Three fine cricketers call it a day

by Elmo Rodrigopulle

World Cup 2007 which concluded at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday saw the retirement of three cricketers from the international scene.

Heading the trio was Glen McGrath the Australian fast bowling great who made it known after the 'Ashes' series that he was quitting.

Then the biggest surprise of all was Brian Lara who was pressured into doing so by unforgiving critics and then Sri Lanka's own Ressel Arnold.

McGrath who has done a yeoman service for the Kangaroos for a long time and he was one of them who helped the Australians to dominate Test and one-day cricket for so long.

At 37, he did brilliantly well in this World Cup and went out being the highest wicket taker. McGrath also heads the bowling record in all World Cups, with nearly 70 wickets between 1996 and 2007 in 310 overs.

He will be ranked as one of the greats in his style of bowling.

Lara a surprise exit

The greatest batsman, or the greatest left hand batsman that the world has seen or will ever see, quit amongst a lot of controversy that shocked the cricket world.

At the start of this world cup, Lara said he would like to continue in the game a little while more and that he would be looking forward for the England tour beginning next month.

But the pressure was too much for him after the Windies failed to make it to the semis in the World Cup and it was sad to see him go the way he went.

But that is how cricketing life goes and the world will not or is not likely to see a champion batsman of Lara's calibre.

Sri Lankans will certainly miss him.

Arnold's good move

Russel Arnold's retirement from the game was never better timed. He is going when everyone is asking why? and why not?

As a schoolboy at St. Peter's College he did wonders as a batsman and captain scoring heavily and serving notice of his immense potential as a future national player.

It was not easy for Arnold to make it to the national team. The man who was then dominating the game did not take to him and he was in and out of the team.

`But that did not deter the left hander, who kept hitting at his critics scoring heavily in domestic cricket and they had to finally accept him into the national team.

I was there when he made one of the best hundreds seen in one day cricket when he smashed a three figure score against Zimbabwe on his first tour.

As his career progressed, he was even tipped as captain of the national team. But circumstances beyond his control deprived him of that great honour.

But taking it on the 'bump' as cricketing parlance goes, he continued to serve the game and the country in the manner born and his all-round ability will be missed in the national team.

He was one of those instrumental in getting Sri Lanka into the final of World Cup 2007.

While it lasted you played your innings well Russel Arnold.