12 PLAYERS
March 31st, 2007
1.Viv Richards
Influenced the course of matches more than anyone.His impact was like a bomber destroying an airbase.Brilliant with the bat and brilliant in fielding in the 1975 final when he executed 3 run outs.Alos effective as apinner getting crucial breakthroughs.Topped run average twice.
2..Imran Khan
In the technical sense the best allrounder ever in the Cup who could win aplace in the taem just for his batting,which was instrumental inhis team leading the trophy i 1992.Bowled brilliantly in 1987 where his inswing gave graet trouble to opponents.In 1983 played only as abatsman but topped his taem’s batting averages scoring at an average of 70+He batted wih graet responsibilty scoring the fisrt eve century for Pakistan in the Cup i agme that was all but lost.
3.Kapil Dev
Responsible for India turning inahistorical triumph in 1983 where his cpataincy,fielding .bolwing and batting played a great role.His 175 agaisnt Zimbawe is the greatset inings in World Cup historty after India wee tottering at 17-5.Reminded you of Sobers.His vatch oof Rocharsd at the boundary was the turning point of the final.
4.Steve Waugh
The cricketer of the 1987 World Cup whose Ice-cool nerves with bat and ball saw Australia through.He batted and bolwed consistently particularly in the death overs.His 69 in the semi-final and bolwing in the final played a major role in his team’s wins.In 1996 was consisent but in 1999 his classic 120 took hi steam through to the final.
5.Sachin TEndulkar
Reminded you of Sir Don Bradman more than anyone.Most effective as aspin bolwer as well.Scired rcord run aggregate twice.
6.Clive Lloyd
Not only a great batsman but agreat leader who almost clinched the title three times.Led his team like an emperor and scored almost everytime the chips were down .His 1975 final century is possibly the best ever in one day Cricket.His fielding was also a great asset.
7.Lance Kluesner.
Appropriately called the Zulu Warror who took South Africa to the brink of winning the 1999 World Cup.Apart frpm Gary Sobers no batsman has hit the ball harder and at the daeth looked more like awarrior carrying a bludgeon.He reminded you of an executioner beheading a convict.He won crucial games agisnt Pakistan,England and Sri Lanka ,but sadli in the semi-final was involved in arun out just after he had struck 2 boundaries to tie the score.Very effective as amedium pace bowler.Also ,played awhirlwind knock in the 2003 World Cup agaisnt WEst Indies in the first match.
8.Wasim Akram
The greatest bowler ever in the Cup whose reverse swing was unplayable at the death.His sensationl bowling won the 1992 ginal for Pakistan whenhe bowled Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis with successive deliveries.He alos compiled a useful 33.Led Pakistan to the final in 1999 .A great striker of the ball who played many a useful knock.
9.Shane Warne
A true match-winner like in the 1999 sem-final and 1996 semi-final.Could also be very effective with the bat.Highest wicket -taker in 1999Simply turned the complexion of agame with sensational spells agaisnt West Indies and South Africa.
10.Javed Miandad
Ice -cool nerves reminding you of acommander in a battle.The ultimate player in acrisis .
11.Joel Garner
The most accurate bolwer of all who won the 1979 cup for WEst Indies with abrilliant spell in the final oves arttling the English middle -order.He was also useful with the bat like agaisnt India i the first match in1983.His bounce was unplayable at times.,as he obtained lift from agood length.
12.Sannath Jayasuriya.
Innovated anew style of batting but was also useful as aspin bowler helping win many a match.
