1. Len Hutton was born June 23, 1916 in Pudsey, Yorkshire. He was an English cricketer. Cricket was in his blood as he born in a cricketing family. With 7900 Test runs and 40000 First class runs as opener on mainly uncovered English wickets, he was a master. He kept is average above 55 all the time.
Best achievements- His 364 remain world records for several years. In 193-54, he single handedly brough England back in series against WI and leveled it at 2-2 at the end.
2. Mathew Haydenwas born October 29, 1971 in Kingaroy, Queensland. I know many eye brows will go up by watching this name but I can say that He is a monster. We all have idea of monster like he is ugly, black etc etc. But if there is any white - good looking monster, he looks like Hayden. Imagine Hayden with bat on the ground. During his best years, he literally had torn all bowling attacks. Fast bowling, spin bowling, Indian, SA, English, SL attack - means any attack. I have never seen a player dominating all attacks. All have at least one weakness but Hayden was not having any weakness. With 7300 + runs in Test with 53 average, he is my second choice of opener.
Best achievements- Hayden scored over 1000 Test runs 5 times from 2001 to 2005, the first man to achieve five times. Scored 380 and broken Lara's record. Toyed Indian attack in 2001 while all other Aussie batmen fail to connect ball against Bhajji.
3. Don Bradman– 29 centuries, Test average of 99.94, 7000 runs in 52 Tests. Masterpiece ! He is a complete batting guide. There is no cricket lover in the world who doesn't hear about him.
Best achievement- Highest test average till date. Record of 974 runs in a five-Test series. Best player of century by Wisden Cricketers of the 20th Century (100/100 Votes). Highest double centuries - 10.
4. Sachin Tendulkar- Actually there are only 2 spots in the side about which I have not thought. Bradman, Tendulkar. 2nd best after Bradman, if not the best. More like a copy of Bradman. Started playing at 16 and brought the world to his feet at just 18 years age. With 10000 test runs, 15000 ODI runs, 35 Test centuries and nice leg spin bowling, who can dare to drop him from the team.
Best Achievement- Many many (MS space is not enough) but I like to relive one - his performance against Aus at Sharjah.
5. Greg Chappellwas born August 7, 1948. Just leave aside a Greg Chappell image of Indian coach and see him as batsman. 7100 runs at average of 54 when fast bowlers were dominating world cricket. He was the player who was playing the ball middle of the bat from ball 1. His approach was taking the run on first ball. He is the father of Aussie approach for fast running between wickets.
Best Achievement- A member of Ian Chappell's greatest team in 70s. During his initial years in 72, he scored fine 131 at Lords in a low scoring game.
6. Gary soberswas born July 28, 1936 in Barbados. He is indeed the finest all-rounder and one of the great batsmen. He has scored 8000 runs and taken 235 wickets in mere 93 test matches. He can play at any number and bowl pace and wrist spin bowling.
Best Achievements- World record score of 365, first player to his six sixes in an over, Second in five Wisden Cricketers of the 20th Century (90/100 Votes) after Don Bradman.
7. Ian Botham was born November 24, 1955 in Heswall, Cheshire. In a Test career, he scored 5, 200 runs at 34, and took 383 wickets. He is remembered as a one of the most famous failed English Captain but the most famous England match winner. He never was able to perform as captain but he was a true match winner. He was perhaps most famous England sportsman ever - keenly competed by David Beckham.
Best Achievement- Without a doubt 1981 Ashes series. He single handedly crushed might Aussie. The he was made BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1981.
8. Ian Andrew Healywas born April 30, 1964 in Brisbane. He is my wicketkeeper in the side. He has claimed world record 385 victims behind stumps. He is also a nice bat and scored 4300 runs at 28 average. His duo with Shane Warne was too great. They were sharing great understanding and tricks.
Best Achievements- Kept wicket against Shane Warne. Missed only 1 Test in 13 year career.
Funny moment - Once he told Arjuna Rantunga - "You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat cunt!"
9. Shane Warnewas born September 13, 1969 in Ferntree Gully, Victoria. He is arguably one of the best leg spinners in world. Taken 685 Test wickets, will he reach 1000 ? that’s my question. Though he remains busy with controversies like bookie, sledging, Drugs, Sex etc but he is performing.
Best Achievement- The ’’ball of the century’’ to Mike Getting. Getting is still searching from where ball reached stumps. He was selected 4th in five Wisden Cricketers of the 20th Century (27/100 Votes)
10. Sydney Barnesborn on April 19, 1873 at Smethwick, Staffordshire. He played cricket in early days of cricket. None has seen him and no video footage is available. but he was indeed a charismatic bowler. Check his record 189 wickets in 27 tests with average of 16. His test records is not a fluke at he has claimed more than 700 wickets at county level at average of just 17.
Best Achievement- World record of 49 wickets in a five-Test series against South Africa in 1913-14. So almost 5 wickets per innings.
11. Glenn McGrathwas born 9 February 1970 in Dubbo, New South Wales. He is second name of accuracy. He can bowl all 6 balls of over at same place. He is best at bowling to an area called corridor of uncertainty. He always targets the best - Mike Atherton, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and get them out also. He has taken 542 wickets at just 21 average. If people say he is not good fielder then just watch his catch at the Adelaide Oval of English batsman Michael Vaughan. Just check and then we will talk. He has also improved on his batting but I am not bothered about batting record from my no 11.
Best Achievement- He was the first one to win Allan border medal. Surprisingly he has given contribution 100+ 10th wicket partnership two times.
