Re-living the last international matches of cricket's finest

Almost always, the retirement of a much-loved cricketer has initiated massive reactions. Fans have either grieved or been stunned with shock and disbelief to see their favourite player walk off the field. Many reasons have caused them to call an end to their career. Some cited illness as the reason, while for others age was the primary reason.Let’s have a look-back at the last international outings of some of cricket’s finest cricketers. Here is a look at 10 such cricketers who left the international scene, but the world was left asking for more.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar - 74

The God of Cricket retired from international cricket in 2014

November 16, 2014: The Little Maestro walked out of his favourite Wankhede Ground to a stadium full of fans who were standing and applauding, his own team forming a Guard of Honour. Every household in India was glued to their television sets, grieving the end of a career that shaped Indian cricket.

Tendulkar played his last international match, also his 200^th Test in Mumbai.

Captain M S Dhoni gave the ball to him for the last time, to have a crack at bowling one of his famous googlies. The Master Blaster bowled a couple of overs on the final day of his career amidst roaring applause, bowling both leg-spin and googly on the third day of the second test against the West Indies.

Tendulkar, who had already retired from limited overs internationals, had struck a neat 74 with 12 fours which comprised several of his trademark shots like the straight drive, cover drive and paddle-sweep.

His farewell speech brought tears to the eyes of a nation that worshipped him. As the batting legend thanked everyone, he said, “Time has flown by very quickly, but the memories will remain with me forever, especially the 'Sachin, Sachin’ chant," prompting the crowd to let out the chant once more.

#2 Kumar Sangakkara - 18

The cricketing fraternity misses the Sri Lankan great

Thousands turned out to see Sangakkara's final international innings, which would signal the end of an era for Sri-Lankan cricket. However, he was denied a dream end to his career when Sangakkara was caught tapping a full toss to the short mid-wicket fielder for 18, playing the second test against India at Colombo from August 20-24, 2015.

Sangakkara, the fifth highest run-getter in Test history, finished his Test career with 12,400 runs from 134 Tests at an average of 57.40. He scored 38 centuries, including a best of 319 against Bangladesh in Chittagong in 2014.

Known as one of cricket's greatest ever players and ambassadors, Sangakarra’s farewell speech moved millions across the world, even if his last innings didn’t.

By scoring a total of 28,016 runs across all three formats, he has cemented his position in the higher echelons of players to ever grace the game. His motivational speech urged Angelo Mathews, his captain to keep loving the game. “It comes and goes, but don’t be afraid. Take pride in what you do, don't be afraid to lose when you are searching for a win, and keep Sri Lanka and the flag flying high.”

#3 Nasser Hussain - 103*

Nasser Hussain was responsible for leading a new-age English team

Nasser Hussain was one of the most respected English captains in world cricket, who transformed the fortunes of the England cricket team during his tenure. Born in Chennai, India, he moved to England at the age of seven and went onto represent their national team.

He did not hang on to Test captaincy when he felt that his days as a cricketer were over. Hussain stepped down from captaincy after four successful years at the helm, during a series against South Africa in the summer of 2003, citing he had “grown tired” of the role. He continued to play for the team and played a part in helping England win their first series in the Caribbean after 36 years.

However, as the runs were not coming as they used to, critics were calling to axe him from the team.

On May 24, 2004, Hussain set the Lord’s stadium alight with a match-winning 103 not out in the second innings as England chased down 282 against New Zealand. Three days later, he shocked the world and announced his retirement from all forms of the game and took up a job in the Sky Sports commentary team.

He decided to step down from the world stage with a last hurrah.

#4 Rahul Dravid - 79

Mr. Dependable redefined the meaning of playing at number three for India

There are not many things on a cricket field that Rahul Dravid hasn’t done – open the batting, batting in the middle order, blunting the new ball, playing aggressive cricket, keeping wickets, standing in the slips, even bowling a couple of overs and getting the wicket of Saeed Anwar and Gary Kirsten.

On September 16, 2011, Rahul Dravid played his last One Day International match, against England at Cardiff. Before 2011, Dravid last played an ODI in 2009, in a match in the ICC Champions Trophy. India had a disastrous test tour during the English summer, where the ‘Wall’ stood out with his three centuries in four matches.

As a result, to his own surprise, Dravid was drafted both into the ODI and T20 squad. Then, to the surprise of the world, he declared that he would retire from ODIs and T20Is after that series.

England had won the ODI series 2-0, and India had to play for pride in the last match, which would be Dravid’s last ODI.

India was stranded at 57/2, when the batting legend stepped out to bat with a very young Virat Kohli. It began with a soft nudge to the covers, but the timing was such that it travelled to the boundary. Two overs later, Dravid’s trademark cut peppered the square boundary.

Such was Dravid’s patience and skill that he went 20 overs without scoring a single boundary, but his strike rate was still above 85.

Dravid was dismissed as he tried to hit Swann over mid-wicket, but the ball spun past his bat and clipped the off stump. The Karnataka batsman walked off to tumultuous applause and handshakes from the Englishmen. After playing 79 balls for a patient 69, Dravid had perished trying to increase the scoring rate, because that was what the team required. Selfless till the very end.

#5 Brian Lara - 18

Brian Lara remains of the greatest cricketers of the modern age

On April 21, 2007, Brian Lara walked on the cricket field for the last time donning West Indies colours, bringing to an end a 17-year career in which the left-hander treated the world of cricket with his spectacular array of strokes. He had already retired from Test Cricket in December, 2006.

The holder of the highest individual score in test cricket (400), was going to step down after their Super Eight match against England during the 2007 World Cup.

Lara kickstarted his innings with a vintage square-drive off Andrew Flintoff, which was trademark of Lara’s elegance. Lara’s next boundary was a fine flick. The third boundary was an aggressive glide through ‘keeper Paul Nixon and wide second slip Andrew Strauss.

In the 31st over of the innings, Marlon Samuels hit Stuart Broad towards mid-on and called Lara for a single. But, having realised that he had hit the ball too hard, Samuels changed his mind mid-way. Lara was out run-out. At Kensington Oval, silence prevailed as the man walked out having scored 18. The Trinidadian’s premature exit was sheer bad luck but one to remember for a very long time.

#6 Michael Hussey - 27*

Michael Hussey being carried off the pitch by his teammates after his last match

Michael Hussey retired from Test cricket in 2013, after he guided Australia to victory in his final Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), as they sealed a five-wicket win and series whitewash against Sri Lanka.

The 37-year-old batsman received a huge ovation from the crowd as he came out to bat and was welcomed to the crease by a Guard of Honour from the Sri Lankan players. In the first innings, Michael Clarke called for the single, that resulted in Hussey’s dismissal, and put a dent in his previous average of 117.75 against Sri Lanka and 100 at the SCG.

However, in the second innings, Hussey went out on a high. He would not necessarily have anticipated getting one final innings when Sri Lanka were bowled out for 278, Dinesh Chandimal stretching his side’s meagre lead to 140 with an impressive unbeaten 62. But, led by Rangana Herath (three for 46), the tourists bowled well enough to make life uncomfortable for Australia and give Hussey the chance for one last slice of glory.

Mr. Cricket, as he is fondly called, finished unbeaten on 27 as Australia scored 141 for five, but he allowed Mitchell Johnson to hit the winning run, much to the crowd’s disappointment. He produced two boundaries, and quickly guided the Aussies to a win.

#7 Anil Kumble - 3/112 & 0/14

Anil Kumble was given a lap of honour around the field by his teammates.

Former India test captain Anil Kumble decided to retire from international cricket during the India v/s Australia test series at home in 2008. India stood on the cusp of one of their greatest triumphs, a third series victory over Australia in just over a decade, but at the same time lost its most prolific bowler.

As the third Test at Delhi drifted towards a draw on the final day, Anil Kumble, who was the captain, announced that it would be the last of a glorious 18-year career. Kumble registered three wickets in the first innings of his final test.

The 38-year-old, who ended with 619 wickets at an average of 29.65, thus continued the peculiar fad for retiring in the middle of the series – although his decision was partly motivated by a finger injury sustained during the Test.

It was inappropriate that Kumble, by some distance India's greatest match-winner, should go out on a draw, but that was always on the cards for the Delhi match.

But the Indian batsmen put up a score. Gautam Gambhir added a patient 36 before being trapped leg before wicket by Mitchell Johnson, but Sachin Tendulkar (47), VVS Laxman (59 not out) and Ganguly (32 not out) closed the door. That allowed Kumble to declare on 208 for five and enjoy one last stint in the field. He opened the bowling but could not claim a wicket in the eight overs before the game was called off, whereupon Kumble was giving a touching farewell party.

#8 Jacques Kallis - 115

Jacques Kallis has been the most prolific all-rounder for the Proteas

Jacques Kallis hit a century in the final Test match of his long career as he steered South Africa into a strong position on the fourth day of the final Test against India at Kingsmead, Durban.

He allowed himself a brief teary moment as the Durban crowd gave him a lengthy standing ovation as he reached his 45th Test hundred a figure bettered only by the 51 scored by Sachin Tendulkar. Heretiredbecomingthethird highest run-getter in Test history.

His 115 from 316ballsin his final Testappearance helped to give South Africa a 166-run lead and by the end of play, the tourists were under pressure on 68 for two, still trailing by 98 runs.

There were rare signs of emotion from Kallis after he completed the single off Ravindra Jadeja, which took him to his hundred. He was hugged by his batting partner, Dale Steyn, and removed his helmet as he acknowledged the applause, seemingly wiping away a tear.

Kallis needed treatment for cramp during a drinks break shortly after reaching his century and his innings ended when he went for a big hit against Jadeja and top-edged the ball into the air to present an easy catch to Dhoni.

The Indian players stood to applaud him back to the dressing room afterhis patient and beautiful knock to bid adieu to international cricket.