International Left-handers Day

Today is the 30th International Left-handers Day. Left-handers Day is celebrated worldwide on the 13th of August every year. It is celebrated to raise the awareness that every left-hander face in their day-to-day life. In cricket, it is said that “the left is right”. Left-handers are regarded highly in cricket. Be it a bowler or a batman, a left-handed cricketer has an edge in the game.

A cover drive by any left-handed batsman is the most elegant shot. A Left-handed batsman can counter the conventional spin and swing which may have been troubling a right-hander. Similarly, a left-handed bowler also has some extra advantages. The left-hander can use the rough mark created by the other bowler who is bowling from the other end. Apart from working the ball from the pitch, a left-hander can use some awkward angles which can be difficult for any batsman to play. 

There have been left-handed cricketers who have made their names popularly worldwide. Hence, here are some of them who were a class apart.

Sir Garfield Sobers

The first and the best all-rounder the world ever saw. He could change the course of the match on his own. The West Indian cricket played 93 tests for his country. In those matches, he scored 8032 runs at an average of 57.8 and took 235 wickets at an economy of 2.22. He could fit in any side as a batsman or a bowler. A fascinating fact about Sir Gary Sobers is he could bowl left-arm fast, left-arm orthodox spin, or left-arm wrist spin. 

Allan Border

Allan Robert Border AO is an Australian great who debuted in the year 1978. Allan Border is the half of the Border - Gavaskar Trophy, which is the test series played between Australia and India. Every year, the best Australian cricketer is awarded the Allan Border Medal which is also on his name. He was the Australian captain when they won the World Cup triumph for the first time. He took the captaincy in 1984 after the darkest phase in Australian Cricket. Apart from being a tremendous captain, he was also a gem of a player. He has played 156 tests and 273 ODIs for Australia which comprised of a tally of 17698 international runs and 112 wickets as well in the international arena.

Wasim Akram

The person which today’s generation just knows as a soft-spoken cricket expert or commentator. He is much more that. He was the most furious fast bowler in his playing age. The Lahore express was fast-tracked by his idol Imran Khan and later in 1992, he made his nation win the Cricket World Cup. No cricket lover can ever forget those two deliveries Akram bowled in the final of WC92. He yorked Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis on 2 consecutive delivery. He played 103 tests and 356 ODIs for Pakistan. He took 916 international wickets and he also has 3 test centuries by his name. One of those centuries is a 257* against Zimbabwe.

Brain Lara

Brain Charles Lara, who has the highest test score under his belt. His 400* against England still stands as the world record for the highest score by any batsman in a single inning. Lara broke his own world record of 375* after scoring the marathon innings of 400*. The Trinidad born made his international debut at a tender age of 21 years. After 17 years, he retired from the game at the age of 38 years as a legend of the game. He played 131 tests and 299 ODIs in which he scored 22358 runs and also took 4 precious wickets.

Yuvraj Singh

The Man of the tournament in India’s 2011 triumph. India’s main man in the World t20 in 2007. The Man of the Tournament in India’s 1999 U19WC win. Yuvraj Singh son of former Indian bowler Yograj Singh is amongst the top watch winners which India has ever produced. He was a true match-winner and he has proved that time and again. Yuvraj’s comeback after cancer is much more than an inspiring story. He didn’t play much test match for his nation but in the 304 ODIs that he played, he made his mark. He retired from the game last year during the 2019 World Cup where he was left out.