While beards don’t guarantee great performances, a bit of style statement won’t do any harm to the superlative operas performed on the stage of the 22 yards.
The likes of W.G Grace, Sir Vivian Richards and Mike Brearley set the trend of facial hair, the fashion has been gleefully accepted by the later generations.
Though beards are not something to be feared of but there are beards that are feared of in world cricket. The following are five bearded cricketers who keep the opposition on their toes every time they stride onto the cricket field.
1) Misbah-ul-Haq
Though he recently sported a beard in the current series versus England, the calm-headed trooper from Mianwali, Pakistan is undoubtedly one of the feared beards. Even at the age of 42, he comes all guns blazing at the opposition.
Marred by criticisms all throughout his career, Misbah didn’t let panic sneak into his tranquil mind. Instead, he kept storming back to shut down his critics. He seems to be getting better with age.
To feature in the Lord's Honours Board is a dream for every aspiring cricketer. Even at 42 Misbah didn’t let his dream die and nailed it with absolute ease. The push-ups after the century will be etched in the memories.
If Pakistan can pull off an English annihilation in the ongoing series, Misbah’s contribution will be immense. He can give youngsters a run for their money when it comes to fitness level.
One can’t judge from his facial expressions, but his track record and his ability to take apart oppositions bring in ominous signs for other teams.
2) Moeen Ali
The swashbuckling cricketer from Birmingham is one of the most dynamic batsmen English cricket ever has had. Somewhere down the line, his pugnacious potential couldn’t convert into consistent performances.
Graeme Swann’s sudden retirement served him with a place as an off-spinner, but soon he demonstrated tremendous potential with the willow too. He notched up the third fastest ton in ODIs from 72 balls by an English batsman in 2014 versus Sri Lanka.
India is known for flamboyance in playing spin bowling and Moeen Ali, in the 2014 series in England, wreaked havoc in their batting line-up with 19 wickets in 5 matches that included one five-wicket haul.
Though he sparked glimpses of sheer brilliance in the top order for England, erratic shows with the willow turned out to be a bone in the flesh in Moeen’s batting career. From being a top order smasher, he currently comes in at the lower middle order in the ODI circuit.
3) Hashim Amla
Eyebrows were raised when no IPL team opted for the South African veteran in 2016. He was picked up by the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League later this year and he obliged by ending up as the fourth highest run-getter finishing with 410 runs at an average of 37.27.
Not the most gifted batsman like that of his other South African team-mates, but unquestionably the most trusted batsman in their line-up. It’s the grit and determination in him that made every obstacle bow down helplessly.
With Test and ODI averages of over 50 and with 48 International centuries combined in the two forms, Hashim Amla has more than lived up to the demands and rigors of serving the national team. Even with his unglamorous style of play he can set the cat among the pigeons in the opponent’s camp.
At the age of 33 Amla still has a fair bit of cricket left in him and once he decides to hang up his boots, it will be a tumultuous task for the Proteas to eke out another Hashim Amla.
4) Kane Williamson
The ethereally classy batsman from Tauranga, New Zealand doesn’t come with a technique which intimidates the opposition, but he is someone who can silently get under the skins of the rival teams.
Effortlessly New Zealand’s most versatile performer with the willow, Kane Williamson has stamped his authority on all the three formats.
Leave alone Tests and ODIs, he brings a sense of calmness to even T20 batting. Playing copybook cricket and yet having a strike rate of 124.29 in T20Is is a palpable manifestation of the class and caliber of the individual.
Records indeed speak for themselves and in Kane’s case, they have shone radiantly. Having already mounted along with Test centuries versus all other Test playing nations at a tender age of 25, shattering of further records by the vibrant Kiwi batsman is only a matter of time.
Never mind his artistic repertoire with the bat, he also acts as New Zealand’s man with the golden arm, churning out wickets at crucial junctures. He has all the potentialities to be addressed as one of the modern day greats by the time he reaches into his 30s.
5) Virat Kohli
One won’t be taken aback if cricket pundits and other cricket fanatics from around the globe have already run out of objectives portraying this gem of a batsman from India. A player worth envying for the strongest of oppositions.
Haemorrhaging runs at will is bread and butter for the Indian batting stalwart. Opponents have turned no stones down in halting Kohli’s belligerence only to fall right on their faces.
The word ‘satisfaction’ doesn’t exist in his dictionary and piling on runs only adds to his hunger of attaining greater heights.
Apart from batting, his Test captaincy tenure has been fruitful too. Even though just 13 Tests old, Kohli enjoys a great winning percentage of 50.00 by an Indian captain with series wins against the likes of South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
Captaincy duty rubbed off positively on his batting too. His batting average isn’t all that bad with 45.06 in Tests and the recent double hundred versus the West Indies being the latest feather in his cap. With MS Dhoni in the twilight of his career, Kohli is expected to take over the mantle from him and rightly so considering his smooth run.
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