‘He carried a nation ... He was greatness.’ Cricket’s Greatest s1e19: Richard Hadlee, Sky 2015, fellow cricketer
He became an instrument of torture. ibid.
A new era for New Zealand cricket. ibid.
9-55 at the Gabba. ibid.
The first player ever to reach four hundred test wickets. Ibid
431 test wickets in 86 test matched at an average of just over 22; batting average of 27. ibid.
‘He could do magical things.’ Cricket’s Greatest: Kapil Dev s1e20, fellow cricketer
1980 aged just 21 Kapil became the youngest player to take 100 wickets and score 1,000 runs in Test cricket. ibid.
The rank outsiders became world champions. ibid.
One of the greatest all-rounders of the modern era. ibid.
‘Luck smiled on me at the right time.’ Cricket’s Greatest s1e21: Gavaskar
‘He was a genius. Out of this world.’ ibid. Kapil Dev
1978: Gavaskar tormented the West Indies yet again with a stunning double century of 205. ibid.
He struggled with the one-day format. Another blip was his captaincy. ibid.
One of the world’s finest test batsman. ibid.
The seventeen-year-old rescued his more experienced teammates from defeat with his first test century scoring 119 not out. Cricket’s Greatest s1e22: Tendulkar: Legends of Cricket
Tendulkar would surpass the great Don Bradman’s tally of twenty-nine test centuries. ibid.
The highest test runs scorer in history. ibid.
His first professional cricket contract with Essex County Cricket Club in 1974. Just a year later he was selected to make his test debut for England at Edgbaston after impressing for the MCC against Australia. Cricket’s Greatest s1e23: Graham Gooch
‘There was no-one more pleasing on the eye than David Gower.’ Cricket’s Greatest s1e24: David Gower, Bob Willis
Turned down an approach to go on a rebel tour to South Africa. ibid.
England’s highest ever runs scorer was within his sights. ibid.
The most influential player that we’ve ever had. Ask him. Cricket’s Greatest s1e25: Ian Botham, David Lloyd
His first five-wicket haul in test cricket helped England to victory; his second in the following test helped them reclaim the ashes. ibid.
The fastest player to take one hundred wickets and score one thousand runs. ibid.
‘The ’81 Headingley game was iconic.’ ibid. David Gower
14 test hundreds and 383 wickets. ibid.
He was the greatest of all batsman. He is perhaps the greatest sportsman the world has seen. Legends of Cricket e1: Sir Donald Bradman, ESPN 2001
Bradman’s final average: 99.94. Almost forty runs higher than the next best, Graham Pollock. But what manner of batsman was this run-making phenomenon? ibid.
As a young boy Bradman famously honed his skills batting with a single stump and golf ball. ibid.
Bradman’s performances in England that season were astonishing. He made 974 runs in the series, including a world record 334, with 309 of those scored in a single day. ibid.
After Bradman had dominated series against the West Indies and South Africa, England arrived in Australia in 1932 armed with a plan to defeat him: Bodyline. ibid.
He was one of the finest batsmen of all time. He could lead the attack with high quality fast medium bowling, or he could win a match with finger spin or wrist spin. He was a dazzling fielder in any position. The ultimate all-round player. Legends of Cricket e2: Sir Gareth Sobers
Swansea, Wales, 1968: Gary Sobers faces Glamorgan spinner Malcolm Nash [6 x 6]. ibid.
Against Pakistan in Kingston in early 1958 he played one of Cricket’s most famous innings: a world record 365 not out. ibid.
Test matches 93; Runs 8,032; Average 57.78; Wickets 235; Average 34.03; Catches 109. ibid.
Richards had an extraordinary eye and reflexes. He was able to dominate and intimidate opposition attacks. Legends of Cricket e3: Sir Viv Richards
World Cup Final Lord’s 1975: Viv Richards makes three run-outs. ibid.
Richards was different: he had an aura, a swagger that made you fear he was special even as he sauntered to the crease. ibid.
Test matches 121; Runs 8,540; Average 50.23; ODI Matches 187; Runs 6,721; Average 47.00; Wickets 118; Average 35.83. ibid.
He has breathed new life into cricket by reinventing its most simple art ... The greatest spin bowler of all time. Legends of Cricket e4: Shane Warne
The first test of the 1993 Ashes series, and Shane Warne’s first ball in Ashes cricket. He ambles in to deliver what was to become the most talked about single delivery in the history of the game. ibid.
He had no formal coaching yet he scored more first-class runs and more centuries than any other player. He was cricket’s original working-class hero. Legends of Cricket e5: Sir Jack Hobbs
First-class matches 834; Runs 51,760; Average 50.70. ibid.
He was brilliant and he was belligerent. In full flight he was beautiful to watch. He had intelligence, stamina and boundless courage. The benchmark for fast-bowling excellence. Legends of Cricket e6: Dennis Lillee
Test matches: 70; Wickets 355; Average 23.92. ibid.
Great players hail him as a batting genius. Legends of Cricket e7: Sachin Tendulkar
Tendulkar’s technique is the benchmark for modern batsmen. Don Bradman believed that he was the closest thing to himself he had ever seen. ibid.
Test Matches 159; Runs 12,773; Average 54.58 [01.09.09]. ibid.
In an era of great all-rounders he was perhaps the greatest. He was a charismatic and inspiring leader. He is a tireless worker for charity. And a champion of the poor and under-privileged. The Lion of Pakistan. Imran Khan is one of ESPN’s legends of cricket. Legends of Cricket e8: Imran Khan
Test matches 88; Runs 3,807; Batting Average 37.69; Wickets 362; Average 22.81. ibid.
He broke almost every world record in batting. Yet he bowled well enough to dismiss Don Bradman three times in test matches. He was England’s greatest batsman. Legends of Cricket e9: Wally Hammond
‘An astonishing orgy of run-getting.’ ibid. historian
336 not out. ibid.
Tests: 75; Runs 7,249; Average: 58.45. ibid.
He played both fast and slow bowling with consummate skill. He was a shrewd and thoughtful captain. The master craftsman. Legends of Cricket e10: Sunil Gavaskar
Test Matches 125; Runs 10,122; Average 51.12. ibid.
1981 Ashes. 5th Test Old Trafford. ‘Botham’s Ashes’. Takes 118 and takes 3-28 and 2-86. Legends of Cricket e11: Sir Ian Botham
In 1979 Botham achieved the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in tests faster than anyone in history. ibid.
Botham followed his match-winning 149 in the third test with a devastating 5-1 bowling spell in the fourth match at Edgbaston, once again snatching an unlikely victory for England. ibid.
Test Matches 102; Runs 5,200; Average 33.54; Wickets 383; Average 28.40; Catches 120. ibid.
No-one had bowled with greater intelligence or control; and he was a genuine all-rounder. New Zealand’s greatest player. Legends of Cricket e12: Richard Hadlee
The Gabba 1985: 9-52 & 6-71 v Australia. ibid.
Hadlee was a clinically efficient fast bowler. ibid.
An all-rounder of great quality. ibid.