As a big Geoff Marsh fan , I was wishing both his sons score centuries in the same test match someday and when Shaun and Mitchel were not out post their half centuries yesterday, it gave me a realistic hope. Last test match of the Ashes and both of them reached the magical number with ease. To play the same sport ,be in the same team and clicking at the same time need a special talent and what an amazing moment for a true fan of the game .
As both these brothers make history , I look at back at few of the brother duos who made it to the national teams and made a mark on the game stamping their authority as one of the greats gracing the lovely game of Cricket.
1) Stephen (Steve) and Mark Waugh :
While Steve retired as one of the finest captains , most Khadoos middle order bat and a classic example how one builds his own career on the other hand it was the mercurial Mark who unlike his twin brother was poles apart scoring his first century on debut , had a cool attitude towards the game and was extremely stylish cricketer. Both retired as Aussie greats . Steve’s son Austin could soon make it big for Kangaroos.
One unique story I remember about Mark’s debut . He replaced Steve in national team after selectors chose him as replacement of his brother. Steve obviously was elated.
The third Waugh , Roger , we could never see him play at top level though 😞 .
Steve also has huge social contribution towards Udayan , an organisation for children with leprosy or whose parents are affected by it.
2) Ian and Greg Chappell: The game could never decide who was a better player, better captain or who beats each other in shrewdness.
Greg has a rare record of scoring century in his first and last test of the distinguished career , cruising at will on 22 yards all through his playing days. He was superlative fielder and had the brightest of cricketing mind as a sportsman and as an administrator.
Personally I am of the opinion he should have avoided controversies for an unblemished record when 1) While asking his younger brother Trevor to bowl underarm last ball of the ODI match against New Zealand to win the match which was surely an unethical display and approach of the game and 2) coaching India team and messing up careers of few greats as well as taking Indian Cricket to a backseat if not ages but few years for sure.
Ian was always the most complete batsman and captain of the dominating Aussies. A brilliant fielder with safest pair of hands in the the game and he still rules the commentary box with his witty but sometime biased Australian approach .
He was equally controversial like Greg when he joined hands with Kerry Packer for World Series and acted as coordinator for this unauthorised sporting event.
3) Graeme And Peter Pollock
Both were stalwarts with one being the greatest South African batsman and other being a genuine all rounder of all times.
Had apartheid not stopped South Africa’s march as a supreme cricketing nation , we might have seen Graeme attaining a Bradmansque glory , nonetheless he still remains one of finest or probably the best lefthander to grace the game.
Peter was a genuine all rounder and the one who led bowling attack with an ease.
As a chief selector, he ensured he stayed away from any controversy while pushing for a place for his son and other panel members echoing the inclusion of one of the finest all rounders Shaun in the team.
4) Peter and Garry Kirsten
These half brothers were pioneers of Post apartheid South African Team and both were genuine opening batsman though completely contrasting in styles.
Peter was on verge of retirement when he made his international debut but whatever limited opportunities he had , he stamped his authority over the game. I recollect his 86* against India in ODI playing at will against likes of Kapildev .
Garry was epitome of composure and one of the coolest brains of the game. He brought stability to SA team. His biggest contribution to Indian Cricket was World Cup 2011 as its coach . The win will always make him India’s favourite adopted son.
5) Surinder and Mohinder Amarnath
Both being sons of legendary Lala Amarnath , made a mark on the game.
Surinder being one of India’s best left hander scoring century on debut and a special talent whereas Mohinder was one of the best Indians to play against fast bowling. Mohinder was key contributor to 1983 World Cup victory for India.
They had a unique superstition of keeping a red coloured handkerchief in their pocket which probably helped them achieve their goals as well .
Mohinder had a habit of speaking too much too soon to an extent of calling selectors ‘The Bunch Of Jokers’ over his omission and asking for MSD’s removal as Captain when he himself became selector and was tipped to be the Chief Selector. These words however showed his attitude and commitment of what he felt was right instead of being politically correct keeping his own gains or goals aside.
Youngest one Rajinder could not make much of impact though he played in Ranji Trophy for a short stint for Vidarbha .
I always feel India has produced more soul brothers than real brothers to take India to glory and legendary examples being young Sachin/Manjrekar , Tendulkar/Ganguly , Dravid/Laxman , Viru/Gambhir , so on so forth.
Hope we can see more soul brothers in future and may be Pandyas move a step forward in achieving glory beyond Pathan brothers.
-Jayawant
http://jay1greatcricketbrothers.blogspot.in/2018/01/as-big-geoff-marsh-fan-i-was-wishing.html?m=1
