Allrounders contributed much for cricket

Allrounders in cricket: .... When the name all-rounders are mentioned it is not meant for bits and pieces variety but genuine all rounders who can score a century for the asking or chip in with four or five wickets in an innings.

There are many players in the international cricket arena from 1950 to around 1980 who were considered before and of them the very best ten have been considered.

Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies): He takes the No. 1 spot in the list. Whether batting or bowling, Sobers performed with vim and vigour. Many would agree that he was the greatest all-rounder the cricket world has known. What made him so famous? A natural genius, determination, stamina and a remarkable capacity to produce high quality performance. Sobers would take heavy workload with (case).

Gary who enjoyed cricket was an entertainer par excellence. The style and attitude with which he compiled these dazzling runs will hardly be matched by anyone. He could bat at any position, hit the ball hard or defend solidly.

He bowled genuine pace and swung the ball marvellously and when the shine was worn out, he would bowl teasing spin.

Just look at his figures. A total of 8,032 runs (58 average) and 235 wickets (average 34).

Added to these was his remarkable competence as a close in fielder. He played 93 Tests at a time when there was not much Test cricket.

Indefatigable Sobers made his Test debut for the West Indies against England at Kingston between March 30 and April 3 in 1954 and his last Test too was against England at Port of Spain between March 30 and April 5 in 1994.

The wonderful work done on the cricket field needs to be recognised and Queen Elizabeth knighted him for his services to cricket in 1975.

Sobers also figures in Wisden - the cricketers almanac as one of the five of the century in 2000. His name is somewhat of a magic name in conjures up all sorts of magnificent deeds on the cricket field.

Edward Ralph Dexter (England): He was one of the few 'box-office' draws in the '60s. He would hit the ball with power and was a useful medium pacer. Dexter often demonstrated that the best way was to attack. He would flay any bowling with his strong footwork, the front foot or the back foot. And he was elegant too.

His superb innings of 70 against West Indies (Lord'S 63) that included Wesley Hall and Charlie Griffith, plus a dazzling 76 against Australia (Old Trafford) were the two samples of his power-play.

He was a specialist fielder at cover-point.

It was somewhat sad at times when Dexter had to save his country from defeat rather than go for a win.

It appeared to be that the pressures of captaincy was too much on him, just as in the case of Gary Sobers. Dexter was one of the player-personalities responsible for the birth of one-day cricket.

Anthony Willian Greig (England): Son of Scottish father and South African mother. Greign stayed in South Africa till 1966 before moving to England. He passed away recently.

A controversial figure Greig, was a dashing cricketern who seldom failed in Tests. His batting was based on the front foot and he was strong on the off drive and the lofted straight drive.

A medium fast bowler with plenty of swing, Greig, also bowled useful off-breaks as he had proved his class in that department, taking 13 wickets against West Indies in the fifth Test at Fort of Spain in 1974. As a slip catcher he was somewhat marvellous. A highly competitive cricketer.

In the 1976 series when Lillee and Thomson bowled short pitched deliveries frequently, Greig had a ready answer for them. He sliced the balls over the slips for a series of fours. He was left with a lot of more cricket in him when he bid adieu. He was a good cricketer to have.

Richie Benaud (Australia): A splendid all-rounder. A tough competitor and as enterprising and a fine leader. He captained Australia in four successive triumphant series.

A fine leg-spinner with enviable control, Benaud bowled the googlies and top spinners with case. A sharp turn aided by a tantalising ara made him one of the finest bowlers of his breed.

In batting, he was a fine driver of the ball, Benaud once made 100 in 80 minutes against South Africa in a Test. He was a player with sound technical sense.

Recalling the past, Benaud can be remembered when he led Australia against England at Manchester in 1961-62. At a time when England 100 runs with nine wickets on hand Benaud bowl round the wicket and hit the rough. He simply ran through the batting order to give Australia an exciting win.

Gregory Stephen Chappell (Australia): A graceful right hand batsman of Australia and a casual player. His faultless books and majestic drives in front of the wicket made him an exciting batsman.

In addition to his fine qualities as a batsman, Greg was more than useful medium pace bowler.

Though not as aggressive as his elder brother, Ian, in captaincy Greg was nevertheless a sound leader who was business-like in his approach.

A fine slip fielder, Greg is one of the shining cricketers Australia has ever produced.

Alan Keith Davidson: (Australia): An all-rounder of the highest class. A bowler with a strong wheeling action Davidson moved the ball late in the air and off the pitch.

In batting, he had tremendous power in his attacking strokes and, in the field he would move in a flash whether in the deep or close to the wicket.

Davidson never had a lean trot. In the famous "Tied" Test at Brisbane, Davidson made 44 and 80 with the bat and took 5 for 135 and 6 for 87 with the ball. He also bowled the slow stuff intelligently.

He was also the first man to score over 100 runs and take 10 wickets in Test.

Raymond Russell Lindwall: One of the greatest new-ball bowlers ever.

His partnership with Keith Miller became legendary. He was the best example of a fast bowler who produced maximum results with minimum efforts.

His slow run to the wicket would be a slow start but them an arm-pulling acceleration brought effectiveness to his delivery and follow through. He had genuine speed and variety of swing, splendid control and the killer instinct. He used the bouncer rarely though it was his lethal weapon.

There will be many eyebrows raised when Lindwall is referred to an all-rounder, but judging his quietly, he was a steady batsman who had to bat lower low in the order only because Australia had a lot of fine batsmen at that time. Lindwall hit two Test centuries and was a punishing driver through the covers.

Keith Ross Miller: Like Sir Garfield Sobers, Keith Miller was one of cricket's greatest all rounders. Miller is no more as he died a few years back. However, he has made a nume for himself with his fine displays at the wicket.

He was 84 years old at the time of his death.

An outstanding Australian Rules in his youth, announced his presence on the international cricket stage with an innings of 185 at Lord's during the 1945 victory Tests.

His classical style and power and in particular his driving were such that the English critics acclaimed him as one of the outstanding contemporary batsmen then.

In 55 Tests spread over a decade, Miller scored 2,958 runs at 36.97 with seven centuries and took 170 wickets at 22.97 as well as holding 38 catches.

Fans of Test cricket in the 1940s and 50s would recall Miller turning at the end of his bowling mark, then galloping in to send some fast ones to the batsmen.

In year 2000 Australia named Miller at number six in their team of the century. He is also one of only two Australia players honoured with portraits at the Long Room at Lord's. Bradman is the other.

Michael John Procter (South Africa): Procter's deeds cannot be measured in terms of figures because he played not more then seven Tests because of factors other than cricket. But he was colossal figure in English county scene.

Procter bowled straight and at a lively pace, would swing the ball into the right hander.

A great striker of the ball, Procter once scored six hundreds in successive innings to equal a ten world record.

Asif Iqbal (Pakistan): A very dashing batsman with a wide repertoire of strokes. Asif was also a very useful swing bowler. He was also a very good fielder too. But the greatest thing about was that he was exceptionally fast in the business of running between the wickets.

ACdeS