Arxman - Sports Blog

Shoaib Akhtar - The Rawalpindi Express

James Coolridge — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:48:17 +0000

Speed and Shoaib Akhtar have been considered to be absolute synonymous in the world of cricket. Popularly known as the Rawalpindi Express, Akhtar provided a new meaning to fast bowling and threatened the careers of star batsmen all over the world with versatile and lethal pace.

Born on 13 August 1975, Shoaib Akhtar made his test debut on 29 November 1997 v West Indies and ODI debut against 28 March 1998 v Zimbabwe. The strongly-built bowler from Pakistan set an official world record after delivering the fastest ball at 161.3 km/ph (100.2 mph), twice at a cricket match. Shoaib played 46 tests to take 178 wickets and 147 ODIs to take 227 wickets. The career of Akhtar saw unprecedented highs in a pre-World Cup series against India in 1999. From then on, there was just no looking back for this express bowler.

However, career of this Pakistani bowler has never been short of controversies. He was accused of not being a team player and even got involved in a drug scandal besides criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board. To add to the woes, Akhtar entered into a fight which resulted in Pakistani team mate Mohammad Asif being struck by a bat on his left thigh. This was after Asif and Shahid Afridi disagreed with Shoaib that he didn’t share the same status as legendary former Pakistan Captain, Imran Khan, in Pakistan cricket and even ridiculed him for having such a mind frame.

Things may have gone against Shoaib Akhtar many times but he is all set to bowl his heart out again and reclaim his status as the world’s most feared bowler.

Gabriela Sabatini-Icon for many female tennis players

James Coolridge — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:13:41 +0000

Gabriela Beatriz Sabatini, popularly known as Gabby or the Princess of the Pampas, is considered to be one of the most talented tennis players. The Argentine tennis player was one of the most admired and skilled tennis players on the women’s circuit in the late-1980s and early-1990s.

Gabriela Sabatini won accolades from players of her times, stalwarts, and critics for her versatile stylish game and perceived attractiveness. Sabatini started playing tennis at the young age of 6 and surprised many by winning her first tournament at the age of 8 years when most girls are playing with their Barbie dolls.

Sabatini rose to stardom when she became the youngest-ever player to reach the French Open semi-finals where she lost to Chris Evert. The 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul saw Gabriela Sabatini winning the silver medal for her country, Argentina. Born on 16 May 1970, Sabatini turned professional in January 1985 and won the Wimbledon in 1988 and the US Open in 1990. The year 1991 was turning point in this tennis great’s career when she won five tournaments in the first half of the year.

In 1994, Gabriela Sabatini published a motivational book entitled My Story on the inspirations behind her to become a tennis player. The “beautiful artist” on the tennis ground retired in 1996 but has been an inspiration for many of today’s tennis players. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 15, 2006.

Sourav Ganguly - Classic left-handed batsman

James Coolridge — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:51:48 +0000

Sourav Chandidas Ganguly, popularly known as Sourav Ganguly or Prince of Kolkata or Dada, has been rated by many as one of the most elegant left-handed batsmen the world has ever seen. The former Indian cricket team captain, though now retired, is presently the fifth highest run getter in one-day internationals and also the fifth person in cricketing history to score past 10,000 runs.

Born on 8 July 1972, Sourav Ganguly made his test debut on 20 June 1996 v England and ODI debut on 11 January 1992 v West Indies. In the 1999 Cricket World Cup, Ganguly and Rahul Dravid were involved in a record partnership of 318 runs, which is still an unchallenged record for the highest overall partnership score in the World Cup tournament history. Sourav Ganguly also holds the record for scoring the second highest individual score in the history of World Cup when he shattered 183 from 158 balls, including 17 fours and 7 sixes, against Sri Lanka at Taunton.

The style of Ganguly was best described by his former teammate, Rahul Dravid, who once said that Ganguly is next to God on the off-side. During his illustrious career, Ganguly scored 16 centuries in Test matches and 22 in ODIs and formed the most dominating and successful opening pair in ODIs with Sachin Tendulkar amassing 26 century partnerships for the first wicket. The list of records to Ganguly’s name does not end here - Sourav Ganguly is one of the only three players in ODI history to attain a treble of 10,000 runs, 100 catches, and 100 wickets besides Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya.

Don Bradman - The best game ever saw

James Coolridge — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 07:51:46 +0000

Sir Donald George Bradman, popularly known as Don Bradman or Braddles or The Don, may have last played test cricket on 18 August 1948 v England but he is still rated as the numero uno batsman the world has ever seen. The career batting average of 99.94, attained by Bradman, has been considered statistically to be the biggest achievement in any professional sport.

Born on 27 August 1908, Don Bradman made his test debut for Australia on 30 November 1928 v England. In 52 test matches and 234 first class matches, Don Bradman shattered 6,996 and 28,067 runs, respectively. Bradman made 29 centuries and 13 half-centuries in test cricket and was described as former Australia captain Bill Woodfull, “worth three batsmen to Australia”.

The success of Bradman anguished the English cricket team and spirit of the game get a beating when Douglas Jardine was appointed as England captain in 1931 and settled on the Nottinghamshire fast bowlers Harold Larwood and Bill Voce to ball short at the legendary batsman. The Bodyline tactics against Bradman worked and England won an ill-tempered match.

The 1938 tour of England was turning point of Bradman’s illustrious career in which he recorded 13 centuries in 26 innings and made 1,000 first class runs becoming the only player to attain the feat twice.

Sir Don Bradman still holds the records for the fastest player to reach 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000 test runs even after 62 years of retirement.

Bradman was hospitalized with pneumonia in December 2000 and died on 25 February 2001, aged 92.

Álex Rodriguez - Determined to break some more records

James Coolridge — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:00:05 +0000

Alexander Emmanuel “Alex” Rodriguez, popularly known as A-Rod by fans, has recently became the seventh and the youngest baseball player to attain the feat of 600 career home runs. Presently a part of the New York Yankees, Álex Rodriguez made his debut on July 8, 1994 for the Seattle Mariners. Ever since the, there has been no looking back for the game of baseball, A-Rod, and fans.

The favorite team of Rodriguez was the New York Mets and his favorite players when he was growing up were Keith Hernandez, Cal Ripken, and Dale Murphy. With a batting average of .303, Rodriguez is today right there at the top and is expected to beat Barry Bonds‘ all time record of 762 home runs.

However things were not going to be smooth for this American Major League Baseball third baseman of Dominican parentage as he was accused of using performance enhancing drugs in February 2009. The star player refuted all allegations initially but later admitted to using steroids from 2001 to 2003 during a 2007 interview with Katie Couric on 60 Minutes. The personal front was not any better - Rodriguez and his wife separated in 2008 and these were the times when he was linked with pop singer Madonna.

Today, Álex Rodriguez seems calm and composed much to the delight of his fans and he is all destined to break some more records on the baseball field. While some former players and fans have stopped talking about A-Rod, the record books haven’t taken care of his past association with anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs.

Shane Warne - Spin was never better!

James Coolridge — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:00:16 +0000

Shane Keith Warne, popularly known as Shane Warne or Warnie, is regarded by many as one of the greatest and inspiring bowlers in history of the game of cricket. Born on 13th September 1969, Warnie made his test debut against India on 2nd January 1992 and ODI debut against New Zealand on 24 March 1993.

The right-arm leg break bowler mesmerized batsmen of all countries with his unique ability to turn the ball. This is clearly evident from the fact that the master spinner bemused one of the greatest spin-player of all times, Mike Gatting of England, during the Ashes series with “Ball of the Century” that turned sharply to dislodge bails.

Warne was at his peak when Australia won the 1999 Cricket World Cup in England and his performances in the semi-final and final got him the Man of the Match Awards.

Shane Warne took 708 wickets in 145 test matches and 293 wickets in 194 ODIs besides scoring 3,154 runs and 1,018 runs in the test and ODI formats, respectively. In 1994, Warne was selected as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year and was even named in “Richie Benaud’s Greatest XI” in 2004. Warne was a key member in the Steve Waugh led team that rewrote history books becoming the only team to win 16 tests at a stretch. Warnie was also rated as a brilliant slip fielder and holds the 7th place in the list of most catches as a fielder in test cricket.

Shane Warne may have left the cricketing field but is still making contributions to the game of cricket as a commentator and captain of the Rajasthan Royals Team.

Steve Waugh - Cricketer with nerves of Steel

James Coolridge — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:26:40 +0000

Stephen Rodger Waugh, former captain of Australian cricket team, may have put off his pads for a while but the legendary batsmen will always be regarded as a talent the world will never come across.

Steve Waugh or Tugga was admired by the name “Iceman” because of this unique ability to stay calm and composed in high-intensity matches throughout his career. Born on 2nd June 1965, Steve Waugh was a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium bowler. He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame on 4th January 2010 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Steve made his test debut on 26th December 1985 v India and one-day international debut on 9th January 1986 v New Zealand. He played 168 test matches to score 10,927 runs and took 92 wickets and 325 ODIs to score 7,569 runs and took 195 wickets. A reliable fielder on any position on the cricket pitch, Steve Waugh claimed 112 and 111 catches in test and one day cricket, respectively. He went on to win acclaims from critics worldwide after his patient knock of 200 runs against the West Indies in 1995 when Australia regained the Frank Worrell Trophy. Steven Waugh was at his peak when the Australian team won the 1999 World Cup in England and helped the team became one of the most dreaded cricket teams in the world by leading the country to 16 consecutive Test match wins.

Steve Waugh, the living legend, may have said goodbye to the cricketing world but is still making invaluable contributions by helping in raising funds for a leper children’s colony, “Udayan” in Kolkata.

Mohammad Azharuddin Classic Shots were never so good

James Coolridge — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 05:41:34 +0000

Mohammad Azizuddin Azharuddin, popularly known as Azhar or Azza, may have left the cricket field some ten years ago but his followers still remember him for his wristy strokes and agile fielding. Boasting of a graceful and fluid batting style, Mohammad Azharuddin went on to capture many hearts and even acclamations from critics of the game for his calm nature, leadership style, humble approach, and impeccable habit of scoring runs at almost will.

Azhar, born on 8th February 1963 in Hyderabad, still holds the distinction of scoring a century apiece in each of his first three tests - a record that still holds intact. He went on to score a total of 22 centuries in test cricket and 7 in one day internationals (ODIs) and took 156 catches in the limited over version (ODI). The lush green Eden Gardens in Kolkata was the happy hunting ground for this classic cricket player.

Mohammad Azharuddin made his test debut on 31st December 1984 v England and ODI debut on 20th January 1985 v England. He also holds a unique record of scoring centuries in his first and last Test. Towards the end of his illustrious career, Azhar was accused of match fixing by Hansie Cronje of South Africa and was banned from the game of cricket for life in 2000. And with this scandal, the game of cricket, especially Indian cricket, lost one of its most talented sons to greed. However, one can still find respite in the fact that every wristy player of today’s times is still compared to this legendary and one of the most successful Indian captains.

Brian Lara - Retired but still ruling

James Coolridge — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:19:34 +0000

Brian Charles Lara may have left the cricket ground to the delight of bowlers but his name is still rated very highly by all cricket lovers. The reasons - endless!

Brian Lara is the only player in the world ever to have scored a hundred, a double century, a triple century, a quadruple century, and a quintuple century in the first class games. Not only this, Lara still holds the record for most runs in an over in test format when he scored 28 runs off an over by Robin Peterson of South Africa in 2003. Sir Donald Bradman, the legendary Australian batsman popularly known as the unstoppable run machine, rated Lara and Sachin Tendulkar (India) as two of the best he has ever seen in modern times, which is a great feat for this humble batsman.

The list of record associated with this stylish West Indian batsman goes on and on - he has the highest individual score in both first-class cricket and Test cricket (501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994 and 400 not out for the West Indies against England in 2004, respectively). Born on 2 May 1969, this left-handed batsman was even good with the ball with his right-arm leg-break deliveries.

Awarded the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World awards in 1994 and 1995, Brian Lara rewrote cricket record books with his never-say-die approach, unmatched talent, and determination. Popularly nicknamed as “The Prince of Port of Spain” or simply “The Prince”, Lara announced his retirement on 19 April 2007. When retired, Lara had played 131 tests and 299 one-day internationals and scored 11, 953 runs and 10, 405 runs, respectively.

Thomas Mueller - Golden Boot winner at FIFA 2010

James Coolridge — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 08:28:55 +0000

Thomas Mueller was an unknown name for many before the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa started but the midfielder soon making headlines with his goal-scoring ability and highly effective playing style.

Mueller scored 5 goals in the World Cup and tied with David Villa of Spain, Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands, and Diego Forlan of Uruguay but went on to win the Golden Boot award as top scorer besides being named the best young player of the month long event.

The energetic midfielder joins the league of eminent players like Guillermo Stabile, Just Fontaine, Mario Kempes, Paolo Rossi, Ronaldo, and Miroslav Klose who have won the Golden Boot award in the past World Cup editions.

Born on 13th September 1989 and wearing jersey number 13, Thomas Mueller has impressed one and all with his tactical style and proved to be a major discovery for Germany at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The eloquent and intelligent young, who is a striker for Bayern Munich, made his debut at the international stage in March 2010 during Germany’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Argentina in Munich.

The Bayern Munich prodigy has already been touted as another German legend in the making. The impressive positional sense, pace, and vision of Mueller are appreciated by every lover of the game and the fact that Thomas Mueller can play both as a striker as well as an attacking midfielder surely make him the player to watch out for in the future football events.

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