Apr 05, 2003 07:16 PM
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(Updated Apr 05, 2003 07:16 PM)
Batting is as much about the brain as it is about technique & temperament, and the most effective, most alert batsmen are the ones who comes good in the important play-offs. Good batsmen keep it unembellished & they don’t over-plan & over-think about their batting ability. Also, they are not intimidated by the thought of playing in a pressure situation. Players who make an exhibition of coolness & calmness even in a gloomy situation are an example for an average batsman. Outstanding batsmen are those who knows, that concentration, technique & audacity obviously matters in One-day innings……
One-daymatches can be a great leveler. Teams like West-Indies, England & New Zealand who are clueless in Test-matches play good competitive one-day cricket. These teams are well aware of the fact that one-day game is not only about brawn & bravado. So what if they don’t have a batsman like Sir Sachin Tendulkar or Adam Gilchrist, they can still boast about Brain Lara & Michael Vaughan….
There has always been discussion amongst Cricket followers over whether Cricket is a bowler’s game or a batsman’s game. There have been legends in both fields but I certainly think Cricket is a batsman’s game. How often do you find us discussing about Shaun Pollock or Glenn McGrath?….Hardly!!! And how often do you find people talking about Sir Donald Bradman or Sachin Tendulkar…Almost all the time!!….
Anyways, let me start with “my” list of top 10 One-day (ODI) batsmen (This may also reveal some of my leanings!!) …..
!) Sir Sachin Tendulkar (India): If there was a cricketing equivalent to “Hand of God”, it had to be Sachin Tendulkar’s mystical off-drive. Sachin is universally regarded as the most talented batsman of his generation (In both forms of the game). He has an array of One-day records to his credit. From becoming the youngest captain of the Indian Cricket team to scoring the most number of centuries (And runs too!!), he has done it all. His innings against Pakistan (In which he scored 98) in the recent World Cup was mesmerizing (No wonder he is worshipped in a country like India!)…..
@) Rahul Dravid (India): Breaking News: Rahul Dravid is getting married to Dr.Vijeta Pendharkar from Nagpur.…But I’m very very happyJ
There is nothing more evocative in the game of Cricket than the sight of Rahul Dravid plying his art in the middle. He is armed with enormous patience & awesome skills. Watching him stride out to the center & handle his not-so-heavy attitude against the best bowlers in the world, one could easily forgive an average human being for thinking that he is watching the best batsman of the world in action…
#) Michael Bevan (Australia): Michael Bevan is Australia’s main hope & joy. He is a master at finding the gaps in the field & milking the bowling (His innings against England & New Zealand in the recent World cup is an example of this). Bevan is perhaps the best middle-order batsman amongst the current bunch of players. And he is one batsman who can bat as the situation demands (No wonder he is marked as the best finisher)….
$) Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka): Not many would disagree that Sanath Jayasuriya’s best days are behind him. But the 34year old opening batsman continues to be an important member of the Sri Lankan side. On this left-hander opener’s shoulder lies Sri Lanka’s best bet of getting off to a flying start. His superb record both as a captain & as an opening batsman is proof enough of his enormous talent.
%) Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa): He has been to the peaks & down to the gutter. But Hershelle is one of the most exciting batsman in the shorter version of the game. Graceful, classy & bossy, he is aggressive yet very effective for South Africa.
^) Brain Lara (West Indies): Lara is one of the worlds best when on song (And experienced as well) & remains a batting pivot for West Indies. A bigheaded & determined cricketer, his recent injuries have kept him on & off the field for quite some time now. But like all greats-he also has some flaws in his approach & technique. And in my opinion, he has not been able to do justice to his amazing talent in recent times.
&) Nathan Astle (New Zealand): The only New Zealander who is talented enough of featuring in the list of top 10 ODI batsmen is Nathan Astle. This New Zealander has emerged as a deceptive type, scoring runs without the fielders or bowlers realizing it. But sadly, time & again, Astle has proved that he is not reliable (Like Sachin or Andy Flower).
) Adam Gilchrist (Australia): Was Steve Waugh biased when he said that Adam Gilchrist is more gifted than Sachin Tendulkar? Perhaps yes. But his opinion was based on simple study that Adam could slaughter any bowling attack with minimum of fuss. His class is beyond doubt. You cleave his track record in any possible way & it shows that the man is at ease against any bowling assault (And he is lucky that he doesn’t have to face Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee & Shane Warne).
-) Andy Flower (Zimbabwe): Andy Flower was Sachin Tendulkar for the Zimbabweans. “Stop, turn back the clock”, & your heart cries. For Andy Flower will be with us no longer {Its sad that a player like Andy had to be forced out of the game, to which he brought such richness & elegance L}.
The last batsman in my list can be anyone except “Shahid Afridi”!!!!
