The top ten cricketers on Vision Sport
England began their Test series against India by losing, unsurprisingly. Things would be different, though, if Kevin Pietersen could call upon some of the great cricketers available on Vision Sport. Here we reveal the top ten:
1. Sir Donald Bradman
No one could argue with the Don’s place at the top of cricket’s all time list. His average of 99.94 is unlikely to be surpassed and is almost 40 runs better than anyone else. He was like two world-class batsmen in one, so when he was in the team Australia practically had 12 players. Which, really, is cheating.
Legends of Cricket: Sir Donald Bradman
2. Sir Garfield Sobers
You know those annoying people who are good at everything? Well Gary Sobers was one of them. He averaged almost 58 with the bat, which would be enough for most people, and could bowl fast-medium, finger-spin and wrist-spin too. There’s never been a more well-rounded all-rounder.
Legends of Cricket: Sir Garfield Sobers
3. Sir Jack Hobbs
Imagine that? An Englishman in the top five. But Hobbs deserves his place, primarily because he has rattled off more first class runs than anyone else – 61,760 of them including 199 centuries, 15 of which he scored for England. He was also, apparently, a jolly nice chap.
Legends of Cricket: Sir Jacob Hobbs
4. Shane Warne
Warne was the Elvis of cricket, not because he played in a flared jumpsuit and devoured vast quantities of fast food, although he did eat quite a lot, but because he revolutionised the game. Everyone wanted to be a fast bowler until he came on to the scene and resuscitated the art of leg spin. Suddenly flicking the ball out of the back of your hand was the new rock n’ roll. Warne certainly left plenty of batsmen all shook up.
Legends of Cricket: Shane Warne
5. Sir Vivian Richards
Richards was to bowling what a hurricane would be to a town constructed entirely of old envelopes and Copydex – destructive. He annihilated many an attack during his international career, finishing with an average of just over 50. Best of all he did it in a floppy cap – helmets are for wimps, right?
Legends of Cricket: Sir Vivian Richards
6. Dennis Lillee
Tests have shown much of Dennis Lillee’s success stemmed from his hair. The first instinct of most batsmen at the sight of him charging into bowl with his long, messy locks flowing and his horseshoe moustache twitching with menace, was to wonder who that angry caveman was and run away. He was regarded as one of the most fearsome bowlers of the 1970s, not bad considering the West Indies had a pretty intimidating attack at the time, taking 355 wickets in just 70 tests.
Legends of Cricket: Dennis Lillee
7. Sachin Tendulkar
For a small man Tendulkar carries the expectations of the entire Indian nation with remarkable ease. He is worshipped by his countrymen and having scored 40 test centuries and 42 one-day international tons it’s easy to see why. Unfortunately for England he hasn’t finished playing yet either.
Legends of Cricket: Sachin Tendulkar
8. Imran Khan
Khan had a test batting average of almost 38 and averaged just under 23 with the ball, which isn’t just good, it’s miraculous. He also got better as his career went on, averaging 50 with the bat in his last 51 tests and 19 with the ball. Almost as significantly he possessed the dashing good looks of a film star which, in the era of David Boon and Mike Gatting, made a nice change.
Legends of Cricket: Imran Khan
9. Ian Botham
His figures may not quite match up to other great all-rounders - a test batting average of 33.54 and 28.40 with the ball – but he played with such brio you couldn’t fail to like him. To Englishmen Botham is a hero, primarily due to his ability to down vast quantities of beer and still flay the Aussies all over the place.
Legends of Cricket: Ian Botham
Botham’s Ashes
10. Richard Hadlee
A bowler more accurate than an atomic clock, Hadlee was the first player to reach 400 test wickets, eventually ending his career on 431 from 86 matches at an average of 22.29. An impressive feat in itself but even more so when you consider he turned New Zealand from international whipping boys into a competitive test team. He was handy with the bat too, averaging just over 27.
Legends of Cricket: Richard Hadlee
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