Coming back to cricket.

Probably a topic that's been discussed so often..afterall who is the best batsman of all time. Mind u , I'm not going at just satistics, I'm looking at their contribution to the game, the dominance they had on the cricket field everytime they walked onto the field..and overall...the RARE ELEGANCE AND EXCEPTIONAL TALENT THAT THEY..AND ONLY THEY ..POSSESSED.

Rounding up top 5.

1. Donald Bradman ( Australia)  : Never seen him play live coz he retired in 1948. Has an average of 99.94 and 29 hundreds in 52 games. Hit a century in two overs ( 8 ball over) in  a local game. Scored 334 in a day and considered the best batsman by almost anyone who knows cricket.

2. Viv Richards ( Antigua, West Indies) : His swagger to the crease and the now famous chewing gum that he chew all the time and the look around him to see where the fielders are placed sent shivers down the spine toeven the  best of bowlers. Never wore a helmet, never got hit on the head. Probably the MOST ATTACKING batsman ever to have played the game. Scored century of 56 balls in test cricket. They say Ian Botham (England allrounder ) didn't dare bowl at him on that day. For an attacking batsman as such, average of 50 something in tests and high 40's in one dayers.

3. Brian Charles Lara ( west Indies) : My favourite..by far. Probably there was never ever and there will be never ever other like him in terms of elegance, masterful artistry and extremely eye pleasing strokes all over the park. I can write a book on him. The day he retired I lost interest in cricket. The most famous being the way he mauled Muralitharan in Srilanka where his team lost 3-0. Hit 45 ball century in one dayers but 501 not out against Warwickshire, 375 and 400 not out against England. But the best of all is 277 against Australia in Sydney as well as 153 not out against the same opposition in which West Indies won by one wicket.

4. Sachin Tendulkar ( India) : If u love cricket, and just the sports u would realize how blessed u were to see both Brian Lara and Sachin to play at the same time. Never before the game has seen a more complete player than Sachin. At his peak he was phenomenal. He ruled 1990s. I rate him slightly behind Lara just because Lara is little bit more attacking and he never changed his style. Lara plays with a finesse that looks totally out of the world. But Sachin tendulkar is the perfect role model for any budding cricketer..both on and off the field. His twin centuries in Sharjah against Australia and his attack on Shane Warne are probably the best phase of his career. Warne considers him to be the best he has ever bowled to and admitted to having nightmares of sachin coming down the track and hitting him for a six. Bradman considered Sachin to be the one who reminded him of his own glory days.

5.Inzamam ul Haq ( Pakistan) : He has won games for his country many more times single handedly than any player I can remember, even the great Steve Waugh. He has to be the most underrated batsmen ever but even Imran Khan rated him the best player of fast bowling at the time. Against the spinners he could butcher them at will. His 136 not out against Bangladesh where Pak barely won by 1 wicket is an all time classic for me. There are numerous occasions where he won the ganes for his country from the brink of defeat. Besides that he has to be the most talented batsman Pakistan has ever produced. Both subtle and attacking. Both copy book classic shots and butchering attacks. He was at his best when the team had no chance to win. After he is gone, the good days of Pakistan cricket seems to have gone.

I can write a book on these people if time permits. Have ur say. If u want. It will be most welcome.

Thanks.

1. Barry Richards (South Africa).

2. Don Bradman.

3. Kumar Sangakara.

4. Brian Lara.

5. Mike Hussey

1. Don Bradman
2. Sunil Gavaskar
3.Sanath Jaisuriya
4. Sachin/ Lara
5. Amazing

1. The DON
2. Viv Richards the Prince
3. Brian Charles Lara
4. Sachin Tendulkar

That's it. I think it would be unfair to compare or even think of putting these names with anyone else. There are these 4 and theres the rest of cricketers.

1. Barry Richards (South Africa).

2. Don Bradman.

3. Kumar Sangakara.

4. Brian Lara.

5. Mike Hussey

1. Barry Richards (South Africa).

2. Don Bradman.

3. Kumar Sangakara.

4. Brian Lara.

5. Mike Hussey

1.Don Bradman

2.Gary Sobers

3.Sachin Tendulkar

4.Vivian Richards

5.W G Grace

u br right Joshit bro. Let's not compare them. But being sports lovers and we all know how much joy it brings to us..let's cherish their feats.

Bhanubhakta bro, They say Barry Richards was the best South African batsman ever but he could not play more due to apartheid. So, can't really say how he would have fared if he had played more.

Which Lara innings u think was ur fav ? In fact which innings from any of those players.

Mine : 153 n.o., 277, lara

           136, 131 ( Sharjah ) Tendulkar

           any innings by Viv , specially 291 in England

u br right Joshit bro. Let's not compare them. But being sports lovers and we all know how much joy it brings to us..let's cherish their feats.

Bhanubhakta bro, They say Barry Richards was the best South African batsman ever but he could not play more due to apartheid. So, can't really say how he would have fared if he had played more.

Which Lara innings u think was ur fav ? In fact which innings from any of those players.

Mine : 153 n.o., 277, lara

           136, 131 ( Sharjah ) Tendulkar

           any innings by Viv , specially 291 in England

Well i did not see bradman and sobers playing ,i was born late..here is what i think..top batsmen since 90s..I am witness

5.Sanath Jayasuriya

4.Adam Gilchrist

3.Sachin Tendulkar

2.Brian Lara

1.Ricky ponting

1.  Don bradman
2.  David boon
3.  Viv richards
4.   Brain Lara
5.   Martin crowe

These players have won a lot of matches on their own . Sachin has done it in one day , but in tests hmmmm ... he's not a complete batsman though his record is impressive .Most of you guys have never seen david boon or martin crowe play . Anyday they were far better judge of the game . They read the game and played accordingly .

Haha....Sangakkara and Hussey in the list....May be you are current cricket watcher...how many games have they played?? Wait and see until at least 100 tests and 250 ODIs and then we can judge the players...Look at their averages till that time...No one could stay in the team until they play these many games ynless a player is genious enough and consistent....so bachaa bachi jasto kura garna chhodum...2 wataa match ma over 100 ko strike rate ma century handaima huchha...Look at Jayasuriya...his average is around 30s...he is similar to Afridi..an inconsistent player..

For me though,

1) Sir Don Bradman

2) VIV Richards

3) Sachin Tendulkar

4) Brian Lara (always below Sachin, records and figures shows, and advantage to Sachin is he is allrounder...see the wickets he has)

5)I have to say Ricky Ponting with the form and consistency he has shown...

Sangakkar and Hussey..not yet bro.

Before u rate the batsmen, consider the bowling attack they faced. 1990s was the time when all the bowlers were at their peak..spin, fast or slow..u name it.

Sachin and Lara faced Allan Donald ( one of the fastest ever and best SA has ever produced), Wasim Akram ( best left armer ever), Waqar younis ( he was devastating to say the least at his peak in early 90s), Walsh, Ambrose, Glenn Mcgrath, Shane warne ( needs no mention how great he was ) and Muttiah Muralitharan.

They were highly respected by those greats. Post 2000, u see Donald was fading, Ambrose and Walsh retired..amd so on. Akram was gone. The only genuine bowlers left were Lee, and Shane Bond. Well Bond is gone and Akhtar has never played as much as to test these modern greats.

Richards faced Dennis Lillee and Thompson. Bradman faced Harold Larwood and Frank Tyson ( Bodyline bowler).

Sangakkara and Hussey are benefitting from the unfortunate absence of genuine fast bowlers and great slow or spin bowlers.

What u say ?

Here is my list...

All Time Greats:

1. Don Bradman
2. Viv Richards
3. Sunil Gavaskar
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. Brian Lara

Of our times :

5. Steve Waugh
4. Sanath Jayasuriya
3. Ricky Ponting
2. Brian Lara
1. Sachin Tendulkar

 

I have not  got chance to watch Bradman batting but his record shows he is the best.

Following are the my best 10 batsmans.

1- Viv Richards

2- Sunil Gawaskar

3- Javed Miadad

4- Sanjaya Maanjekar

5- Jack Kalis

6- Rahul Dravid

7- Ricky Ponting

8- Michel Hyden

9-David Gower

10- Mohamad Azaruddin

I dont know why u guys are not considering Gary sobers in the list. He is considered the greatest batsman after Don bradman. He was superb allrounder too. I dont think David boon could be in the list. He was good batsman but not just upto the great list. He was superb during 1987 world cup along with Geoff marsh.

Mark Waugh is my all time best..............

In fact My favs..I mean not all time greats..but my favs which might not be the greatest players are:

1. Mohammed Azharuddin

2. Mark Waugh

3.Damien Martin

4.Brian Lara

5.Saeed Anwar.

Azhar and Mark Waugh were so artistic in their batting. Their batting always looked so effortless that when they got out seemed they played really recklessly. Their batting was smooth as silk, the shots were just effortless, a light flick and the ball would race on the on side to the boundary. His centuries against South Africa in 96-97, specially the one in Calcutta where he hit 74 ball hundred where he hit Lance Klusener for 5 consecutive fours ( all on the on side ) were so good that even Klusener applauded. Mark Waugh was exactly the same. Same with Damien Martin. As far as Saeed Anwar was concerned I enjoyed him open the batting coz he would score so freely without trying too hard..specially against Indian bowlers.

If we talk about personal favorites, mine are:

Viv Richards>>> devastating batsman, made all the bowlers suffer

Brian Lara>>> class with elegant style, carried a team on his own

Saeed Anwar>>>there is nothing as enjoyable as watching him play his shots freely! btw, how can we forget his 194 against the indians

VVS Laxman>>> stylish hyderabadi, gotta love him. why? ask the australians!....his wristy shots are as good as anything..kalaiyo ko mod ke!