In this article, we will be exploring some of cricket’s most innovative players. These are not only talented individuals who do things with the game that have never been done before, but they also bring new ideas to the table for how the sport is played.
Some of these players use technology or technological concepts in order to enhance the gameplay of the sport. Others create strategies and concepts that other teams seem to struggle to counter!
This article will focus more on the former than the latter, however there will still be a few fun stories to tell about clever tactics used by savvy cricketers.
Shane Warne
When it comes to legacy, few players can claim they left their lasting impression in terms of what they did, but not how they done it. There are very few examples of people who made a name for themselves by doing things just because everyone else was, or because that is what has been done forever.
Take tennis greats like Roger Federer and Serena Williams, for example. Both have won many tournaments throughout their career, but neither has ever claimed being more than just an ordinary player. They both have always experimented with new strategies and tactics, looking to find ways to gain an edge over the competition.
Cricket legends such as Shane Warne also do not consider themselves above anyone else. He may be considered the greatest leg-breaker the game has seen, but he does not look at himself that way. Rather, he credits his success to hard work and determination.
He worked long hours studying the game and practicing his craft, even if others around him were not. Even when he was retired, he kept up with the latest trends in cricket to ensure he remained competitive.
VVS Laxman
One player who is often overlooked in the discussion of cricket legends is India’s most famous captain, Virender Sehwag. While he was one of the greatest batsmen to ever play the game, his legacy will be defined by what happened after he retired from playing.
In fact, it was his decision to retire just before the 2011 World Cup that made him an unsung hero. At 32 years old, he knew that this would likely be his final tournament for his country. So instead of trying to win the cup or even make the top position as the leader of the team, he chose to let someone else take over.
This person turned out to be new Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. With no experience leading a side at such a high level, Dhon has done an incredible job keeping the team together while also helping develop young leaders like Virat Kohli.
Sehwag played a major role in making sure that Dhoni never lost the confidence of his players, always backing him publicly and encouraging others to do the same. He helped bring success to both himself and Dhoni after he left the national team.
His ability to connect with people makes it easy to see how much he cared about those around him, and how much he wanted them to succeed.
Sir Donald Bradman
Born in May 1888, Donington, South Australia, he is considered by many to be one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He held the world record for most Test runs until December 2013 when Ricky Ponting surpassed his total.
Bradman made his first-class debut for St Peter’s College (now called Trinity School) at age 16 in 1902 before going on to play 102 matches as an amateur with South Australia from 1907–1909 and then professionally in England with Surrey County Cricket Club from 1909–1920.
He was part of eight Ashes winning sides as a player and five as a selector or manager. As a player, he scored six successive centuries and averaged over 50 across his career which spanned 24 years – including nine consecutive seasons where he topped 400 runs.
As a leader, he inspired awe through his work ethic and perfectionism that helped him achieve legendary status. He once said, “I worked hard so I would not have to work harder later.
Sir Garfield Sobers
Known for his powerful batting, incredible feats, and dramatic flair, Garfield Sobers is one of cricket’s greatest ever players. He was also an innovator who changed the game in both positive and negative ways.
Sobers made his Test debut at age 19 in 1956 against England. At that time it was common practice to have bowlers field directly next to each other before moving them around or changing their position. This allowed batsmen to pick out any bowler and try to score as many runs as possible without protecting themselves or switching positions.
But not everyone could do this easily because some balls were pitched more aggressively than others — sometimes very close to you. For example, if there was no way to avoid a fast ball being thrown up with lots of speed then staying still would be the best option since nothing else makes it bounce too much.
This wasn’t easy for most people due to muscles locking down when under pressure. But not Garfield Sobers! His agility and balance gave him an edge which he put to good use.
He once said about playing like this: “I just feel I have special strength and energy. My body doesn’t get tired and I don’t need long breaks.” By doing things less conventionally he was able to play longer and achieve greater success.
Sunil Gavaskar
In his illustrious career, Sunil Gavaskar played for three different countries and won two World Cups as captain. He is also one of only five people to have scored a century in both Test cricket and One Day Internationals (ODI) and was named ODI player of the year in 1982-83.
But what many don’t know about Sunil is that he loved soccer more than most footballers. He even made it into professional leagues!
He represented Mumbai in India’s second division before moving across country to play for Pune. It was there where he picked up the tricks of the trade from professional players who were willing to share their knowledge with him.
Sunil always spoke highly of these other professionals and how much they helped him along his own journey.
Sir Jack Hobbs
Legendary batsman Sir Jack Hobbs is one of the greatest cricketers to ever play the game. He spent most of his career playing for either England or The Rest, but no matter which team he was on, he always put in consistent effort.
He understood the importance of timing balls well and using your skills effectively, and this made him very successful.
His style of batting was known as “scientific” – he would pick out the best possible shot depending on what kind of ball you were facing.
As time went on, Hobbes became more and more comfortable with powerful shots, and he left his legacy by developing an elegant, fluid style that many now copy.
Hobbes won two Ashes series, five World Cups (including acting as captain once) and three British Championships during his illustrious 16-year international career.
Sir Richard Hadlee
The man known as King Kong is one of cricket’s greatest ever players, he spent his career in spectacular fashion while also leaving an indelible mark both on the game and the public perception of professional sportspeople.
He was voted World Player of the Year six times and ODI player of the year twice, and won over 30 trophies during his decorated 19-year international career that ended with him finishing as Australia’s all time leading run scorer (in either format) and wicket taker.
But what many don’t know about Richard Henry “Kingy” Hadfield is just how much influence he had off the field beyond his status as a top level athlete. He made significant charitable contributions through his work with youth groups and charities supporting underprivileged children across Australasia, and he never lost touch with his working class roots.
Born in Nelson, New Zealand to a plumber father and nurse mother, Richard was always determined to make something out of himself. His early sporting heroes were rugby league stars Stacey Jones and David Gillespie, who went onto bigger and better things after their careers in the sport were cut short due to injury.
He started playing junior football before switching codes to cricket when he picked up the bat for his high school team at age 16. After making his state representative side at 17 years old, he earned a national contract with New South Wales later that season.
Brian Lara
When it comes to cricket legends, few can match Brian Lara when it comes to his awe-inspping achievements both as a player and leader. He is not only considered one of the greatest batsmen in history, but he is also recognized for being an innovator of the game.
From playing with a tennis ball that he carried around in his pocket until he was 15 years old, to using net balls made from plastic so that he could keep practising his batting even after breaking his hand, to introducing limited over games and keeping the number of players at five per side, to creating The Bodyline Series — a now classic way to describe aggressive bowling strategies — Lara has left his mark on the sport.
His legacy still stands out more than two decades later, and he continues to inspire people through his work outside of the field. He founded the non-profit organization Talented Youth Africa (TA) in 2004, which helps young students gain access to education by providing them with school supplies and financial assistance.
He is also actively involved in several charities that focus on helping children get the needed medical attention they need and educating them about health issues.
