Hear Hear

If I am asked to point out the best player of Cricket I have seen in my years as a viewer, I will negotiate and pick two...because I probably won't be allowed to pick 8.


The little Master, the Magician from Mumbai who is still giving lessons from his own example to aspiring and established cricketers all over the world is one. A flamboyant genius from Trinidad and Tobago who no longer plays, but who in his prime could make buds flower and rain fall at his whim, is another.


In all my years of reading cricket, if I am asked to point out the best writer of Cricket, I will negotiate and pick two...because I probably would not be allowed to pick 8. Both happen to be Australians.


One is as masterful, well thought, observant and in control with the pen as the little man from Mumbai is with the bat. The man who would in my opinion be called the pen Tendulkar. Gideon Haigh. A dweller of Melbourne and author of countless books and columns. As thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking in print as the little Master on the turf.


The other one is as flamboyant, as incisive, as fearless and as beautiful to watch as the southpaw from Trinidad. The cricket writer's equivalent of Brian Lara. Peter Roebuck of Sydney. Never managed to get a Test cap, and did not really have a brilliant career as the captain of Somerset. But his beautiful use of the pen is about as good as it gets.


Read Peter Roebuck on Cricinfo today here.