Your five greatest cricketers of all time?

[Harsh Thakor]

My list of 5 best cricketers ever considering first class test and ODI format.

1.W.G.Grace-made an impact of an emperor on the cricket world compiling 54896 runs with 126 centuries and 2876 wickets.Scored 1000 runs and took 100 wickets in 8 successive seasons.Arguably no cricketer was ever as dominant in a single era or defined the game more.


2.Gary Sobers
Took all-round cricketing genius or skill to it's supreme depth as though God sent him to play cricket.


3.Jack Hobbs

Staggering 1st class aggregate of 61237 runs and 197 centuries which no batsmen may ever surpass and a better player on bad pitches than Bradman.


4.Sachin Tendulkar
Combining every format arguably the best batsmen ever who's longevity at the top is unparalleled.There have been more talented,artistic and match-wining batsmen but arguably none who have more fitted the bill of the perfect batsmen posseing every ingredient in perfect proportion.


5..Don Bradman

In statistical terms simply a creature from another planet achieving supremacy over other batsmen of his era more than any sportsmen ever,let alone cricketer.No sportsman let alone cricketer is in terms of statistics so head and shoulders above greats of other eras.





The likes of Shane Warne,Viv Richards,Sydney Barnes,Imran Khan or Walter Hammond just missed out by a whisker .

 

[Robert]

Grace, Bradman, Sobers, Warne, Kallis.

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (Easily the Greatest ever cricketer)
Glenn Mcgrath (GOAT Fast bowler considering all formats)
Shane Warne (Greatest Spinner to have played the game)
Sir Vivian Richards (May not be the best batsman but he did revolutionize the batting in the 70s and 80s)
Wasim Akram (Greatest Left Arm fast bowler)

 

[Hitman]

In terms of impact (in no order) - Grace, Bradman, Sobers, Sachin, Warne.

 

[hafeezrocks]

Imran, SRT, Bradman, Warne, Richards.

 

[UN talkz]

Imran Farhat
Ashoke Dinda
Sohag Gazi
Mathew Wade
Seekuge Prassana

 

[bujhee kom]

Sobers
Bradman
Viv
Imran Khan
SK Warne

 

[Teshi98]

Considering both formats the best in no particular order.
Sachin
Viv
Warne
Wasim
Mcgrath

 

[MMHS]

Sobers
Bradman
Viv
Imran Khan
SK Warne

Exactly my 5 in a little revised order - Imran at 3 & Viv 4.

 

[Buffet]

Only 3 players McGrath, Viv and SRT can make the case for being the top 5 players in both formats. Sobers and Bradman makes it just from one format.

Ranking them in order is hard, but top 5 will be

McGrath
Viv
SRT
Bradman
Sobers

Close miss - IK, Warne, Gilly

 

[CricFan2012]

Viv
McGrath
Tendulkar
Imran
Warne

sorry will not select oldies like bradman and sobers who played in an era that we know little about, it was less competitive, heck we haven't even got videos of Bradman playing and people wet themselves over that stat, he only played against a few teams...

 

[subshakerz]

Bradman - best ever

Sobers - greatest allrounder

Imran - all-time great bowler/all-rounder/captain all-in-one

Sachin - Best batsman in modern era

Viv Richards - Best batsman in the 70/80s era

 

[amax]

Wasim Akram is the greatest cricketer I have seen playing.

 

[The_Odd_One]

1. Gary Sobers
2. Adam Gilchrist
3. Imran Khan
4. Jacques Kallis
5. Kumar Sangakarra

 

[Bubby]

Bradman
Sobers
Viv
Sachin
Marshall

 

[Chrish]

Get rid of Hobbs and Grace and fit in Imran and Warne somewhere and I would agree

 

[Bilal7]

1) Don Bradman
2) Imran Khan
3) Gary Sobers
4) Jacques Kallis
5) Viv Richards/Malcolm Marshall

 

[MMHS]

I think, top 2 spots are given.

I pick Imran & Viv for the next 2 spots and Warne for the last one to revive an almost lost art of the game. Without Warne, may be Azhar & Smith would have been the leggi in a Test side, for their batting skills.

I actually rate bowling, particularly fast bowling all-rounders as the MVP of the game. Among cricketers I have seen live, for combined formats, my top 5 will be Imran, Viv, Warne, Wasim & Marshall with Kapil missing out for a whisker. Last one was open, but Kapil Dev is probably one of the most under rated cricketer, who edged MdM in ODI by some distance, but Marshall is the greatest fast bowler ever & I have weighted Test cricket much more than LOs. Kallis, Tendulkar, Lara, Murali, Gilly, Styen, Mac, Botham, Hadlee, Ponting, Bedi ...... it's tough - hence my 5 picks are for unique reasons that they were undisputed best in their primary trait.

Imran the all-rounder (& leader, not Captain), Viv the batsman, Wasim the left arm fast bowler, Marhsall the right arm fast bowler & Warne the spinner.

 

[cricketjoshila]

SRT,Bradman,Wasim,Sobers,Warne

 

[maxamax]

Wasim Akram
Sachin Tendulkar
Kumar Sangakkara
MS Dhoni
Dale Styen

I dont believe in rating babays overs modern day cricketers. Bradman could never survive Wasims Swing. They are enforced models by ICC because they needed some before the actual ones.

 

[silent ischemia]

Sobers
Viv
Warne
SRT
Akram

 

[dauntless]

Imran khan
Viv richards
Wasim akram
Brian lara
Shane warne

 

[Balthazar]

I will just go by whoever I watched them live.
Sachin
Steyn,
McGrath
Kohli
Kallis

 

[Harsh Thakor]

I think, top 2 spots are given.

I pick Imran & Viv for the next 2 spots and Warne for the last one to revive an almost lost art of the game. Without Warne, may be Azhar & Smith would have been the leggi in a Test side, for their batting skills.

I actually rate bowling, particularly fast bowling all-rounders as the MVP of the game. Among cricketers I have seen live, for combined formats, my top 5 will be Imran, Viv, Warne, Wasim & Marshall with Kapil missing out for a whisker. Last one was open, but Kapil Dev is probably one of the most under rated cricketer, who edged MdM in ODI by some distance, but Marshall is the greatest fast bowler ever & I have weighted Test cricket much more than LOs. Kallis, Tendulkar, Lara, Murali, Gilly, Styen, Mac, Botham, Hadlee, Ponting, Bedi ...... it's tough - hence my 5 picks are for unique reasons that they were undisputed best in their primary trait.

Imran the all-rounder (& leader, not Captain), Viv the batsman, Wasim the left arm fast bowler, Marhsall the right arm fast bowler & Warne the spinner.

Why would you prefer Warne to Tendullkar?greater match-winner or impact?I almost chose Warne,changing my mind in the last moment.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

SRT,Bradman,Wasim,Sobers,Warne

Great list Still would have Viv or Imran instead of Wasim,considering his greater impact.Who was greater between Warne and Tendulkar?To me neck to neck.Any reason why Viv Richards and Imran rejected?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Sobers
Viv
Warne
SRT
Akram

I would have preferred Lra instead of Wasim or even Imran.Both were overall moire consistent and impactful.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

1) Don Bradman
2) Imran Khan
3) Gary Sobers
4) Jacques Kallis
5) Viv Richards/Malcolm Marshall

In order of merit?Why do you rate Imran ahead of Sobers or Kallis ahead of Viv and Marshall.I think Viv and Marshal were far greater match-winners than Kallis.So was Botham and Hadlee.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

In terms of impact (in no order) - Grace, Bradman, Sobers, Sachin, Warne.

Not Hobbs?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Grace, Bradman, Sobers, Warne, Kallis.

I would have had Viv Richards who could turn or determine the course of games much more than Kallis.Or even Imran or Hobbs for that matter.Like to know your reason.

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

1) Bradman
2) WG Grace
3) Garry Sobers
4) Imran Khan
5) Keith Miller

Honestly, an argument can be made for Grace to be number 1 depending on how much importance FC cricket is given.

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Get rid of Hobbs and Grace and fit in Imran and Warne somewhere and I would agree

Why not Grace? His record is arguably even more dominant that Bradman.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Bradman - best ever

Sobers - greatest allrounder

Imran - all-time great bowler/all-rounder/captain all-in-one

Sachin - Best batsman in modern era

Viv Richards - Best batsman in the 70/80s era

great list still wish you had Hobbs or Grace.What about Warne or Marshall?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Sobers
Bradman
Viv
Imran Khan
SK Warne

very good list.I may have Sachin instead of Viv or Imran.

 

[wrongun]

Bradman
Sobers
Imran Khan
Warne
Sachin/Hobbs tied

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Bradman
Sobers
Imran Khan
Warne
Sachin/Hobbs tied

Great list still I would just prefer Sachin and Hobbs to I Imran.

 

[Chrish]

Why not Grace? His record is arguably even more dominant that Bradman.

Played in entirely different era when the game wasn't the same as what we know today with underarm bowling and stuff.

Most influential cricketer may be but one of greatest? It's difficult to prove that

 

[shariqnoor]

1. Sobers
2. Viv Richards
3. Imran
4. Warne
5. Kohli

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Played in entirely different era when the game wasn't the same as what we know today with underarm bowling and stuff.

Most influential cricketer may be but one of greatest? It's difficult to prove that

But in an all time debate you can't just brush off an entire era. What more could he have done in his era? He dominated to the fullest possible extent.

 

[Proactive_]

Bradman
Sobers
Viv
McGrath
Warne

 

[Hasan123]

Sachin
Viv
Warne
McGrath
Imran

 

[wrongun]

1) Bradman
2) WG Grace
3) Garry Sobers
4) Imran Khan
5) Keith Miller

Honestly, an argument can be made for Grace to be number 1 depending on how much importance FC cricket is given.

That's the difficult one isn't it. In the past it was given much more weight. But to recognise it too strongly massively skews things in favour of English players from 100 years ago. No-one else played that much. Even countries with string FC systems like Oz never played near the same volume.

W.G. Grace was a massive figure, very influential. I can see why he would be included. But I find it hard to assess or relate to his achievements (whereas Bradman's numbers are so stark & out of the ordinary, never repeated that they hold up imo). If we take Grace's FC record then Hobbs too looms larger for the same reason.

Curious about Miller: easily the most talented all rounder Australia ever produced, a genuine opening quick bowler, great fielder & good batsman but his stats aren't incredible. Kapil achieved more (do we look down on him because he bowled swing instead of sheer pace). Botham is similar in some ways, with better returns overall. Imran matched him for talent and achieved far more in far tougher circumstances, with extra facets to his play (batting responsibility, atg captaincy etc).
The stories about him are legendary though.

 

[Bilal7]

In order of merit?Why do you rate Imran ahead of Sobers or Kallis ahead of Viv and Marshall.I think Viv and Marshal were far greater match-winners than Kallis.So was Botham and Hadlee.

Because Imran was better than Sobers and his bowling strike-rate of 90+. As for Viv and Marshall, they were legendary with the bat and ball respectively, but Kallis was legendary with the bat and pretty darn good with the ball. That is why he is ahead for me.

You can eventually replace a legendary batsmen, you can also replace a legendary bowler but players like Imran, Sobers and Kallis are irreplaceable. Pakistan tried everyone from Razzaq to Malik and failed. South Africa are trying their best as well but they won't succeed either.

 

[Bilal7]

Sachin
Viv
Warne
McGrath
Imran

Lol, Sachin at #1.

very good list.I may have Sachin instead of Viv or Imran.

Sachin wasn't as good as either of those two. Viv was the better batsman and Imran was the better player.

 

[Hasan123]

Lol, Sachin at #1.



Sachin wasn't as good as either of those two. Viv was the better batsman and Imran was the better player.

It wasn't any specific order. I just listed the players.

 

[austerlitz]

My rating is in terms of impact.(chronologically)

1.W.G.Grace (defined modern batting techniques)
2.Donald Bradman(the pinnacle)
3.Viv Richards(the symbol of the west indian domination and fightback of batsmen in era where rules and pitches favoured bowlers).The father of ODI cricket batting.
4.Shane warne(revived interest in dying art of spin after 70s and 80s were fast bowlers paradise)
5.Tendulkar(inhuman longevity,and defined 2 generations for indian batsmen)

Honourable mention -
1.Adam Gilchrist - Redefined the role of wicket keepers.
2.Imran Khan - Massive impact on pakistan cricket on the whole

 

[Harsh Thakor]

My rating is in terms of impact.(chronologically)

1.W.G.Grace (defined modern batting techniques)
2.Donald Bradman(the pinnacle)
3.Viv Richards(the symbol of the west indian domination and fightback of batsmen in era where rules and pitches favoured bowlers).The father of ODI cricket batting.
4.Shane warne(revived interest in dying art of spin after 70s and 80s were fast bowlers paradise)
5.Tendulkar(inhuman longevity,and defined 2 generations for indian batsmen)

Honourable mention -
1.Adam Gilchrist - Redefined the role of wicket keepers.
2.Imran Khan - Massive impact on pakistan cricket on the whole

Why no Gary Sobers ,the best all round cricketer of all?Arguably at no 1or 2 .To me has to make top 5

 

[big_gamer007]

From whom I have seen play:

1. SRT
2. Wasim
3. Warnie
4. Gilly
5. Murali

 

[Napa]

1. Bradman (of course)
2. Gavaskar (took India to the #1 Test ranking way back in 1973)
3. SRT (the dominant batsman of recent times)
4. Murali (greatest bowler ever)
5. Sobers (greatest all-rounder ever)

Honorable mention: Mohinder Amarnath, the most courageous cricketer to have ever played the game.

 

[Chrish]

Gavaskar would be lucky to make into top 20 cricketers of all time..

 

[Hitman]

Gavaskar would be lucky to make into top 20 cricketers of all time..

Made it #10 in ESPN Legends of Cricket back in 2001, wayyyyy ahead of Wasim Akram who was ranked #21.

Link: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...ends-of-Cricket-Top-25-Cricketers-Of-All-Time

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

1.Shan Masood
2.Viv Richards
3.Imran Khan
4.Sachin Tendulkar
5.Shane Warne

 

[Chrish]

Made it #10 in ESPN Legends of Cricket back in 2001, wayyyyy ahead of Wasim Akram who was ranked #21.

Link: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...ends-of-Cricket-Top-25-Cricketers-Of-All-Time

Well.. Akram wouldn’t be there either of course..

 

[Bhaijaan]

Grace, Bradman, Sobers, Warne, Kallis.

You just picked Imran over Kallis in the other thread bro.

Wrong sort of comparison but if I had to pick one I’d get Kallis - excellent batter, capable third seamer and brilliant slip catcher.

But if you asked me to chose between Kallis and Imran I’d pick Imran.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Imran Khan
Viv Richards
Wasim Akram
Shane Warne
Shoaib Akhtar

 

[Last Monetarist]

Based on judgment and understanding of history:

1. Bradman
2. Sobers
3. Warne
4. Marshall
5. Viv

Out of the ones I've seen play live:

1. Warne
2. Wasim
3. Lara
4. McGrath
5. Gilchrist

 

[Bhaijaan]

Bhaijaan's 5 greatest cricketers of all time (men) :-

1. Bradman
2. Tendulkar
3. Grace
4. Warne
5. Richards

 

[Ab Fan]

The ones I saw:-

Sachin Tendulkar
Wasim Akram
Shane Warne
Glenn McGrath
Jacques kallis

Honourable mention:-
Adam Gilchrist

 

[barah_admi]

I will not put this is order and I will not include people from the 19th century or from an age where there is little or no video footage. Here is my five:

Imran Khan

Wasim Akram

Sachin Tendulkar

Viv Richards

Gary Sobers

 

[barah_admi]

Based on judgment and understanding of history:

1. Bradman
2. Sobers
3. Warne
4. Marshall
5. Viv

Out of the ones I've seen play live:

1. Warne
2. Wasim
3. Lara
4. McGrath
5. Gilchrist

I like your list definitions and agree with a lot of that (disagree with Marshall being in a list superseding Akram, Khan, Murali and McGrath).

Great stuff.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

IK Viv Wasim Marshall and Lara

3 West Indians and 2 Pakistanis

PS: BhaiJan on fire with bumps. Got to love Sachistas' passion

Top 5s are a controversial subject, be it rappers or basketball lineups etc

 

[Last Monetarist]

I like your list definitions and agree with a lot of that (disagree with Marshall being in a list superseding Akram, Khan, Murali and McGrath).

Great stuff.

Malcolm Marshall is widely recognized by those that played against him and saw him play during the eighties as the best fast bowler of all-time. There are several posters on here whom I respect greatly that attest to the same (@Junaids [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION]). All I have are old youtube videos to go by, and I have seen nothing to dispel the notion that Marshall was indeed very special.

A list of this sort has to be subjective by necessity, and I won't have any qualms if you include Wasim, Imran, McGrath, or even Lillee above Marshall.

As far as Murali is concerned, I've never been entirely comfortable including him in these debates because of the asterisk attached to his career. I find it easier to ignore his records than enter into a philosophical debate on optical illusions, hyperextension, congenital deformities etc. Fair play to him for his career, he's a lovely chap by all accounts, but I am not obliged to admire his feats.

 

[Proactive_]

Bradman
Sobers
Viv
McGrath
Marshall

 

[ManFan]

Warne (made leg-spin cool again)
Tendulkar (most durable and complete batsman)
Gilchrist (changed the role of a wicketkeeper)
Akram (greatest left-arm and exponent of reverse swing)
McGrath (changed the role of a fast bowler to more than just pace; line and length)

 

[BD-fan]

Sobers
Bradman
Viv
Imran Khan
SK Warne

Almost my list. Add Sachin and take Warne out. That would be my list.

 

[RainMan_]

Sachin
Viv
McGrath
Warne
Shskib

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Sachin
Viv
McGrath
Warne
Shskib

The fact that you couldnt even get his spelling right tells me even you, yourself, doubt the veracity of your delusions.

 

[giri26]

Bradman
Sobers
Warne
Imran
Sachin

 

[Dr_Bassim]

1. Bradman (doesn't need explaining).
2. Sachin (no explaining except for Pakistani fans).
3. Marshall (universally acclaimed).
4. Sobers/Imran (one of those can be chosen depending on what you prefer and can't go wrong with Imran either).
5. Gilly/Warne (depending on whether you want the spinner or the wicketkeeper.

 

[Majid Khan]

1. Brian Lara
2. Imran Khan
3. Viv Richards
4. Waqar Younis
5. Wasim Akram

Other favourites:-
Mohammed Azharuddin (elegance and style)
Ijaz Ahmad (the man could use a bat like an axe)
Malcolm Marshall
Shoaib Akhtar

 

[Sajjad-007]

1.Sachin
2.Wasim
3.Lara
4.Warne
5.Mcgrath

 

[Bhaijaan]

1. Brian Lara
2. Imran Khan
3. Viv Richards
4. Waqar Younis
5. Wasim Akram

Other favourites:-
Mohammed Azharuddin (elegance and style)
Ijaz Ahmad (the man could use a bat like an axe)
Malcolm Marshall
Shoaib Akhtar

I feel great to see Azharuddin being mentioned anywhere. He is such a forgotten cricketer in Indian cricket mostly due to his own mistakes but it is kind of sad.

 

[SL_Fan]

This would be my top ten


Bradman - freak of all freaks a mammoth 175 runs/Test says it all

Sobers - four-in-one the ultimate utility player plus a brilliant fielder and leader

Viv - greatest modern-day batsman has ticked off more boxes than any other plus a brilliant fielder and leader and also a decent part-timer

McGrath - greatest modern-day bowler dominated all formats, all conditions and hardly anyone managed to get the better of him

Imran - ATG bowler and leader and a solid batsman

Kallis - ATG batsman, brilliant fielder and a reliable bowler

Hadlee - ATG bowler a one-man army and a solid lower-order batsman

Warne - ATG bowler, mastered what is easily the most difficult art-form and a decent lower-order batsman

Murali - ATG bowler an absolute workhorse and freak of nature

Gilly - ATG keeper batsman redefined the role in both Tests and LOIs

 

[barah_admi]

Malcolm Marshall is widely recognized by those that played against him and saw him play during the eighties as the best fast bowler of all-time. There are several posters on here whom I respect greatly that attest to the same (@Junaids [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION]). All I have are old youtube videos to go by, and I have seen nothing to dispel the notion that Marshall was indeed very special.

A list of this sort has to be subjective by necessity, and I won't have any qualms if you include Wasim, Imran, McGrath, or even Lillee above Marshall.

As far as Murali is concerned, I've never been entirely comfortable including him in these debates because of the asterisk attached to his career. I find it easier to ignore his records than enter into a philosophical debate on optical illusions, hyperextension, congenital deformities etc. Fair play to him for his career, he's a lovely chap by all accounts, but I am not obliged to admire his feats.

I watched Marshall and he was certainly great, I just feel Akram was the greatest. Much like Marshall before him, Akram is highlighted as the greatest fast bowler by his generation of batsmen. Add in his superior speed and reverse swing and I just have to give it to him. Not too fussed about Marshall being ranked higher though.

The Murali point is incorrect. Hyperextension is a real physical issue. It was allowed for in the rules back then (medical exemptions which have since seemingly anyway, been done away with). If he bowled within the rules based on what the rules were, and he did, then I don't see any reason for anyone holding that against him, because if you do, then on what basis have you included a drugs cheat such as Warne?

 

[barah_admi]

I'd love to add Gilly to my list as some have. Wicket keepers don't get enough credit and as muc has I dislike the man, as a keeper he was exceptional and then as a batsman he revolutionised lower order hitting.

 

[Last Monetarist]

The Murali point is incorrect. Hyperextension is a real physical issue. It was allowed for in the rules back then (medical exemptions which have since seemingly anyway, been done away with). If he bowled within the rules based on what the rules were, and he did, then I don't see any reason for anyone holding that against him, because if you do, then on what basis have you included a drugs cheat such as Warne?

That's just your opinion as well. The rules were changed to accommodate him, and I don't much trust the ICC's integrity when it comes to chucking rules, when they allowed Ajmal to bowl for 5 years before unceremoniously cracking down on doosras just because it was politically expedient for the Big 3. I have a pathological dislike for chuckers, having seen several flourishing in street and club cricket in Lahore in the 90s who were all throwing to get the ball to drift the other way. A whole generation of cricketers suffered because of the ICC's complicity to let the game's sanctity get stomped all over.

As far as Warne is concerned, he got punished for the crime, even it was a bit lenient. If all kinds of cheating were a criteria for these lists, then Wasim wouldn't be considered either. That's all I will say on this subject.

 

[Mute Witness]

There cant possibly be a definitive list to such a question. It will always be a matter of preference. Michael Holding once said that great players can play in any era. And he is absolutely spot on. Some here on PP often tend to diminish former greats by questioning the player's ability to play in certain conditions or against certain type of bowling. Often missing the point that it is not their fault that they were born when they were. Diminishing their greatness is essentially rendering them incapable of playing different conditions. This is equally speculative to the possibility that they may have actually bossed those conditions, at least in time. Am I stretching it a little? Virat Kohli was an absolute bunny on initial tours to England, but anyone who questioned his greatness should have known better. Steve Smith owned Asian conditions, even the worst rank turner types. Players evolve, players learn, players improve with greater exposure. It would have been no different for those athletes had they played today.

Of course it's always fascinating to think how the Don would do in Asia, but to dismiss him outright as a certain failure is to overlook the fact that he had excellent footwork and phenomenal hand eye coordination. Sehwag made a career out of having just one of those traits. I'm sure Boycott and Hanif could teach a thing or two to these modern day pretenders about the value you need to put on your wicket. I'm sure Anderson would be a top bowler in any era, but you cant help but imagine if batsmen of a previous era be as terrible against the moving ball and some of our modern lot. Of course on the flip side, tailenders have now evolved to become the 'lower order'. Anyway give Gary Sobers David Warner's bat and i'd certainly pay to watch him play.

Given all of this, the five i've selected for this list are five cricketers who defined their era. Recognizing and giving these athletes their due. Cricket has been played for nearly 130 years. Split into 5 eras of 26 years each, give and take a few overlapping years, the five i've picked are listed below. We can obviously debate who should be the principle cricketer of each era, and obviously two from the same era can be better from one of a different era, but this is the system i'm going with. So here goes.

The First era: The Birth of Cricket

WG Grace. I don't think there is any question about this one.

The Second Era: Between the World Wars

Don Bradman. It can be argued that Bradman's best came in postwar 1948, but it is without question that Bradman defined that era.

The Third Era: Post war up till the 70's

Garfield Sobers. Sobers was a giant of the game, who could do almost anything. Honourable mention for Freddy Trueman, what a top bowler he was.

The Fourth Era: The Professional Era begins.

Isaac Vivian Richards: In an era defined by great fast bowlers, and champion alrounders, Viv stands out as the player who defined this generation.

The Fifth Era: The Modern times

Shane Warne: This was perhaps the toughest choice, with so many worthy names, i've gone with Shane Warne. The main man of a champion team that won three consecutive ODI world cups and remained the number one test team for nearly a decade. A team that will go down in folklore as great as the WI team of the 80s and Bradman's Invincibles.

Bonus: (This bit is projection)

The Sixth Era: The T20 age begins

Virat Kohli: I think few can argue that across formats, this man will be the definitive cricketer of his generation.

That's all folks.

 

[Bilal7]

Nothing has changed. The top five (six) remain:

1) Bradman
2) Imran
3) Sobers
4) Kallis
5) Richards/Marshall

 

[Adijazz1706]

Bradman
IK
Kallis
Murali
Akram/Marshall

 

[barah_admi]

That's just your opinion as well. The rules were changed to accommodate him, and I don't much trust the ICC's integrity when it comes to chucking rules, when they allowed Ajmal to bowl for 5 years before unceremoniously cracking down on doosras just because it was politically expedient for the Big 3. I have a pathological dislike for chuckers, having seen several flourishing in street and club cricket in Lahore in the 90s who were all throwing to get the ball to drift the other way. A whole generation of cricketers suffered because of the ICC's complicity to let the game's sanctity get stomped all over.

As far as Warne is concerned, he got punished for the crime, even it was a bit lenient. If all kinds of cheating were a criteria for these lists, then Wasim wouldn't be considered either. That's all I will say on this subject.

The rules were never changed for Murali. Medical exemptions were allowed because there is nothing Murali could do with regards to his arms appearing to be bent. Have you ever seen him trying to straighten his arms at the elbow? He can't.

Warne's situation was far worse, he did something that considered to be cheating across all sports. IN fact, we have no idea how long he could have been doping for, so to include him and to exclude Murali makes no sense. If one has an asterix next to his name, so must the other.

As for Wasim, I have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[Chrish]

Wanna see if Steve Smith can be the same freak he was before the whole debacle upon return. If he manages that, then it will be an epic comeback on the same scale as Bradman returing after 6 years of war.