Bowling is one of the most important aspects of cricket. From breaking crucial partnerships by taking wickets or bowling economically to maintain run rates, bowling has importance. Bowling requires a lot of physical strength and sometimes, especially in longer formats like tests it can be tiresome for bowlers to bowl ten or more overs. Sometimes, batters step up to help them and take some responsibility for limited time.
Here is a list of a few batting legends who stepped up and took some crucial wickets at a time of need.
1. Alistair Cook
One who enjoys test cricket surely knows who Sir Alistair Cook is and his legacy. He was one of the greatest cricketing prodigies of England. He used to step up at the time of need, that made him one of the good captains of England’s cricket team.
He was always there for his team when it was required. In the year 2014 in India’s tour of England, he stood up as a part-time bowler for his team and bowled a few overs. He was a right-arm slow bowler and in his 18 deliveries, he took one of the crucial wickets for the team and turned the game completely in their favor.
2. Sachin Tendulkar
The God of cricket, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, was the most incredible batter in history. He holds the record for the most number of centuries, i.e.100 by any player in the world. Apart from setting the record in batting, he was also a part-time bowler for his team in the time of need.
Sachin Tendulkar’s other nickname was Master Blaster. He took a crucial wicket in 2007, in an India vs England match.
3. Virat Kohli
Considered the king of cricket, Virat Kohli is one of the legendary batters of this generation. His aggressive approach towards the game made him what he is today. Apart from twirling the bat, we often see Kohli with the ball as a part-time bowler whenever the team requires it. He is seen with the bowl quite often and is famous for his unusual bowling action.
In 2011, at the time of the World Cup, Kohli took an essential wicket in the India vs England match.
4. Joe Root
The former test captain of England’s cricket team, Joe Root, comes from a family with rich cricketing background. He was one of the youngest players from England who appeared in the 2015 World Cup. Now, Joe Root is England’s best test player in the modern-day cricket.
Root is a right-arm off-break bowler who has a good number of wickets under his name. In a match against Australia in 2013, root picked up an essential wicket as a part-time bowler.
5. Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Peter Pietersen was a famous right-hand top-order batter from England. He was an outsider to England’s cricket with the personality and attitude he had. A player from a South African background came to England and conquered the cricket field. He was given a nickname like KP.
Apart from being a destructive batter, KP was a great part-time bowler. In 2008, he took a wicket against South Africa. Now, he works as a commentator and continues his passion for cricket.
6. Virender Sehwag
We all know how much Sehwag, loved hitting the boundary on the first ball he faces but what we aren’t aware of is how good of a part-time bowler he was. India ‘s most talented and explosive batter, Virender Sehwag was a run-getter and wicket-taker for his team.
In 2002, he took a wicket against England and became one of the good part-time bowlers for his team. He also continues to follow his passion for cricket by being one of the wittiest commentators.
7. Marcus Trescothik
A lethal left-handed batter opening batter, Marcus Trescothik was one of the exquisite opening batter to play for England. He was a brilliant player until an illness interrupted his career. He also led England’s cricket team for a few matches. He was also good with the bowl. In 2004, he took a wicket against West Indies.
Eventually, his cricketing career came to a halt due to his mental illness.
8. Chris Gayle
Christopher Henry Gayle aka Chris Gayle stood tall as one of the most destructive batters from West Indies. Everyone who follows cricket knows his love for hitting sixes. His towards the game made him the master of limited-over cricket. Bowlers from the opponent team used to plan a plot a lot for his wicket once he was set on the field. Apart from destructive batting, he bowls as well.
In 2007, he took a crucial wicket against a great opponent England on their tour to West Indies.
9. Michael Vaughan
Michael Paul Vaughan, former English Captain and current commentator. He played in all the formats of the game as a right-handed opening batter. The former captain was also a part-time bowler whenever the team required.
In a match against Sri Lanka in 2002, he took a wicket and helped his team. After he retired from international cricket he became a commentator with Sky Sports.
10. Kane Williamson
Kane Stuart Williamson is one of the most calm and poised opening batters from New Zealand. He is also the captain in all the formats of the game. He has been one of the finest batters since his teenage time. He is one of the non-Asian players who is exceptionally good at playing spin. He also led the under-19 team.
The quality of a good leader is to stand up for his team in a time of need. Kane stood up as a part-time bowler whenever it was required like in the year 2013, he took wicket against England.
Lastly, the quality of a good player/leader is to stand up for their teammates in their time of need. The player as mentioned above are considered as one of the greats of the game because they stood up for their team and helped them in whatever possible ways they could.
