May 03, 2004 03:31 PM
2094 Views
(Updated Jun 03, 2004 11:35 AM)
We should also have 10 best bowlers. Time to request new category? :-) Akram, Ambrose, Garner, McGrath, Warne, Murali, Kapil, Kumbale, Walsh come to my mind immediately. Will need to think more on this though. Meanwhile here is the list of 10 Best Batsmen of ODIs as per mi opinion.
(1) Adam Gilchrist
He is always ’Fast & Furious’ no matter what the condition attacks successfully more often than not! Drives bowlers crazy with beautifully timed shots. Has a sound defense & plays both quickies & spinners with equal devastation! The strike rate is the best, even the test strike rate is like ODI! :) Is very consistent unlike K. Srikanth. A bit suspect against off-spinners going round the wicket.
(2) Sachin Tendulkar
Much has been spoken/written about the little master. Adopts to any condition & any bowling attack. Innovates & improvises a lot & never tied down (unless in 90s like other Mumbaikars!!) :-)) Consistency thy name is Sachin. Is playing a little slow now a days as Sehwag plays like young Sachin. Presents a chance often due to his risky shots even after getting set. Sometimes seems to be a ’bit’ confused as to what his game is ’Attach’’ or ’Defense’’. Can do both the tasks well though. Should start using a lighter bat in my humble opinion. This might solve his problem against the in-swing ball. It may slow down his staright drives a little but overall should have a good effect.
(3) Viv Richards
The devil of the ODIs. Ridiculous batting abilities. Master Blaster, Could take any bowling attack to the cleaners & look ordinary! Could hit at any part of the ground. One of the few batsman that can play ’predecided’ strokes! A little suspect to quality spin bowling. Many times not given stumped out in windies against Bedi & several times spared by out of form Kirmani in India.
(4) Brian Lara
Master of long-hundreds & amazing scoring rate. Once settled ability to score almost 100 every time. Runs flow like Niagara. Ability to hit good length balls to boundary. Ask Simcocks, 96 world cup 5 fours on 5 consecutive balls that were good length...nothing wrong in those delivereis at all! Once gets 100 almost always gets to 130+/150 etc. A very risky player, plays well on all parts of the ground & all the shots. Like David Gower you don't realize his scoring rate until he reaches 90s!
(5) Ricky Ponting
Come of age in last 3 years. Devastating knocks at ’the’ time. Hitting the ball like a dream now a days, making batting look very easy.
(6) Michael Bevan
Running between teh wicket, man of crisis, stunning average even though comes at a stage of hit out or get out. Got out once in his first 7 ODIS (?Not sure). Plays on any kind of wicket & any kind of situation. Has finished MANY games for Australia. A specialty one day batsman & prob’ly THE BEST yet!? His average is phenomenal given the fact that he always plays in the slog overs & does slog as needed!
(7) Aravinda D’silva
Amazing stroke play, timing, body balance while playing cover drive, hook, pull, extraordinary run getting abilities. Took batting seriously from the mid 90s. Won a world cup for Srilanka by taking 2 wickets 3 catches & 110 runs in the world cup final in 96.
(8) Sanath Jayasurya
First 15 overs master. Run getter, Scores & scores fast with consistency. Specialist in loften shots on the off side. Has scores several 6 by the cut-shot!
(9) Ian Botham
BLAST....!!! Power play....! Can destroy any attack. Used to hit super sonic shots. Natural cricketer like Kapil but did much better with the bat than Kapil did (although the same level of batting skills in Kapil too).
(10) Inzaman Ul Haq
Difficult choice over Javed Miandad. But plays fast bowling better than most. Has all the time in the world to play shots. A little lazy & gains weight every now & then & doesn’t keep that fit, also weak running between the wickets. But plays when nobody is able to play. Shows the difference between a good & a great player when plays along with Said Anwar. The later not able to play swinging ball or fast bowling on some tracks that are not tailor made for batting
