The Karnatka Train Javagal Srinath

Full name Javagal Srinath
Born August 31, 1969, Mysore, Karnataka
Current age 39 years 12 days
Major teams India, Gloucestershire, Karnataka, Leicestershire
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium
Other Referee
Test debut Australia v India at Brisbane, Nov 29-Dec 2, 1991
Last Test India v West Indies at Kolkata, Oct 30-Nov 3, 2002
ODI debut India v Pakistan at Sharjah, Oct 18, 1991
Last ODI Australia v India at Johannesburg, Mar 23, 2003

Profile

Arguably the nation's fastest-ever bowler, Javagal Srinath heralded a period of awakening for Indian pace bowling, after Kapil Dev's swing had fired popular imagination. And when he retired from international cricket of 11 years in 2003, Srinath was second only to Kapil in number of Test wickets by an Indian paceman.

On his day, Srinath was outstanding. With a strong shoulder action, he hit the pitch with force, and bowled mainly incutters and inswingers, though in the right conditions he could move it the other way. As much as the slips, Srinath brought into play the man at short leg. On the dustbowls of India, he learned to harness the power of the old ball off the seam rather than in the air, the finest demonstration of which was his 6 for 21 at Ahmedabad in 1996-97 to bowl out South Africa in the fourth innings.

Late in his career - perhaps later than should have been - Srinath added variations to his bowling, in particular using the leg-cutter and the slower delivery to good effect in one-day cricket. In these final years, he played big brother to India's rising seamers, and himself excelled in India's World Cup campaign, Srinath's last international outing. As a batsman, he provided chaotic entertainment, but only occasionally fulfilled his potential.

Srinath's weak points were his stamina and his fragility under pressure. He often gave the impression that he could have done more, but by the time he was finished he had, in many ways, done enough.

The Lion Of Mardan Younis Khan

Full name Mohammad Younis Khan
Born November 29, 1977, Mardan, North-West Frontier Province
Current age 30 years 287 days
Major teams Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited, Nottinghamshire, Peshawar Cricket Association, Rajasthan Royals, Yorkshire
Also known as Younus Khan
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm medium, Legbreak
Test debut Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi, Feb 26-Mar 1, 2000
Last Test India v Pakistan at Bangalore, Dec 8-12, 2007
ODI debut Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Karachi, Feb 13, 2000
Last ODI Pakistan v Bangladesh at Karachi, Jul 4, 2008

Profile

A middle-order batsman, Younis Khan is fearless, as befits his Pathan ancestry. He plays with a flourish and is especially strong in the arc from backward point to extra cover. He is prone to getting down on one knee and driving extravagantly. But this flamboyance is coupled with grit. His main weaknesses are playing away from the body and leaving straight balls.

Younis was one of the few batsmen who retained his place in the team after Pakistan's disastrous World Cup campaign in 2003, but lost it soon after due to a string of poor scores in the home series against Bangladesh and South Africa. He came back for the one-day series against India, but failed to cement a place in the Test side. He is among the better fielders in Pakistan and he took a world-record four catches in one innings as substitute during Pakistan's demolition of Bangladesh in the 2001-02 Asian Test Championship.

He displayed further versatility by keeping and winning the Man of the Match award against Zimbabwe in the Paktel Cup. But it was his return to the side in October 2004, at the pivotal one-down, against Sri Lanka in Karachi that laid the groundwork for his emergence as a force in Pakistan cricket. He was the top run-getter in the disastrous 3-0 whitewash in Australia immediately after and on the tour of India, for which Younis was elevated to vice-captain, he blossomed. After a horror start to the series he came back strongly, capping things off with a match-winning 267 in the final Test.

Since then, barring minor troughs such as the 2005-06 series against England at home, his career has been one elongated peak, scoring hundreds against India and England for fun and becoming Pakistan's most successful one-down in recent memory. More importantly, the tour to India also showcased his potential as a future captain of Pakistan and his energetic and astute leadership has impressed many people. As captain in Inzamam's absence he led the side to a disastrous loss against the West Indies in 2005 but also to a memorable win against India in Karachi in January 2006.

He blotted his book by suddenly resigning from the captaincy in Inzamam's absence for the Champions Trophy 2006, only to return a day later and lead a scandal-afflicted side to a disappointing first round exit. He was the favourite to take over the captaincy after Pakistan's ignominous World Cup ouster in 2007 but he turned down the captaincy citing mental strain and decided to honour his commitment with Yorkshire by making himself unavailable for Pakistan. Younis, however, was named in the 15-man squad for Pakistan tour to Scotland, the ICC World Twenty20 and the home series against South Africa that followed.

The Stroke Maker Kumar Sangakara

Full name Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara
Born October 27, 1977, Matale
Current age 30 years 319 days
Major teams Sri Lanka, Asia XI, Central Province, Colombo District Cricket Association, ICC World XI, Kandurata, Kings XI Punjab, Marylebone Cricket Club, Nondescripts Cricket Club, Warwickshire
Batting style Left-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm offbreak
Fielding position Wicketkeeper
Test debut Sri Lanka v South Africa at Galle, Jul 20-23, 2000
Last Test Sri Lanka v India at Colombo (PSS), Aug 8-11, 2008
ODI debut Sri Lanka v Pakistan at Galle, Jul 5, 2000
Last ODI Sri Lanka v India at Colombo (RPS), Aug 29, 2008

Profile

Within months of breaking into the side at 22, Kumar Sangakkara became one of Sri Lanka's most influential players: a highly talented left-handed strokemaker, a slick wicketkeeper, a sharp-eyed strategist and an even sharper-tongued sledger, capable of riling even the most unflappable characters. His arrival was relatively unexpected, for his domestic performances were relatively modest, but the selectors' judgement was immediately justified as he starred in his first tournament, the Singer Series 2000 against South Africa and Pakistan, as a wicketkeeper-cum-batsman. During the early days his wicketkeeping could be ragged at times, but his effortless batting oozed class from the start.

He possesses the grace of David Gower but the attitude of an Australian. His approach is naturally aggressive and his greatest weakness is a capacity to over-react when the adrenaline really starts to pump. At the outset he was happier on the back foot but a fierce work ethic and a deep interest in the theory of batsmanship helped him round off his game, and he is now as comfortable driving through the covers as cutting behind point. His arrival was bad news for the popular Romesh Kaluwitharana, who soon lost his place in both forms of the game, although he made intermittent comebacks as the selectors worried about overburdening Sangakkara. His arrival also helped solve the long-term search for a No. 3 batsman to fill the void left since the retirement of Asanka Gurusinha. The exhausting dual responsibility of batting at No. 3 and keeping wicket is the source of widespread debate and the selectors relieved him of the gloves in one-day cricket after the 2003 World Cup. The change increased his productivity as a batsman but left the team unbalanced and he was handed back the wicketkeeping duties during Australia's tour in 2003-04. Unlike before, this time the extra burden had no effect on his batting. For a time the selectors indicated a desire for him to concentrate on his batting in Test cricket, but the rapid improvement of his keeping means that he was handed back the gloves to give the team balance. A charismatic personality and an astute thinker - he is training to be a lawyer between tours - Sangakarra is tipped as a potential future captain. He was rewarded for his consistent performances with a spot in the ICC World XI for the Super Series one-day matches in October 2005, but was surprisingly overlooked for the Test squad. However, his form has remained superbly consistent for Sri Lanka and he reached new heights in July 2006 when he added a world record 624 for the third wicket, against South Africa at Colombo, and his share was 287. He followed that with back-to-back centuries on tour in New Zealand, twin unbeaten double-centuries against Bangladesh, and a glorious 192 in defeat against Australia, to confirm his standing among the best wicketkeeper-batsmen of all time. He then anchored Sri Lanka's victorious 2008 Asia Cup campaign with three centuries.

The Fantastic Player Shivnarine Chanderpul

Full name Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Born August 16, 1974, Unity Village, East Coast, Demerara, Guyana
Current age 34 years 24 days
Major teams West Indies, Bangalore Royal Challengers, Durham, Guyana
Playing role Batsman
Batting style Left-hand bat
Bowling style Legbreak
Test debut West Indies v England at Georgetown, Mar 17-22, 1994
Last Test West Indies v Australia at Bridgetown, Jun 12-16, 2008
ODI debut India v West Indies at Faridabad, Oct 17, 1994
Last ODI West Indies v Australia at Basseterre, Jul 6, 2008

Profile

The possessor of the crabbiest technique in world cricket, Shivnarine Chanderpaul proves there is life beyond the coaching handbook. He never seems to play in the V, or off the front foot, but uses soft hands, canny deflections, and a whiplash pull-shot to maintain a Test average over 40. In cricket terms, Chanderpaul has had two main problems: first, a low conversion rate of around one hundred to every ten fifties, and secondly, his physical frailty, widely thought to be hypochondria. That myth was exploded when a large piece of floating bone was removed from his foot late in 2000, and, suitably liberated, he set about rectifying his hundreds problem, scoring three in four Tests against India in 2001-02, and two more in the home series against Australia the following year, including 104 as West Indies successfully chased a world-record 418 for victory in the final Test in Antigua.

A good run in South Africa in 2003-04 preceded a tough one with England - only his second lean trot in a decade of international cricket. But like in the good ol' days, he rediscovered form on the tour to England, and though his batting did not change the team's fortunes, it lessened the margins of defeat greatly. However, in the Champions Trophy that followed, he contributed to the victory greatly with a consistent performance.

The following year he was appointed West Indian captain during an acrimonious contracts dispute, and celebrated with a double-century in front of his home fans in Guyana, although he was too passive in the field to prevent South Africa taking the series. Displaying a rare streak of violence, he once managed to shoot a policeman in the hand in his native Guyana, mistaking him for a mugger. In April 2006 he resigned as captain citing a need to focus on his batting. Having not made even a fifty in West Indies' last two Test series, his 301 runs in four games against India at home was a welcome relief. It was tough to predict his approach - in Antigua, with his side fighting for a draw, he made a glorious fifty; in St Kitts, with his side pushing for a win, he bizarrely turned defensive - but he remained the glue that held the batting together.

Nothing changed in the 2006-07 season where he looted 744 runs at 57.23 with six fifties and two consecutive hundreds - an unbeaten 149 against India being the highlight, in the ODIs. Like a limpet, he single handedly defied England's bowlers in 2007 with 446 runs in three Tests and was snapped up by Durham for the remainder of the season. Who needs Lara?

The Speed Train Makhaya Ntini

Full name Makhaya Ntini
Born July 6, 1977, Mdingi, nr King William's Town, Cape Province
Current age 31 years 65 days
Major teams South Africa, Border, Chennai Super Kings, ICC World XI, Warwickshire
Also known as George
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm fast
Test debut South Africa v Sri Lanka at Cape Town, Mar 19-23, 1998
Last Test England v South Africa at The Oval, Aug 7-11, 2008
ODI debut New Zealand v South Africa at Perth, Jan 16, 1998
Last ODI England v South Africa at The Oval, Aug 29, 2008

Profile

Makhaya Ntini has had a fair bit to contend with during his young life. A product of the United Cricket Board's development programme, Ntini was discovered at a cattleherd in the Eastern Cape, given a pair of boots and packed off to Dale College, one of the country's best regarded cricketing nurseries. With an action consciously modelled on that of Malcolm Marshall, Ntini found himself touring Australia at the end of 1997 when Roger Telemachus failed a fitness test. He made his South African one-day debut at Perth in early 1998, bowling well in helpful conditions and his Test debut came against Sri Lanka in the same year. In 1999, however, Ntini was charged and initially convicted of rape. He steadfastly maintained his innocence and was subsequently acquitted on appeal.

It was, though, a harrowing ordeal for the first black African cricketer to play for South Africa and it is to his credit that he has been able to rebuild his career. He was not chosen for South Africa again until the Sharjah tournament in 2000 where he both surprised and impressed observers with greater control than had been evident previously. He carried his Sharjah form over to the three one-dayers against Australia in April this year, again bowling impressively.

Quite obviously, Ntini has bounced back from his troubles. Although he is a little short of the genuine pace of a Brett Lee or a Shoaib Akhtar, he is steadily improving and became the first South African to take ten wickets at Lord's in 2003 before devestating the West Indies in Trinidad in 2005 with 13 for 132, the best-ever match figures by a South African bowler. Finished the series against Australia at the end of 2005 with nine wickets at 29.33, including a menacing 5 for 64 in the first innings at Perth. Was forced to miss the third Test with a knee injury that restricted his bowling in the second innings at Melbourne. In the return series at home, Ntini proved a constant threat both as a wicket-taker and potential bruiser. Probing lines and a never-say-die attitude reaped him 19 wickets at 22.36 - with 6 for 100 and 4 for 78 at Johannesburg being a stand-out showing - and gave Justin Langer a warm welcome, in his 100th Test, with a first-ball clanger to the head that left him concussed. Backed up this fine series with 20 wickets in three Tests against New Zealand, and was rightfully Man-of-the-Series. Finished the 2005-06 season with 48 Test victims. In June, Ntini was awarded a benefit by Border for his ten years' service to the game. He managed just five wickets in a two-Test series in Sri Lanka in July-August but was an automatic choice for South Africa's 14-man squad for the Champions Trophy in India. Took eight wickets in the tournament, including a fiery spell against Pakistan at Mohali. When India toured South Africa at the end of 2006, Ntini topped the wickets tally in the Tests with 15, and just after that, when it was Pakistan's turn to visit for three Tests, he passed 300 wickets in a 19-wicket series. Ntini was unable to carry his hot streak into the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, where he managed just six wickets from seven games. Was dropped for South Africa's last two games, an indication of just how poorly he was performing, and was comprehensively outbowled by Dale Steyn in South Africa's series against West Indies, scraping 10 wickets at an unhealthy 38.50. But he improved his average with another 10 wickets against India, and came back from a difficult start to play a vital role in South Africa's subsequent series win in England. After a decade at the top, he remains the side's engine room.

The Guru Of Leg Spin Mushtaq Ahmed

Full name Mushtaq AhmedBorn June 28, 1970, Sahiwal, Punjab
Current age 38 years 72 days
Major teams Pakistan, Islamabad Cricket Association, Lahore, Lahore Badshahs, Multan, National Bank of Pakistan, Peshawar Cricket Association, Redco Pakistan Ltd, Rest of Punjab, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, United Bank Limited
Nickname Mushie
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Legbreak googly
Height 5 ft 4 in
Test debut Australia v Pakistan at Adelaide, Jan 19-23, 1990
Last Test Pakistan v South Africa at Faisalabad, Oct 24-28, 2003
ODI debut Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Sharjah, Mar 23, 1989
Last ODI Pakistan v South Africa at Lahore, Oct 3, 2003

Profile

A bubbly, chubby legspinner with googlies aplenty, Mushtaq Ahmed is styled on his hero Abdul Qadir, whom he succeeded in the team. He is a matchwinner with a full house of legspin variations. At his best he is not far behind Shane Warne, but he does not get the in-drift and rip that makes Warne unique and he gets less bounce because of a lower arm.

He is a compact though not especially competent batsman who fends too gingerly to hint at permanency at the crease. Mushtaq has also suffered the vagaries of the Pakistan system. But his enthusiasm remains undimmed, despite being out of the team since a poor run of form in 2000-01. Some of his most memorable performances have been away from home, in England and Australia, and he played a key role in propelling Imran's Tigers to World Cup glory, memorably snaring Graeme Hick with one of his googlies. In 2003 he became the first bowler in five years to take 100 wickets in the English season, a return which was instrumental in guiding Sussex to the first Championship title in their history,a feat he and they repeated in 2006 and the following season. However, he put his future with the county at risk by signing with the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League. Persistent knee trouble forced him to retire from first-class cricket towards the end of the 2008 season.

The Sweet Timer Of The Cricket Ball Mahela Jayawardena

Full name Denagamage Proboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene
Born May 27, 1977, Colombo
Current age 31 years 103 days
Major teams Sri Lanka, Asia XI, Asia XI, Kings XI Punjab, Sinhalese Sports Club, Wayamba
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm medium
Test debut Sri Lanka v India at Colombo (RPS), Aug 2-6, 1997
Last Test Sri Lanka v India at Colombo (PSS), Aug 8-11, 2008
ODI debut Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe at Colombo (RPS), Jan 24, 1998
Last ODI Sri Lanka v India at Colombo (RPS), Aug 29, 2008

Profile

A fine technician with an excellent temperament, Jayawardene's exciting arrival in 1997 heralded the start of a new era for Sri Lanka's middle order. His career reached new heights in 2006 when he was named captain, led a 5-0 one-day whitewash over England and then scored a Sri Lankan record 374 against South Africa at the SSC in Colombo. He added 624 for the third wicket with Kumar Sangakkara - a first-class record. Jayawardene is the best batsman the island had produced since Sanath Jayasuriya (the man whose record Jayawardene took with his 374) and his rich talent fuelled towering expectations. Perhaps mindful of his first Test, when he went out to bat against India at Colombo in 1997 with the scoreboard reading 790 for 4, he soon developed an appetite for big scores.

His 66 then was followed by a masterful 167 on a Galle minefield versus New Zealand in his fourth match. A marathon 242 against India followed in his seventh Test. However, after a prolific purple patch from 2000 to early-2002, his form became more patchy. His declining productivity in the one-day game was particularly alarming, although that was partly explained by his shuffling up and down the order. He suffered a run drought during the 2003 World Cup and was dropped immediately after. However, he soon regained his confidence and benefited from a stable batting position at No. 4 after the retirement of Aravinda de Silva. A good Test series against England was followed by a high-scoring run in 2004. He was appointed vice-captain of the one-day side for the second time in his career in 2003 and has been named by the selectors as the heir to the captaincy after Marvan Atapattu's current tenure. Jayawardene was given a chance to show what he brought to the captaincy when Atapattu was hit by back problems and he was named captain for the 2006 tour of England. He produced a stunning double of 61 and 119 at Lord's as Sri Lanka pulled off an amazing rearguard to save the match. The best, though, was still to come. After his 374 he struggled a little and fell into a slump, but as class players do he emerged in grand style and enjoyed a prolific series against England in December 2007. His one-day captaincy reached a high when Sri Lanka made it to the final of the 2007 World Cup, slumped in the following months with inconsistent results and soared again after defeating India to claim the Asia Cup the following year. Off the field he has won great admiration for his huge personal contribution to the HOPE cancer project.