Who Is The Godfather Of Cricket?
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WG Grace, Sachin Tendulkar & Sir Don Bradman (Twitter)
Cricket has been shaped significantly by a handful of legendary players whose influence extends beyond their incredible performances.
While it's impossible to single out one "godfather" of cricket due to the varied eras and styles, certain players stand out for their profound impact on the game.
These are the godfathers of the sport, cricketers who not only dominated the game but also transformed it fundamentally. Each represents a crucial era in cricket's development, introducing innovations and professionalism that pushed the game into new territories.
Let’s take a look at these godfathers of cricket whose careers and legacies have had a lasting impact on the sport.
1. William Gilbert Grace
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WG Grace (Twitter)
Dr. William Gilbert Grace, known universally as WG Grace, is often hailed as the godfather of cricket. Born in 1848, his career spanned over three decades during which he metamorphosed the sport from a pastime into a national spectacle in England.
Grace was a formidable batsman and a crafty bowler, amassing over 54,000 runs and taking more than 2,800 wickets in first-class cricket.
His iconic beard and cap became symbols of cricket itself. His influence was such that he was "the giant on whose shoulders the game stood," guiding cricket through its formative years.
2. Sir Donald Bradman
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Sir Donald Bradman (Twitter)
No discourse on cricket's greatest can sidestep Sir Donald Bradman, whose staggering career average of 99.94 in Test cricket is often cited as "the greatest achievement by any sportsman in any major sport".
His record speaks volumes, but it was his methodical dismantling of bowlers that set new standards. The legendary batter amassed 6996 runs in just 52 Tests with 29 hundreds and 13 fifties for Australian Cricket.
"The Don" not only rewrote the record books but also inspired a nation, making him one of the most influential figures in the game.
3. Sir Garfield Sobers
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Sir Garfield Sobers (Twitter)
Sir Garfield Sobers is often regarded as cricket's greatest all-rounder. Born in 1936, Sobers' versatility was unmatched, excelling as a batsman, bowler, and fielder.
He scored over 8,000 runs in Test cricket, including an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan—a record that stood for 36 years.
Sobers could bowl both fast-medium and spin, making him a dual threat. His all-around capabilities made him "the foundation upon which the West Indies built its dominance."
4. Sir Viv Richards
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Sir Vivian Richards (Twitter)
Sir Vivian Richards, hailing from Antigua, was the "personification of power and intimidation" in cricket. Playing during the golden era of West Indies cricket in the 1970s and 1980s, Richards' aggressive batting style transformed the approach to playing fast bowling.
His fearless demeanour and rapid scoring were far ahead of his time, often turning games single-handedly. With an average close to 50 in Tests and a strike rate of more than 90 in ODIs, Richards was the storm that batsmen aspired to emulate.
In 121 Tests and 187 ODIs, he scored 6540 and 6721 runs respectively. The explosive batter notched 35 international hundreds (24 in Tests, 11 in ODIs) and 90 fifties (45 each).
5. Sachin Tendulkar
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Sachin Tendulkar (Twitter)
Sachin Tendulkar of India is a modern cricketing legend whose career spanned over two decades during which he became the highest run-scorer of all time in both Tests and ODIs.
The Master-Blaster played 200 Tests where he scored 15921 runs at an average of 53.8 with 51 tons and 68 fifties. He also played 463 ODIs where he notched a whopping 18426 runs at an average of 44.8 with 49 hundreds and 96 half-centuries.
His playing style brought together classical technique with aggressive intent, making him "the man who moved mountains with his bat".
Tendulkar not only inspired a generation of cricketers but also elevated the global stature of Indian cricket which is why he is considered as godfather of modern cricket.
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