jack_sparrow
U19 Debutant
Cricket isn't the type of sport typically associated with bulging biceps and barrel chests. But there are a few rather large specimens floating around the gentleman's game, many of whom could probably hold their own in the boxing ring as well as at the crease.
1. Matthew Hayden (Australia)
Queensland's yoga-practising, cookbook-writing opening batsman may not sound like the best choice for a side full of "scaries" but the left-hander is well over six foot and has forearms bigger than Muttiah Muralitharan's head. When he gets up from the "Supine Big Toe Pose" position, he's one big fellow.
2. Graeme Smith (South Africa)
The South African skipper can raise the hair on an opponent's neck with a simple stare, his hefty jaw methodically chewing yet another stick of gum (that man must have shares!) as he squints towards the batsman like a schoolboy bully looking to add a few more bucks to his lunch-money collection. Damn bullies...
3. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
Perhaps more of a heavyweight than an outright monster, Inzi nevertheless has the ability bulldoze an opponent's confidence with little pretension but plenty of power. And with bat in hand, the level of intimidation is taken up a notch or two, as a spectator who dared call him "Potato Head" once found out...
4. Chris Cairns (New Zealand)
Despite his Starsky & Hutch hairstyle, the Kiwi with the swagger is quite plainly a powerhouse. Not too many people would dare ridicule his sideburns for fear of being crushed.
5. Andrew Symonds (Australia)
Dreadlocks blowing in the wind, one can just imagine the hulking all-rounder hunting wild boar in the Queensland outback with nothing more than his bare hands and a pack of dogs. Yes, this is what the (very) big-hitting all-rounder does for "relaxation". Say no more...
6. Andrew Flintoff (England)
Freddie is quite simply a big bloke. Standing at 6' 4'' and either banging the ball into the pitch when bowling or banging it over the boundary with the bat, the England star is the type no one in a Lancashire pub would dare square up to. Mess with this man at your peril.
7. Justin Kemp (South Africa)
Another South African whose physique has no doubt benefited from copious amounts of "braaied" beef throughout childhood, Kemp is at his most demoralizing with willow in hand.
8. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India)
This was a tough one since most current international wicketkeepers would be dwarfed by members of this side. But we had to pick someone and Dhoni is far scarier than Geraint Jones...
9. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan)
Admittedly, his intimidation-factor is boosted by a blistering run-up and searing pace but there is something a bit more frightening about the Rawalpindi Express than Australia's blond-haired equivalent. Perhaps it has something to do with those bulging eyes, mop of pitch-black hair and general disregard for authority.
10. Andre Nel (South Africa)
The Behemoth from Benoni (well close enough, Germiston is just around the corner) has the rare gift of being able to beat batsmen into submission with nothing more than the often-ridiculous look on his face. Beaten by fear or fits of giggles?
11. Steve Harmison (England)
The quiet England fast bowler is one of the tallest players on the international scene. The mere fact that most would require a step-ladder to look him square in the eyes is reason enough for his inclusion. But he has to keep the beard because without it, well, he'd look like a skinny 12-year-old on stilts.
1. Matthew Hayden (Australia)
Queensland's yoga-practising, cookbook-writing opening batsman may not sound like the best choice for a side full of "scaries" but the left-hander is well over six foot and has forearms bigger than Muttiah Muralitharan's head. When he gets up from the "Supine Big Toe Pose" position, he's one big fellow.
2. Graeme Smith (South Africa)
The South African skipper can raise the hair on an opponent's neck with a simple stare, his hefty jaw methodically chewing yet another stick of gum (that man must have shares!) as he squints towards the batsman like a schoolboy bully looking to add a few more bucks to his lunch-money collection. Damn bullies...
3. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
Perhaps more of a heavyweight than an outright monster, Inzi nevertheless has the ability bulldoze an opponent's confidence with little pretension but plenty of power. And with bat in hand, the level of intimidation is taken up a notch or two, as a spectator who dared call him "Potato Head" once found out...
4. Chris Cairns (New Zealand)
Despite his Starsky & Hutch hairstyle, the Kiwi with the swagger is quite plainly a powerhouse. Not too many people would dare ridicule his sideburns for fear of being crushed.
5. Andrew Symonds (Australia)
Dreadlocks blowing in the wind, one can just imagine the hulking all-rounder hunting wild boar in the Queensland outback with nothing more than his bare hands and a pack of dogs. Yes, this is what the (very) big-hitting all-rounder does for "relaxation". Say no more...
6. Andrew Flintoff (England)
Freddie is quite simply a big bloke. Standing at 6' 4'' and either banging the ball into the pitch when bowling or banging it over the boundary with the bat, the England star is the type no one in a Lancashire pub would dare square up to. Mess with this man at your peril.
7. Justin Kemp (South Africa)
Another South African whose physique has no doubt benefited from copious amounts of "braaied" beef throughout childhood, Kemp is at his most demoralizing with willow in hand.
8. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India)
This was a tough one since most current international wicketkeepers would be dwarfed by members of this side. But we had to pick someone and Dhoni is far scarier than Geraint Jones...
9. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan)
Admittedly, his intimidation-factor is boosted by a blistering run-up and searing pace but there is something a bit more frightening about the Rawalpindi Express than Australia's blond-haired equivalent. Perhaps it has something to do with those bulging eyes, mop of pitch-black hair and general disregard for authority.
10. Andre Nel (South Africa)
The Behemoth from Benoni (well close enough, Germiston is just around the corner) has the rare gift of being able to beat batsmen into submission with nothing more than the often-ridiculous look on his face. Beaten by fear or fits of giggles?
11. Steve Harmison (England)
The quiet England fast bowler is one of the tallest players on the international scene. The mere fact that most would require a step-ladder to look him square in the eyes is reason enough for his inclusion. But he has to keep the beard because without it, well, he'd look like a skinny 12-year-old on stilts.
