Jacques Kallis dropped Sourav Ganguly off the third ball of the first match between India and South Africa at Belfast. He might as well have caught it. For he decided to make amends for it later. And when all-rounders decide to make amends, they often end up atoning for past mistakes twice. First, Kallis took 2 wickets in the final over dashing India's hopes of crossing 250 (which proved decisive in the final analysis). He then non-chalantly compiled a match winning unbeaten 91 in difficult conditions, even as wickets tumbled all around him. Oh yeah, he also pouched 2 catches for good measure.
All-rounders. A different breed altogether. Supremely confident of their abilities, they strut their stuff with pride knowing that they can get you either way, with bat or ball. Sometimes both. Just turn the clock back a bit. Some of the most exhilerating moments in cricket have come through the exploits of all-rounders. That prince of the game, Sir Garfield Sobers - the ultimate all-rounder. The Big 4 of the 80's - Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Sir Ian Botham and Sir Richard Hadlee. Freddie Flintoff and Jacques Kallis among the many today. Oh yes, the new breed of wicket-keeping 'all-rounders'. Take a bow, Messrs Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher and Mahendra Dhoni. Me thinks we will have to add a certain Matt Prior to that list in some years.
No comments:
Post a Comment