The Season of Goodbyes

In sync with the tradition of this blog where I write about great cricketers when they retire, it seems only fair to resume writing in a season when quite a few players are hanging up their boots. Some of them are absolute legends, and some are players whose numbers may not match the all-time greats, but who have nonetheless left an indelible mark on those who watch the game keenly.

The 2015 Ashes sees the retirement of one of the modern-day greats, Michael Clarke, whose elegant batting has delighted us all. But more admirable than just his batting was how a battered man with a chronic back condition led a team devoid of past legends to a World Cup victory. Watching him score that masterful 151 on debut in India made it evident that this was no ordinary batsman. In an era of often unimaginative Test captaincy, Clarke was a breath of fresh air.

Two other men finish their careers at this year’s Ashes: Ryan Harris and Chris Rogers—two late bloomers who finish with 27 and 25 Test matches respectively. Both battle-hardened men showed immense grit. Harris was the epitome of playing through pain, as demonstrated in South Africa with a heroic spell, bowling with a broken knee to seal victory for the Aussies. Rogers was steady without being flashy, representing a classical school of batting that has few practitioners left.

It is also difficult to see Brad Haddin make a return to the fold at the age of 37. As a keeper, he had the unenviable task of filling the shoes of Adam Gilchrist, who redefined the role of the modern wicketkeeper-batsman. Yet Haddin proved more than equal to the challenge. Often the man for a crisis, Haddin’s best arrived when his team needed it most.

Speaking of keepers brings us to the colossal legend retiring this season, Kumar Sangakkara, whom I will cover in my next post.