After listing my favourite cricketers last week, I thought the natural progression was to come up with the best players I have seen.
So Roarers, here are my all time top five, but who will be yours?
1. Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies)
I always saw this great all-rounder as being akin to a chess master, with every cricket ground his chess board, and all the opposition checkmated by his eclectic mastery.
This was seen in him being able to bat better than anyone, bowl both medium fast and two varieties of spin with equal effect, and his sublime brilliance in the field.
People often marvel at the exploits of India’s Eknath Solkar as an in-close fielder, but Sobers was every bit as good, cat-like in his catching at leg slip
His batting needs no explanation, having unrivalled skills and gears that meant he could play any innings, on any pitch; whether playing a back-to-the-wall salvage operation or decimating attacks, Sobers was king.
I often thought when he was on a tear the bowler was silently applauding under his breath out of awe of his brilliance.
2. Imran Khan (Pakistan)
This all-rounder’s greatness etched in stone with him being one of the best fast bowlers ever seen, a resolute, skilled batsman and one of the most influential captains in the game’s history.
But it was how he changed the game that had me in awe of him.
His reintroduction of the lost art of traditional leg spin into the game in the late 1970s was a spectacular success and came at a time when all were obsessed with having four pacemen in the hope of mimicking the West Indies’ dominance.
The lovely irony in this was that one team that challenged the great Windies throughout the 1980s was Pakistan, mainly because of the effect that Abdul Qadir’s leg spin had over affairs.
His other legacy was the creation and tutelage of reverse swing with fellow Pakistani pacemen Sarfraz Nawaz and Sikander Bakht.
This revolution has changed the game, with reverse swing providing bowlers with a means to cut through batting line-ups with the old ball in hand, as well as giving redemption on unforgiving pitches.
3. Graeme Pollock (South Africa)
Many will find ranking Graeme Pollock at three as questionable, with him playing only 23 Test against selected opposition due to Apartheid restrictions.
They will point to the many who have started their Test careers in a blaze of glory, only to fade thereafter, or the fact that he never proved himself in sub-continent conditions against class spinners; a trial of batsmanship that has been the undoing of many Western phenoms.
All irrelevant, when talking about the masterful Graeme Pollock.
A left hander that had the rare ability to make the game look simple and stunning at the same time, he employed little footwork, but just enough to see him have immaculate balance when playing shots.
In his stroke play their was a genius deception in how he always seemed to caress the ball, but the timing was such that it ended up highlighting his easy power.
This was always seen in his cover driving, which often dissected packed offside fields, and before the fieldsman could turn his head to chase, it had already rattled the pickets.
In full flow, he would not merely dominate, more so dismember and bludgeon attacks, but always in a velvet sledgehammer manner.
4. Adam Gilchrist (Australia)
I have always thought that in rating any player, their influence on the game was key in deciding where they belonged.
In the case of Adam Gilchrist, he redefined the way the wicketkeeping/batsman role was to be played and set a new benchmark for all.
The fact he was such a revelation in a role I view as the most pivotal in any cricket team gives credibility to his rating.
If one doubts this, think of all the great teams in the history of the game and one thing they had in common was a great keeper/batsman.
If one need examples, the great English team of the 1930s had Les Ames, the English juggernaut of the 1950s had Godfrey Evans, the peerless Windies of the 1980s had the acrobatic Jeffrey Dujon.
Culminating in Adam Gilchrist, out-doing them all as part of the dominating Aussies of the 00s.
His effect was that he replaced one of the most respected keeper batsmen in Ian Healy, and this was the difference in the team’s fortunes.
1990s – 55 wins, 19 loses with six series lost.
2000s – 87 wins, 16 loses with three series lost.
The effect of Gilchrist was that he batted at seven with the skill of a high calibre batsman, coupled with Viv Richards type devastation.
He gave versatility to the team as well as intimidation, with Gilly being the master of turning games on its ear by his decimating counter attacks.
Lastly, one cannot laud Gilly without remarking about how he became a true legend while playing the game with an integrity and charm that belonged in the gentleman’s age.
5. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies)
All players strive for completeness in the discipline in which they excel in, with most coming to the realisation it is an unattainable ideal.
In the case of West Indian fast bowler Malcolm Marshall, he was the epitome of it and, in a surreal sense, surpassed it.
He was a deceptive bowler in so many ways, which was what conceal his immense threat.
Starting with his relative lack of height, no one expected the pace or rearing bounce he got, but with his violent windmill-like arm action he skidded through the ball at a rate of knots.
His main reputation was his skill coupled with his bowling smarts; he relied mostly on his swing, but on under receptive pitches he adapted like no other, with his mastery of cut becoming lethal.
Aside from his skill, It would not be amiss to label his bouncer as the most life-threatening delivery the game has seen, with it delivered at hostile pace and rearing at one like a lurching cobra.
One could make a case that Marshall’s bouncer and its deadly threat was the main reason the ridiculous restriction in bouncers was brought in.
Away from Marshall’s bowling genius, there was much unsaid about his cricketing pedigree, which centred around the fact he was one of the most astute cricketing minds the game has seen.
A natural leader, he would have made a great captain if ever afforded the chance.
Sadly, he was lost to colon cancer at the all-too-young age of 41.
Aransan
Guest
It is very difficult to compare the two eras isn't it? Miller played in an era that was substantially amateur and where far fewer games were played, and of course the war must have impacted on the career that he would otherwise have had. Modern players play more games per year and often play more years so players like Murali and Warne took twice as many wickets as Lillee did in setting his record. Modern batsmen have scored twice as many runs as Bradman did but in more than twice the number of teats. As great as Bradman was, I doubt if he would have averaged 99.94 playing as frequently as do modern batsmen who play against professional bowlers. I do believe Warne continues to be underestimated and that this has had a significant negative impact on the Australian test spinners who have followed him -- oh, not as good as Warne, not even as good as McGill. I think I can remember cricket followers hoping for the next Bradman a decade after he retired, perhaps Norm O'Neil will be the one. Thankfully that nonsense didn't last long.
SteveOL
Roar Pro
I contend that Warne was the key reason Australia dominated the 2000s. Peerless pressure and skill. In regard to the best players I've seen, I'll stick with the following using the criteria of players we will never see the likes of again. So in no particular order I nominate the following: 1. Shane Warne - dragged an ancient art into the modern game with his Keith Miller-esque charisma and out of this world skill. Could sum up a pitch and an opponent quickly and make them look like amateurs; 2. Viv Richards - the coolest cat to pull on whites. Brutal and audacious enough to hit a pitched up nut from Craig McDermott for six over mid-on off the back foot. Intimidating Goliath; 3. Adam Gilchrist - redefined the wicketkeeper/batsman with 17 whirlwind Test tons and a strike rate of 81.95. Could take a game away from the opposition in a session. Freak; 4. Malcolm Marshall - the pace of Holding, the mastery of swing of Akram and the bouncer of Thomson. At 20.94 the best bowling average of all time for anyone to have played over 50 Tests. Pure fire of Babylon; 5. Virender Sehwag - a kamikaze opening bat with a Test average of 49.34 and a strike rate of 82.23. Two triple tons and a record 219 in an ODI. Enough said.
jimbo
Guest
pretty good 5, mine would have to be 1. Viv Richards pure power and intimidation 2. Malcolm Marshall even though he wasnt a monster like Ghana or Ambrose, he was incredibly dangerous 3. Adam Gilchrist the greatest ever wiki batsmen, great big game player 4. Allan Border one of the best batsmen of the 80's, in a sub standard side 5. Jaques Kallis could make 100 runs and get 5 wickests, rare breed of a player
Bigjohn
Guest
Always liked David Gower. Used to like Gilchrist , but gave up on him after he nominated Goodes as Australian of the Year
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
There have not been many high quality spinners since Warne Aransan, and as for your view that he is the best since the Don, well, I cannot go past Keith Miller for that accolade
Gav
Guest
Great stuff Tim, enjoyed the trip down memory lane. Obviously a lot of this depends on your age and access to pay tv for some of the more modern players. But here's my list, which I could debate forever......leaving some of your favorites out, when their Aussies and there or there abouts was the hardest thing. Here are mine in no particular order. Malcom Marshal - supreme fast bowler, had it all. Could bat well for a no 8 too. Greg Chappell - deserving of the title Master Batsman. Top shelf slipper and handy medium pace. Viv Richards - deserving of the title Masterblaster! Adam Gilchrist - redefined what can constitute an all rounder. Under rated keeping (look at the attacks he felt to over the years), and with an av of 47, and power shots not seen since Viv, he would constantly change the direction of a game, often in a session. I'd have to say Kallis for my 5th, not super comfortable with that tho. You could see he had it all, and he did ok in Aust.......better than Tendulker or Lara. His all round ability and the average he ended up with as a batsman, quite amazing. So many good cricketers to consider for the list. I was amazed to see how good Philanders average was.....also Harris. Wonder if these guys will keep it up for 50 matches though. Harris probably not.
Aransan
Guest
I can understand people not liking Warne as a person, but I still rate him as the best Australian cricketer after Bradman. Every spinner since Warne has been in his shadow and only now are some cricket enthusiasts beginning to understand just how good he was.
ak
Roar Guru
Best cricketers I have seen : 1. Sachin Tendulkar 2. Wasim Akram 3. Brian Lara 4. Glenn McGrath 5. Dale Steyn Best cricketers whom I have seen only in highlights : 1. Imran Khan 2. Malcolm Marshall 3. Ian Botham 4. Vivian Richards 5. Kapil Dev
Bayman
Guest
Professor, I saw a bit of Statham, and Trueman, and I always felt Statham did not get appropriate recognition from the press and public. Those who played against him were full of praise and rightly so. A fabulous bowler - quick and relentlessly accurate. I'm sure he got wickets for Trueman as batsmen chaffed against the stranglehold put on them by Statham. I met both in 1962-63 as I hounded the England team for autographs. Statham was the nicest fellow imaginable, as were just about all of them. Freddie, on the other hand, just told me to 'Piss off, son". A friend's dad knew the manager of the hotel where MCC were staying and the manager ended up getting Trueman's signature for me. Still, I always loved Freddie and loved listening to him when he was a commentator. A Trueman story, again...playing for Yorkshire one day he wandered into the opposition dressing room before play on the first day and stood in the door, pointing and saying, "One, two, three.....four, five.....six, seven". When asked by one of the opposition what he was doing Fred replied, "I'm just counting how many wickets I'm going to get".
Bayman
Guest
Tim, From memory Wardle was picked for that 1958-59 tour but a press article (or was it a book) he wrote incurred the wrath. His invitation to tour was withdrawn and I'm not sure if he ever played for England, or even Yorkshire, again.
Bayman
Guest
JGK, No, I did not see the honour for CC McDonald - but I am very happy for him. A lovely fellow. From memory he was also, at one time, CEO of Tennis Australia.
Bayman
Guest
Tim, No, I never saw Miller which is something I've always regretted even though he retired when I was six years old and, at that time, I had no idea who he was - or even that anybody played cricket. I did see his partner in crime Ray Lindwall but he was thirty-nine at the time and past his best. Interestingly the first cricket match I ever saw was the Adelaide Test of 1958-59 (when Lindwall played). It was during this match that Colin McDonald scored 170, the first century I ever saw, before he was bowled by Master Trueman. It was this Adelaide Test, when I was just nine, that sowed the seed of my love of cricket. By now I was devouring any information about cricket and cricketers. Funny how life can turn out. Many years later (decades) I got to know Gordon Rorke quite well. Adelaide '58-59 was Gordon's Test debut. A couple of years ago I said to him, "You know, Gordon, your first Test was also my first Test". He smiled and said, "That's funny, I remember looking round the dressing room and I didn't see you!" Ouch!!
DR
Guest
A much harder list! I will go with all of yours and for myself personally i would add Glen Turner and Bert Sutcliffe and add Marshall and Roberts who were before my time.
DR
Guest
Yes, for me he put in some of the best bowling performances i have seen live which is why i put him in. What could of been.
DR
Guest
Agreed Tim. A bit surprised Latham wasnt given a nudge for the series against India coming up but he will have his chance soon enough. Real shame Bond but when he was on the park he put out some fantastic performances particularly against OZ who had one of the best one day batting line ups imaginable. Alot to be positive about over here with our cricket. Alot of promising youngsters coming through especially bowlers but thats another conversation ;) Could ramble all day.
Armchair expert
Guest
People also forget what a handy bowler G.Chappell was and he played in the days when you had to hit he ball to the fence to score a boundary.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Roberts is a very insightful choice- very under rated bowler
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
That English side of the 50's had so many great players, and one who could have been a legend in Johnny Wardle, but was rarely played
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Stin, lists like this are always remarked on by who you leave out rather than who you include- for i could have picked out of 20 players for the 5 spots- all worthy too
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Good call Sam, when the moment was the biggest, you knew Warne would lead the charge. I disagree with your point that no other 'could turn it on like Warne', for that has been a key characteristic of all the great players