Commentary has always played an essential part in the broadcasting of sport over the years. Be it the iconic duo of Andy Gray and Martin Tyler in football, Jim Ross and Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler in WWE, Steve Slater in Formula 1 or a whole plethora of cricket commentators who have immortalized some moments in our brain. Manchester City won the Premier League title in 2012 but that moment is almost as well known for Martin Tyler’s near orgasmic chant of “Agueroooooo!”. In cricket, over the years, a great number of ex cricketers proved to be as comfortable with the mike as they were with the bat or ball. You will always remember Geoffrey Boycott’s idiosyncratic voice reverberating with chants of “Sourav Ganguly, the Prince of Calcutta” or Ravi Shastri’s “He’s taken the aerial route”.
In this article, we shall attempt to create a World Commentators Playing XI capable of taking on any side in the world right now, in any format, and prove to be a stren test for their opponents.
NOTE: To narrow down the search, we have tried to keep it a young playing XI and thus might miss out on quite a few notable names.
Do comment with changes you would make to this squad.
1) Virender Sehwag, Age: 37
The newest entry to the commentary stable, Virender Sehwag joined the Star Sports Hindi Commentary ahead of the ICC WT20 and proved to an instant hit with the fans as he captured their imagination with his unique style. The sheer joy Sehwag was providing to the listening public was very evident with tweets pouring in like this one below:
As a batsman, Sehwag was an absolute destroyer, a tamer of the best bowling attacts, an absolute machine who sent fear down the spines of some of the best bowlers the world has ever seen. Sehwag’s illustrious career includes a 200 in ODIs (219 v West Indies, 2011) and India’s 3 highest individual scores in Test cricket. (309 v Pakistan, 2004, 319 v South Africa, 293 v Sri Lanka, 2009). His 300 against South Africa is the fastest triple century in Test cricket history, coming off a mere 278 balls.
2) Sourav Ganguly, Age: 43
Sourav Ganguly joins Sehwag at the top of the order. The two have opened together in the past, famously posting a 196 run opening partnership against West Indies in 2002 and making it a left hand-right hand batting partnership at the top. Sourav Ganguly is a man who dons a number of hats these days including being honorary President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), co-owner of Indian Super League (ISL) team Atletico De Kolkata, member of the IPL governing council and a member of the 5 man BCCI working committee to look into the IPL match fixing issues.
Back in his day, Ganguly was known as the ‘god on the offside’ and was known for his great timing of the ball. He remains 8th on the list of the highest run getters in ODI history and was one of India’s greatest captains, largely responsible for a turnaround in Team India’s fortunes and change in attitude.
3) Ricky Ponting, Age: 41
At one down, we have Australia’s Ricky Ponting. Over 25,000 International runs, Winner of 3 consecutive world cups, Captain of Team Australia during their ‘golden era’, Ponting has had a career to look back upon and feel proud about. One stat that stands out though is the fact that he is the only cricketer, living or dead, to win 100 test matches – A testament to his longevity and the success he had as a player and captain.
Ponting’s aggression was always on display, never more so that when he put a dagger into India’s hopes of winning the world cup in 2003 with an unbeaten 140 in the final. He is the second highest run getter in Test cricket history and the third highest run getter in ODIs.
4) Rahul Dravid, Age: 43
At two down, we have one of the most respected, adored, loved cricketers to have ever played the game. ‘Jammy’ or ‘The Wall’ had an illustrious playing career and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest exponents of the longest format of the game. Often overshadowed by the likes of Sachin, Ganguly during his playing days, it was Dravid that India always went to when the chips were down and they needed someone to stand up and deliver.
Dravid is widely regarded as one of the ‘best brains’ in the game and is a great orator as well. His speech at the Bradman Oration in Canberra, 2011 was remarkable and he is often seen reminding youngsters about the ‘Spirit of the game’ in his speeches. He is currently India’s U19 and India A coach and is widely touted to be the next coach of the Indian cricket team. BCCI apparently want Dravid to take over and the clamour grew in the aftermath of the World T20 –
5) Adam Gilchrist, Age: 44
Australia’s Adam Gilchrist walks in as the automatic choice as Wicket Keeper batsman. The pugnacious left hander could change a game on it’s head with his explosive strokemaking and was a big part of the strong Australia side that were invincible in the 90s and 00s. Gilchrist has a number of unique records to his name, most notably scoring at least 50 runs in successive World Cup finals (in 1999, 2003 and 2007). His swashbuckling 149 off 104 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup final is rated one of the greatest World Cup innings of all time.
Gilchrist was a cricketer loved all over the world, he also became the first batsman to register a 1000 runs in the IPL. He was known for ‘walking’ when he considered himself to be out, sometimes contrary to the decision of the umpire. (Like he did in the crunch Semi final v Sri Lanka in 2003).
6) Andrew Flintoff, Age: 38
Flintoff walks in at number 6 and can contribute with both the bat and the ball. In the Ashes of 2005, Andrew Flintoff evoked memories of Ian Botham as he produced ridiculous performance after ridiculous performance to be named ‘Man of the Series’ in one of the most exciting Ashes ever. An explosive all rounder, constantly harboured by injury, Flintoff had a fine career scoring more than 3000 runs in Tests and ODIs and picking up 226 wickets in Test cricket. Flintoff was ‘box office’ and always provided drama and enthralled the watching world.
He has also competed as a professional boxer and won the one fight he competed it. (beating American Richard Dawson on 30 November 2012 in Manchester). Most recently, Flintoff did this to face the wrath of a number of Indians on twitter –
7) Shaun Pollock, Age: 42
Shaun Pollock follows Flintoff at number 7 and holds a place down as the bowling all rounder. Pollock hails from a cricketing family being the nephew of South African legend Graeme Pollock and son of Peter Pollock. Thus expectations were high from the first time he stepped on the cricket field. Pollock did incredibly well and surpassed all expectations to become one of the best all rounders ever to play the game.
He is South Africa’s all time leading wicket taker in Tests holding a slender lead over Dale Steyn. He was known for his accuracy and formed a deadly bowling partnership with Allan Donald. Pollock enjoys playing golf and is good friend with golfing icon Gary Player and is often seen showing off his skills at the Gary Player Invitational.
8) Wasim Akram, Age: 49
Pakistan’s Wasim Akram walks into the team as one of the most feared, effective and deadly left arm fast bowlers to have ever played the game. Wasim Akram and compatriot Waqar Younis were the considered the founders and finest proponents of reverse swing and devestated opponents for years. Akram was more than useful with the bat as well, his highest score in Test Cricket being a remarkable 257* (v Zimbawbe, 1996)
The numbers speak for itself as took 414 Test wickets, scoring 2898 runs & 502 ODI wickets, scoring 3717 runs in one remarkable career.
9) Shane Warne, Age: 46
Spin wizard Shane Warne is a shoe-in at number 9. Arguably the finest leg spinner to ever play the game, Warne left many a batsman baffled with his skill and was never afraid to toss the ball up and invite the batsmen down the track. An impressive resume includes 708 test wickets and over a 1000 International wickets. One of the oddities of his career remains that he never managed to score a 100 despite coming close on a number of occasions, including an agonising 99 (v New Zealand).
Off the field, the maverick cricketer made as many headlines as he did on the field. He’s a professional poker player and has been known to live a very indulgent lifestyle.
10) Ian Bishop, Age: 48
The Trinidad and Tobago born bowler adds the needed impetus to the bowling line up. West Indies cricket was at its peak in the 70s producing bowlers like Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcom Marshall among others. Ian Bishop was of the same ilk – tall, fast, intimidating. Injuries at the age of 26 cut short what promised to be a very promising career.
He went on to play 43 Tests and 84 ODIs for the Windies. He made a comeback two years after his injury in 1991 and took his career best figures of 6/40 (v Australia, Perth, 1993) but further injuries curtailed his career. In between commentating duties, Ian Bishop completed an MBA.
11) Shoaib Akhtar, Age: 40
The ‘Rawalpindi Express’ made his debut in 1997 in a Test match against the West Indies and fast bowling was never going to be the same. The Pakistani pacer has the record for the fastest ball ever bowled (161.3 v England in the 2003 WC). In a career peppered with injuries, suspensions and controversy, Akhtar did well to accumalate 178 Test Wickets and 247 ODI Wickets.
Shoaib Akhtar has now formed a formidable partnership with none other than Virendar Sehwag in the commentary box. Their banter had people off their feet during the WT20 and we can expect more of the same going into the future.
12th man – Harsha Bhogle
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