Fantasy Football – 5 Football Positions Rarely Seen Now

Football is easily the most popular sport in the world. Fans play this game in over 200 countries, which reinforces its popularity. Now, these different nations, owing to their history, geography and footballing talent, add their own variants in the form of new positions and tactics to the game. Thus, football’s evolution is a relentless and constant process, given the sheer number of people playing on-field and also fantasy football games.

Some football positions slowly are fading away and not seen any more in the modern fantasy football league game. Further, a few roles need special skill-sets and at times, a player emerges who can play in that position. Hence, those kinds of positions are not a common occurrence either.

Let’s take a peek at 5 such football positions which has been rarely seeing in the top level. Read on and play online football games at 11wickets.com

False Nine

The most popular position on the list, false nine is a tactically unique position in football. Any formation played in football has at least one striker to lead the line who is closely marking by the opposition defense. In the case of false nine, the forward constantly drops deep, involves in the build-up play and allow the wide attackers to get into the box.

This leads to the opposition losing their defensive shape and makes it very difficult to mark the player. As enticing as it sounds, this position is rare purely due to the skill-set needs. The false nine should have a striker’s movement and scoring ability on one hand while possessing the attributes of good passing, technique and dribbling on the other. Hence, it is extremely rare to see this position at the top level.

Poacher

Talking about strikers, poachers are a dying breed in modern football. As the name suggests, these players have the uncanny knack of converting the slimmest of chances into goals. Excellent movement, great ability to anticipate inside the box combine with devastating finishing ability to complete the skill-set.

However, one barely sees poachers these days as strikers are expecting to show higher work-rate and play anywhere in attack. Poachers generally come alive when a ball comes into the opposition box as they sniff a goal-scoring chance. However, this is no longer acceptable at any top team and it is a rarely seen role now.

Traditional full-back

The traditional full-back is a role which considers non-existent in modern football. In the previous century, full-backs are the last line of defence instead of the centre-backs. They rarely used to venture out in attack and were as defensively sound as the centre-halves.

However, in the modern game, full-backs are key to providing width and supporting the attack, just like wing-backs. Hence, traditional full-backs no longer exist as centre-backs are now the last line of defence. Thus, this is a position which became obsolete due to the advent of the game.

Sweeper (libero)

A sweeper or a libero is a defender who is stationed between the defenders and the goalkeeper. Once again, as the name suggests, the sweeper ‘sweeps’ the ball if the defence is breaches. Thus, they usually have a ‘free’ position and are not pertaining to staying in defence.

These players also possess ball-playing abilities to bring the ball out from defence and get involved in the team’s attacking aspects. However, the introduction of the offside rule meant defences started to hold their line. Thus, sweepers became extinct while similar attributes are seen to varying degrees in modern centre-backs and goalkeepers.

Player-Manager

In the previous century, it was natural for clubs to have their own players become managers after retiring as players. These players generally spend enough time at the club to understand how it functions and is expected to take the club forward better than others. Thus, there used to be scenarios when players in their 30s doubled up as player-managers, even at top clubs.

However, being a player-manager implies the person had to train on one side while ensuring all the managerial responsibilities are carried out without any neglect or self-reference. As the game entered the modern age, it only became more difficult to give 100% in both roles and one barely sees a player-manager in the present day.

Thanks for reading! Play fantasy sports and enjoy!

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Fantasy Cricket- Cricketers with Long Names

There have been many Cricketers with interesting and confusing names, and in some cases too long. Try to remember; haven’t you come across while making your online fantasy cricket team, Vangipurapu Venkata Sai Laxman? Okay, he is our very own V.V.S Laxman. Did your tongue twist while pronouncing it?

In the words of Shakespeare, “”What’s in a name?” Here we list out five such international players who have the longest names for our fantasy cricket fans.

Practice these names while you are picking up your daily fantasy cricket team at 11wickets.com, the most trusted online cricket platform of India:

UWMBCA Welegedara

Uda Walawwe Mahim Bandaralage Chanaka Asanga Welegedara or simply Chanaka Welegedara is the longest name in the cricketing world. The left arm fast bowler made his Test debut in 2007 and has become a sort of a regular member of the Sri Lankan Test squad in recent years. The 35-year-old’s career never really took off but he has been a prominent name in Sri Lanka’s domestic circuit.

WPUJC Vaas

Chaminda Vaas, the legendary left-arm fast bowler, was famous for his swing bowling and ability to snap quick wickets. With over 750 wickets in his international career, he is the second most successful bowler after Muttiah Muralitharan to have played for Sri Lanka. But, there were one more thing he was remembered for more often. It was for his unusually long name. He has five initials to his name ‘WPUJC’ which transcribes to Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas.

MKGCP Lakshita

Mataramba Kanaththa Gamage Chamila Premanath Lakshitha more famously known as Chamila Garnage was a right-arm medium pacer who played for Sri Lanka in 2 Tests and 7 ODIs in 2002. After making his debut in July 2002 against Bangladesh in Colombo, Gamage could never really seals a permanent spot in the squad and last played at Melbourne against Australia in 2003. His time with the national team might not be memorable but his name surely is remembered whenever people discuss about the long name.

HMRKB Herath

Sri Lanka’s spin bowling weapon Rangana Herath also has five initials which read in full as – Herath Mudiyanselage Rangana Keerthi Bandara Herath. Herath currently is Sri Lanka’s premier spinner. The left-arm spinner has been carrying the burden of leading the bowling attack ever since the retirement of the Muttiah Muralitharan. His has been very impressive and has built a great reputation by being Sri Lanka’s all-season performer.

PADLR Sandakan

Lakshana Sandakan who full name goes by Paththamperuma Arachchige Don Lakshan Rangiku Sandakan is left-arm wrist-spinner who made his debut against Australia in the first Test in 2016. Dubbed as mystery spinner, the chinaman is very capable of bowling accurately and has a well-disguised googly. His consistent match-winning performances in domestic cricket have made him one of the best future spin bowling prospect of the nation.

Hence, we get that mostly long name players to come from Sri Lanka. Good!

Thanks for reading! Play fantasy sports and enjoy!

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Fantasy Cricket: All-time Strongest ODI all-rounders

ODI cricket has evolved over the years and has been entertaining for us. No matter how many formats are to come in future, ODI format will still be adored. Well, not just in the real matches, ODI is much adored in the India fantasy cricket matches as well.

The all-rounders are a rare thing in international cricket and can win the games with both the bat and ball. They are priceless for any team. They mostly play the combined role of batsman, bowler and fielder. In fantasy cricket as well, we can choose up to 3 all-rounders.

Bury your attention here to explore a few greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket. And the next time you make your fantasy cricket league at India’s best platform, 11wickets.com, ensure to select a team comprising the best all-rounder of today’s era.

Sir Viv Richards

Sir Viv Richards, the outgoing West Indies right-handed batsman, played between the years 1975 – 1991. In a total of 187 matches, he made 6721 runs, took 118 wickets and 100 catches. Richards’ highest ODI score is 189* with an average of 47.00.

Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev was the greatest pace bowler India has produced and greatest fast-bowling all-rounder. He played between the years 1978 – 1994. In a total of 225 matches, he made 3783 runs, took 253 wickets and 71 catches. Kapil Dev’s highest ODI score is 175* with an average of 23.79.

Allan Border

This former Australian skipper and all-rounder, Allan Border played ODI between the years 1979 – 1994. In a total of 273 matches, he made 6524 runs, took 73 wickets and 127 catches. Border’s highest ODI score is 127* with an average of 30.62.

Saleem Malik

Saleem Malik, the gifted all-rounder of Pakistan played between the years 1982 – 1999. In a total of 283 matches, he made 7170 runs, took 89 wickets and 81 catches. Malik’s highest ODI score is 102 with an average of 32.88.

Arjuna Ranatunga

Arjuna Ranatunga is a stockily-built left-handed former batsman and all-rounder who led Sri Lanka to their greatest cricketing success, the 1996 World Cup. Often he was regarded as the captain cool by his teammates and the Sri Lankan cricket fans. He played between the years 1982 – 1999. In a total of 269 matches, he made 7456 runs, took 79 wickets and 63 catches. Ranatunga’s highest ODI score is 131* with an average of 35.84.

Thanks for reading! Play fantasy sports and enjoy!

 

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Fantasy Football – 5 Haunted Football Stadiums

We can find ardent football fans all around the world, cheering the footballers from the stadiums stands. Also, football stadiums around the world are filled with memories for the fantasy football fans.

In addition, a number of football venues carry a haunted ambiance around their history. The fantasy premier league fans can find some of the famous stadiums of England, in particular, having haunted pasts.

Moreover, let us take a look at the stadiums having interesting haunted tales. Read them on and play fantasy football leagues at 11wickets.com

Highbury Stadium – Arsenal FC

The former home of Arsenal FC, Highbury Stadium is haunting by Herbert Chapman, Arsenal’s most successful pre-war manager. Many spotted him on the grounds of this former stadium with a horse that died during construction. In addition to Chapman’s presence, Highbury Stadium also features the ashes of other Arsenal fan. Furthering the suspicion of a supernatural presence at this site.

St. Mary’s Stadium – Southampton FC

Southampton fans visiting St. Mary’s stadium home find themselves anxiously alarmed by the presence of spirits moving objects within the venue. To combat this presence, an actual witch brought in to ward off the spirits and bring tranquillity to the fans.

Stadium of Light – Sunderland AFC

Years ago, staff members at the Stadium of Light spotted a dim shape in a stadium corridor. Shortly thereafter, Sunderland’s then-striker, Stephen Elliot, witnessed the same figure. Causing a number of teammates to believe the venue really haunted. The spirit haunting this venue believes of 18th-century French sailor naming Spotted who guides ships to crash into coastal rocks.

Madejski Stadium – Reading FC

Near the home stadium of Reading FC lies the spirit of King Henry I whose remains were discovered by archaeologists. Following these findings near Madejski Stadium, Reading FC has seen a significant fall from English Premier League. This led some to blame the king for a losing record.

Stamford Bridge – Chelsea FC

Not all haunted sports venues have a spooky ambiance, Stamford Bridge has its own spirit that actually is said to bring joy to witnesses. Smiling Man is well known to Chelsea fans to bring positive outcomes to the lives of anyone who experiences him. A woman who attended a Chelsea game with her husband and saw Smiling Man actually won a new car from a raffle she entered at Stamford Bridge!

Thanks for reading! Play fantasy sports and enjoy!

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Fantasy Kabaddi – Know the Raider Rishank Devadiga

With the constant chant of “kabaddi, kabaddi”, raiders display their extreme swiftness and strength. Being a raider and live to the expectation of online kabaddi games fans is no easy job. There’s a lot of power, but with this power comes responsibility. One of the deadliest raiders in the world of kabaddi, Rishank is well aware of this.

The young player is displaying superior talent with every raid, and continuously working hard to develop new skills. His signature move ‘running hand touch’ has made him an incredibly successful raider and a favourite of fantasy kabaddi fans at 11wickets.com

No wonder then that he holds the seventh spot in the all-time raid points list of India kabaddi league. He played the first four seasons of the league for the team U Mumba and was later signed on by UP Yoddha. With 449 points in 80 games, he is one of the most successful and sought out players of the league.

In this post, we will discover about this talented kabaddi player’s life.

Early life

Rishank first started playing kabaddi when he was just seven. Even at that tender age, his talent and strength were visible to everyone. When he was in school, he decided to pursue kabaddi seriously. His body strength was different than most of his teammates. Managing studies, kabaddi practice, and all the financial aspects wasn’t easy.

Not the one to complain or feel sorry, Rishank took matters in his own hands. He started working as a waiter at the Leela Hotel. This extra income helped him manage all his elementary expenses.

Soon, Rishank became a part of the Mumbai district kabaddi team. He also won the best player award when playing for a nationalised bank, Dena Bank. He had to let go of his job to pursue a full-fledged career. His mom’s support was very crucial at this juncture. She supported him completely.

Rishank also represented in domestic league. He led the Maharashtra team to victory at the domestic Championship in 2017. His stellar performs with different teams made him a much-sort after player in the Indian kabaddi fantasy league.

Performance of Rishank Devadiga

Indian kabaddi league has given opportunities to youngsters all across India. The league has catapulted the popularity of the game. Rishank also got a platform to showcase his talent here. It has been quite a journey for the talented raider.

In season one he was bought by U Mumba for INR 5 lakhs. In season 3. He gave hie personal best performance for U Mumba by scoring 115 points in 16 matches. He played a total of 59 games with the team to total to 320 points. Out of those, 284 were raid points and 36 tackle points.

Rishank has consistently performed well in the league. Every penny that the teams have spent on him has been fruitful for them.

Thanks for reading! Play fantasy sports and enjoy!

 

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Fantasy Football – 5 Indian Players giving their Best

Though we tend to play online football games now, football is field sport where two teams of 11 players each. They try to manoeuvre the ball into the opposition’s goal using any part of their bodies except for the hands and arms.

Only the goalkeepers of teams can manage footballs with hands. On-field, the team which scores the most goals wins a match. And fantasy football league fans win a football contest by scoring maximum points.

Football is the world’s most popular sport, both in terms of followers and participants. The sport is simple in its principal rules and needs minimal equipment to play, thus leading to its huge popularity as well as the popularity of fantasy football. It is similarly popular in India though India still hasn’t qualified for the football world cup.

In our today’s post, we are mentioning five Indian players who are giving their best to the team. Read them all and play fantasy premier league at 11wickets.com:

Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri plays for Indian club Bengaluru FC in the Indian Soccer League. In 2002, Chhetri began his professional career at Mohun Bagan. He took a transition and then proceeded to JCT football club where he scored 21 goals in 48 games. In 2010, he was signed by a Major Soccer League named the Kansas City Wizards. Soon, he became the third player from the Asian subcontinent to travel abroad and play for the sport. Soon he was back in India’s I-League where he played for Mohun Bagan and Chirag United before going back overseas where he came from.

He had a big role to make India win the 2007 Nehru Cup, 2009 Nehru Cup, the 2012 Nehru Cup as well as the 2011 SAFF Championship. Chhetri was known as one of India’s best player during the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup in which India won the tournament.

He took India forward in scoring during their momentary campaign at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup with two goals. Chhetri has also been named AIFF Player of the Year four times in 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

Jeje Lalpekhlua

Jeje Lalpekhlua is an Indian professional footballer who plays for Chennaiyin. In 2015, he won the I-league with Mohun Bagan and the Indian Super League with Chennaiyin and was subsequently named the FPAI Football Player of the Year

He won the 2016 AIFF Player of the Year also said that he has learned a lot from the ups and downs in his life since his international debut against Chinese Taipei in 2011.

Sandesh Jhigan

He is a defending player and plays for the Kerala Blasters of the Indian Super League and the India football team. In Intercontinental cup 2018, Jhingan enjoyed a marvellous game against Kenya as well and was presented with the hero of the match award. He was confident enough that Kenyan forwards had no place to breathe and that could happen because of his expert defending skills.

Pronay Halder

On 16 January 2016, Halder made his debut for Mohun Bagan against Salgaocar which Bagan won 4-2. Halder has made total 10 appearances in I-League season and bagged two Man of the Match awards. He was the first choice defensive midfielder in Bagan but due to a knee injury it kept him aside for 2 weeks

On 8 January 2017, Halder played against Churchill Brothers in the first game of the season. He has been a part in AFC Cup for Bagan in most of the group stage matches. He was signed for Mumbai City FC for 2016 ISL season. On 23 July 2017, Halder got picked by FC Goa in ISL Draft for the 2017-18 season

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Gurpreet is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Indian club Bengaluru FC. Sandhu was named the captain of the India national team for the friendly match against Puerto Rico, a match India won 4–1.

Thanks for reading! Play fantasy sports and enjoy!

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Fantasy Kabaddi – Know the Defender Vishal Bhardwaj

The India fantasy kabaddi has produced many talented kabaddi players during the past five years. These talented fantasy kabaddi players have made it to the top-most level and have made the nation proud.

In our today’s post, will relay a story of a young defender from Himachal Pradesh. He became one of the youngest players to be the captain of a team in the online kabaddi games at 11wickets.com

Let us have a look at the rise to fame of Telugu Titans’ superstar kabaddi games player Vishal Bhardwaj.

The 22-year-old Vishal Bhardwaj was born on January 1st 1997 at a village in Una district of Himachal Pradesh. Unlike his other friends who were passionate about cricket, Vishal developed an interest in the game of Kabaddi at a very young age. He started playing Kabaddi in 8th standard at the age of 12 or 13. Vishal represented his school team in all the Inter-school Kabaddi tournaments. After his brilliant performances at the school level, he entered into his college with the same intensity towards Kabaddi.

Looking at his exceptional capabilities at college-level Kabaddi, Vishal went to Bilaspur for better professional training. He lived in Bilaspur, which is almost 1,600 km away from his hometown in Himachal Pradesh. However, this didn’t affect Vishal’s concentration as he was very confident of making it through the highest level. Vishal performed consistently and selected for the Junior National team in 2016. He represented India in 3 major Junior Kabaddi tournaments and even won gold in one of the championships.

A breakthrough in Indian kabaddi league

In 2016, selectors picked Bhardwaj to Telugu Titans in the kabaddi fantasy game. But he didn’t get much chance and appeared in only two matches. During season 5 in 2017, he performed brilliantly well and was the backbone of Titans’ defence army. Vishal became the third successful defender of the season with 71 points in 22 games and an average of 3.22.

During the 6th season in 2018, he was made the captain of his side at the age of 21. Though the Titans have never won the championship and trophy, they have been decent players under Vishal’s leadership.

Playing style & signature move of Vishal Bhardwaj

Vishal has always been a very calm and composed athlete. His strength, agility and quick decision making has made him one of the star defenders of the league.

Vishal’s signature move has been the ‘Ankle Hold’. Ankle Hold is a move which has been specialised this 22-year-old young defender. Ankle hold is one of the most iconic moves by a defender in the game of Kabaddi. In this, the defender uses his firm grip and tremendous strength to grab the opposition raider by the ankle and pull him back as soon as possible so that he doesn’t touch the mid-line.

Thanks for reading! Play fantasy sports and enjoy!

 

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Fantasy Cricket: Greatest Test Cricket Bowlers of All-Time

A warm hello to all the ardent cricket lover and fantasy cricket league gamers of 11wickets.com! The debate about who are the greatest Test bowlers of all time can be endless. That is because greatness does not decide by pure statistics only. The truth is, great bowlers require to exhibit potential dominating over great batting line-ups in all conditions.

They need to put up steady performances over a long time. And have that x-factor that terrifies batsmen every single time he bowls and his potential to increase your online fantasy cricket scoreboard for you.

Hence, there is a pool of players who deserve among the best. One can debate which one is better than the other but very few can claim against their place in greatness. Let’s now look at the greatest Test bowlers of all time and play daily fantasy cricket.

Richard Hadlee

Hadlee is synonymous with New Zealand’s rise as an ambitious cricket nation. Although his early years were fairly unremarkable, his single-handed exploits in taking out solid batting line-ups of top teams helped set up his credentials as a one man-wrecker.

Amazingly, he was dominating over opponents irrespective of being part of a pretty unimpressive bowling line-up. His amazing performance against Australia in consecutive home and away series wins is one such focus on that continues to be etched in all New Zealand fan’s mind.

His 9 for 52 remains to be the best bowling figures on Australian soil. He led that performance by adding six more wickets in the second innings. It’s not a much to suggest that Australia has never been reeled just like Hadlee shook them on home soil.

Additionally, Hadlee made an even less likely win against India in India in the Mumbai Test. Hadlee was the first bowler to go beyond the 400 wickets mark in cricket history. His career average of over 22 is proof of this great fast bowler’s successes.

Muttiah Muralitharan

Muralitharan beat all the odds and emerged as the greatest spin bowler of all time. In an eventful eighteen years cricket career, his story is one of strength. His prominence over opposing batsmen was almost enchanting. The truth is, his exploits were so amazing that a threatened section of the cricket world began tossing questions about the legitimacy of his bowling.

People taunted and harassed him by detractors for being a “chucker.” Yet, nothing broke this amazing bowler’s resolve. His 800 career Test wickets at an average of 22.7 continue to be a record even today.

Glen McGrath

Glen McGrath was simply a medium-fast bowler whose bowling speed clocked around the 135 kph tag. He was the height of discipline. His potential to find a vulnerability in the rival batsman’s mental prowess and then to methodically exploit that drawback with his exact bowling was what he was renowned for. McGrath proved that the most successful bowler is one that has the ability to persistently bowl the right length and line in any state.

McGrath’s approach almost always included bowling just out of the off-stump in the corridor of uncertainness. His cricket career record of 563 wickets at an average of just over 21 is even more amazing when you look that he was just a medium-fast bowler with no other techniques except precision and swing. Glen McGrath’s knack for picking out wickets and harassing batsmen renowned.

Wasim Akram

Akram was an expert of both conventional and reverse swing. All-time greats such as Tendulkar, Laxman, and Gooch are among Akram’s biggest fans and are on record proclaiming him as the toughest bowler they faced. Akram’s average in the sub-continent is better than his entire cricket career average. In a cricket career of over 19 years, Akram has picked up 414 wickets at an average of 23.6.

Besides Waqar Yunus, Akram formed the most deadly opening bowling combos. His ability to make use of the conditions both with the new and old ball made him so unique. To emerge as the best bowler from a nation that has produced greats such as Imran Khan, Shoaib Akhtar and Waqar Yunus speaks volumes of Akram’s adventures with the ball. There is no question about the greatness of this leftie.

Malcolm Marshall

People regarded Marshall to bowl ferociously and his bouncers were unbelievable. As part of the famous West Indies quartet consisting of Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, and Michael Holding, Marshall was the quickest and most effective. He was the only fast bowler who crashed Sunil Gavaskar as well.

His outstanding Test bowling average of 20.94 is the best of anyone who’s taken more than 200 wickets. He could be remembered for any number of performances but what he shines for is his on the whole dominance, over opposing batsmen, that he maintained during his playing career.

Thanks for reading! Play fantasy sports and enjoy!

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Fantasy Cricket: Most Dominant Cricket Team in History

Online fantasy cricket players tend to find themselves hooked up with the teams or players who play dominantly in the field.

Year 2019 is going to be a busy year for the cricket fans as well as the daily fantasy cricket lovers. Why? The reason is that it being the year of ICC World Cup. The excitement of all the cricket and fantasy cricket lovers will reach at the height.

We know you are taking the preparations from now, planning how to take leave from work and studies to watch the matches and also making plans to create your playing XI at 11wicket.com and play fantasy cricket games in between you work. Today let’s take a look at the dominant teams in the history of cricket. Read on:

England (1910 – 1914)

The English team playing between 1910 and 1914 was one of the best squads to have played the game. This team led frequently by Johnny Douglas and got 14 wins in 21 matches.

Frederick Fane and Shrimp Leveson Gower couldn’t encourage their team as they lost 2-3 in tour to South Africa. With the home team packing up the fourth Test in only 3 days. Johnny Douglas then stood up and accepted responsibility of leading the team. Team composed of players such as Jack Hobbs, Sydney Barnes and Wilfred Rhodes to get back the Ashes in 1911-12.

Australia (1930 – 1952)

Australian team proved their dominancy in the cricket world for a longer period. Sensibly named as ‘Invincibles’, Australian cricket team of 1930s and 1940s won 46 out of the 70 Tests they played. They were defeated in just 12. During these 12 years, they were engaged in 15 Test series in which they come about victorious on 13 times.

Don Bradman was the man of their success, who averaged 103.63 at No. 3. The Australians appeared as an encouraged bunch of talented cricketers who just refused to admit defeat. In fact, the spinners who took 344 wickets and the combination of Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall and Bill Johnston guaranteed that they were well-equipped in every department. During this team’s domination time, the only challengers were England and West Indies.

South Africa (late 1965 – 1970)

South African era began from late 1965 and went till 1970. When Peter van de Merwe overtook the reins from Trevor Goddard soon after a devastating series against England in 1965, there was little hope for renewal. What ensued signalled the start of a new era in South African cricket, prior to their hopes were smashed with the overall talent pool of the country victimized by the government’s apartheid plan.

After being successful at three-match series in England 1-0, South Africa came home to defeat Australia 3-1 in a five-Test encounter. Two years later on, led by the talented Ali Bacher, they handed Bill Lawry’s Australia a resounding 4-0 whitewash. In the 12 matches played during that time, South Africa won 8 and dropped only one match.

After that the fierce duo of Mike Procter and Peter Pollock heightened Bacher’s bowling attack. The batting continued in safe hands – those of Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards. The former being commended by none other than Bradman. Eddie Barlow’s all-rounder features summed up the line-up that influenced cricketing world, although for a very short period.

West Indies (1976 – 1995)

No one, who had ever read the names of Malcolm Marshall, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner and Michael Holding, would question about the talents of the 1980s West Indian side. Batting with no helmets against these merciless pacers who spared no respite from dangerous bouncers was similar to hiking a steep cliff on high heels while death beckoned from below.

Under the captaincy of Clive Lloyd, who collaborated the islanders under a solo West Indies team, the Caribbeans surfaced successful in 36 of the 74 matches with a win-loss ratio of 3.00. That, in turn, served as the research to Sir Vivian Richards’s team that won 40 of the 69 Tests between February 1981 and December 1989 with a staggering win-loss ratio of 5.71.

Australia (1999 – 2008)

How can we forget about the Australian team of the period from 1999 to 2008? The Australian team of 2007-08 continues to be the highest rated team in history, according to the ICC rankings.

It is barely without reason that many regard Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting’s men to be the best ever to rule any of the cricket field in the entire world. This era not only gave birth to legends such as Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath, but also observed the beginning of stylishly ruthless batsmen such as Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn and Matthew Hayden who totally changed the conception of playing the game.

Thanks for reading! Play fantasy sports and enjoy!

Read More
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Fantasy Football – Sikkim Sniper of Indian Football

Football – often known as the beautiful game. And this is for a reason. You can play the game almost anywhere with just a football at your feet, even play online fantasy football games.

We have seen kids playing on Indian streets with empty cans, bottles or even rocks. Since, the arrival of online football games in India, more and more football fans prefer participating in the game sitting in their living room.

Once you begin playing fantasy football leagues at 11wickets.com, you need to know about the football players who are the gem of the nation. India’s dream of participating at football world cup depends on the contribution of star Indian players.

Read on about Baichung Bhutia, the star of the Indian football team. And do not forget to include him in your fantasy premier league team next time.

Baichung Bhutia, the Sikkim sniper, as he called throughout his long two-decade career stood out amongst his peers. And he became the legendary footballer of modern India. He is the poster boy of Indian football Team all over the world. Born on December 15, 1976, in Tinkitam, a small village in south Sikkim, Bhutia was a top-class athlete as kid. And along with football also played Badminton and Basketball.

His parents got concerned with his obsession for soccer as he wasn’t paying enough attention to studies. But his Uncle Karma Bhutia kept encouraging him and helped him get a Scholarship at the Tashi Namgyal Academy in Sikkim. He impressed one and all with his abilities there and soon made it into the SAI centre in Gangtok. That was just the beginning, rest is just history.

Career of Baichung Bhutia

Baichung Bhutia started playing as a striker and caught the attention of everybody for the first time at the Subroto Cup 1992 held at Delhi, wherein he was bestowed upon the Best Player award. Bhaskar Ganguly, the former goalkeeper of the Indian Football team was especially impressed by his talent and supported him to move ahead to professional Football. On the field, Bhaichung continued to impress and made rapid strides.

In 1994, he top scorer in the Kolkata first division for East Bengal club with a healthy return of fourteen goals, also won the best player in the league awards. Baichung Bhutia got transferred from East Bengal to the ambitious JCT in 1995. With them he won the first ever National Football League in 1996-97, again winning the Golden Boot as he scored 14 goals in 20 appearances. He created history by becoming the youngest player to have ever scored for India by slotting home the winner against the Uzbeks. He was just 19 at that time.

Thanks for reading! Play fantasy sports and enjoy!

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