There were records galore in the past few months in Test cricket. While batsmen scored tons of runs, bowlers reached remarkable milestones. Cricketers from Australia, West Indies and Sri Lanka have re-written the history books in both departments of the game.
Brian Charles Lara snatched away the record from Mathew Hayden by scoring a mammoth 400 runs in the final Test against England. Hayden, who pinched the record from Lara earlier this year, would never have dreamt about his record being challenged so soon. In fact, Lara earlier said in an interview that he was going to get back his record. And he kept his words. Only Lara could have done that and in doing it for the second time, I am sure, he will guard his record till the end of his playing days. If need be, Lara is capable of challenging his own record in the next few years of cricket left in him.
A consortium of different island nations, the West Indies is marred by internal problems both in the team and the cricket Board. Yet, it is amazing to see their players scaling new heights. The West Indies team, I feel, can still regain their glory days, which started in the mid-70s. But it can only happen if they breed a culture of togetherness in the team. The resources are plenty but poor management is the real issue in West Indies cricket.
Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan are the other two players, who are locked in a neck and neck battle. Having already captured more than 500 wickets each, the duo is currently chasing each other to surpass Courtney Walsh's record. It will be really interesting to see who ends up with the most number of wickets at the end of their careers.
Unfortunately, Murali's right arm has been brought under the microscope once again. Having got more than 500 wickets in a span of almost 14 years of international cricket, it's ridiculous to suspect his action at this juncture. The ICC has appalling standards to check the issues of action. Any bowler who has a suspect action is sent to Perth or London for check-ups cum corrections and within a few days he comes out clean.
Frankly, we cricketers don't get to see any pronounced change in the corrected actions. In my opinion, there are few more bowlers in international cricket whose actions are blatantly wrong. Then, why catch Murali alone and let all others go scot-free? In a way, the ICC seems blindfolded. Only a bowling action committee formed with bowlers from different countries can be fair to the game, by calling a spade a spade.
One of my favourite bowlers, Waqar Younis, has finally bid goodbye to cricket. A tearaway pace bowler on the field, but a genial and warm person outside, Waqar had fans all over the world, which included yours truly and Sanjay Manjrekar. We both used to be his great admirers.
Waqar's run-up to the wicket and his effort in the delivery stage was a treat to watch. The master of reverse swing made every team to shiver in terror with his lightning pace and movement. The present Pakistani bowlers are not even a shade of what Waqar was in his hey days.
My first interaction with Waqar was in 1994 in Sri Lanka. I had a long chat with him and he even volunteered to allow me to try his match boots to see if I was comfortable. Bowlers always face a lot of problems with the bowling boots. Waqar and Wasim Akram were the source of inspiration for many bowlers in India.
A committed man, he has had a wonderful career and is rightly called the leader of Pakistani bowlers along with Imran Khan and Akram. I wish my friend a great life after cricket.
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