Ian Botham – England’s Greatest Ever all-Rounders

Ian Botham was an aggressive batsman and right arm medium fast bowler. Ian Botham was simply magnificent at the cricket headquarters Lord’s Test match of 1978 against Pakistan. He hammered the century 108 runs batting at No. 7 after England had slumped to 134 for 5.

His innings took the England total to 364. Then Pakistan batting crashed to 105 all out. England forced Pakistan to follow on. Sir Ian Botham took the career best bowling of 8 for 34 runs in their second innings to lead England to an innings and 120 runs triumph.

The Somerset all rounder blistering performance has become the first cricketer in the history of Test cricket, to score a century and eight wickets in an innings. His incredible all round performance make him an established all rounder on cricket scenes. England Captain Mike Brearley said, Botham colossus at the moment.

Pakistan Captain Wasim Bari Said, I have never seen a ball swing so much in the sunny weather, Botham was completely unplayable on that day. As a right hand batsman, he managed to scored 14 centuries with the career best of 208 against India in 1982.

Read More – Ben Hollioake – A Star Which Could Not Shine  / Most Stumping in Test Cricket

Former South African Captain Hansie Cronje

Former South African Captain Hansie Cronje

Young Denis Compton in 1936

Australian Fast Bowler Shaun Tait, once the Fastest Bowler in The World.

Australian Fast Bowler Shaun Tait, once the Fastest Bowler in The World.

Who Will Host Cricket World Cup 2027?

If you are a cricket lover, then you would be curious about who will host Cricket World Cup 2027? To be honest, it hasn’t decided by ICC. The bidding has not started yet, but UAE is a serious contender to make a highest bid to host the tournament. UAE has the cricketing experience with world-class facilities being to multiple cricket matches. UAE has also hosted the Under-19 World Cup in 2014.

UAE is hosting cricket tournament since the 1980s holds the record of the greatest number of ODI’s. Moreover, Pakistan playing their home series in UAE since the attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009. UAE is the most favorable location due to several reasons for world-class facilities, short travel distance, winter weather, whatever opportunities present themselves.

Furthermore, the 14th edition of cricket world cup 2027 is going to be hosted by South Africa expectedly. As they are having great cricket infrastructure with robust crowd support. May be ICC will make another U-turn to give the hosting to Australia again with the gap of twelve years. Australia has hosted the 2015 World Cup in a great style.

West Indies hosted the Cricket World Cup 2007 but are not considered as sole hosts due to the West Indies represents a sporting confederation of 15 chiefly English-speaking Caribbean countries, British dependencies, and non-British dependencies. As soon as the ICC official announcement about the world cup 2027 schedule is to be made by the cricket authorities, we would make it available for you. Read More - Who Will Host Cricket World Cup 2027

Cricket World Cup 2027

Sunil Gavasaker The Legend of Indian Cricket

Basit Ali, in his young days.

Life Lines of Darren Gough in Dec 2000

This life lines of Darren Gough was published in “The Cricketer” in Dec 2000



Most Memorable day in Cricket:

My first one day international and my first test match, both against New Zealand in 1994. My ambition in life was to play for my country and I felt very proud. The Sydney Test if scoring 51 was great taking 6 for 49 was even better. It was my first five wicket haul in test cricket and put me on the honors board. When I got my 5^th wicket I said a little prayer

Worst Day in Cricket:

England A vs. Natal on South Africa’s A tour. Martin Bicknell broke down after two over’s which left us with just three bowlers. I ended with figures of one for 139 off 39 over’s.

Cricketing Heroes:

Ian Botham, Sir Richard Hadlee, Malcom Marshall

Greatest Influence on Cricket:

My wife Anna. She made me realize that to get to the top you have to work hard.

Current Player you Admired:

Allan Donald

Young Cricketers for the Future to Play for England:

Michael Vaughan, Chris Silverwood, Richard Johnson, Mal Loye

Cricketing Ambitions:

Play Well for England in Test Cricket

Favorite Grounds:

Lord’s for its history and great lunches; New Road, Worcester, Newlands in Cape Town, MCG in Australia

Least Favorite Ground:

Middleborough, I never bowl well there and it’s always cold.

Complaint against Cricket:

Once bouncer per over, two runs for a no ball not enough in the game compared to other sports, moreover 20 minutes not long enough for tea.

Most embarrassing moment in life:

Having to make a speech at my wedding

Hobbies and interest:

Golf, Football, Watching Movies

Favorite Pastime:

Going to the movies, eating out, relaxing at home with my wife

Other Sports you followed:

Football off course

Other Sports People you admired:

Kevin Costner, Nick Faldo, Glenn Hoddle, Wayne Morton, the Yorkshire physio.

Favorite Car:

Ford Mondo 1.8TD and Ford Sierra 2.0i GHIA

Favorite Food:

Mexican and Italian

Preferred Clothes:

Jeans and T-Shirt

Newspaper you Read:

Today

Favorite holidays Spot:

Oreland, America, Perth, and Cape Town

Motto in life:

Treat others as you would as expect others to treat you.

You’re Favorite Hotel:

The Swallow, Birmingham

How in your wildest dreams would you most like to spend a day/night?

I would win a million at a casino, retire from cricket and live a life of pleasures. And I would like to fly a jet fighter.

Your Favorite Magazine:

I like The Cricketer International

Any Pet Hates:

My dog chewing

Funniest moment in Cricket: Rolling Peter Hartley in to bowl in a shopping trolley the innings after he had just bowled 41 over’s before play along with Martyn Moxon our cap.

Sarfraz Ahmed is first Pakistani Wicket-keeper to Score 3 Tons in a Calendar year

Pakistani cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq congratulates Sarfraz Ahmed for his century during the fourth day of the second Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on November 20, 2014. Pakistan were 392-9 at lunch. Resuming at 281-6, Pakistan furthered their innings with Sarfraz Ahmed scoring a fighting century with 111 not out and added 80 for the unfinished tenth wicket stand with Rahat Ali who is 16 not out in the extended two-and-half hour session.  He's first Pakistani Wicket-keeper to Score 3 Tons in a Calendar year. Sarfraz Ahmed Last 10 Innings: 48, 55, 52*, 103, 55, 109, 15*, 19*, 13* & 112 Average: 96.83.

Misbah-ul-Haq Equals Fastest Test Hundred

No one can believe, that a 40 years old guy can make a fastest Test hundred. Misbah-ul-Haq converted the fastest fifty in Test cricket just off 21 balls and register his name into the joint-fastest century off 56 balls on the fourth day in Abu Dhabi. But Misbah-ul-Haq did it brilliantly against Australia in the 2nd test at Abu Dhabi on Nov 02, 2014. Before that he done a fastest fifty in the history of test cricket. So it likes a dream that Pakistan captain holds the two respected records of test cricket, and make his name on the top of list. This is simply unbelievable for whole world, especially for Pakistan fans. He has been criticizing due to his famous word "Tuk Tuk". A magnificent inning played by him, which he can proud himself through out his career. We should give a huge applause to Misbah for this special inning. We're sure now he'll get the respect as he deserve.

Fastest Hundred in The History of Test Cricket

 Fastest Fifties in the History of Test Cricket

Misbah-ul-Haq converted the fastest fifty in Test cricket - off 21 balls - into the joint-fastest century - off 56 balls - on the fourth day in Abu Dhabi on Nov 02, 2014© Getty Images

Misbah-ul-Haq Smashes Fastest fifty in the history of Test cricket.

What a Great Knock by Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq scored Fastest Fifty in the history of Test Cricket, just made in 20 balls against Australia in the second test at Abu Dhabi on Nov 02, 2014. Jack Kallis of South Africa previously has the record in 24 balls against Zimbabwe at Cape Town in 2004-05. A brilliant inning.

Sarfraz Ahmad 2nd Test Hundred off 80 balls against Australia at Dubai in Oct 2014

Sarfraz Ahmed got to his century in 80 balls against Australia at Dubai actually is the fourth fastest by a Pakistan batsman. The record is held by Majid Khan who scored a hundred off 74 balls against New Zealand in 1976. However, Boom Boom Shahid Afridi has scored two 78-ball hundreds. Across countries, this is the 18th fastest century in Tests where balls-faced data is available. Moreover one number of wicketkeepers who have made a faster Test hundred than Sarfraz. Who is none other than Adam Gilchrist scored a 57-ball hundred versus England at Perth in 2006. Whereas Safraz's innings was the 12th time a wicketkeeper posted a 100-plus score at a 100-plus strike rate in Tests, with seven of those being by Gilchrist.

Sarfraz Ahmed exults after his hundred, Pakistan v Australia, 1st Test, Dubai, 2nd day, October 23, 2014 @ Getty Image

One Of the Best all Time Catch in the Game of Cricket