Hello Everyone, you know that I am a huge fan of Cricket. Cricket is a sport with a vivid history with thousands of memories. It has produced many great players, who revolutionized the game and sealed their names on the elite list.
So, I have started an article series to talk about Cricket Greats from different countries, their carriers, and their impact on the game. You can read my previous editions about Cricket Greats in Sri Lankaand in Austraila, in West Indies, in India, and in Pakistan Today, let's talk about South Africa.
Let's see the top three of South Africa and these are just my personal preferences.
Jacques Kallis
He is one of the greatest all-rounders,in the world of all time. He is a right-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium swing bowler, who played for South Africa from 1995-2014. He is the only Cricketer in the world to score 10,000+ runs and take 250+ wickets in both ODI and Test matches. In ICC rankings, he has become the 1st in Test Batting, Test All-rounders, ODI Batting, ODI All-rounders, and inside the Top 20 in bowling. Can you believe these stats? That's why he becomes the best SA player of all time.
Jacques Kallis of South Africa in 2012, Via Getty Images
Jacques Kallis has made 13,289 runs in 166 Test matches, with an average of 55.37, and 11,589 runs with an average of 44.36 in 328 ODI matches. And also he has taken 292 test wickets and 273 ODI wickets. He is a genuine fielder as well with 131 ODI catches and 200 Test catches. He was inducted into the ICC Hall of fame in 2020.
Javed Miandad
Former South African cricketer Graeme Smith is regarded as one of the best left-handed batsmen, one of the finest South African cricketers, and the greatest SA captain of all time. At the age of 22, he became the SA team captain, becoming their youngest and later becoming the most capped captain in Test. He led the team to 54 Test wins, and 92 Test wins.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith celebrates, via Getty Images
He is a prolific Let-handed batsman as well. In Test, he has scored, 9265 runs in 117 matches, at an average of 4.25. 6989 runs in 197 ODI matches at an average of 37.98. He is regarded as one of the best openers of his period and has received recognition for his leadership abilities and his capacity to guide the team through challenging situations.
Dale Steyn
He is considered one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and may be the best of his generation. He is included in the ICC and Wisdon team of the decade in 2020. He was known for his ability to generate extreme pace and swing, consistency, longevity and ability to perform in challenging conditions. During his peak year from 2008-2014 he is the ICC no. 01 Test baller for consecutive 263 weeks, the longest.
Dale Steyn of South Africa celebrates dismissing Jonathan Trott of England in 2012, via Getty Images
He has taken 439 wickets in 93 Test matches, at an average of 22.95. In ODI, He took 196 wickets in 125 matches, at an average of ,25.95 and 64 wickets in 47 T20 matches at 18.35 average. He usually balls between 140-150km/hr Due to injuries, he couldn't deliver much in his latter part.
- Unforgettable List - Graeme Pollock, Allan Donald, Allan Donald, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Jonty Rhodes, Makhaya Ntini, Lance Klusener
So, that's my sixth episode. Wait for the next one!!
Until the next time!
Thank You!
Best Regards!
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