with Hayden and ended up carrying his bat as Australia were all out for 191. M.Waugh (14), Gilchrist (22) and McGrath (11!!) were the only ones to make it into double figures apart from Martyn.
2) 104* (121) vs South Africa, Brisbane, 2002. I was there in person for this - lovely innings. Big partnership with Ricky Ponting on what turned out to be a tricky Gabba pitch (Ponting and McKenzie only others to get past 40).
3) 101* (114) & 1/34 (6) vs England, Hobart, 2003. It was 2/25 when Martyn came in, but support from Bevan and Maher got Australia to 271 - a winning score. In England's chase Martyn's occasional mediums brought Trescothick unstuck.
Highlights:
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cricket_icon
International Cricketer
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
My top 20:
1. M Muralitharan
2. S Tendulkar
3. W Akram
4. R Ponting
5. V Richards
6. B Lara
7. W Younis
8. S Jayasuriya
9. J Kallis
10. I Khan
11. J Garner
12. A Gilchrist
13. S Warne
14. K Sangakkara
15. R Dravid
16. S Pollock
17. M Hayden
18. S Anwar
19. S Mushtaq
20. V Sehwag
1. M Muralitharan
2. S Tendulkar
3. W Akram
4. R Ponting
5. V Richards
6. B Lara
7. W Younis
8. S Jayasuriya
9. J Kallis
10. I Khan
11. J Garner
12. A Gilchrist
13. S Warne
14. K Sangakkara
15. R Dravid
16. S Pollock
17. M Hayden
18. S Anwar
19. S Mushtaq
20. V Sehwag
A couple of Aussie captains..
#81 - Michael Clarke
Role: RH Middle order bat, most frequently at #4. occasional LH orthodox spin.
Debut: vs England, Adelaide, 2003.
Matches: 212
Runs: 6953
Avg: 45.74
S/R: 78.78
Wkts: 53
Avg: 37.84
Econ: 5.08
Legacy: Ah it pains me to put my current favourite player so low! Despite the great stats, I'm not sure Clarke has ever really risen to the top of ODI cricket's batting pecking order. Consistent contributor, but never 'world's best'.
Clarke has the proto-typical ODI skills: plays shots all round the park, quick between the wickets, excellent fielder, bowls useful part-time spin. The T20 era has shown up the one weakness in Clarke's game: power hitting. But hey, who's perfect?
Of those who have played 100 ODIs, Clarke is currently 6th on the highest career batting average chart and most of those ahead have a higher not out% to boost their averages (by comparison: Clarke has 41 more career runs than Michael Bevan, but in 2 less innings).
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 103* (107) vs Pakistan, Sydney, 2005. Not a batsman's match as Pakistan were out for only 163, and Clarke's partners, Hayden and Ponting, struggled for timing (S/Rs of 42 and 33). Yet Clarke dominated the chase with his usual energetic shot making. Note: Ponting did block a few to help Clarke get his 100...
2) 66 (93) & 3/15 (6) vs Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, 2009. Clarke was the top scorer for the match as Australia laboured to 7/198 off 50. Pakistan then looked in good shape at 2/107 25 overs in before Clarke nipped out Shehzad, Misbah and Afridi in 6 tight overs. Pakistan were bowled out for 171.
3) 117 (91) vs Sri Lanka, Adelaide, 2012. Warner and Clarke had a big stand, but unusually Warner was slow (100 off 140) as Clarke moved the partnership along. Hit the ball particularly crisply, a great innings to watch. Was run out when he redid his hamstring in the 2nd last over. Too bad the Aussie bowlers couldn't get out SL's top 3. SL chased down 274 easily.
Highlights:
#80 - Steve Waugh
Role: Started as an all-rounder, batting at #6 or #7 and bowling medium pace. Finished as a specialist batsman at #5 and only occasional bowler.
Debut: vs New Zealand, Melbourne, 1986.
Matches: 325
Runs: 7569
Avg: 32.90
S/R: 75.91
Wkts: 195
Avg: 34.67
Econ: 4.56
Legacy: His raw stats look pretty plain, but Steve Waugh was so often the difference maker for Australia. Consider this: Steve Waugh won 21 Man of the Match awards in 325 ODIs, Wasim Akram won 22 awards in 356 ODIs. Yet not many people would argue Waugh was a better match winner than Wasim Akram.
Steve Waugh's ODI career was almost like two careers in one. Split his career down the middle and you get this:
Part A 1986-mid 1994: 167 ODIs: 3401 runs @ 30.91, S/R 73.15. 152 wkts @ 33.32, RPO 4.44
Part B mid 1994-2002: 158 ODIs: 4168 runs @ 34.73, S/R 78.32. 43 wkts @ 39.42, RPO 4.96
His part A all-rounder record is very similar to the numbers we saw from Chris Cairns or Abdul Razzaq. His Part B batting record is very similar to Jonty Rhodes. Combining the two in one career makes him pretty noteworthy I'd say
Was one the first to use the back of the hand slower ball and he was often entrusted with bowling at the death as a result. Added value in the field as well, with his safe hands and later his captaincy.
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 82 (102) & 4/48 (9.5) vs Pakistan, Perth, 1987. Waugh and Dean Jones took Australia to 271, but couldn't quite defend it. Waugh bowled the last over but Pakistan scrambled the 7 required.
2) 49 (36) & 3/26 (10) vs England, Melbourne, 1987. This time it was Waugh the finisher, batting version, on display before taking 3 mid-innings wickets in England's terrible chase.
3) 120* (110) vs South Africa, Leeds, 1999. VERY famous match - and famous innings. Super 6s time at the World Cup: Australia needed to win and were floundering in the chase of 272 when Waugh came in. Then midway through Waugh's innings Gibbs had initially caught him before bobbling the ball in his eagerness to celebrate (about 3:30ish into 1st vid below). Iceman Waugh apparently remarked to Gibbs that 'you've just dropped the World Cup' and it became so! Brilliant innings vs a classy attack and on the game's biggest stage.
Highlights:
Smacks Allan Donald back over his head for 6 at 3:35 in the 2nd clip - awesome shot!
#81 - Michael Clarke
Role: RH Middle order bat, most frequently at #4. occasional LH orthodox spin.
Debut: vs England, Adelaide, 2003.
Matches: 212
Runs: 6953
Avg: 45.74
S/R: 78.78
Wkts: 53
Avg: 37.84
Econ: 5.08
Legacy: Ah it pains me to put my current favourite player so low! Despite the great stats, I'm not sure Clarke has ever really risen to the top of ODI cricket's batting pecking order. Consistent contributor, but never 'world's best'.
Clarke has the proto-typical ODI skills: plays shots all round the park, quick between the wickets, excellent fielder, bowls useful part-time spin. The T20 era has shown up the one weakness in Clarke's game: power hitting. But hey, who's perfect?
Of those who have played 100 ODIs, Clarke is currently 6th on the highest career batting average chart and most of those ahead have a higher not out% to boost their averages (by comparison: Clarke has 41 more career runs than Michael Bevan, but in 2 less innings).
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 103* (107) vs Pakistan, Sydney, 2005. Not a batsman's match as Pakistan were out for only 163, and Clarke's partners, Hayden and Ponting, struggled for timing (S/Rs of 42 and 33). Yet Clarke dominated the chase with his usual energetic shot making. Note: Ponting did block a few to help Clarke get his 100...
2) 66 (93) & 3/15 (6) vs Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, 2009. Clarke was the top scorer for the match as Australia laboured to 7/198 off 50. Pakistan then looked in good shape at 2/107 25 overs in before Clarke nipped out Shehzad, Misbah and Afridi in 6 tight overs. Pakistan were bowled out for 171.
3) 117 (91) vs Sri Lanka, Adelaide, 2012. Warner and Clarke had a big stand, but unusually Warner was slow (100 off 140) as Clarke moved the partnership along. Hit the ball particularly crisply, a great innings to watch. Was run out when he redid his hamstring in the 2nd last over. Too bad the Aussie bowlers couldn't get out SL's top 3. SL chased down 274 easily.
Highlights:
#80 - Steve Waugh
Role: Started as an all-rounder, batting at #6 or #7 and bowling medium pace. Finished as a specialist batsman at #5 and only occasional bowler.
Debut: vs New Zealand, Melbourne, 1986.
Matches: 325
Runs: 7569
Avg: 32.90
S/R: 75.91
Wkts: 195
Avg: 34.67
Econ: 4.56
Legacy: His raw stats look pretty plain, but Steve Waugh was so often the difference maker for Australia. Consider this: Steve Waugh won 21 Man of the Match awards in 325 ODIs, Wasim Akram won 22 awards in 356 ODIs. Yet not many people would argue Waugh was a better match winner than Wasim Akram.
Steve Waugh's ODI career was almost like two careers in one. Split his career down the middle and you get this:
Part A 1986-mid 1994: 167 ODIs: 3401 runs @ 30.91, S/R 73.15. 152 wkts @ 33.32, RPO 4.44
Part B mid 1994-2002: 158 ODIs: 4168 runs @ 34.73, S/R 78.32. 43 wkts @ 39.42, RPO 4.96
His part A all-rounder record is very similar to the numbers we saw from Chris Cairns or Abdul Razzaq. His Part B batting record is very similar to Jonty Rhodes. Combining the two in one career makes him pretty noteworthy I'd say
Was one the first to use the back of the hand slower ball and he was often entrusted with bowling at the death as a result. Added value in the field as well, with his safe hands and later his captaincy.
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 82 (102) & 4/48 (9.5) vs Pakistan, Perth, 1987. Waugh and Dean Jones took Australia to 271, but couldn't quite defend it. Waugh bowled the last over but Pakistan scrambled the 7 required.
2) 49 (36) & 3/26 (10) vs England, Melbourne, 1987. This time it was Waugh the finisher, batting version, on display before taking 3 mid-innings wickets in England's terrible chase.
3) 120* (110) vs South Africa, Leeds, 1999. VERY famous match - and famous innings. Super 6s time at the World Cup: Australia needed to win and were floundering in the chase of 272 when Waugh came in. Then midway through Waugh's innings Gibbs had initially caught him before bobbling the ball in his eagerness to celebrate (about 3:30ish into 1st vid below). Iceman Waugh apparently remarked to Gibbs that 'you've just dropped the World Cup' and it became so! Brilliant innings vs a classy attack and on the game's biggest stage.
Highlights:
Smacks Allan Donald back over his head for 6 at 3:35 in the 2nd clip - awesome shot!
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sami ullah khan
Panel of Selectors
I rate Waugh's innings of 120 vs SA as the best I have seen in an ODI. He was truly the grittiest cricketer I have had the privilege of watching play. 
cricket_icon
International Cricketer
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
Steve's a worthy admission into the list. Great cricketer and a great guy. Had the pleasure of meeting him back in 05 or 06.
^Yeah good fella Steve. Thanks for your 20 players too cricket_icon The top 20-40 is looking pretty 'normal' now that I've compiled everyone's lists and combined it with mine. Although there's 79 players in that first post still left to rank, so if anyone is still feeling that urge to put things in a list...make a top 50 if you want 
It's all relevant data.
The top 20-40 is looking pretty 'normal' now that I've compiled everyone's lists and combined it with mine. Although there's 79 players in that first post still left to rank, so if anyone is still feeling that urge to put things in a list...make a top 50 if you want It's all relevant data.
AbhishekS
Chairman of Selectors
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2008
- Location
- Mumbai, India
- Online Cricket Games Owned
- Don Bradman Cricket 14 - Steam PC
Had you posted the Steve Waugh update today it would have been better as it's his birthday today.
Anyway I'll post my top 20 soon, will try to post top 50 but I don't think I know much about the older players to rate them correctly.
----------
1. Vivian Richards
2. Sachin Tendulkar
3. Shane Warne
4. Wasim Akram
5. Ricky Ponting
6. Muttiah Muralitharan
7. Brian Lara
8. Jacques Kallis
9. Michael Bevan
10. Imran Khan
11. Virender Sehwag
12. Shaun Pollock
13. Allan Donald
14. Sourav Ganguly
15. Sanath Jayasuriya
16. Zaheer Abbas
17. Saqlain Mushtaq
18. Adam Gilchrist
19. Lance Klusner
20. Matthew Hayden
Anyway I'll post my top 20 soon, will try to post top 50 but I don't think I know much about the older players to rate them correctly.
----------
1. Vivian Richards
2. Sachin Tendulkar
3. Shane Warne
4. Wasim Akram
5. Ricky Ponting
6. Muttiah Muralitharan
7. Brian Lara
8. Jacques Kallis
9. Michael Bevan
10. Imran Khan
11. Virender Sehwag
12. Shaun Pollock
13. Allan Donald
14. Sourav Ganguly
15. Sanath Jayasuriya
16. Zaheer Abbas
17. Saqlain Mushtaq
18. Adam Gilchrist
19. Lance Klusner
20. Matthew Hayden
#79 - Nathan Bracken
Role: LH medium-fast opening bowler. RH bat at #9 or #10.
Debut: vs West Indies, Melbourne, 2001.
Matches: 116
Wkts: 174
Avg: 24.36
Econ: 4.41
Legacy: Bracken was Mr Reliable for Ricky Ponting. It was only in his last season when Bracken struggled with his knee and was a bit wayward that Aussie fans suddenly realised how much Bracken had been taken for granted.
Never bowled much over 130kph, but made up for it with skill. Almost always swung the new ball, bowled well at the death, and developed over his career his slower cutters, delivered from around the wicket, which helped him bowl economically in the middle overs.
Interesting fact, Bracken took his first 5 wicket haul in THAT Jo'burg match where SA chased down 434. Bracken's 5/67 off 10 was postively brilliant compared to everyone else...
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 3/22 (6) vs West Indies, Mumbai, 2006. Champions Trophy final and WI started with intent: Chanderpaul and Gayle slapping Brett Lee around the park, but at the other end Bracken picked up both openers and Sarwan, before McGrath and Watson finished off a disappointing batting effort by WI. (Gayle ball in vid below)
2) 4/19 (9.4) vs Sri Lanka, St George's, 2007. Super 8s match at 2007 World Cup and Bracken was superb at the front and back end of the innings, head and shoulders above the rest of the Aussie attack (SL still made 226 despite Bracken's awesome figures).
3) 5/47 (8.3) vs Sri Lanka, Sydney, 2008. Struck at the top (Tharanga, Jayasuriya) and in the middle (Dilshan, Kapugedara & Murali) to give Australia a big win. Despite a merely decent score of 253, SL were bowled out for 125.
Highlights:
#78 - Marcus Trescothick
Role: LH Opening bat.
Debut: vs Zimbabwe, The Oval, 2000.
Matches: 123
Runs: 4335
Avg: 37.37
S/R: 85.21
Legacy: England finally found their Gilchrist/Jayasuriya type player in Trescothick. Not so much because of an insane strike rate (although Trescothick's is still very good), but because Trescothick was someone who could make a big score at the top. His 12 centuries are the most in England's ODI history (clear of Pietersen: 9, Gooch: 8 etc.).
Wasn't a big foot mover, loved to stand tall and just slap the ball.
Of course Trescothick will also be remembered for retiring early, due to the stress related illness he suffered during his career. His willingness to admit personal issues has been an important first step for other cricketers like Michael Yardy, Iain O'Brien and Lou Vincent who have revealed their own battles with depression or other personal issues.
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 137 (142) vs Pakistan, Lord's, 2001. Oh so close for England and Trescothick. He had AWFUL support, as only Owais Shah made it past 10, but the game was still there to be won as Trescothick was caught on the boundary with only 6 needed off the last 5 balls.
2) 82 (60) vs Sri Lanka, Leeds, 2002. Rain reduced match and England weren't given much hope after Jayasuriya smacked a quick 100 to set a steep target: 241 from 32 overs. But they made it! Trescothick was brilliant, with cameos from Flintoff, Collingwood and Stewart.
3) 104 (124) vs West Indies, The Oval, 2004. Champions Trophy final and again Trescothick found no support, scoring almost half of England's 217 as Wavell Hinds of all people took 3/24 from 10 overs. WI got there with 2 wkts left.
Highlights: Snuck in a Test highlight set. He plays the same shots
Role: LH medium-fast opening bowler. RH bat at #9 or #10.
Debut: vs West Indies, Melbourne, 2001.
Matches: 116
Wkts: 174
Avg: 24.36
Econ: 4.41
Legacy: Bracken was Mr Reliable for Ricky Ponting. It was only in his last season when Bracken struggled with his knee and was a bit wayward that Aussie fans suddenly realised how much Bracken had been taken for granted.
Never bowled much over 130kph, but made up for it with skill. Almost always swung the new ball, bowled well at the death, and developed over his career his slower cutters, delivered from around the wicket, which helped him bowl economically in the middle overs.
Interesting fact, Bracken took his first 5 wicket haul in THAT Jo'burg match where SA chased down 434. Bracken's 5/67 off 10 was postively brilliant compared to everyone else...
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 3/22 (6) vs West Indies, Mumbai, 2006. Champions Trophy final and WI started with intent: Chanderpaul and Gayle slapping Brett Lee around the park, but at the other end Bracken picked up both openers and Sarwan, before McGrath and Watson finished off a disappointing batting effort by WI. (Gayle ball in vid below)
2) 4/19 (9.4) vs Sri Lanka, St George's, 2007. Super 8s match at 2007 World Cup and Bracken was superb at the front and back end of the innings, head and shoulders above the rest of the Aussie attack (SL still made 226 despite Bracken's awesome figures).
3) 5/47 (8.3) vs Sri Lanka, Sydney, 2008. Struck at the top (Tharanga, Jayasuriya) and in the middle (Dilshan, Kapugedara & Murali) to give Australia a big win. Despite a merely decent score of 253, SL were bowled out for 125.
Highlights:
#78 - Marcus Trescothick
Role: LH Opening bat.
Debut: vs Zimbabwe, The Oval, 2000.
Matches: 123
Runs: 4335
Avg: 37.37
S/R: 85.21
Legacy: England finally found their Gilchrist/Jayasuriya type player in Trescothick. Not so much because of an insane strike rate (although Trescothick's is still very good), but because Trescothick was someone who could make a big score at the top. His 12 centuries are the most in England's ODI history (clear of Pietersen: 9, Gooch: 8 etc.).
Wasn't a big foot mover, loved to stand tall and just slap the ball.
Of course Trescothick will also be remembered for retiring early, due to the stress related illness he suffered during his career. His willingness to admit personal issues has been an important first step for other cricketers like Michael Yardy, Iain O'Brien and Lou Vincent who have revealed their own battles with depression or other personal issues.
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 137 (142) vs Pakistan, Lord's, 2001. Oh so close for England and Trescothick. He had AWFUL support, as only Owais Shah made it past 10, but the game was still there to be won as Trescothick was caught on the boundary with only 6 needed off the last 5 balls.
2) 82 (60) vs Sri Lanka, Leeds, 2002. Rain reduced match and England weren't given much hope after Jayasuriya smacked a quick 100 to set a steep target: 241 from 32 overs. But they made it! Trescothick was brilliant, with cameos from Flintoff, Collingwood and Stewart.
3) 104 (124) vs West Indies, The Oval, 2004. Champions Trophy final and again Trescothick found no support, scoring almost half of England's 217 as Wavell Hinds of all people took 3/24 from 10 overs. WI got there with 2 wkts left.
Highlights: Snuck in a Test highlight set. He plays the same shots
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I was always curious about what happened to Nathan Bracken. He was the No.1 bowler in ODI rankings and then that knee injury kept him out for couple of years I think. After that though, Australia just removed him from their contract list without even giving him any chance? That was the weird part for me but yes as you said, he was a very good bowler in ODI's.
btw, his wife is hot
btw, his wife is hot
^Yeah I was going to stop doing the hot wife thing - don't want to get too sleazy ...but definitely had to extend it for Haley Bracken. Gosh it's a wonder Nathan didn't retire earlier with her at home
As for what happened to Bracken?? Combination of the knee and poor form cost him his Australia spot. How much the knee caused his poor performance in his last season or two is up for debate, but it certainly ruined his chances of coming back. He had an OK series vs England in 2009, but that was his last. By the end of the 09/10 summer Bracken had tried to come back for NSW but his knee was cooked. Since then Bracken has threatened to sue Cricket Australia. He blames the physios for clearing him to play, the physios blame Bracken for playing through pain that he didn't disclose. Will be an interesting case to follow, but bottom line is the knee ended his career.
Thanks Yudi
...but definitely had to extend it for Haley Bracken. Gosh it's a wonder Nathan didn't retire earlier with her at home As for what happened to Bracken?? Combination of the knee and poor form cost him his Australia spot. How much the knee caused his poor performance in his last season or two is up for debate, but it certainly ruined his chances of coming back. He had an OK series vs England in 2009, but that was his last. By the end of the 09/10 summer Bracken had tried to come back for NSW but his knee was cooked. Since then Bracken has threatened to sue Cricket Australia. He blames the physios for clearing him to play, the physios blame Bracken for playing through pain that he didn't disclose. Will be an interesting case to follow, but bottom line is the knee ended his career.
Thanks Yudi
#77 - Harbhajan Singh
Role: RH Off spinner. Useful lower order RH bat at #8 or #9.
Debut: vs New Zealand, Sharjah, 1998.
Matches: 229
Runs: 1190
Avg: 13.22
S/R: 80.51
Wkts: 259
Avg: 33.40
Econ: 4.30
Legacy: A fixture in India's pretty successful ODI squad since 2000, Harbhajan has been more of an economical bowler than a strike bowler. His career RPO of 4.30 is pretty impressive given that Indian conditions generally make for high scores. Harbhajan has comfortably been India's most economical bowler since he became a regular in 2001.
His figures have tailed off a bit in his career eg. his average is almost 36 under Dhoni (with 4.69 RPO) vs 31.52 under Ganguly (4.19 RPO). In some part though it's due to his usage. Harbhajan has developed his fast, flat, yorker-like deliveries which have encouraged Dhoni to use him later in an innings.
Harbhajan's big challenge at present is to find a way to take wickets and maintain that economy. His strike rate for 2011 was almost 60 - too high for a specialist spinner.
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 15 (14) & 3/27 (10) vs South Africa, Centurion, 2001. Mean bowling from Harbhajan, 10 tight overs and 3 big wickets as he took SA from 4/85 to 7/106, effectively killing their chance at chasing down 234.
2) 5/43 (10) vs England, Mumbai, 2002. England got a fast start before Harbhajan triggered a collapse: dismissing Trescothick, Thorpe, Collingwood, Giles and James Foster. England still made 255, 5 runs too many for India. Harbhajan had the chance to be a hero with the bat in the chase, but...no.
3) 37 (46) & 5/31 (10) vs England, Delhi, 2006. Made important runs at #9 to help scrape India to 203 before tearing open England's middle order in the chase.
Highlights:
#76 - Arjuna Ranatunga
Role: LH Middle order bat, most often at #5. Also bowled RH medium pace, only occasionally by career's end.
Debut: vs England, Colombo, 1982.
Matches: 269
Runs: 7456
Avg: 35.84
S/R: 77.91
Wkts: 79
Avg: 47.55
Econ: 4.78
Legacy: Probably will be remembered primarily for his captaincy, Sri Lanka were the minnows of world cricket before 1988 when Ranatunga took over. Of course he captained Sri Lanka to that famous World Cup in 1996, and Ranatunga fittingly hit the winning runs.
His players loved to play for him because he wasn't scared to stand up and fight for them. Examples include: defending Murali's action against all accusers: umpires, ICC etc., including threatening to walk off the field in Australia; he memorably stood up to Ian Healy who complained about Ranatunga getting a runner because he was a fat so-and-so; he had verbal run-ins with Shane Warne too. It was Ranatunga's personality, but it was also his way of showing his team not to back down.
His career mirrors Steve Waugh's somewhat, as Ranatunga used to bowl a fair bit in his early days, a batting all-rounder for Sri Lanka. But by the mid-late 90s the only way "round" got into a sentence about Ranatunga was for his physical description As for his batting, he was a great placer of the ball and even managed to show some good speed in his running when his wicket depended on it. Otherwise he enjoyed walking his singles
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 85* (77) vs India, Sharjah, 1987. Chasing 242, SL were in trouble at 6/134, but Arjuna was still there and remarkably got SL home in the last over.
2) 64* (73) & 2/26 (6) vs South Africa, Wellington, 1992. World Cup match in NZ and it was all-round Arjuna who showed up nipping out Wessels and Rushmere with the ball before shepherding SL home in the chase with only 1 ball to spare.
3) 131* (152) vs India, Colombo, 1997. Arjuna's highest score, again, in another successful chase. Out of 231, next highest score for SL was 37.
Highlights:
Role: RH Off spinner. Useful lower order RH bat at #8 or #9.
Debut: vs New Zealand, Sharjah, 1998.
Matches: 229
Runs: 1190
Avg: 13.22
S/R: 80.51
Wkts: 259
Avg: 33.40
Econ: 4.30
Legacy: A fixture in India's pretty successful ODI squad since 2000, Harbhajan has been more of an economical bowler than a strike bowler. His career RPO of 4.30 is pretty impressive given that Indian conditions generally make for high scores. Harbhajan has comfortably been India's most economical bowler since he became a regular in 2001.
His figures have tailed off a bit in his career eg. his average is almost 36 under Dhoni (with 4.69 RPO) vs 31.52 under Ganguly (4.19 RPO). In some part though it's due to his usage. Harbhajan has developed his fast, flat, yorker-like deliveries which have encouraged Dhoni to use him later in an innings.
Harbhajan's big challenge at present is to find a way to take wickets and maintain that economy. His strike rate for 2011 was almost 60 - too high for a specialist spinner.
Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 15 (14) & 3/27 (10) vs South Africa, Centurion, 2001. Mean bowling from Harbhajan, 10 tight overs and 3 big wickets as he took SA from 4/85 to 7/106, effectively killing their chance at chasing down 234.
2) 5/43 (10) vs England, Mumbai, 2002. England got a fast start before Harbhajan triggered a collapse: dismissing Trescothick, Thorpe, Collingwood, Giles and James Foster. England still made 255, 5 runs too many for India. Harbhajan had the chance to be a hero with the bat in the chase, but...no.
3) 37 (46) & 5/31 (10) vs England, Delhi, 2006. Made important runs at #9 to help scrape India to 203 before tearing open England's middle order in the chase.
Highlights:
#76 - Arjuna Ranatunga
Role: LH Middle order bat, most often at #5. Also bowled RH medium pace, only occasionally by career's end.
Debut: vs England, Colombo, 1982.
Matches: 269
Runs: 7456
Avg: 35.84
S/R: 77.91
Wkts: 79
Avg: 47.55
Econ: 4.78
Legacy: Probably will be remembered primarily for his captaincy, Sri Lanka were the minnows of world cricket before 1988 when Ranatunga took over. Of course he captained Sri Lanka to that famous World Cup in 1996, and Ranatunga fittingly hit the winning runs.
His players loved to play for him because he wasn't scared to stand up and fight for them. Examples include: defending Murali's action against all accusers: umpires, ICC etc., including threatening to walk off the field in Australia; he memorably stood up to Ian Healy who complained about Ranatunga getting a runner because he was a fat so-and-so; he had verbal run-ins with Shane Warne too. It was Ranatunga's personality, but it was also his way of showing his team not to back down.
His career mirrors Steve Waugh's somewhat, as Ranatunga used to bowl a fair bit in his early days, a batting all-rounder for Sri Lanka. But by the mid-late 90s the only way "round" got into a sentence about Ranatunga was for his physical description
As for his batting, he was a great placer of the ball and even managed to show some good speed in his running when his wicket depended on it. Otherwise he enjoyed walking his singles Three of the best (matches in chronological order):
1) 85* (77) vs India, Sharjah, 1987. Chasing 242, SL were in trouble at 6/134, but Arjuna was still there and remarkably got SL home in the last over.
2) 64* (73) & 2/26 (6) vs South Africa, Wellington, 1992. World Cup match in NZ and it was all-round Arjuna who showed up nipping out Wessels and Rushmere with the ball before shepherding SL home in the chase with only 1 ball to spare.
3) 131* (152) vs India, Colombo, 1997. Arjuna's highest score, again, in another successful chase. Out of 231, next highest score for SL was 37.
Highlights:
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The biggest setback for Harbhajan was when he changed his mindset to stop runs rather then taking wickets. This change came in the frame because of T20 cricket. Harbhajan was a very good bowler in Early 2000 but as soon as he came into the T20 cricket, he started coming around the wicket very quickly to stop that run flow. Sometimes from the first over that he bowled in the match, he was bowling it from the round the wicket.
Secondly, he never had a doosra but rather he had a straight ball which gets bounce off the pitch which became very useful for him in NewZeland. In the first video you posted about Harbhajan taking 3 wickets vs NZ, he bowled that ball that I am talking about against Neil Broom. Players play him for off spin but that ball just doesn't turn and it just bounces. After sometime though, he was using this ball more often then he should have which made him a little predictable.
I still think he needs a bit of training and need to watch likes of Ajmal and Swann. Ajmal because of his variations and Swann because how he bowls to the left-hand batsman.
But he surely gave some nightmares to Ricky Pointing.
Secondly, he never had a doosra but rather he had a straight ball which gets bounce off the pitch which became very useful for him in NewZeland. In the first video you posted about Harbhajan taking 3 wickets vs NZ, he bowled that ball that I am talking about against Neil Broom. Players play him for off spin but that ball just doesn't turn and it just bounces. After sometime though, he was using this ball more often then he should have which made him a little predictable.
I still think he needs a bit of training and need to watch likes of Ajmal and Swann. Ajmal because of his variations and Swann because how he bowls to the left-hand batsman.
But he surely gave some nightmares to Ricky Pointing.
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