kyear2
International Coach
He doesn't make any for me. They are all rated separately.
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Heroes of the Heroes
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capt_Luffy
Cricketer Of The Year
Why? He has played Test matches..... If you are going with a year cut-off, some may definitely prefer a minimum matches played cutoff.
kyear2
International Coach
And that's their choice.
Hutton even said he chose Hammond because he enjoyed his elegance when batting with him (which he obviously never did with Bradman). As for Miller and Lindwall, Hutton played over 20 Tests against them both so you'd think he chose Miller for a reason beyond armchair statistics
Line and Length
Cricketer Of The Year
It's pleasing to see the amount of interest generated by my OP. I hope it continues as it makes the exercise worthwhile.
Today we have the views of 4 MOB.
DILIP VENGSARKAR
My Childhood Batting Hero: Ajit Wadakar was the batsman who meant something very special to me. I never used to miss the opportunity of watching him bat in Bombay. From the moment he walked out to bay he had my rapt attention.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: I was at school and totally devoted to cricket when Dennis Lillee was at His peak. I thought he was one of the greatest fast bowlers then and since playing against him have no reason to change that assessment.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Viv Richards. He can be totally dominating at the wicket against any attack and on any surface. There is just no stopping him when he has made up his mind to go for the runs.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: I must select my hero Dennis Lillee. Apart from his great bowling pace and skill he also has tremendous willpower and determination. What a man to have on your side!
PETER MAY
My Childhood Batting Hero: W.R. (Walter) Hammond, who scored 167 centuries to prove he had staying power to go with his immense natural talent. He had a classical style and the confidence and ability to play his shots on the most difficult wickets.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: Hedley Verity, who in his tragically short career proved himself one of the greatest of all left-arm spin bowlers. He was an absolute terror on a sticky wicket and also had the accuracy and pace and flight variations to cause problems on good surfaces.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Sir Jack Hobbs, with 197 centuries and more than 61.000 runs as evidence of his batting mastery. He was a model batsman who set a perfect example to young cricketers, not only with is poised and purposeful batting but with his dignified and sporting approach to the game.
My Ideas of the Perfect Bowler: Alec Bedser, who had the ability to produce match winning performances on all wickets and in all conditions. He was a lion-hearted competitor who always put the needs of the team above any selfish considerations.
KIM HUGHES
My Childhood Hero: I lived deep in the country as a boy and so I had to rely on cricket books to fire my imagination. The books in our local library all featured pre-war stars and the player I never tired of reading about was Don Bradman. His feats with the bat were extraordinary to the point of being freakish.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: To be perfect you would need to have the technique, concentration and competitive qualities of Geoff Boycott and the power, grace and dashing strokeplay of Viv Richards. The player who had a mixture of all these qualities was Barry Richards.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Imran Khan comes closest to being the perfect bowler. He has strength and stamina to go with his speed and is the sort of great competitor who can produce his best when most needed.
TED DEXTER
My Childhood Batting Hero: Len Hutton fired my imagination with his batting performances. I have warm recollections of the first bat I ever owned. It was an autographed Len Hutton size 3, treble spring which I cleaned and oiled with all the loving care of a young girl tending her first pony.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: Keith Miller always appealed to me with his cavalier approach. He was a fine all-rounder and when I was first taking a close interest in the game it was he and Ray Lindwall who were the scourge of English batsmen.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Sir Jack Hobbs must come closest to fitting the description of the ‘perfect batsman’. In the films I have seen of him in action he always looked so cool and poised and obviously found the whole thing simple. Everything I have read and heard about this legendary figure leads me to believe that by not seeing him in his prime I was deprived of a unique experience.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Alan Davidson. Australia’s left arm opening bowler had the finest action I have ever seen. He had the vital ingredients of movement, speed, control and accuracy all in one and was a delight to watch.
Tomorrow: All-Rounders’ Heroes.
Today we have the views of 4 MOB.
DILIP VENGSARKAR
My Childhood Batting Hero: Ajit Wadakar was the batsman who meant something very special to me. I never used to miss the opportunity of watching him bat in Bombay. From the moment he walked out to bay he had my rapt attention.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: I was at school and totally devoted to cricket when Dennis Lillee was at His peak. I thought he was one of the greatest fast bowlers then and since playing against him have no reason to change that assessment.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Viv Richards. He can be totally dominating at the wicket against any attack and on any surface. There is just no stopping him when he has made up his mind to go for the runs.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: I must select my hero Dennis Lillee. Apart from his great bowling pace and skill he also has tremendous willpower and determination. What a man to have on your side!
PETER MAY
My Childhood Batting Hero: W.R. (Walter) Hammond, who scored 167 centuries to prove he had staying power to go with his immense natural talent. He had a classical style and the confidence and ability to play his shots on the most difficult wickets.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: Hedley Verity, who in his tragically short career proved himself one of the greatest of all left-arm spin bowlers. He was an absolute terror on a sticky wicket and also had the accuracy and pace and flight variations to cause problems on good surfaces.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Sir Jack Hobbs, with 197 centuries and more than 61.000 runs as evidence of his batting mastery. He was a model batsman who set a perfect example to young cricketers, not only with is poised and purposeful batting but with his dignified and sporting approach to the game.
My Ideas of the Perfect Bowler: Alec Bedser, who had the ability to produce match winning performances on all wickets and in all conditions. He was a lion-hearted competitor who always put the needs of the team above any selfish considerations.
KIM HUGHES
My Childhood Hero: I lived deep in the country as a boy and so I had to rely on cricket books to fire my imagination. The books in our local library all featured pre-war stars and the player I never tired of reading about was Don Bradman. His feats with the bat were extraordinary to the point of being freakish.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: To be perfect you would need to have the technique, concentration and competitive qualities of Geoff Boycott and the power, grace and dashing strokeplay of Viv Richards. The player who had a mixture of all these qualities was Barry Richards.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Imran Khan comes closest to being the perfect bowler. He has strength and stamina to go with his speed and is the sort of great competitor who can produce his best when most needed.
TED DEXTER
My Childhood Batting Hero: Len Hutton fired my imagination with his batting performances. I have warm recollections of the first bat I ever owned. It was an autographed Len Hutton size 3, treble spring which I cleaned and oiled with all the loving care of a young girl tending her first pony.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: Keith Miller always appealed to me with his cavalier approach. He was a fine all-rounder and when I was first taking a close interest in the game it was he and Ray Lindwall who were the scourge of English batsmen.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Sir Jack Hobbs must come closest to fitting the description of the ‘perfect batsman’. In the films I have seen of him in action he always looked so cool and poised and obviously found the whole thing simple. Everything I have read and heard about this legendary figure leads me to believe that by not seeing him in his prime I was deprived of a unique experience.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Alan Davidson. Australia’s left arm opening bowler had the finest action I have ever seen. He had the vital ingredients of movement, speed, control and accuracy all in one and was a delight to watch.
Tomorrow: All-Rounders’ Heroes.
Line and Length
Cricketer Of The Year
It's interesting that Kim Hughes chooses Imran in preference to Lillee as the perfect bowler. I wonder if the treatment he received when captain is a factor. Or perhaps he's a good judge.
You said quotes were from 1984 and Lillee and Hughes hated each other then. Also no way would he pick Lillee as perfect bowler when he wouldn't follow his captaincy instructions (I read they became very good friends much later in life)
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Interesting how May has the stats of Hobbs at hand. The 197 centuries has joined Bradman's average in folklore.
@kyear2 please take note of Hughes' comment. He echoes what some of us have said about Imran, he was always for delivering for the biggest series and moments. Something not captured in raw averages.
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Hughes played two back to back series against Imran in his peak, so I am not surprised by his comment.
kyear2
International Coach
So the same way you're taking his word on Imran, I assume you're also taking his word with regards to Barry as well?
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kyear2
International Coach
You wouldn't, lol
OverratedSanity
Request Your Custom Title Now!
This is a very good thread @Line and Length
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Barry? You mean with Gooch? Yes it counts.
Read the Hughes segment again. He literally described Barry as a combination of the best elements of Viv and Boycott.
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Yes. I think that's why we even consider Barry in these discussions, based on his peer rating.
Line and Length
Cricketer Of The Year
Three All-Rounders make up today's post.
IMRAN KHAN
My Childhood Hero: When I was a young boy growing up in Pakistan I considered cricket exclusively a batsman’s game. I idolized both my cousins Majid Khan and Javed Burki. I had the thrill of seeing Javed score a fine century against the MCC at Lahore, while Majid produced many hurricane knocks at school and club level which left a lasting impression.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Purely as far as the bowling action is concerned, I select Michael Holding. He has perfect rhythm and fluency. His high arm action and full utilisation of his height means he gets natural swing and off the pitch movement either way.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Vivian Richards is the batsman on whom the description ‘perfect’ sits quite comfortably. He can attack and defend at will and with an ease of movement and ferocious yet controlled power that is admired even by the bowlers whose average he ruins!
IAN BOTHAM
My Childhood Batting Hero: The one and only Garry Sobers. He was the cricketer who captured my imagination when I was a youngster, with both the bat and the ball. I liked his approach to the game and my earliest ambition was to become an all-rounder in his mould. Cricket was always enjoyable when Garry was out in the middle whether he was batting or bowling.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: Wes Hall was the bowler whose performances used to excite me. He was spectacularly fast and was a danger to batsmen even on docile wickets. When he and Charlie Griffith were sharing the new ball, West Indies were always in with a chance to pick up quick Wickets.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: It’s got to be Viv Richards. When he’s really motoring he can dominate any attack in the world. He always goes for his shots and gives spectators great value for their money. Whether hammering the ball or stroking it, he is a master at placing it to beat even the tightest field.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Dennis Lillee who can be such a magnificent servant for Australia. He can be as quick as anybody in the world but is equally as dangerous when bowling at a slower pace because of his ability to move the ball either way off the pitch or in the air. And what a competitor!
DOUG WALTERS
My Childhood Batting Hero: Sir Garfield Sobers, a true cricketing genius who could literally win matches off his own bat. I was at school when he first started to establish himself as one of the world’s greatest players and later had the privilege of playing against him. Whether it was with the bat or ball, he brought an aura and excitement to every game in which he played.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: Wesley Hall, a magnificent fast bowler who had a beautiful action and could make the ball kick and rear on perfectly good wickets.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Greg Chappell and Viv Richards rolled into one would produce the perfect batsman. Greg has an excellent technique and times the ball beautifully, while Viv is one of the most imaginative and creative batsmen of all time.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Dennis Lille, who for heart, stamina and pure bowling talent is out on his own. In his early days he was a fast, hostile bowler with a classic action but he has since developed into a real craftsman who thinks before he delivers and traps batsmen with crafty changes of pace and direction.
Tomorrow: Wicket-Keepers
IMRAN KHAN
My Childhood Hero: When I was a young boy growing up in Pakistan I considered cricket exclusively a batsman’s game. I idolized both my cousins Majid Khan and Javed Burki. I had the thrill of seeing Javed score a fine century against the MCC at Lahore, while Majid produced many hurricane knocks at school and club level which left a lasting impression.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Purely as far as the bowling action is concerned, I select Michael Holding. He has perfect rhythm and fluency. His high arm action and full utilisation of his height means he gets natural swing and off the pitch movement either way.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Vivian Richards is the batsman on whom the description ‘perfect’ sits quite comfortably. He can attack and defend at will and with an ease of movement and ferocious yet controlled power that is admired even by the bowlers whose average he ruins!
IAN BOTHAM
My Childhood Batting Hero: The one and only Garry Sobers. He was the cricketer who captured my imagination when I was a youngster, with both the bat and the ball. I liked his approach to the game and my earliest ambition was to become an all-rounder in his mould. Cricket was always enjoyable when Garry was out in the middle whether he was batting or bowling.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: Wes Hall was the bowler whose performances used to excite me. He was spectacularly fast and was a danger to batsmen even on docile wickets. When he and Charlie Griffith were sharing the new ball, West Indies were always in with a chance to pick up quick Wickets.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: It’s got to be Viv Richards. When he’s really motoring he can dominate any attack in the world. He always goes for his shots and gives spectators great value for their money. Whether hammering the ball or stroking it, he is a master at placing it to beat even the tightest field.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Dennis Lillee who can be such a magnificent servant for Australia. He can be as quick as anybody in the world but is equally as dangerous when bowling at a slower pace because of his ability to move the ball either way off the pitch or in the air. And what a competitor!
DOUG WALTERS
My Childhood Batting Hero: Sir Garfield Sobers, a true cricketing genius who could literally win matches off his own bat. I was at school when he first started to establish himself as one of the world’s greatest players and later had the privilege of playing against him. Whether it was with the bat or ball, he brought an aura and excitement to every game in which he played.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: Wesley Hall, a magnificent fast bowler who had a beautiful action and could make the ball kick and rear on perfectly good wickets.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Greg Chappell and Viv Richards rolled into one would produce the perfect batsman. Greg has an excellent technique and times the ball beautifully, while Viv is one of the most imaginative and creative batsmen of all time.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Dennis Lille, who for heart, stamina and pure bowling talent is out on his own. In his early days he was a fast, hostile bowler with a classic action but he has since developed into a real craftsman who thinks before he delivers and traps batsmen with crafty changes of pace and direction.
Tomorrow: Wicket-Keepers
Line and Length
Cricketer Of The Year
It's interesting how often the names V. Richards and D.Lillee crop up in these interviews. I guess it's a reflection of that era. Having Garfield Sobers mentioned so often is not at all unexpected.
Good to see Wes Hall getting a nod. He also impressed me at a younger (but not childhood) age.
Good to see Wes Hall getting a nod. He also impressed me at a younger (but not childhood) age.
kyear2
International Coach
He really was special, like top 10 talent level special.
Line and Length
Cricketer Of The Year
Wicket-Keepers are featred today.
SYED KIRMANI
My Childhood Wicket-Keeping Hero: I idolized no wicket-keeper in particular but I was greatly inspired and assisted by both Alan Knott and Bob Taylor. I was fortunate to meet both of them and their tips and guidance were of immense help to me. I have a lot of admiration for both of them, both as players and as people.
My Childhood Batting and Bowling Hero: It is one the the great regrets of my life that I never saw the great Sir Garfield Sobers at his peak. I admired him from afar and would have loved to have seen him in action.
My Idea of the Perfect Wicket-Keeper: Bob Taylor is the wicket-keeper I would hold up as an example for every youngster coming into the game. He has a near copybook technique and his swift collections, agility and anticipation make him a joy to watch.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: In my opinion, Gundappa Viswanath comes nearest to being the perfect batsman. He can play every stroke in the book all round the wicket with proper technique, grace and ease.
BOB TAYLOR
My Childhood Batting Hero: Peter May was the batsman I most admired. He made it all seem so easy, stroking the ball almost effortlessly to the boundary with shots that were beautifully timed and perfectly placed.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: Jim Laker was the bowler who used to take my eye. His 19 wickets against Australia in the 1956 Test at Old Trafford made a big impression on a whole new generation of young cricket followers who, like me, were falling in love with the game.
My Childhood Wicket-Keeping Hero: Godfrey Evans who was a bundle of energy behind the stumps for Kent and England. He was full of bounce and agility and few things go past him. His enthusiasm for the game spread to everyone around him.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Viv Richards for his all-round batting technique on any wicket and in any conditions. He can be a ferocious hitter of the ball or can steer it to the boundary with the most delicate of touches.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Dennis Lillee, who over the last decade has constantly produced 100 per cent effort and deadly line and length. He is dangerous even when bowling at top speed because of the amount of movement he can get with the ball through the air or off the pitch.
My Idea of the Perfect Wicket-Keeper: Keith Andrew of Northants and England, who turned wicket-keeping into an art. He took over as the National Cricket Association’s chief coach and is widely respected for his deep knowledge of the game.
ROD MARSH
My Childhood Heroes: Wally Grout was my wicket-keeping hero. Just the fact that he kept wicket for Australia made him No. 1 in my young eyes. My bowling heroes were Keith Miller and Ray Lindwall for pace and Richie Benaud for spin. The batsman I idolized was Neil Harvey, a cultured left-hander who took apart bowling attacks with the precision of a surgeon.
My Idea of the Perfect Wicket-Keeper: Alan Knott at his peak. He is brilliant standing back and has no equal when standing over the stumps. Knotty is far and away the best ‘keeper of my era.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: The perfect batsman would have the technique and skills of the Chappell brothers and the flair and brilliance of Viv and Barry Richards. Any batsman with that sort of combination would be classed as perfect.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: There is no doubt that the bowler who stands up to that description is D.K. (Dennis) Lillee. It has been a privilege for me to keep wicket to him for so long because he is the greatest bowler I have ever see. He’s got everything.
GODFREY EVANS
My Childhood Wicket-Keeping Hero: Leslie Ames, particularly when keeping wicket to Tich Freeman. They had a marvelous understanding and claimed many victims together. I used to watch Leslie play for Kent at every opportunity and apart from his wicket-keeping I also admired his batting. He was a marvelous mentor and guide to me me when I had the honour of following him into the Kent and England teams.
My Childhood Batting Hero: Wally Hammond, who was as good an all-round batsman ad I’ve ever seen. He had a good technique, a sound defence and was a tremendous attacking player, particularly with his ferocious cover driving.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Ray Lindwall for variation of pace … Doug Wright for sheer brilliance … Alec Bedser for being a tiger who never stopped trying.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsmen: Denis Compton for his sheer genius … Len Hutton for his correctness in style …. Don Bradman for his concentration.
My Idea of the Perfect Wicket-Keeper: The Australian Don Tallon whose reactions were incredibly quick.
Tomorrow: Spinners. Sadly there were no bowlers from outside England who were interviewed.
SYED KIRMANI
My Childhood Wicket-Keeping Hero: I idolized no wicket-keeper in particular but I was greatly inspired and assisted by both Alan Knott and Bob Taylor. I was fortunate to meet both of them and their tips and guidance were of immense help to me. I have a lot of admiration for both of them, both as players and as people.
My Childhood Batting and Bowling Hero: It is one the the great regrets of my life that I never saw the great Sir Garfield Sobers at his peak. I admired him from afar and would have loved to have seen him in action.
My Idea of the Perfect Wicket-Keeper: Bob Taylor is the wicket-keeper I would hold up as an example for every youngster coming into the game. He has a near copybook technique and his swift collections, agility and anticipation make him a joy to watch.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: In my opinion, Gundappa Viswanath comes nearest to being the perfect batsman. He can play every stroke in the book all round the wicket with proper technique, grace and ease.
BOB TAYLOR
My Childhood Batting Hero: Peter May was the batsman I most admired. He made it all seem so easy, stroking the ball almost effortlessly to the boundary with shots that were beautifully timed and perfectly placed.
My Childhood Bowling Hero: Jim Laker was the bowler who used to take my eye. His 19 wickets against Australia in the 1956 Test at Old Trafford made a big impression on a whole new generation of young cricket followers who, like me, were falling in love with the game.
My Childhood Wicket-Keeping Hero: Godfrey Evans who was a bundle of energy behind the stumps for Kent and England. He was full of bounce and agility and few things go past him. His enthusiasm for the game spread to everyone around him.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: Viv Richards for his all-round batting technique on any wicket and in any conditions. He can be a ferocious hitter of the ball or can steer it to the boundary with the most delicate of touches.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Dennis Lillee, who over the last decade has constantly produced 100 per cent effort and deadly line and length. He is dangerous even when bowling at top speed because of the amount of movement he can get with the ball through the air or off the pitch.
My Idea of the Perfect Wicket-Keeper: Keith Andrew of Northants and England, who turned wicket-keeping into an art. He took over as the National Cricket Association’s chief coach and is widely respected for his deep knowledge of the game.
ROD MARSH
My Childhood Heroes: Wally Grout was my wicket-keeping hero. Just the fact that he kept wicket for Australia made him No. 1 in my young eyes. My bowling heroes were Keith Miller and Ray Lindwall for pace and Richie Benaud for spin. The batsman I idolized was Neil Harvey, a cultured left-hander who took apart bowling attacks with the precision of a surgeon.
My Idea of the Perfect Wicket-Keeper: Alan Knott at his peak. He is brilliant standing back and has no equal when standing over the stumps. Knotty is far and away the best ‘keeper of my era.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsman: The perfect batsman would have the technique and skills of the Chappell brothers and the flair and brilliance of Viv and Barry Richards. Any batsman with that sort of combination would be classed as perfect.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: There is no doubt that the bowler who stands up to that description is D.K. (Dennis) Lillee. It has been a privilege for me to keep wicket to him for so long because he is the greatest bowler I have ever see. He’s got everything.
GODFREY EVANS
My Childhood Wicket-Keeping Hero: Leslie Ames, particularly when keeping wicket to Tich Freeman. They had a marvelous understanding and claimed many victims together. I used to watch Leslie play for Kent at every opportunity and apart from his wicket-keeping I also admired his batting. He was a marvelous mentor and guide to me me when I had the honour of following him into the Kent and England teams.
My Childhood Batting Hero: Wally Hammond, who was as good an all-round batsman ad I’ve ever seen. He had a good technique, a sound defence and was a tremendous attacking player, particularly with his ferocious cover driving.
My Idea of the Perfect Bowler: Ray Lindwall for variation of pace … Doug Wright for sheer brilliance … Alec Bedser for being a tiger who never stopped trying.
My Idea of the Perfect Batsmen: Denis Compton for his sheer genius … Len Hutton for his correctness in style …. Don Bradman for his concentration.
My Idea of the Perfect Wicket-Keeper: The Australian Don Tallon whose reactions were incredibly quick.
Tomorrow: Spinners. Sadly there were no bowlers from outside England who were interviewed.
Line and Length
Cricketer Of The Year
It's interesting that Godfrey Evans makes one of the few references to Don Bradman in these interviews. He highlights The Don's concentration and I recall reading that this was one of Bradman's greatest strengths.