5 hits of the All-Star series

So, it is over. Again. The legends of cricket retired a long time ago, but they reignited the memories in USA in the All-Star series. And now, as the series has concluded, the eerie feeling that surrounds the hearts of fans when their heroes quit the sports has once again found a place in those chambers.Each and every moment in the series was glorious in its own way. Some of the legendary figures may not even be a shadow of their former self as age has played its joke on them, but they did an admirable job regardless.However, some others were apparently a class above the rest and one wonders why they hung up their boots in the first place. The sheer class, added with their superior fitness levels, wreaked havoc within the ground.So, here we compile the list of 5 hits of the All-Star series.

#5 Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar did not let his fans down in the series, scoring 115 runs in 84 balls

So far, all the players that have been mentioned were from Warne’s team, and all of them were batsmen or batting all-rounders. The last spot in this list goes to Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar for his vintage batting display in the series.

Since this series provided us with a lot of runs, it would be fair to say that it was dominated by the batsmen. Small grounds and flat decks meant that it was a batsmen’s paradise. For Sachin Blasters, the captain himself was the best batsman—showing us, once again, that age is only but a number.

He started off the series in a slow fashion, scoring 27 in 28 ball, but eventually picked up to score 115 runs in 84 balls in the 3 matches he played—topping it off with a 50 in the final game with a strike-rate of over 200.

The fans watched the series to see the Little Master doing what he does best, and he did just that.

#4 Andrew Symonds

Andrew Symonds was the highest wicket taker in the All-Stars 201

It has been a long time since Andrew Symonds padded up to play in a game, with his last outing being in a 2011 Champions League game for the Mumbai Indians, but that hasn’t taken away the fieriness from him.

Batting in the lower middle meant that he couldn’t face many balls in order to score big runs. However, his phenomenal display of power hitting still leaves many mouths opened, as could be seen among the crowd in the USA.

It was with the ball that he truly stood out, though, as he took 8 wickets in the 9 overs that he bowled in the tournament, making him the highest wicket-taker. To top that off, he scored a handy 51 runs in the 32 balls that he faced in the series, proving himself to be an effective finisher in the team.

#3 Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting showed he had lost none of his athleticism

He was somewhat of a surprise package. While there is no doubt about the quality that he possesses, something that made him the greatest batsman in the world at one point of time, he was never really seen as a swashbuckling T20 player and turned out less-than-impressive in his stint at the IPL.

However, it seems as though his time away from the game has helped him sharpen his hitting qualities as he was rampant all through the series. Scoring 132 runs at a frantic pace of just 77 balls, he successfully formed an unbreakable stand in the middle order.

What was further astonishing was his insane consistency as there wasn’t a single game in which he scored less than 40 runs. Clearly, he was one of the biggest hits of the series.

#2 Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis took a brilliant catch to dismiss Sachin Tendulkar in the 1^st match

Jacques Kallis is regarded by many as the greatest all-rounder to have ever played the game. While the claim might be arguable, what can’t be argued is that he still has what it takes to give the opposition team a good beating with his batting and bowling skills.

It may have been over a year since he played his last game at the international level, yet, as they say, form is temporary, class is permanent.

He formed an essential part of Warne’s team in both the departments, scoring 105 runs in only 48 balls and conceding only 50 runs in 6 overs, 19 of which came in one over. He also took a wicket in the process, but it was his economical display that really did the trick, making him one of the best players in the tournament.

#1 Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara was quick with his stumpings in the matches too

Can there be any doubts regarding this? Just before he retired, which was earlier this year, he was in the form of his life. So much that he scored 4 centuries in 4 consecutive ODI games.

And, in the All-star series, he picked up where he left off.

Scoring a mammoth 163 runs in just 80 balls, a strike-rate that goes above 200, for Warne Warriors, he stamped his authority in every single game in the tournament and was the main batting pillar for Warne’s Warrior’s triumphant whitewash run in the series.

His performances in the tournament leave no doubt about the fact that he would have still been highly competitive and successful had he continued playing at the top-level. Given Sri Lanka’s erratic run since his departure, it wouldn’t be surprising if they requested him to come back and play for them again.