WMD'S Of The New Millenia

Cricket in the past decade has seen such drastic changes as never before. Run rates have soared to new heights (even test matches), draws are rare, quantum leaps in  fielding standards, etc.

One of the factors making cricket so dynamic has to be the emergence of power players who can change the match in few overs by the ferocity of their attack both with the bat and the ball. Some of these behemoths are discussed below in no particular order

Lance Klusener - Man, this guy was something, just mind blowing. He tore apart attacks at will...especially during the wc99, he ascended to dizzying heights. SA in deep trouble no chance for the proteas...zulu walks in...bang bang bang, next thing you realize, SA wins. Sad to see he burnt up so early

Chris Gayle - Anyone who has seen Caribbean cricket will agree he is one of the most powerful players in world cricket...can send the ball packing. Brute force, huge frame, amazing effect, but has been inconsistent though.

Jayasuriya - This guy taught us the concept of modern odi batting. He opened his very school of batting at wc96 and stunned the world into submission. People just could not believe his hitting powers to the extent they started making wild theories about his bat.

Gilchrist - Started of as the white Jayasuriya, but ever since the dawn of the new millennium has transcended the lankan on most grounds. Exceptional hitter, just did not allow the bowler to settle down.

Akhtar - The fastest bowler in the world. No matter how flawed he is, nobody can deny the raw fear he used to generate in all appeasing batsmen (not just the fear of loss of wicket). Toe crushing yorkers, deadly bouncers...on song he could single handedly tear through opposing teams.

Sehwag - Experts doubted him, his technique, branded him a street cricketer. By the end of it all he had created his own manuel of batting. Ball is there to hit, he will hit. whether its 200/1 or 200/9. Most opposing players fear him and are not settled until they get his wicket. Extremely gifted attacker.

Hayden - This guy is a giant both in size and in cricketing prowess. He used to intimidate bowlers, sledge them while batting (unheard of). Powerful player with a good cricketing brain. Made him one of the true impact players of the last decade.

Symonds - This guy was pure force, impact player. He is not on the list for any consistency or any pedigree. Just the brilliance in his hitting could make him change games very swiftly and effortlessly.

Yuvraj - An ferocious striker of the ball, a well oiled technique, exceptional power makes him among the very most dangerous batsmen in the world. Remember t20 world cup? He can hit sixes at will. You need 12 and over, Yuvraj Singh is your man.

Flintoff - As the English call him, he is the talisman. Can bat can bowl his team out of trouble...exceptional hitter plus relentless pace bowler makes him one the biggest impact players strutting their stuff.

Many other exceptional players are not on the list for which I apologize. I have not included the bona fide greats in this list because they are not the most aggressive players anymore.