Simon O'Donnell, a multi-talented cricketer

Simon O'Donnell, a multi-talented athlete, forsook a promising career in Australian Rules football in favor of cricket. He subsequently became an indispensable all-rounder for the Australian one-day team and was a member of the squad when it made a resurgent mark with an unexpected victory at the World Cup in 1987. O'Donnell is chiefly recalled for a series of explosive innings in the middle-lower order.

During the one-day side's tour of New Zealand in 1990, O'Donnell enjoyed a career-best performance, taking 5 for 13 against New Zealand at Christchurch in the Rothmans Cup and scoring 20 runs off 19 balls with the aid of 2 fours. Despite this superlative all-rounder performance, he was not named man of the match; instead, Dean Jones received the honor for scoring 107 runs off 143 balls. Australia won the match by a resounding 150 runs.

O'Donnell was elected international cricketer of the year in 1990–91. He recovered from injury to rejoin the Australian one-day team in the 1988–89 season and played 43 more limited-over matches until December 10, 1991, claiming 56 wickets and producing 5 match-winning 50-plus scores, including the fastest half-century in One Day Internationals (18 balls vs. Sri Lanka in Sharjah, 1990). O'Donnell maintained a highly impressive batting strike rate of 80.96 runs per 100 balls in ODIs, nearly double his scoring rate in Tests.

Between 1984 and 1993, O'Donnell played for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield as an all-rounder, scoring a century in his first match. He played 6 Test matches in 1985, 5 on the Ashes tour of England and one at home, but he was more successful in the shorter form of the game due to his low bowling strike rate in five and four-day cricket. He was viewed as a limited-overs specialist with clever medium-paced bowling and explosive lower-order hitting. He participated in 87 ODIs from 1985 to 1992, scoring 1242 runs and taking 108 wickets in his career. He played a significant role in Australia's victory in the 1987 World Cup Final, taking a large number of wickets and ending the tournament as Australia's most economical bowler. Shortly after, however, he began to experience severe pain and was diagnosed with cancer. O'Donnell made a strong recovery and returned to one-day international cricket from 1988-89.

His clean, powerful drives straight off the wicket and through mid-on were particularly effective. However, O'Donnell's intelligent fast-medium bowling often proved to be more pivotal in Australia's one-day fortunes. Since he retired from cricket, O'Donnell has joined the Nine Network's commentary team and is the regular host of The Cricket Show, which airs during the lunch breaks of Tests in Australia.

Brian Lara (50 for 23 Balls) and Wavel Hinds (50 from 24 balls) in Beast Mood

Brian Lara and Wavell Hinds are in the beast mood to destroy Canada Bowling. Brian Lara scored 50 from 23 balls; however, Wavell Hinds scored 50 from 24 Balls. This was the 24th Match, of the ICC World Cup 2003 played at Centurion, on February 23, 2003. Let’s watch the brief highlights of both innings.

Earlier in the match, John Davison scored a famous century in front of an 11,630-strong crowd, were entertained for 98 unbelievable minutes as Davison, the Canadian Gilchrist, blushed West Indies with a blistering 111 off 76-ball, the fastest World Cup century at that time.

At one stage Canada was 2 for 155 in 20.6 overs, but once John Davison was out, the rest of the Canadian team all out at 202 in 42.5 overs. In reply, the West Indies batsman also outplayed Canadian bowling to achieve the target in just 20.3 overs. Wavell Hinds scored 64 off 31 balls, Brian Lara 73 in 40 Balls, and Sarwan scored 42 in 32 balls. West Indies won the match by 7 wickets with 177 balls remaining. John Davison was declared man of the match. 

Richie Richardson - Destructive West Indies Batsman

Richie Richardson was a flamboyant batsman and superb player of fast bowling. Richie Richardson normally bats as Number Three for West Indies. In the fifth match of the ODI series against Australia at Georgetown in 1991, he smashed all Australian bowlers and scored a superb 94 runs off 88 balls in 112 minutes with the help of 11 fours and 1 six at the strike rate of 106.81. Richie Richardson's innings comes to an end by Merve Hughes, when Ian Healy took a stunning catch behind the wicket.

West Indies set the target of 251 in the allotted 50 overs. Australia chased the target in 48.3 overs and won the match by 6 wickets. Geoff Marsh scored 106 not out and was declared man of the match. Australia also won the 5-match ODI series by 4-1. This was ODI # 675. Let's watch short highlights of his innings. 

Asad Rauf Death, Age, Family, Profile, Stats,

 Former Pakistani umpire AsadRauf, who was a part of the ICC Elite Panel from 2006 to 2013, died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Lahore. He was 66. "Saddened to hear about the passing of Asad Rauf. Not only was he a good umpire but also had a wicked sense of humour. He always put a smile on my face and will continue to do so whenever I think about him. 

Many sympathies with his family for their loss," Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ramiz Raja tweeted. Rauf's brother Tahir put forth the development about the legendary umpire. Tahir said that the veteran was returning home after closing his clothing shop at Landa Bazaar in Lahore when he felt some sort of discomfort in his chest. The Punjab-born Rauf was taken to the hospital on an immediate basis, but he couldn't be revived.

His career as an umpire really started in 1998 when he made his first-class debut, and in 2000 he stood in his first ODI. He was elevated to the ODI panel in 2004 and officiated in his first Test the following year. Rauf umpired his first ODI in 2000 and his first Test in 2005. In 2006, he was named in ICC's Elite Panel, which he was a part of until 2013.

He was a popular figure on the circuit who, alongside Aleem Dar, improving the reputation of Pakistani umpires before the neutral umpires era. But his career came to an abrupt halt in 2013 when he was named as a "wanted accused" by Mumbai police in their investigation into the IPL spot-fixing scandal, where Rauf had been umpiring. Asad Rauf left India before the end of that IPL season and but was withdrawn from the Champions Trophy that followed by the ICC and later that year would be dropped from the ICC's elite panel, though the ICC insisted it wasn't because his name had come up in the investigations. 

Rauf protested his innocence throughout and said he would be happy to cooperate with the ACSU. In 2016, the BCCI banned Rauf for five years on four charges of corruption and misconduct.

Asad Rauf officiated 64 Tests, 139 ODIs, 28 T20Is and 11 women's T20Is as either umpire or TV umpire. He also officiated in 40 First Class matches, 26 List A matches and 89 T20s overall, including IPL matches. Asad Rauf was a right-hand batsman who enjoyed a solid but unglamorous career in the 1980s, which he has best season in 1986-87 when he made 672 runs at 35.36, including one hundred and five fifties. 

But he lost form the following season and played little first-class cricket thereafter. As a middle-order batsman, Asad Rauf played 71 First Class matches, scoring 3423 runs at an average of 28.76 including three hundred and 22 fifties and 29 catches. He played 40 List A matches, scoring 611 runs at 19.70 including 4 fifites and 16 catches. 

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Carl Hooper was a terrific middle order batsman and off spinner.

CarlHooper was a terrific middle order batsman and off-spinner, who was known for his lazy elegance with both bat and ball. 

Brendon Kuruppu Sri Lankan Dashing Opening Batsman

In the first match of Asia Cup 1984 at Sharjah on April 6, 1984, Sri Lanka stun Pakistan to win the match by 5 wickets. Brendon Kuruppu who was considered a slogger at that time. A prolific opening batsman scored useful 25 runs with help of three fours. He provides a useful start to the chase of 190 runs. In those times, Sri Lanka was considered minnows but they produced superb small innings to help Sri Lanka route Pakistan. Interestingly, despite scoring the slowest double century in First-Class cricket, Kuruppu was known more as a dasher with the bat in hand.

Rajan Madugalle - The Stylish Lad of Sri Lankan Cricket

In the 2^nd match of Rothmans Asia Cup on April 8, 1984, between India vs Sri Lanka. India won the toss and was elected to field first. The right-handed Rajan Madugalle was the only batsman, who resist the Indian seam bowling. He scored 38 runs off 76 balls with the help of 5 fours. The entire Sri Lanka team bowled out only for 96 runs in 41 overs.

Chetan Sharma picked 3 for 22, Manoj Prabhakar 2 for 16, Madan Lal 3 for 11, and Ravi Shastri 1 for 13.

Roger Binny and Kirti Azad didn’t have any wickets.

India reach the target in just 21.4 overs, as Surinder  Khanna scored 51 runs not out, and Ghulam Prakar 32 not out. Surinder Khanna won the match of the match award and was also a player of the series with 107 runs in the tournament. Ravi Shastri was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament picking 4 wickets in two matches.

Manoj Prabhakar made his ODI debut.

India won the match by 10 wickets.

Let's watch the Madugalle innings, who is currently a match referee from long long times.

The ODI # was 260, and the match was supervised by Dickie Bird and Shakoor Rana. 

Kapil Dev - The Finest All rounder India has Ever Produced

Kapil Dev is the finest all-rounder India has ever produced. His greatest feats were leading India in the 1983 world cup and winning in style.  Kapil Dev was outstanding in his accuracy and ability to swing the ball, usually away from right-handers. And he could hit a ball even more brilliantly than he bowled it, with uncomplicated flair. Kapil Dev was named by Wisden as the Indian Cricketer of the Century in 2002. 

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 3rd Test at Kandy 1994

The Pakistan national cricket team toured Sri Lanka in August and September 1994. Those days it was considered outside the normal cricket season, for a three-match Test series and five Limited Over’s International matches. Pakistan won the Test series 2–0.

On the first day of the 3^rd Test match played at Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy in August 1994 (Test Match # 1267). Pakistan beat Sri Lanka with the super performance of Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram. Both bowled superbly and bowled out Sri Lanka just 71 runs without being unchanged. At one stage Sri Lanka was 48 for 9, but the last wicket added a few precious runs to reach the score of 71. This was the lowest Sri Lanka score at those times.

Pakistan wins the toss and is elected to field first on the tricky track. Sri Lanka handed Test cap to Chaminda Vaas, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Sanjeeva Ranatunga, while Kabir Khan made Test debut for Pakistan.

Waqar Younis declared Man of the Match of 6 for 34 and 5 for 85. He also made 20 useful Runs in the first innings. Waqar Younis dismissed Roshan Mahnama, Sanjeeva Ranatunga, Arjuna Ranatunga, Hashan Tillkaratne, Kumar Dharmasena, and Chaminda Vaas.

Sri Lanka Bowled bowled out 71 Runs in 28.2 overs. Wasim Akram 4 for 32, Waqar Younis 6 for 34.

Pakistan First Innings 357/9d Inzamam-ul-Haq 100, Aamer Sohail 74, Basit Ali 52, Saeed Anwar 31, and Captain Salim Malik 22.

Ravindra Pushpakumara 4 for 145 and Kumar Dharmasena 4 for 75.

Sri Lanka 2^nd innings 234 all out. (Hashan Tillekeratne 83 not out, Ruwan Kalpage 62 and Arjuna Ranatunga 32.

Waqar Younis 5 for 85, Mushtaq Ahmad 3 for 35, Wasim Akram 1 for 70, and Kabir Khan 1 for 39.

Pakistan won the match by an innings and 52 runs.

Pakistan also won the test series by 2-0.

The test match supervised by Sri Lankan B.C Coorey, and Ian Robinson of Zimbabwe., while T.V umpire was K.T Francis. Match Refree was Camie smith. 

Imran Khan - The Greatest Cricketer

Imran Khan is the greatest cricketer ever produced by Pakistan. A great leader, a Captain, and a true man make history to won the 1992 cricket world cup. 

 

Willie Watson Former England Batsman

Willie Watson the former Yorkshire and England batsman died on April 24 at his home in Johannesburg, in South Africa. He was 4A Watson, a graceful and correct left-hander, scored over 25.000 runs in a first-class career that spanned 25 years but will probably be best remembered for a match-saving century in the 1953 Lord's Test against Australia when his 109 runs — and his long _ partnership with Trevor Bailey — staved off what had seemed to be certain defeat. Willie Watson was born in Bolton-on-Dearne Bolton in 1920.

Watson was a fine all-around sportsman. Apart from cricket, in which he made his debut for Yorkshire in 1939, he was also a fine footballer. He played for Huddersfield, Sunderland, and Halifax, and won four England caps. He was part of the first England squad in Brazil in 1950, although he took part in the World Cup, he didn’t actually play the match. The following year he made his England Test debut, against South Africa at Trent Bridge, scoring 57 in his first match and 79 in his second, But Watson was jostling for a position with the likes of Len Hutton, Denis Compton, Bill Edrich, Peter May, Tom Graveney, and Colin Cowdrey, in a golden era of English batting, and found it difficult to nail down a regular place in the side.

Even after that hundred on debut against Australia at Lord's in 1953, when his four-hour stand of 163 with Bailey saved the game, Watson wasn't secure: he was dropped before the end of the series and missed the deciding final Test at The Oval, Which England won to recapture the Ashes after 19 years. Football commitments at an end, Watson toured West Indies in 1953-54 and added a second Test century in Jamaica. He flitted in and out of the Test side until the end of the decade, playing his last Tests in Australasia in 1958-59, when one of his teammates was another double cricket/football international, Arthur Milton. Watson finished with 879 runs from his 23 Tests, at an average of 25.85.

By then Watson was playing his county cricket for Leicestershire, whom he’d joined as assistant secretary and captain in 1958. He played on to 1964, finishing with 25,670 runs in all (39.86), including 55 centuries. His highest score was 257, for MCC against British Guiana at Georgetown in 1953-54, when he shared a stand of 402 with Tom Graveney, who made 231. In England Watson’s best was 217 not out, for Leicestershire against Somerset at Taunton in 1961, when he shared an unbroken third-wicket stand of 316 with Alan Wharton, which remained a county record until 2003. And he carried his bat for his new county against his old one in 1959, scoring 79 not out in Leicestershire’s total of 132 against Yorkshire at Grace Road.

That season — which ironically followed what turned out to be his last Test appearance — turned out to be his most prolific one, as he passed 2000 runs for the first time and finished with 2,2 12 at 55.30. Watson was a Test selector for three years from 1962 and immigrated to South Africa in 1968 to coach at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg. He saw out his twilight years in South Africa in somewhat straitened circumstances, although he was always keen to join in the various reunions of England players over the years.

Imran Khan - The finest all-rounder the game has seen. Now, the prime minister of Pakistan.

 

Walter Hadlee - The Father of Richard Hadlee, who also represented New Zealand in Test matches.