Evolutions

[Pak_cricketer]

There have been many players who have "Evovled" over the years. Just looking at the Pakistani team. Afridi used to be a full-time bowler, can now bat anywhere and bowl part-time spells. Shoaib Malik, who was an Saqlain Mushtaq copy, used to come in at number XI, and couldn't hold a bat, and now after his Doosra got banned he is our opener, and bats with great skill, and a handy ODI choice. Dont Forget Razzaq, Im sure he is the only one who has batted in all of the spots. He has opened, come 1 down, 2 down, 3 down, 4 down, 5 down, 6 down, 7 down, 8 down, 9 down, and in the time of Wasim Akram he came 10th or 11th.

Im sure there have been other "Evolutions" in Cricket. They are quite Fasinating.

 

[DJ Ager]

Matthew Hoggard used to hopless with the bat at No.11 when he first started, now Englan's first choice nightwatchman for his gritiness and defensive wall.

 

[BigCrickNan]

Matthew Hoggard used to hopless with the bat at No.11 when he first started, now Englan's first choice nightwatchman for his gritiness and defensive wall.

Sorry but I rate Hoggard as one of the most useless batsman ever. He even gets out when being a nightwatchman!

Freddie started off a slogger who bowled a bit of medium-fast, but is now a genuinely quick bowler who could get in the team if he scored nothing with the bat. His batting is much more mature aswell.

 

[rickyp]

Steve Waugh was first selected for NSW coz of his bowling, didnt really end up that way

 

[Hamish]

Irfan Pathan is also a classic example, evolving from just being a bowler to a budding allrounder. It has had a few adverse effects, with his bowling slightly suffering, but being only 21 or 22, he should eventually cope with that.

 

[sohum]

Pathan definitely came to my mind. One maybe not so many knew about: Virender Sehwag. Started his cricketing career as an off-spin bowler who batted in the middle order and look where he is now.

 

[Hamish]

Pathan definitely came to my mind. One maybe not so many knew about: Virender Sehwag. Started his cricketing career as an off-spin bowler who batted in the middle order and look where he is now.

Hmm, didn't know that, pretty interesting. Sehwag now averages 52.12 for tests !

Another one that a few may not know. Sachin Tendulkar, who in his early cricketing career was keen on becoming a pace bowler (a fast one at that), but on advice, decided not to due to his height, and looked instead to batting.

And look where he is now...!

 

[viral1991]

Murali Kartik originally started his domestic career as a batsman!

 

[rickyp]

ashley giles started as a spinner and now hes a medium :P

 

[sohum]

ashley giles started as a spinner and now hes a medium :P

Oh really, I thought he was slow left arm straight.

 

[andrew_nixon]

Glenn Chapple started his career as a genuine tail-ender, he's now a number 6 batsman, as well as still an international quality bowler.

 

[evertonfan]

Thanks for that Andrew, at least i'm not the only one who thinks so.

I'm not sure about this, but did Cameron White start his career as a specialist spinner?

 

[irottev]

Mark Richardson started out as a spinner batting at number 11. (Bear in mind, this is domestically even)

He ended up being one of our most sucessful test batsmen ever. Opening the batting.

A few of our players started down the order. Styris was one.

 

[shravi]

I think Ajit Agarkar was trying to become a batsman but Sachin saw him bowl and told him to concentrate more on his bowling as he was better at that (don't know why he listened). I don't know if this is true but he is a good bowler who can sometimes pull off a good performance with the bat now.

 

[Iron-Haggis]

Cameron White was selected for his spinning. But his batting has come along nicely while his spin hasn't. Andy Bichel has evolved into a decent allrounder of late.