Bidding farewell and arriving with a bang

The 2011 World Cup proves to be the last edition for some of the most influential players of this generation.

KARACHI:

The 2011 World Cup proved to be the last edition for some of the most influential players of this generation, some ending their careers with a bang and others with a whimper.

But among these were some players who announced themselves in the cricket world.

The showman’s swansong

It was sad to see Shoaib Akhtar, who had announced himself in no uncertain terms during the 1999 World Cup, ending his career on a disappointing note. After a reasonable start, the abiding memory he left with, is the now infamous 28-run over against Ross Taylor. In many ways his swansong was symbolic of how his career had turned out to be – a brilliant beginning, promising of greater things to come, but eventually disintegrating due to injury, poor form and a rumoured falling out with team management.

Shocked Smith bows out

South Africa captain Graeme Smith had a poor last World Cup in more ways than one. His form with the bat was dismal throughout with a top-score of only 45. Added to that, was the Proteas’ shock defeat against the unheralded Kiwis in the quarter-final from a seemingly dominant position. All the bullishness that Smith had displayed before the World Cup about his team being ready to shed the chokers’ tag, came to naught against a spirited New Zealand attack, which left the captain shell-shocked.

Murali calls it a day

Spin king Muttiah Muralitharan continued to weave his magic in his last World Cup, although he struggled with injuries, indicating that he had chosen the right time to bid adieu to the game. His performance may not have been as dominant as it once was, but the skill and experience that he brought with him proved crucial in the 1996 champions’ brilliant run in the tournament. The faith the team management had in him was evident in their decision to play him in crucial matches despite the off-spinner’s fitness problems.

O’Brien shocks the English

Kevin O’Brien’s whirlwind century of 50 balls against England, was arguably the best innings of the World Cup in terms of the sheer thrill and enjoyment it gave to all those cricket fans who love to support the underdog in any contest. His breathtaking innings stunned the much-touted English bowling attack. He may not have repeated his incredible performance again in the World Cup, but gave cricket fans a classic David versus Goliath tale to recount for many years to come.

Tahir announces himself

South Africa brought along a few players with limited international exposure, which was refreshing to see from a side that had in the past seemed not too willing to experiment during world cups. Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir was one such player, who announced himself with a bang against West Indies, picking up a four-wicket haul, and then continuing in the same vein throughout the tournament. Injury halted his progress and he finished with 14 wickets in just five matches. But the sight of an attacking leg-spinner in the South African ranks was a rare one.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th,  2011.