Wayne Parnell is now Whallid Parnell

South Africa News: Wayne Parnell has embraced Islam according to a news report

According to a South African Newspaper Independent Online, Wayne Parnell has converted to Islamic faith. Proteas’ team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee confirmed the news by saying: “It was his choice to embrace Islam.” His Islamic name is Whallid (waleed) which means ‘great one’.

Wayne Parnell has the honour to represent South Africa at very tender age. He came to limelight when he captained South African Under-19 team in the U-19 World Cup in 2008. He was the youngest player to get a central contract in 2009 at the age of 20 years.

Influence of fellow Protea players Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir on his change of faith is not confirmed yet, although an SMS was circulating citing the possible role of these two. According to the Newspaper, Amla’s agent Ismail Kajee said it was not true that the ODI (vice) captain (sic) had any influence in Parnell’s decision to convert to Islam.

He may continue to use his Christian name while playing for his nation. As his first Ramadan is approaching where he is expected to observe his first ever fast, attempts to contact him weren’t successful.

In the current team, he will be the third Muslim after Hashim Amla and Pakistan-born Imran Tahir. South Africa being an open and tolerant society ensures that he continues to lead his life and pursue his career as he was doing before. Happy new life to Whallid Parnell!

He is the second Christian to have reverted to Islam after Pakistan’s Yousuf Yohana (now Mohammad Yousuf) in 2006. As regards other sports many notable sportsmen have embraced Islam including renowned American basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (formerly Lew Alcindor), Abdul Karim al-Jabbar (famous US footballer), Brazilian football players Marcio Souza De Silva and Muhammad Danilo Fernando, French football players Eric Abidal, Franck Ribery (now Tarek) and Nicolas Anelka, Dutch footballer Robin van Persie, Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand rugby union player and a heavyweight boxer) and most importantly American boxers Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali Clay.

India v England: England trounce India in the 2000th Test

Match Report - 1st Test (Test # 2000): England v India (Pataudi Trophy), Lord's, London, 21-25 July 2011

Rarely has a Test match got so many historic tags as this one between world’s top two teams. Apart from being 2000th Test, this happend to be the 100th Test between the sides. But the real hype and tremendous excitement in Duncan Fletcher’s 100th Test as coach was because Tendulkar was on 99 international hundreds, one short of a ton of tons. England played far better than India, hence came out triamphed late on the final day.

Day 1:

The match started about half an hour late due to early morning drizzle. Crucially, M S Dhoni won the toss and opted to field under the gloom. Zaheer Khan returned to the side but Yuvraj Singh could not make it, in-form Suresh Raina being preferred over him. Gautam Gambhir returned to partner with Abhinav Mukund at the top, as Sehwag has been ruled out for first two Tests. For England, despite doubts over his form Stuart Broad kept his place over Tim Bresnan.

Stumps were called as recurrent rain cut short the day. The much-hyped first day of a landmark Test proved to be a disappointing anticlimax.

Summarized scores:

England 127/2 (Trott 58*, Pietersen 22*; Zaheer 2/18)

Read more ... Rain waters down the hype on first day at Lords

Day 2:

Kevin Pietersen lit up the Lords’ ground with atrocious stroke play as England piled up a strong first innings score. The weather today was perfect for batting as a depleted Indian attack, although lead admirably by persistent Praveen Kumar, kept searching for wickets all day. The wickets did come by but not at the cost which India would have liked.

Summarized scores:

India 17/0 trail by 457 runs with 10 wickets remaining against England 474/8 (Pietersen 202*, Prior 71; P Kumar 5/106, Zaheer 2/18)

Read more ... Magical Pietersen powers England to strong position

Day 3:

At the end of the third day’s play India was still chasing England despite Dravid’s moment of redemption. In 1996 Dravid was the last man out in his debut Test at the same venue, a match which was lit up by Saurav Ganguly’s debut hundred. It was Broad, reluctantly chosen over Bresnan, who broke the back of Indian batting line up.

Stuart Broad was unlucky not to have taken more than 4 for 37. England saw off the five overs left in the day unharmed. A decisive day looms ahead as England would try to pile on, while India would try to limit the 4th innings target hoping their trump card Zaheer Khan is fit enough.

Summarized scores:

England 474/8 and 5/0 lead India 286 (Dravid 103*, Mukund 49; Broad 4/37, Tremlett 3/80) by 193 runs with 10 wickets remaining

Read more ... Dravid helps India avoid follow-on


Day 4:

The day started with expectation of an England declaration and the talk was centered on the possible fourth innings target India would get. The declaration eventually did come, thanks to a heroic face-saving knock from Matt Prior, but only after the Indian attack sans Zaheer Khan had given England a scare early on the 4th morning.
With Dravid looking solid and Laxman well set, made known by three classy fours in a Tremlett over, India will hope these two come up with something special come the final day.

Summarized scores:

India 80/1 and 286 trail England 474/8 and 269/6 (Prior 10-3*, Broad 74*; Ishant Sharma 4/59) by 378 runs with 9 wickets remaining

Read more ... England on course after Prior counter attack


Day 5: Anderson routs India as England win

A landmark Test needed a fitting finale but it was not to be. England had 98 overs at their disposal to beat World’s number one Test team and to go 1-0 up, while a bruised India had pride at stake. In the end, England lead by Anderson proved a far better side as they beat India comprehensively by 196 runs.

India, starting sedately, were reprieved by England when Ian Bell dropped a difficult catch to give Dravid a life. But the miss did not cost England, as Jimmy Anderson got rid of the ‘Wall’ with a regulation edge to the keeper. Next man out was Laxman for 56, who like first innings fell while attempting a pull and Anderson was ecstatic again, as his hard work was finally paying off. India was soon gasping for air at 135 for 4 when Gautam Gambhir, batting at number 4 due to an elbow injury, was given out LBW to a Swann slider. It was, yet another, brilliant decision by Asad Rauf.

Tendulkar, who came into the Test hoping to get his 100th international ton, could not bear the brunt, as after surviving twice he fell LBW to Anderson for just 12. Suresh Raina and captain MS Dhoni put up a fight and when they left for tea, India needed to survive 40 more overs with 5 wickets in hand. It was crucial for these two to hang around for as long as they could.

Raina dominated the 60-run partnership as Dhoni tried to do a rearguard action. But he got himself out when he poked at a rising Tremlett delivery. The new ball had done the trick and England were in the Indian tail. Harbhajan survived a drop and a plumb LBW missed by Billy Bowden, both off Broad, but then was bounced out by Anderson. After Broad had accounted for Kumar, Anderson put the final nail in the coffin by removing the stubborn Raina for 78 which included 10 hits to the boundary. He has ensured that Yuvraj is kept of the Indian Test side for the moment.

Broad ended Indian innings by trapping Ishant in front, prompting wild celebrations from England. They had done remarkably well to rout the most cherished batting line up on a playable 5th-day wicket. India could only make 261 as Jimmy Anderson put his hand up and got his name on the Honours board.

Kevin Pietersen was the Man of the Match for his brilliant double hundred. England will be relieved to start off so well, but Indians need to regroup themselves quickly otherwise the number one spot is in serious danger.

Summarized Scores:

England 474/8 (Pietersen 202, Praveen Kumar 5/106) and 269/6 dec (Prior 103*, Ishant Sharma 4/59) beat India 286/10 (Dravid 103*, Broad 4/37) and 261/10 (Raina 78, Anderson 5/65) by 196 runs

England lead the series 1-0, with 3 matches to go

Man of the Match: Kevin Pietersen

Toss: Won by India, who chose to field

Umpires: Asad Rauf and Billy Bowden

India v England: England on course after Prior counter attack

Match Report - Day 4 (1st Test - Test # 2000): England v India (Pataudi Trophy), Lord's, London, 21-25 July 2011

The day started with expectation of an England declaration and the talk was centered on the possible fourth innings target India would get. The declaration eventually did come, thanks to a heroic face-saving knock from Matt Prior, but after the Indian attack sans Zaheer Khan had given England a scare early on the 4th morning.

The day started sluggishly for England until Strauss got two fours off Kumar. But Alastair Cook, who was kept frozen in his crease by disciplined Indian bowlers, was sent back by Kumar with a lovely leg-cutter. Trott survived a vociferous LBW shout off the same bowler, an excellent decision by Asad Rauf saving him and England. Harbhajan, then, came to the fore by dismissing England captain Andrew Strauss, LBW for 32.

Next little passage of play showcased why Ishant Sharma can be a lethal Test bowler. Contrary to the 1st innings, here he was more aggressive and purposeful, changing the lengths cleverly which kept the batsmen guessing. The dismissal of Pietersen was a prime example. He lunged forward, typically, to a back of length ball, but to his horror the ball reared up awkwardly and he had no time to back away, hence nicking the ball behind for just one. On the last ball of the same over, India sensed something dramatic as Ian Bell too fell cheaply in a similar fashion. As for England cat was among the pigeons.

From 55 for 4, England were soon reeling at 62 for 5 just before lunch, as Trott was clean-bowled by another Ishant beauty. In a spectacular spell, Ishant had taken 3 wickets for just one run. Matt Prior and Eoin Morgan stopped the riot and carried England towards relative safety before Morgan became Ishant’s 4th victim to make it 107 for 6. Chris Broad joined Prior with match hanging in balance. Both batsmen shifted the balance in the favor of England with a brilliant and counter-attacking unbeaten partnership of 162 for the 7th wicket.

They scored at just under six an over, hitting boundaries as well as taking quick singles. Broad, who scored a back-to-the-wall century at the same venue last year, gave confidence to his partner by batting solidly. He hit a few delicious boundaries himself as Prior counter-attacked India. Dhoni’s decision to not start with Ishant straightway after lunch proved costly as England raced towards a huge lead. At tea they had stretched the lead to 362.

Strauss declared after England had plundered 95 runs in 12 overs after tea, with Prior having brought up a Gilchristisque century in 120 balls that included 5 fours and a six. Broad remained not out on a valuable 74. From 62 for 5, England had recovered to 269 for 6. The target for India was 458, a world record chase. Dravid came to open because Gambhir had left the field after injuring his elbow. India lost Mukund cheaply as he played-on a full Broad delivery, but Dravid and Laxman kept England at bay for the rest of the day.

With Dravid looking solid and Laxman well set, made known by three classy fours in a Tremlett over, India will hope these two come up with something special come the final day.

Summarized scores:

India 80/1 and 286 trail England 474/8 and 269/6 (Prior 10-3*, Broad 74*; Ishant Sharma 4/59) by 378 runs with 9 wickets remaining

India v England: Dravid helps India avoid follow-on

Match Report - Day 3 (1st Test - Test # 2000): England v India (Pataudi Trophy), Lord's, London, 21-25 July 2011

At the end of the third day’s play India was still chasing England despite Dravid’s moment of redemption. In 1996 Dravid was the last man out in his debut Test at the same venue, a match which was lit up by Saurav Ganguly’s debut hundred. It was Broad, reluctantly chosen over Bresnan, who broke the back of Indian batting line up.

Indian openers battled out the initial burst from Tremlett and Anderson. Abhinav Mukund played solidly as Gambhir looked out of sorts. England broke through when Broad shattered Gambhir’s stumps with a full-pitched ball that swung in a bit. Mukund then nervously poked at a wider fuller delivery only to hear the death rattle behind him. He made a solid 49, but England were celebrating as Lunch approached with India on 102 for 2.

India’s most experienced batting pair, Dravid and Tendulkar, threatened to punish England in an absorbing passage of play. Anderson was carted for three lovely boundaries in one over by Dravid. But Tendulkar, who looked assured as well as crispy, was made to wait another day by Broad as Swann dived to his left to pouch a vital catch at the second slip.

158 for 3 could easily have become 158 for 5 had England slip fielders not dropped Dravid and VVS Laxman off Stuart Broad. Agony compounded on Broad’s face when Swann spilled Dravid after Strauss had dropped a sitter on the first ball of the same over to let Laxman off. Dravid’s drop proved costly in the end. Laxman handed it to England when he tamely swiveled to give a catch to Trott at deep backwards square leg off Tremlett. Suresh Raina was undone by Swann and England looked like to wrap up India well before the follow-on target.

Dhoni gave good company to Dravid to deny England for a while, but Tremlett removed him and Harbhajan in one over to raise hopes of follow-on again. Praveen Kumar played aggressively helping India past the mark, as Dravid neared his precious hundred. Dravid was unusually overjoyed when he reached hundred, at Lords, with a couple. He had to wait 15 years for his name to be on the Lords Honours board. India soon folded for 286, Dravid being stranded on a magnificent 103 with the help of 15 fours.

Stuart Broad was unlucky not to have taken more than 4 for 37. England saw off the five overs left in the day unharmed. A decisive day looms ahead as England would try to pile on, while India would try to limit the 4th innings target hoping their trump card Zaheer Khan is fit enough.

Summarized scores:

England 474/8 and 5/0 lead India 286 (Dravid 103*, Mukund 49; Broad 4/37, Tremlett 3/80) by 193 runs with 10 wickets remaining

India v England: Magical Pietersen powers England to strong position

Match Report - Day 2 (1st Test - Test # 2000): England v India (Pataudi Trophy), Lord's, London, 21-25 July 2011

Kevin Pietersen lit up the Lords’ ground with atrocious stroke play as England piled up a strong first innings score. The weather today was perfect for batting as a depleted Indian attack, although lead admirably by persistent Praveen Kumar, kept searching for wickets all day. The wickets did come by but not at the cost which India would have liked.

Contrary to the first day’s gloomy weather, it was a shiny morning when Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott started proceedings for England. They went about their business without much fuss. India’s worst fears had come true as Zaheer was ruled out to bowl in the innings. Praveen, who had bowled a nagging line without much luck, at last tasted it when he trapped Trott in front with a lovely in-swinger. It was cunningly done as most of his deliveries earlier went away from the batsman.

Ian Bell joined Pietersen who was nearing his slowest 50 at Lords. For once Indian attacked looked so impotent that even Dhoni rolled his arm over. Both took England to lunch at 217 for 3. After lunch India managed to separate them only after they had put 110 runs for the 4th wicket, also increasing the run rate in the process. During the stand Pietersen had brought up his magnificent hundred, his 5th at Lords and the slowest overall, with a thumping straight drive off Ishant who was a shadow of himself from the Windies tour.

It was Praveen Kumar again who brought India back into the match by getting two wickets in one over. First he removed Bell for 45 with his banana swing, and then Eoin Morgan inside-edged behind for naught to give India hope of restricting England. But that hope remained elusive as Matt Prior helped build another significant partnership with Pietersen who was now on song. Their stand of 120 in just under 28 overs deflated India as apart from Kumar no bowler looked like troubling English batmen. Tea arrived at 305/5.

Prior did not waste much time and had collected 71 runs in 93 balls when he became Kumar’s next victim, Dhoni taking his 3rd catch in a row. Next ball Kumar was on Lord’s Honours board when a sizzling in-swinger had Stuart Broad plumb in front. Swann not only saved the hat trick, but kept India at bay for 61 more runs. Both punished the depleted Indian attack with fearless stroke play. Pietersen hurried towards his 3rd double century with some pugnacious strokes all over. Ishant bore the brunt of his aggression when Pietersen danced around on the pitch to collect three fours in one over.

After hitting Suresh Raina for six, he brought up his double hundred and the declaration with a four. Such was his mastery that his second hundred took only 110 balls. His innings included 21 fours and a six. Indian openers survived a couple of close LBW shouts to remain undetached at the close in reply to England’s 474 for 8.

Summarized scores:

India 17/0 trail by 457 runs with 10 wickets remaining against England 474/8 (Pietersen 202*, Prior 71; P Kumar 5/106, Zaheer 2/18)

India vs England: Rain waters down the hype on first day at Lords

Match Report - Day 1 (1st Test - Test # 2000): England v India (Pataudi Trophy), Lord's, London, 21-25 July 2011

Rarely has a Test match got so many historic tags as this one between world’s top two teams. Apart from being 2000th Test, this happens to be the 100th Test between the sides. But the real hype and tremendous excitement in Duncan Fletcher’s 100th Test as coach is because Tendulkar stands on 99 international hundreds, one short of a ton of tons.

The match started about half an hour late due to early morning drizzle. Crucially, M S Dhoni won the toss and opted to field under the gloom. Zaheer Khan returned to the side but Yuvraj Singh could not make it, in-form Suresh Raina being preferred over him. Gautam Gambhir returned to partner with Abhinav Mukund at the top, as Sehwag has been ruled out for first two Tests. For England, despite doubts over his form Stuart Broad kept his place over Tim Bresnan.

Openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook started tentatively against Indian new ball pair, Zaheer and Praveen Kumar, who both swung the ball both ways appreciably. In-form Cook was first to go when Zaheer caught him on the back foot. Jonathan Trott and Strauss took the score to 39 when Dravid dropped Trott in the slips, denying Harbhajan a wicket first ball. England went to lunch at 43 for one in 21 overs.

After Lunch, Zaheer had Strauss caught at backward square leg to make it 62 for 2, as he tried to pull a short ball but top edged it high in the air. Kevin Pietersen and Trott negotiated the bowling nicely putting together a vital partnership. Trott had another moment of luck when he nicked a Zaheer peach right between keeper and the slip. Despite giving chances on the off side, Trott was untroubled whenever he got opportunity to play on his favourite leg side. Praveen was luckless despite beating the bat on a number of occasions. His lack of pace also accounted for his lack of breakthroughs.

Zaheer scared Indians when he had to go off midway after sustaining a hamstring pull. Indians will watch his recovery closely and expectedly. Trott was now set in his customary role as he showed this by caressing Harbhajan beautifully through covers. He brought up his 50 with 7 fours, continuing amazing run of form at Lords. At 127/2, bad light stopped play and tea was taken prematurely as the heavens opened once again.

Stumps were called as recurrent rain cut short the day. The much-hyped first day of a landmark Test proved to be a disappointing anticlimax.

Scores Day 1: England 127/2 (Trott 58*, Pietersen 22*; Zaheer 2/18)

ICC Dream Test Team: A mockery of selection or a fan-driven fun?

ICC News: ICC dream Test team includes ‘just’ four Indians and as many Australians

To celebrate the 2000th Test match, to be played between England and India on July 21 at Lords, cricket enthusiasts from all over the world were asked to select the greatest Test Eleven of all times on the ICC’s official website. The ICC had short-listed 60 players for the fans to choose from. The method was criticized as there was no provision to account for variables like population, spamming, and bias etc.

As majority of the votes, expectedly, came from India, there was always a possibility that Indian players would dominate the list. Although almost all the players short-listed could easily find their place into any all-time Eleven, selecting four Indians clearly shows what the majority of Indian voters think.

The 60 players were divided into five categories; the fans were asked to select two opening batsmen, three middle-order batsmen, an all-rounder, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and one spinner.

The Openers:-

Short-listed - Geoffrey Boycott, Herbert Sutcliffe, Len Hutton, Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Jack Hobbs, Hanif Mohammad, Victor Trumper

Selected - Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag

Explosive entertainer Virender Sehwag and ‘Little Master’ Sunil Gavaskar were nominated through the fan’s poll. Although few can doubt Gavaskar, presence of Sehwag raises serious eyebrows. Sehwag is a master-blaster and a match-winner, but he is in no way better than Herbert Sutcliffe, Gordon Greenidge, Jack Hobbs or Len Hutton. Or is he?

On a sheer entertainment value he is up there with the best, but Greenidge’s all-round ability against fast bowlers and spinners alike gives him a comfortable edge. Run machines like Hobbs and Hutton had scored their runs in a different era on mostly uncovered pitches, but Indian fans obviously have not seen them. Hanif Mohammad and Geoffrey Boycott look boring to death in front of Sehwag, but on batting skills for a Test match you can bet your life on them.

The man who bravely stood firm against the ‘Fearsome Four’ of the mighty West Indies, Gavaskar, has been duly obliged by his appreciative countrymen.

My Choices - Sunil Gavaskar, Herbert Sutcliffe

Middle-order Batsmen:-

Short-listed – Don Bradman, Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Greg Chappell, George Headley, Brian Lara, Graeme Pollock, Javed Miandad, Ricky Ponting, Wally Hammond

Selected - Sir Donald Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara

We had many greats of every era to choose from. But the fans selected Tendulkar, Brian Lara and the Don. It clearly shows people went for charisma rather than mettle.

There is no argument as far as the Don is concerned. Regarding Tendulkar, although many pundits and greats of the past would push the case for Richards, Pollock and Hammond ahead of him, I personally can not think beyond him. The man whose career has lasted one-third of a life time, the icon and inspiration for a billion and a half on earth, and the ultimate record-setter forces an automatic place in any all-time eleven.

Selection of Brian Lara, the ‘Prince’ ahead of Viv Richards the ‘King’ is mind-boggling. Richards blasted when no one dared, he killed the bowlers no matter what the situation was, and he was never intimidated by any thing or any one on a cricket field. The first real master-blaster fits nicely and seriously in the dream team.

Wally Hammond averaged a healthy 58 in Tests and outscored Bradman on many occasions only to find his name absent from the dream team. Ricky Ponting who took Australia to new heights does not find any favor. Perhaps he may find a place in an all-time Australian eleven if he manages to beat Greg Chappell. The tall, graceful yet destructive ‘Little Dog’ Graeme Pollock averaged more than any one in the shortlist except Bradman yet he misses out.

The Black Bradman, George Headley needs a special mention but perhaps his career was too short to merit a selection ahead of those who were selected. Javed Miandad, the street fighter may have won Pakistan many a match single-handedly, but in the world of statistics and charisma he falls behind. Only a purist would dare to select him ahead of more illustrious names.

My Choices - Don Bradman, Tendulkar, Viv Richards


All-rounders:-

Short-listed - Gary Sobers, Ian Botham, Imran Khan, Aubrey Faulkner, Keith Miller, Richard Hadlee, Kapil Dev, Wilfred Rhodes, Frank Worrell, Jacques Kallis

Selected - Kapil Dev

Only few people doubt about the greatest all-rounder the world of cricket has seen. Sir Garfield Sobers was a man who took the world by storm after breaking Len Hutton’s record score of 364. He never looked back as his destructive batting as well as his effective fast-medium bowling made him the uncontested ruler of the cricket pitch. Ask any cricket pundit, the second man he will select in a world eleven, after Bradman, will be Gary Sobers. Kapil ahead of him is a joke.

Imran Khan, as they say the name in itself is enough. The Pathan of Pakistan, the captain maverick and the first true cricket celebrity at par with film stars and princes, lifted a struggling Pakistani team from rubbles and took it to the summit of cricket. He challenged the mighty West Indies, and conquered England and India at home leading his team by example. In the last 10 years of his career, at the helm, he averaged more than 50 with the bat and less than 21 with the ball; a feat great Sobers would struggle to match. Kapil ahead of him? You must be kidding.

Ian Botham made England a fighting unit with his explosive batting and incisive bowling. Richard Hadlee made New Zealand believe that they can beat the best. With all due respect to his greatness and impact on Indian cricket, Kapil Dev, who was worst of the four all-rounders around, must be thankful to his patriotic fans for being selected.

Frank Worrell, Jacques Kallis and Keith Miller are good enough to feel missed out. If one is inclined to sheer stats and batting prowess, Kallis may get selected. On the other hand Imran would be the choice if you need a perfect balance in the team. But my choice is Sobers, as being a left hander in the team he adds an extra dimension apart from his match-winning ability.

My choice - Gary Sobers

Wicket Keeper:-

Short-listed - Wasim Bari, Jeff Dujon, Mark Boucher, Rod Marsh, Godfrey Evans, Clyde Walcott, Andy Flower, Adam Gilchrist, Allen Knott, Les Ames

Selected - Adam Gilchrist

My choice - Adam Gilchrist

Although Mark Boucher, Jeff Dujon, Alan Knott and Rod Marsh had their moments, but the man who revolutionized the role of keepers in Tests stands alone, probably uncontested.

Fast Bowlers:-

Short-listed - Glenn McGrath, Fred Trueman, Curtley Ambrose, Sydney Barnes, Michael Holding, Courtney Walsh, Dennis Lillee, Ray Lindwall, Malcolm Marshall, Wasim Akram

Selected - Glenn McGrath, Wasim Akram, Curtly Ambrose

The bowlers of the recent past probably make the cut as they had batting friendly tracks to bowl on. In this regard McGrath, the two Ws, Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock (All three bafflingly not short-listed) and Ambrose made remarkable impact.

Malcolm Marshall’s ability to destroy batting line-ups on even the dead pitches of subcontinent makes him an undoubted choice for those who have seen him instilling fear of life in batsmen. Although Glenn McGrath made life difficult for batsmen by his nagging line and length, Ambrose went a mile further by doing the same but intimidating the batsmen as well.

Dennis Lillee was deadly, Holding was classical and Sydney Barnes’ stats were amazing but they fail to make the cut as the competition is tight and tough. Wasim Akram’s ability to make the batsman dance around in the crease with both new and old ball duly crowned him the title of ‘King of swing’.

My Choices - Malcolm Marshall, curtly Ambrose, Wasim Akram

Spinners:-

Short-listed - Derek Underwood, Shane Warne, Bishen Bedi, Richie Benaud, Lance Gibbs, Clarrie Grimmett, Jim Laker, Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralidaran, Bill O'Reilly

Selected - Shane Warne

The choice ultimately comes down to Shane Warne and Muralidaran. One took the art of leg spin to new heights and got included in Wisden’s top five cricketers of all-time; the other broke all the records which came along the way, ending his career as the highest Test wicket-taker.

Muralidaran’s case is similar to Tendulkar’s as both are sitting comfortably at the top in their respective departments. As we have only one choice, Warne edges ahead because of his impact on the game, his aggressive approach and mastery on the beautiful art of leg spin.

My choice - Shane Warne


ICC Greatest Test Team: Virender Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar, Donald Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Kapil Dev, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Curtly Ambrose, Glenn McGrath

My Team: Sunil Gavaskar, Herbert Sutcliffe, Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Viv Richards, Gary Sobers, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, Wasim Akram

Sri Lanka go 2-1 up with an easy win

Match Report – England v Sri Lanka: 3rd ODI, Lord's, London, 3 July 2011

First two matches of the 5-match series yielded one-sided contests, both teams notching up easy wins. After Cook had lifted England to a fighting total, young Chandimal and classy Mahela Jayawardene made light work of the target to give their team lead in the series.

On a shiny morning at Lords, England opted to bat first on what looked like to be a batting track. Both teams went unchanged.

Dilshan started with Angelo Mathews but after one over, Kulasekara took over. It was Malinga however, who drew the first blood, deceiving Kieswetter completely off a slower ball, lobbing an easy catch to mid-on. Next over Alastair Cook was dropped by Jayawardene which was to prove costly as the rest of the innings revealed.

At the end of 10, England were 32 for 2, but Cook and Kevin Pietersen knit together a solid 49-run partnership which put England innings back on track. Pietersen played in his usual fluent style, while Cook was all cautious accumulation. Suranga Lakmal, who had earlier nipped out Jonathan Trott, was punished by Pietersen with three successive fours in one over. His near run-a-ball innings of 43 was, however, cut short by a Jeevan Mendis googly.

Mendis put Sri Lanka on top as he got Eoin Morgan out cheaply in his next over. The onus now was on Cook to anchor the innings himself, but he needed some one to stay at the crease long enough, as Sri Lankan spinners were proving more than handful. At the half-way stage, England were 103 for 4. Cook stepped up a bit completing his fifty in the process, off 69 balls with 8 fours.

England opted for the batting powerplay simultaneously with the mandatory ball change, an aggressive and positive move. But that did not work in their favour as Sri Lankans bowled brilliantly giving away only 24 runs, also taking bell’s wicket who could not hit a boundary in his 30.

In the last 10 overs, England collected 69 runs as wickets tumbled including Cook, who completed his hundred off 127 balls. He gave another chance when Kandamby spilled a running catch off Malinga. Just when Cook was looking to accelerate he was run out by Mahela for a well-made 119 runs (143 balls, 13x4 0x6). England posted 246 for 7, Swann finishing with a six and a four off Malinga, a below par score on a good wicket. Mendis, Lakmal and Malinga took 2 wickets each for Sri Lanka.

Like England, Sri Lanka’s start too was not an auspicious one as Tim Bresnan clean-bowled Dilshan for just 3. Mahela Jayawardene, centurion of the last match, and Dinesh Chandimal then denied England for almost 20 overs before they took the next wicket. Both played smoothly, showing class and grit. They hit the boundaries regularly and ran aggressively to post a match-winning 112 runs at almost 6 an over. Their stand deflated England even before the half-way stage. Fall of Jayawardene (79 runs, 77 balls, 9x4, 0x6) gave England some hope, but Sangakkara ensured that door is shut promptly.

Another 61-run stand and Sri Lanka was almost there. At the half-way stage, Sri Lanka needed to score at just 4.32 with 8 wickets in hand. After the fall of Sangakkara for 25, Chandimal started playing some more shots. He hit Anderson, who was off-colour, for a handsome six and a four in one over. Chandimal reached his brilliant hundred with a thumping six to Bresnan. He faced 123 balls and hit 10 fours and 2 sixes. With 8 balls to go, it was fittingly Chandimal who finished the match by hitting the winning four. He remained not out for 105, a Man of the Match performance. For England Graeme Swann was the best bowler, with figures of 2 for 32.

With two matches to go, Sri Lanka look in better shape than England to win the ODI series. Unless it is a seaming track, England will have to lift their game a few notches if they want to stop Sri Lanka from taking second series in a row at their backyard.

Match Summary: Sri Lanka 249/4 in 48.2 overs (Chandimal 105*, Jayawardene 79; Swann 2/32) beat England 246/7 (Cook 19; Jeevan Mendis 2/40) by 6 wickets

Sri Lanka lead the 5-match series 2-1

Man of the Match: Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka)