Edward Craig: Sehwag and Test cricket’s children
December 3rd, 2009 by Edward Craig in Test cricket, sri lanka
Every young cricketer is someone else, we all know this. The players we mimic inspire us. They cause sibling arguments: “I’m Botham.” “No, I am.” “No, you’re rubbish, you can’t be Botham. You’re David Capel.” Tears.
Now, as an adult, you can keep those dreams but without the arguments. So, along with the whole of India, today I am Virender Sehwag.
Actually, I’ve been him for a long time, scored with the same freedom and lack of fear, hit sixes until I’ve grown bored, made the fastest 250 in Tests – beating my own record – and won matches in a session with the bat; bowlers can win matches in a session with ease, for a batsman to do it, you’re special.
But, I have worshipped at the Church of Sehwagology for years – and today’s destruction of Sri Lanka just reminds you why: touch, power, angles, imagination. Test cricket is dead … ?
As I was growing up, I was a combination of Bill Athey and Martin Crowe when batting, Harold Larwood then Colin Croft when bowling. I never liked the arguments and there wasn’t too much competition for them.
Sehwag reminded me that as a grown up it’s still important to be someone else. For today and forever and ever, I am totally Sehwag.
Edward Craig is deputy editor of The Wisden Cricketer
Posted in Test cricket, sri lanka |
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:02 pm
No, I’m Sehwag. Or am I Spartacus?
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Admit it, everyone wants to be God at some point in time!
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I have heard of people being “in the zone”. Today, Sehwag was in a totally different planet altogether. After he crossed his 100, it just seemed ridiculous the shots he was pulling off, the shovels over midwicket, reverse sweeps, reverse paddle sweeps, late cuts, upper cuts, walk across stumps, go inside out.. i think the only thing he didnt do was to walk down the pitch for the fast bowlers. Absolutely magnificent innings that i’ll always cherish!
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:12 pm
I am sehwag… I will be sehwag and i die as sehwag… All because I am SEHWAG
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
He could well beat Lara’s highest Test score record tomorrow and I hope he does. He can bat a bit that lad…!
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:24 pm
[...] “But, I have worshipped at the Church of Sehwagology for years……. Sehwag reminded me that as a grown up it’s still important to be someone else. For today and forever and ever, I am totally Sehwag.” - Edward Craig on Wisden Cricketer. You must read the entire piece - here. [...]
December 4th, 2009 at 10:04 am
No I am Sehwag. I had a fight with my wife yesterday, she wouldnt allow me to see myself on TV. In 4 yrs for the 1st time I shouted at my 4yr old daughter, she just wouldnt leave the cartoon channels. The whole night I just kept seeing the highlights & the news channels. God please fulfil all my fantasies next time.