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Gayle-nam style |
They were not wrong when it comes to cricket. A drunk old man once
told me that it was nothing more than organised loitering, with old men who
can’t stand the company of their good lady any more, taking part.
Then came along a new format, a format where it was acceptable to
ogle young ladies with next to no clothes on, to play reverse sweeps and ramp
shots off your first delivery and generally piss about.
This was Twenty20 and
it brought with it quicker bowling, bigger hits and gymnastic-like fielding. It
also developed a few egos and mercenaries.
Seen as a game for the young folk: short and sharp and over in
next no time, it has given players such as David Warner, Aaron Finch and the
new Dumbslog Millionaire: Glenn Maxwell a platform to show off their undoubted
talent.
However, it has also given a few of the more experienced players a
place to retire. No more bowling twenty five overs in a day or standing in the
field for three weeks without even picking up a bat for these guys. They can
now give it a whack, bowl four overs of military medium and pick up a handsome
cheque.
Are the old codgers still able to cut it? There is nothing better
than experience in a pressurised situation. Been there, done it etc. Knowing when to go big and understanding that
you have more time out there than you might think is invaluable in the shortest
format of the game.
This has led us to have a look who might play in an over 35’s side
to take on the young guns. I think it might be closer than you’d imagine…
1. Chris
Gayle
Age: 35 Average: 41.51
193 matches
(Barisal
Burners, Dhaka Gladiators, Jamaica, Jamaica Tallawahs, Kolkata Knight Riders,
Lions, Matabeleland Tuskers, PCA Masters XI, Royal Challengers Bangalore,
Stanford Superstars, Sydney Thunder, West Indians, West Indies, Western
Australia)
The man who has had his hand inside more things than Roger De Courcy, ageing lothario Gayle is still a dangerous customer at the top of the order. A must for any side.
2.
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Age: 38 Average: 26.87
170 matches
(Basnahira,
Basnahira Cricket Dundee, Basnahira South, Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic
Club, Delhi Daredevils, Dhaka Gladiators, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Northern
Districts, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Ruhuna Reds, Sri Lanka, Sri Lankans,
Surrey, Sydney Thunder)
The man of the Dilscoop is a scoop for any team at auction. Him and Gayle would cause heart attacks to any ageing population.
A scoop at the auction! |
3. Jacques
Kallis
Age: 39 Average: 32.04 Wickets: 98
151 matches
(Cape
Cobras, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, South Africa,
Sydney Thunder, Warriors, Western Province Boland)
This man is so old that no doubt he keeps his vast wealth under the bed in a biscuit tin. Bats, bowls, catches pigeons at slip. A great cricketer.
4. Mahela
Jayawardene
Age: 37 Average: 28.73
170 matches
(Delhi
Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Sinhalese Sports Club, Sri
Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, Uthura Yellows, Wayamba, Wayamba
United)
After claiming his government grant for winter heating bills, Mahela can still get out there and show he is one of the most stylish in the game.
5. Mike
Hussey
Age: 39 Average: 39.20
134 matches
(Australia,
Australia A, Chennai Super Kings, Gloucestershire, Mumbai Indians, Northamptonshire,
Perth Scorchers, Sydney Thunder)
Rumours that Hussey regular suffered from hypothermia after his stays in the UK are completely unfounded. A class act and a brilliant finisher.
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Saga holidays kkara... |
6. Kumar
Sangakkara
Age: 37 Average: 29.18
155 matches
(Deccan
Chargers, Jamaica Tallawahs, Kandurata, Kandurata Maroons, Kings XI Punjab,
Nondescripts Cricket Club, Sri Lanka, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Udarata Rulers)
Saga-kkara? Rumoured only to wear the gloves due to the ability of them to stave off the cold induced arthritis. A great bat, a great keeper and one of the most intelligent sportsmen in the game.
7. Azher
Mahmood
Age: 39 Average: 25.63 Wickets: 241
213 matches
(Auckland,
Barbados Tridents, Barisal Burners, Cape Cobras, Dhaka Gladiators, Islamabad
Leopards, Kent, Kings XI Punjab, Lions, Pakistanis, Surrey, Sydney Thunder,
Wayamba United)
At his age, maybe he should be called Alzheimer's Mahmood? A top competitor and still doing the business.
8. Alfonso
Thomas
Age: 37 Wickets: 248
214 matches
(Adelaide
Strikers, Dhaka Gladiators, Dolphins, Lions, Perth Scorchers, Pune Warriors,
Somerset, South Africa, Titans)
So old he is rumoured to be the twin of his brother, Doubting. A great bowler though and one who still came good on flat decks in Taunton last summer.
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Doubting Thomas? |
9. Saeed
Ajmal
Age: 37 Wickets: 207
145 matches
(Adelaide
Strikers, Dhaka Gladiators, Faisalabad Wolves, Kandurata Warriors, Pakistan,
Pakistanis, Titans, Worcestershire, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited)
Never mind is he has straightened his elbow, at his age he should worry if he can straighten his back. A wonderful offie and an integral part of Worcestershire's promotion last summer.
10. Brett
Lee
Age: 38 Wickets: 103
115 matches
(Australia,
Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, New South Wales, Sydney Sixers, Wellington)
Still going although his younger sister Peggy has retired. Brett still clocks 140kph, when most people of his age don't even drive that fast. Not quite in need of the Stannah Stairlift just yet.
11. Dirk
Nannes
214 matches
(Australia,
Basnahira Cricket Dundee, Canterbury, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils,
Lions, Melbourne Renegades, Middlesex, Mountaineers, Netherlands,
Nottinghamshire, Otago, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Somerset, Surrey, Sydney
Thunder, Sylhet Royals, Victoria)
As old as my Nan-nes, Dirk has had more clubs than Jack Nicklaus and more sides than my ex wife in a divorce battle. Still quick, still a decent bowler though. A must for any side.
I think it's difficult to begrudge good cricketers a decent pension (and you have some greats in that line up). I'd certainly rather players played T20 tournaments than went on rebel tours to countries with morally dubious governments. The more difficult area is when you have a player in the prime of his career who (for financial reasons, or simply taking the easy option) chooses to play T20 rather than for his country. This is obviously a particular problem for West Indies, where the WICB are not in a position to dictate terms to players (although this is in no small measure due to the WICB's greed and incompetence), and it's something the ICC desperately needs to get right.
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