<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/47816764.cms" /> Cricket has seen many greats come and go, but very few would argue that anyone came close to <keyword id="6354267" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sachin-Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</keyword>. The Indian batting maestro has been voted the 'Best <keyword id="17665" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Test-Player">Test player</keyword>' of the 21st century in an online poll conducted by <keyword id="44302" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Cricket-Australia">Cricket Australia</keyword>'s website. 

	The former India skipper got the highest number of votes to emerge on top of the list of the 100 best Test players since 2000, in a poll conducted by cricket.com.au, reported PTI.
 Moreover, <keyword id="6355572" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sri-Lanka">Sri Lanka</keyword>'s Kumar Sangakkara got the second highest votes, followed by <keyword id="14583" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Adam-Gilchrist">Adam Gilchrist</keyword> of Australia, who was ranked third. Currently the 'Icon' of <keyword id="6354831" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Premier-League">Indian Premier League</keyword> (IPL) franchise <keyword id="13880" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mumbai-Indians">Mumbai Indians</keyword>, Tendulkar earned 23% of votes, with over 16,000 fans participating in the survey. Sangakkara got 14% after Cricket Australia released the top-100 Test players' list since 2000 on its website. 

	The Indian legendary batsman, who retired from international cricket in 2013 after playing his 200th Test, is the lone Indian player to be figuring in the top-10 list, while there are four Australian, three South African and two Sri Lankan cricketers.
 

	"After 10 days of counting down and no end of deliberations, cricket.com.au released its final countdown of the 100 best Test players since 2000 a couple of days ago. Readers debated the top 10, just as you did players 11 through 100, but we also provided an opportunity for you to decide your No.1 Test player of the century," CA's website stated.
 "Tendulkar, the Little Master who remains an iconic figure in the sport, was a runaway winner, jumping four places from where cricket.com.au had him placed, while batting giants <keyword id="6367229" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ricky-Ponting">Ricky Ponting</keyword> and <keyword id="61954" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Jacques-Kallis">Jacques Kallis</keyword> were separated on countback, with the Australian just edging out his Proteas counterpart," it said. 

	The 42-year-old Tendulkar, who is the only batsman to have hit 100 international centuries, holds the record for highest run scorer in both Tests and One-Day Internationals.
 

	The Poll result: 
 1. Sachin Tendulkar (Ind) 23% 2. Kumar Sangakkara (SL) 14% 3. Adam Gilchrist (Aus) 13% 4. Ricky Ponting (Aus) 11% 5. Jacques Kallis (SA) 11% 6. AB de Villiers (SA) 10% 7. <keyword id="17439" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Shane-Warne">Shane Warne</keyword> (Aus) 9% 8. <keyword id="13825" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Glenn-McGrath">Glenn McGrath</keyword> (Aus) 5% 9. <keyword id="26689" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Muttiah-Muralitharan">Muttiah Muralitharan</keyword> (SL) 3% 10. <keyword id="12829" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Dale-Steyn">Dale Steyn</keyword> (SA) 1% 
	(Image: Reuters)

Another feather in Sachin’s cap! Voted best Test player of 21st century

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/51617768.cms" /> Wasn’t everyone dying to know the hushed conversations between MS Dhoni, <keyword id="6357606" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ashish-Nehra">Ashish Nehra</keyword> and Hardik Pandya, during the last over of the crucial India vs Bangladesh match, in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup? Wasn’t everyone itching to know the conversation that led to the stellar last over that ensured India would still remain a crucial contender for the semis? Of course, we all were. In fact, now we bring to you 14 of the most interesting <keyword id="3304544" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Stump-mike-conversations">stump mike conversations</keyword> ever recorded, with help from Quora. Have fun! 
	 
	
		1. <keyword id="6354267" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sachin-Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</keyword> Vs <keyword id="67923" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Abdul-Qadir">Abdul Qadir</keyword>
	 
	
		In 1989, young Sachin was facing the best bowlers in cricket. As the Pakistani crowds jeered and mocked Sachin holding out the placards saying ""Dudh Pita Bhachcha ...ghar jaake dhoodh pee", (hey kid, go home and drink milk), Sachin hit two sixes in Mustaq Ahmed's over. The frustrated mentor of Mustaq Ahmed the legendary Abdul Qadir challenged Sachin saying "Bachchon ko kyon mar rahe ho? Hamein bhi maar dikhao` (`why are you hitting kids? Try and hit me! `).
	
		 
		Sachin obliged. Sachin hit 4 sixes in the over. The over read 6, 0, 4, 6 6 6. 
		 
	
		2. Healy &amp; Atherton
	 
	
		Michael Atherton, on his first Tour to Australia was adjudged not out on a caught behind appeal.
	 
	
		At the end of the over Ian Healey walked by and announced "You're a F****** cheat".
	 
	
		Athers replied very politely "When in Rome dear boy....." 
	 
	
		3. <keyword id="115134" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rodney-Marsh">Rodney Marsh</keyword> (Australia) and <keyword id="72978" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ian-Botham">Ian Botham</keyword> (England)
	 
	
		Rodney Marsh to Ian Botham in an Ashes match: “So how’s your wife and my kids?” Ian Botham’s reply – “The wife’s fine. The kids are retarded !”
	 
	
		4. <keyword id="85255" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Javed-Miandad">Javed Miandad</keyword> (Pakistan) and <keyword id="232737" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Merv-Hughes">Merv Hughes</keyword> (Australia)
	 
	
		Javed Miandad called Hughes a fat bus conductor during a match. A few balls later, Hughes dismissed Miandad. “Tickets please,” said Huges, as he ran past the departing batsman.
	 
	
		5. <keyword id="13825" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Glenn-McGrath">Glenn McGrath</keyword> (Ausrtralia) and <keyword id="59049" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ramnaresh-Sarwan">Ramnaresh Sarwan</keyword> (West Indies)
	 
	
		McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan: “So what does Brian Lara’s di*k taste like?”Sarwan: “I don’t know. Ask your wife.
	 
	
		McGrath (lost his cool): “If you ever F****** mention my wife again, I’ll F****** rip your F**ing throat out.”
	 
	
		6. Douglas Jardine (England) and Bill Woodfull (Australia)
	 
	
		England player Jardine complained that one of the Australian players called him a bastard. Australian captain Bill Woodfull turns to his team, points to Jardine and asked “Which one of you bastards called this bastard a bastard?”
	 
	
		7. <keyword id="105073" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mark-Waugh">Mark Waugh</keyword> (Australia) and Adam Parore (New Zealand)
	 
	
		Mark Waugh standing at second slip, Adam Parore played &amp; missed the first ball. Mark – “Ohh, I remember you from a couple years ago in Australia. You were shit then, you’re ••••••• useless now”. Parore- (Turning around) “Yeah, that’s me &amp; when I was there you were going out with that old, ugly slut &amp; now I hear you’ve married her. You dumb ••••”.
	 
	
		8. <keyword id="13561" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Steve-Waugh">Steve Waugh</keyword> (Australia) and <keyword id="17246" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Parthiv-Patel">Parthiv Patel</keyword> (India)
	 
	
		When Steve came (Steve’s last test match) to bat, Parthiv said, “Come on, just one more of the famous slog-sweeps before you finish” Steve-”Respect Me…for when i made my test debut You were still in your nappies”.
	 
	
		9. Glen McGrath (Australia) and Eddo Brandes (Zimbabwe)
	 
	
		Aussie paceman Glenn McGrath was bowling to Zimbabwe number 11 Eddo Brandes – who was just missing each ball. McGrath, frustrated, went to him and inquired: “Why are you so fat?”Quick as a flash, Brandes replied, “Because every time I make love to your wife, she gives me a biscuit.”
	 
	
		10. <keyword id="19692" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ravi-Shastri">Ravi Shastri</keyword> (India) and <keyword id="480225" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mike-Whitney">Mike Whitney</keyword> (Australia)
	 
	
		Shastri hits the ball towards Mike Whitney (the 12th man in the game) and looked for a single. Whitney said, “If you leave the crease i’ll break your f***ing head”. Without battling an eyelid, Shastri retorted, “If you could bat as well as you can talk you wouldn’t be the f***ing 12th man”.
	 
	
		11. <keyword id="51546" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Viv-Richards">Viv Richards</keyword> (West Indies) and Merv Hughes (Australia)
	 
	
		Viv Richards hit Merv Hughes for four consecutive boundaries in one over. Merv stops halfway down the pitch, farted loudly, and said to Viv: “let’s see you hit that to the boundary!” Viv was dumb-founded.
	 
	
		12. Ind Vs Eng Test match, 2014 Lord's
	 
	
		Dhoni directed Ishant Sharma- Agar choaka gaya to mera risk ha, tu bindaas bouncer daal, tujhe fielder or chahiye to ma bula lunga. Mujhe koi problem nahi hai.(Boundaries are my risk you just bowl bouncers and if you want fielders,I'll provide you without minding anything)
	 
	
		Finally Sharma took seven wickets in that inning and India won the match.
	 
	
		13. Sunil Gavaskar and Viv Richards during Ind Vs WI Test match, 1983 Chennai
	 
	
		Afer almost day long fielding finally India comes to bat but openers are changed.Since Sunil Gavasker was not well prepared because of tiredness so he choose to bat at no.4. Surprisingly India lost two wickets without minding to score.And the Gavasker comes to bat- Viv Richards: "Man, it don't matter where you come in to bat, the score is still zero."
	 
	
		14. Kohli and Faulknar during Ind Vs Aus 2016 tour
	 
	
		Faulknar : You tried to smash me there but you failed.
	 
	
		Kohli : I’ve smashed you enough in my life. Don’t waste your time, go bowl.’
	 
	
		After that kohli smashed the ball out of ground.
	 


	(Image credits: indiatimes)

14 most interesting stump mike conversations ever recorded

Mumbai: The irony can't be missed when you see <keyword id="6355478" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Australia">Australia</keyword> Tourism brand ambassador, <keyword id="13825" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Glenn-McGrath">Glenn McGrath</keyword>, welcoming Indian tourists Down Under to watch the <keyword id="1521" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cricket">cricket</keyword> action unfold later this year. As he reels off names of exotic places, the mind jogs back to the years when he made batsmen feel unwelcome in Australia with his no-holds-barred verbal volleys. 
 
It didn't end there. He translated his strong words into wickets and, along the way became one of cricket's all-time greats. "In my 14-year-career I've featured in only two series defeats and on both occasions it was against India. The one-off Test at Delhi in 1996 and the 2001 series," he says of his impeccable 124-Test career, which ended in 2006-07 with 563 victims to his name. 
 
Excerpts from an interview to TOI: 
 
Do you see this Indian team challenging Australia? 
 We've seen England dominate the last three Tests, which isn't a good sign. Indian teams have always struggled in Australia because of the extra bounce and seam movement. It has always been an issue for them, but I think the bowlers do enjoy playing in Australia. If the Australian team plays the way it did against England last year, then it will be a tough series for India considering they have a fair bit of work to do. Their fielding in England was horrendous. You can't afford to drop three or four catches every game. With <keyword id="11010" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mitchell-Johnson">Mitchell Johnson</keyword> bowling at 150 (kph), and with control, India have their work cut out. Tour matches will be important for India. 
 
The Aussies love to see their team being challenged? 
 
They did enjoy Australia beating England 5-0. Yeah, they want to see challenging cricket, not one-sided affairs like it happened in England. 
 
You were never afraid to back yourself publicly... targeting the main batsman of the opposing team. Where did this confidence come from? 
 
I always had that self-belief. Growing up on a farm you are instilled with certain work ethics. When I was seven, I was working on the farm and driving tractors and cars. It gives you confidence as well. I enjoyed the challenge that is why I liked to make predictions and target batsmen. I believed I was good enough to deliver. But if they were good to beat me at my game, I could live with it. If you like to be like anyone else, you do what everyone else does. If you want to be different or better than everyone else, then you need to do something apart from them. 
 
You are one of the few fast bowlers who played 100-plus Tests. You think there'll be fewer bowlers reaching the landmark in the post T20 era? 
 
It is tough bowling day in and day out. There were few things that kept me in good stead right through my career. I didn't bowl a great deal when I was younger. I was prepared to work as hard as possible off the field and that made my life easier on it. The idea was to get fit and very strong. I could handle the rigors of fast bowling quite well. You need an off season to recharge the batteries. Probably genetics, too, played a role in my case. My bone density is very high and that helped me get through injuries. I just wanted to bowl every second over of the innings. I wanted to play every game and I never wanted to be rested. That is the attitude you've got to have. You've got to work hard off the field to get through on it. 
 
What are your views on the Anderson-Jadeja spat? 
 
I think that was a big turning point in the series. The England team steeled themselves after that. India were leading 1-0 but they got distracted. They were talking more about that than executing their on-field plans. England went from strength to strength and India went from bad to worse. You need to put these things behind when you enter the field.

McGrath: India Will Have Their Work Cut Out In Australia

<keyword id="967087" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mohammed-Shami" source="Orion">Mohammed Shami</keyword> took his tally of wickets in the ODI World Cup to 45 after taking his fifth wicket, he surpassed Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath's 44 wicket records to become the highest wicket-taker. He has also now four five-fors in ODIs, the most by an Indian. Three of them have come in the World Cups, the joint-most with Mitchell Starc. <keyword id="1603620" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shami" source="Orion">Shami</keyword> also entered the top 10 of the highest wicket takers in ODI World cup history, which is topped by Glenn McGrath with 71. Among active international cricketers, only Mitchell Starc and Trent Boult are above him in the list with 56 and 49 wickets respectively. Shami ended his spell with a brilliant figure of 5 for 18 in five overs as India registers its biggest victory in World Cup defeating Sri Lanka by a mammoth 302 runs to seal their berth in the semis.

Shami becomes the highest wicket-taker for India in ODI World Cup

Australian quick <keyword id="427499" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="mitchell-starc" source="Orion">Mitchell Starc</keyword> will be returning to the Indian Premier League (<keyword id="6354312" type="General" weightage="90" keywordseo="ipl" source="Orion">IPL</keyword>) next year, for the first time since 2015, in order to prepare for the ICC <keyword id="44040" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="t20-world-cup" source="Orion">T20 World Cup</keyword>, which will take place in West Indies and June next year. If he is picked up by a team this will be his second franchise. He had played in two seasons in 2014 and 2015 for Royal Challengers Bangalore, picking up 34 wickets in 27 matches. Back in 2018, he was acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) before he withdrew due to injury and on other occasions, he prioritised international cricket over IPL. However, the next year is comparatively light for Australia. There is a T20 World Cup scheduled between a tour of New Zealand in March and a white-ball series against Afghanistan, Ireland and England from late August. "Look it's been eight years. I'm definitely going back in [next] year," Starc told the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast about his IPL ambitions as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. "Amongst other things, it's a great lead-up to the T20 World Cup," he added. "So a good opportunity to see if anyone's interested in the IPL, then lead into the T20 World Cup. And it is somewhat of a quiet winter next year...in comparison to this winter, so I think a perfect opportunity to put my name in," he concluded. One of the major reasons why he has not played IPL for so long is that he wants to stay available for Test cricket. He would like to reach a century of matches in format, something which pacer Glenn McGrath has done in the past and remains the only pacer in Australia to do so. He currently has played 82 Tests and if he manages to play Australia's upcoming fixtures of the Future Tours Programme, his 100th match will be during the 2025-26 Ashes. "Not just get to 100, I would like to be good enough to be picked for 100 Tests. And then the big one obviously in a couple of weeks is the World Cup, which in India just goes to another level," he said. "And then you look at the one-day format, it is sort of four years in between World Cups, so where do I see myself in that mix? But I have got to get to the end of this World Cup first." "But we have got some superstars coming through. You have got your Jhye Richardsons, your Sean Abbotts, your Spencer Johnsons. You have got plenty of young guys coming through. [Lance] Morris is going to be a gun." "I try not to look too far ahead with anything. Obviously, we want to do well in the World Cup. Then we have got five Test matches here in Australia and then I haven't actually played a Test in New Zealand, so hopefully I am on that tour and look forward to that challenge as well," he concluded.

Mitchell Starc eyes IPL return in 2024 for T20 WC preparation

Team India head <keyword id="4797035" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coach-rahul-dravid" source="Orion">coach Rahul Dravid</keyword>, commonly known as '<keyword id="272592" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-wall" source="Orion">The Wall</keyword>', is renowned for weathering the storm and helping his side turn the tables after being completely down and out. As the former Indian skipper celebrates his 50th birthday on Wednesday, let's have a look at some of his <keyword id="16028377" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="finest-knocks-in-international-cricket" source="Orion">finest knocks in international cricket</keyword>. When one thinks about Dravid's greatest knocks, it is hard to go past his 180-run innings against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001. This knock by the batter is still viewed as one of the grittiest knocks in the longest format of the game. Australia was in the driver's seat for the majority of the game and the match was a must-win for India after losing the first Test. Australians were in total control at the Eden Gardens as they enforced the follow-on. India was bowled out for 171 in response to Australia's 445 in the first innings. The Indian openers were dismissed in the second innings, and it was then that Dravid and VVS Laxman came to the rescue. Nobody could have predicted that the two would go on to generate a "miracle" for the team. Both batters went on to score 376 runs in a row. Laxman and Dravid annihilated Australia's bowling attack, which included Shane Warne and Glenn Mcgrath. Another knock is his 270-run innings against Pakistan at Rawalpindi in 2004. The three-match series was levelled at 1-1 and there was pressure on the Indian side to register their first Test series win in Pakistan. Dravid, who served as stand-in skipper for the first two Tests, was deprived of the command when regular skipper Sourav Ganguly returned. Dravid had been out of sorts in the previous two matches, but in the game, the former Indian captain blasted his detractors with a 200-plus knock. Virender Sehwag was sent to the pavilion on the first ball of the match, and from there onwards, 'The Wall' took the charge. His knock enabled India to win the game and he went on to be adjudged as the Man of the Match. Dravid's 146-run performance against England at the Oval in 2011 is one of his most underappreciated efforts. India batters had a dismal series, and the team was 0-3 down heading into the last match. Because regular opener Gautam Gambhir was out with an injury, Dravid returned to the crease to open the batting. India continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, but Dravid held his ground and went on to score an unbroken 146. His innings did not save the game for India, but he went on to become the team's leading run-scorer in the series. Dravid also demonstrated remarkable team spirit by taking up the duties of a wicket-keeper in the ODI format since the team management thought they might play an extra bowler if a well-set batsman also served as the wicket-keeper. Dravid is the only player to be involved in two 300-plus ODI partnerships. He has played 164 Tests, 344 ODIs, and one T20I for India. The batter finally announced his retirement from international cricket in March 2012. He finished his career with 48 international centuries. Dravid took over the head coach's role of Team India in November 2021. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/ronaldo-likely-to-make-his-al-nassr-debut-in-friendly-against-messi-paris-saint-germain/articleshow/96874005.cms" style="">Ronaldo likely to make his Al Nassr debut in friendly against Messi, Paris Saint-Germain</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/world-bank-cuts-global-growth-estimate-for-2023-over-recession-risks/articleshow/96900919.cms" style="">World Bank cuts global growth estimate for 2023 over recession risks</a>

You Searched For "Glenn McGrath" and got 6 results

Another feather in Sachin’s cap! Voted best Test player of 21st century

BI India Bureau

14 most interesting stump mike conversations ever recorded

Usha Rani Das

McGrath: India Will Have Their Work Cut Out In Australia

gocricket staff

Shami becomes the highest wicket-taker for India in ODI World Cup

IANS

Mitchell Starc eyes IPL return in 2024 for T20 WC preparation

ANI

As Rahul Dravid turns 50, here's a look at The Wall's finest Test knocks

ANI