Coming back to cricket.

Probably a topic that's been discussed so often..afterall who is the best batsman of all time. Mind u , I'm not going at just satistics, I'm looking at their contribution to the game, the dominance they had on the cricket field everytime they walked onto the field..and overall...the RARE ELEGANCE AND EXCEPTIONAL TALENT THAT THEY..AND ONLY THEY ..POSSESSED.

Rounding up top 5.

1. Donald Bradman ( Australia)  : Never seen him play live coz he retired in 1948. Has an average of 99.94 and 29 hundreds in 52 games. Hit a century in two overs ( 8 ball over) in  a local game. Scored 334 in a day and considered the best batsman by almost anyone who knows cricket.

2. Viv Richards ( Antigua, West Indies) : His swagger to the crease and the now famous chewing gum that he chew all the time and the look around him to see where the fielders are placed sent shivers down the spine toeven the  best of bowlers. Never wore a helmet, never got hit on the head. Probably the MOST ATTACKING batsman ever to have played the game. Scored century of 56 balls in test cricket. They say Ian Botham (England allrounder ) didn't dare bowl at him on that day. For an attacking batsman as such, average of 50 something in tests and high 40's in one dayers.

3. Brian Charles Lara ( west Indies) : My favourite..by far. Probably there was never ever and there will be never ever other like him in terms of elegance, masterful artistry and extremely eye pleasing strokes all over the park. I can write a book on him. The day he retired I lost interest in cricket. The most famous being the way he mauled Muralitharan in Srilanka where his team lost 3-0. Hit 45 ball century in one dayers but 501 not out against Warwickshire, 375 and 400 not out against England. But the best of all is 277 against Australia in Sydney as well as 153 not out against the same opposition in which West Indies won by one wicket.

4. Sachin Tendulkar ( India) : If u love cricket, and just the sports u would realize how blessed u were to see both Brian Lara and Sachin to play at the same time. Never before the game has seen a more complete player than Sachin. At his peak he was phenomenal. He ruled 1990s. I rate him slightly behind Lara just because Lara is little bit more attacking and he never changed his style. Lara plays with a finesse that looks totally out of the world. But Sachin tendulkar is the perfect role model for any budding cricketer..both on and off the field. His twin centuries in Sharjah against Australia and his attack on Shane Warne are probably the best phase of his career. Warne considers him to be the best he has ever bowled to and admitted to having nightmares of sachin coming down the track and hitting him for a six. Bradman considered Sachin to be the one who reminded him of his own glory days.

5.Inzamam ul Haq ( Pakistan) : He has won games for his country many more times single handedly than any player I can remember, even the great Steve Waugh. He has to be the most underrated batsmen ever but even Imran Khan rated him the best player of fast bowling at the time. Against the spinners he could butcher them at will. His 136 not out against Bangladesh where Pak barely won by 1 wicket is an all time classic for me. There are numerous occasions where he won the ganes for his country from the brink of defeat. Besides that he has to be the most talented batsman Pakistan has ever produced. Both subtle and attacking. Both copy book classic shots and butchering attacks. He was at his best when the team had no chance to win. After he is gone, the good days of Pakistan cricket seems to have gone.

I can write a book on these people if time permits. Have ur say. If u want. It will be most welcome.

Thanks.