As both my editors (the late Keith Shepherd and David Millette)
would say, they are only with you in good times, not when you
are going through a tough time.
Two other all-time greats have been under pressure in recent times:
genius “south paw” Brian Lara and tenacious world
wicket-keeper/batsman Adam Gilchrist -- the latter only recently
smashed a brilliant century, and somewhat silenced the foot-in-mouth-diseased,
detractors.
The question or virus circulating the air seems to be: Are these
players on the decline (temporarily) or are their prowess/powers
truly waning?
Adam Gilchrist’s 144 out of an Australian total of 269,
against minnows Bangladesh, answered the critics.
Surely, both Tendulkar and Lara’s response will be likewise.
This trio must be members of any sane person’s all-time
Test and One Day Eleven, and as I see it, now is the time to celebrate
the trio’s, great deeds, feats and accomplishments, their
contrasting styles and great blend and brand of play -- the excitement
and joy they have brought to millions the world over.
Not to point bent fingers of arthritic proportion at the great
trio.
Let’s summarise each player:
LARA -- Unarguably the greatest
West Indian batsman of all-time, bar none!
His eventful international career has run long and wide, and deep
enough for this observer to expect and believe that he will be
always a talking point.
His life and cricket career have been a talking point ever since
he put the cricket globe on notice of his pristine genius and
ability with 277 masterly runs at Sydney, 13 years ago.
In Sri Lanka (2001/02) against Chaminda Vaas’ 26 wkts (average
15.42) and Muralitharan’s 24 wkts. (average 22.33), his
688 runs (average 114.66) will remain, to me, the highpoint of
his career.
In 2005, he again demonstrated his God-given talent and genius
against South Africa and Pakistan.
The only man ever to score a full set of centuries 100 to 500.
TENDULKAR -- Just pause your
remote for a second, as in the movie Click, and reflect on his
attainment/achievement and skills -- he is the Star Trek of batsmen.
Not even Woods, Beckham, Maradona, Pele, Federer or even Lara
can match the adulation the 33-year-old has enjoyed over the past
17 years.
Injury has somewhat spotted his career in the recent past.
So what!
Look at his deeds all over the world and you’ll either shut
up or ship out!
GILCHRIST -- HE is the barometer used for truly
measuring and analysing what a great wicket-keeper/batsman is.
“The Demolisher” of bowlers, he has had a poor run
of form for a year or so, but is the icing on a very rich Australian
cake -- the 65th player to cross 5,000 Test runs.
Closing in on 400 dismissals in both versions of the great game
is nothing short of incredible.
Batting in ODIs, he once held the record score for a wicket-keeper.
True, other great batsmen have come up and have been, at present,
pre-eminent: Ricky Thomas Ponting, certainly is the man of the
moment and looks set to break Sachin Tendulkar’s world record
tally for Test match hundreds.
His batting has been amazing since 2002.
RAHUL DRAVID -- The Great Indian Wall is a master
technician and superlative batsman -- he is a class performer.
Others worthy of mention include Matt Hayden -- the best opening
batsman in the world since 2001.
Jacques Kallis and Inzamam-ul-Haq, are all very, very fine batsmen
who have lots of cricket in them.
I know in cricket, as in all other sports and walks of life, a
time must come when the old order changes and in comes the new.
However, that time has not yet come for Tendulkar, Lara or Gilchrist.
Sorry to disappoint you critics. The written off trio -- remain
all-time greats!
Check their international data -- below!
