The Spinning Geniuses of this generation – Part II
Kumble never had to go through this entire grind. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 not only had a moderately decent bowling attack they also generally played with two spinners so Kumble never had to shoulder the entire burden on his own. But even after this he always performed for the team and ended up being a match winner for the side on many occasions.
Out of the three Kumble can be regarded as the best batsman. He played a century knock in Test matches and has a highest of 110 not out. Apart from this innings he has also hit five other fifties. Warne just fell short of a hundred and has a highest of 99 in Test matches. But he can be regarded as more consistent and dependable as far as batting goes as he has hit 12 fifties in Tests. Muralitharan on the other hand was not too comfortable with the bat. Even after that he has a highest of 67 but that happens to be his only fifty.
If the one-day careers of these three were to get compared Warne’s 293 wickets in 194 matches would find a match in Muralitharan’s 515 wickets in 337 matches and Kumble’s 337 in 271 matches. As far as their best bowling figures go, Kumble stands at 6 for 12, Muralitharan has 7 for 30 and Warne has 5 for 33.
The career of these three spinners has always been in the limelight but if one was to look at a more direct competition then Muralitharan and Warne always clashed against each other to hold records and laurels. Kumble was not really a part of this league though it would be a mistake to not regard him with the same sort of respect. Kumble has been as effective for India as Warne was for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 but Kumble was never involved in this battle for supremacy.
In this battle to reign supreme in front of each other, Warne and Muralitharan have been involved in a lot of verbal spats.
Maybe it was because of their personalities but while Warne and Muralitharan were involved in quite a few controversies, Kumble always stayed away from them. Muralitharan’s doosra may be world famous but he has been accused many times of having a suspect action. Warne on the other hand was known to be a womaniser, had to go through a messy divorce and was banned from international cricket for the year because of the use of banned drugs during the course of a match.
Warne was the first to reach the 700 wicket mark but Muralitharan achieved this feat in lesser Tests. But what both these greats failed to achieve Kumble managed: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 Dravid. He continued to be the captain of the side till he retired in November 2008 playing his last Test against Australia.
Warne bid adieu to international cricket in the same match which saw the departure of Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer also from the international scene. The January 2007 Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground saw the end of an era in Australian cricket.
Muralitharan may be still active in world cricket but has also decided to hang up his boots now and is going to retire from Test cricket after the India series in July. But he still plans to be active as a one-day and T20 player.
It is difficult to say who among them is the best. While records suggest that Muralitharan should be bestowed with the title but if conditions and match results are also taken into account then Warne and Kumble also come at par. It is a debate which can be continued for ages and an agreement may still not be reached. But the important thing to be noted here is that the world of cricket got to see these three geniuses in action.
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