Latest news with #GordonGreenidge
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘It doesn't matter how entertaining T20s are': Gordon Greenidge on why Tests is the best form of cricket
Gordon Greenidge (TOI Photo) London : It's just before the Lord's Test, and Gordon Greenidge is seen casually mingling with the crowd — comprising mostly of people of Indian origin — during an event at a London hotel. Former India wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani, former England spinner Monty Panesar and former England batter David Lloyd are all present. Greenidge, still looking largely like he did during the 1980s, stands out with his unassuming aura. It doesn't seem too long ago that he tormented bowlers around the world. He is asked if he is going to attend the Lord's Test. 'There are no tickets. Although I'm an MCC member, it's tough to get in these days,' he says, joking. 'I need to run from you. I don't do interviews.' It's a charity event organised by Dr. Samir Pathak, who runs the 'Cricket Beyond Boundaries' initiative. The initiative gives opportunities to promising Indian players to come to England, spend a summer in school and play cricket. India Test cricketer Sarfaraz Khan and Chennai Super Kings' Shaik Rasheed are two prominent names to have benefitted. Moved by the initiative, Greenidge offers to auction his cooking skills. He proposes he will cook a pork dish, some veggies, rice, some chicken and a couple of sides for the highest bidder. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Redefine Your Future with a Top Online MBA SRM Online Enquire Now Undo The bid goes up to £2500. Greenidge will be cooking at the bidder's place. Once the banter with Kirmani and Lloyd is done on the stage, Greenidge is ready for a chat on Test cricket over dinner. He offers a disclaimer. 'I don't watch a lot of cricket now. Some highlights, maybe.' Excerpts from the conversation… There are so many strong opinions about Test cricket. What do you make of the longest format's prospects? I hope Test cricket remains. I hope it doesn't go the route that many are saying — that it is dead or dying. It would be a sad thing to know that Test cricket is going to be no more. I think it's still very much alive. But that's been the talk for 20 years... It hasn't gone anywhere. It's still the best form of cricket. What is happening now is entertainment. It is the entertainment factor that has come back into this game, through the T20 format. Not to say that you're not entertained playing a Test match — of course, that happens too. But because of franchise cricket, people prefer to play the shorter version. And it'll be a sad day when Test cricket is finished. Does that worry you? Unfortunately, there are only two-three countries that are going to get the chance to play five-Test series — teams like India, Australia and England. But you know, I'm still a Test match player. I'll always be a Test match player and I'd always opt to have the Test match on the calendar. It doesn't matter how entertaining T20Is are, I will still want to see the Test match. You talked about entertainment. When you took the cricket field, how did you see your role? Yeah, we were all entertainers. That's the primary thing. And there were times when teams scored just as fluently as in a T20. But no one complained when the tempo of the game slowed down because you have to give the bowlers credit as well. They bowl well sometimes and they get the better of you. Sometimes you have to find a formula to counter-attack what they're doing in order to survive and score runs. And that is the beauty about it. You people were the pioneers of attacking batting. There's been so much spoken about 'Bazball' and aggressive batting styles in Test cricket… Teams are scoring four, four-and-a-half runs per over at times in Test cricket. So, you are telling me that you still would prefer to see a T20 game than what you saw? Tests are over a longer period. I think it's also about how you view your own personal game. For me, it's nice if I'm able to build and formulate an innings because of the situation — whether it's the climate, the bowler or the surface you're playing on. But that is the beauty about the whole thing. You don't know what's coming. You have to be able to produce something in order to cope with all these things that confront you. Do you believe that there's only one way to play Test cricket right now? It's not the only way. But it's not sustainable. Dominant teams like West Indies in our time and then Australia — they all played very aggressive cricket, but it wasn't like how they play the game these days. Today they play the same way they play T20. We may have been aggressive, but not in the same manner as how they play T20 cricket. Poll Do you believe Test cricket is in danger of becoming obsolete? Yes, it's dying out. No, it will always have a place. A player like Rishabh Pant gets a lot of flak for the way he plays Test cricket… If it comes off, great. If it doesn't, I'm sure he and the rest of the team are going to be very disappointed. It's the way he prefers to play and feels more at ease playing. When he came down and hit the guy (Ben Stokes) over the back of his head in a Test match at Headingley, the commentators were shocked. I think he was on naught. It was just amazing the way he plays. Some players are more courageous than others. Do you need to rein them in sometimes? What are you going to do if a guy like that is going to play differently and score runs? I think you'll want to watch him play and watch him play more often. He's not going to do it all the time. There will be times he is going to fail. And I think he knows this as well. Your generation of players went through Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket. There's this debate about franchise cricket taking precedence over international cricket… (Interrupts) It's definitely not the same. When it comes to choosing franchise cricket, I understand that players make millions of dollars playing for less time around the world. That's why you need to have balance in Test cricket around the world. Who's the last cricketer that you watched and you really liked? Virat Kohli. I watched Pant. But I watched the highlights. What is your fondest memory of playing cricket? I liked playing in Adelaide. I mentioned New Zealand. I never played in South Africa. That's unfortunate. I've been in India, I love Bengaluru. Maybe I'd like to go back and visit. Who's the last bowler that you thought would be fun to play? Shane Warne. I never played against him. He intrigued me. What it must have been like facing him! I think he was probably the best spinner ever. Gordon Greenidge stats Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
News18
13-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
5 Highest Successful Run Chases In Tests At Lord's
Before Indian batters walk out to bat in the fourth inning, here's a look at five successful run chases in Tests at Lord's: 344/1 by West Indies vs England in 1984 (Target: 342) West Indies beat England by 9 wickets in the 1984 Test played at Lord's by successfully chasing down the target of 342 runs in 66.1 overs for the loss of only one wicket. Opening batter Gordon Greenidge remained unbeaten on 214 runs from 242 balls, and Larry Gomes scored 92 runs from 140 balls to help the Clive Lloyd-led side create history at the Home of Cricket. The duo added 287 runs for the second wicket. 282/5 by South Africa vs Australia in 2025 (Target: 282) In the WTC 2025 final played between South Africa and Australia at Lord's from June 11 to 14 in 2025, South Africa chased down the target of 282 runs for the loss of five wickets. Aiden Markram scored 136 runs from 207 balls as an opening batter to help the Temba Bavuma-led side create history and end 27-year-long wait for second ICC trophy. 282/3 by England vs New Zealand in 2004 (Target: 282) Nasser Hussain remained unbeaten on 103, and Andrew Strauss (83) and Graham Thorpe (51*) scored half-centuries in the fourth innings to help England chase down the target of 282 runs for the loss of three wickets and win the 2004 Test match played against New Zealand at Lord's by 7 wickets. 279/5 by England vs New Zealand in 2022 (Target: 277) Legendary batter Joe Root scored an unbeaten century (115), and captain Ben Stokes made 54 from 110 balls to help the Poms successfully chase down the target of 277 runs against New Zealand and win the Lord's Test played from June 2 to 5 in 2022 by 5 wickets. 218/3 by England vs New Zealand in 1965 (Target: 216)
Mint
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Only four 250 chases at Lords: Can India join elite list?
London [UK], July 13 (ANI): As India gears up for a potential big chase at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, the historical odds offer both caution and motivation. Often hailed as "The Home of Cricket," Lord's has seen only a handful of successful fourth-innings chases, with India having achieved it just once, chasing 134 in 1986. That famous Indian win saw the team post 136/5 in the final innings against England. Kapil Dev, India's legendary all-rounder, was the star of the match, claiming five wickets in the game and what remains India's only successful chase at Lord's. The highest successful chase at the venue came in 1984, when West Indies gunned down 342 against England, a record that still stands tall. It was a historic knock by Gordon Greenidge that made the difference. The West Indian opener smashed 214 off 242 balls, peppering the boundary ropes 29 times and clearing them twice. Chasing 250-plus at Lord's has been a rarity, with it happening just four times in Test history, twice by England themselves. In 2004, the hosts chased down 282 against New Zealand, losing only three wickets. Andrew Strauss was named Player of the Match for a memorable performance, a century (112) in the first innings followed by a match-winning 83 in the chase. Fast forward to the present era, in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final earlier this year, South Africa matched that chase of 282, defeating Australia. Aiden Markram played a sublime innings of 136 in the final innings, showcasing immense composure under pressure. Another recent instance of a high chase came in 2022, when England successfully hunted down 277 against New Zealand. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 115, guiding England home with a masterclass in run-chasing to finish on 279/5. Going further back in time, England chased down 216 in 1965 against New Zealand, finishing at 218/3, with Ted Dexter contributing a fine 80 during the pursuit. Now, as India prepares to bat fourth once again at Lord's, the challenge is as steep as it is inspiring. They will need to strike early with the ball and restrict England to the lowest possible total.
Mint
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Only four 250 chases at Lords: Can India join elite list?
London [UK], July 13 (ANI): As India gears up for a potential big chase at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, the historical odds offer both caution and motivation. Often hailed as "The Home of Cricket," Lord's has seen only a handful of successful fourth-innings chases, with India having achieved it just once, chasing 134 in 1986. That famous Indian win saw the team post 136/5 in the final innings against England. Kapil Dev, India's legendary all-rounder, was the star of the match, claiming five wickets in the game and what remains India's only successful chase at Lord's. The highest successful chase at the venue came in 1984, when West Indies gunned down 342 against England, a record that still stands tall. It was a historic knock by Gordon Greenidge that made the difference. The West Indian opener smashed 214 off 242 balls, peppering the boundary ropes 29 times and clearing them twice. Chasing 250-plus at Lord's has been a rarity, with it happening just four times in Test history, twice by England themselves. In 2004, the hosts chased down 282 against New Zealand, losing only three wickets. Andrew Strauss was named Player of the Match for a memorable performance, a century (112) in the first innings followed by a match-winning 83 in the chase. Fast forward to the present era, in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final earlier this year, South Africa matched that chase of 282, defeating Australia. Aiden Markram played a sublime innings of 136 in the final innings, showcasing immense composure under pressure. Another recent instance of a high chase came in 2022, when England successfully hunted down 277 against New Zealand. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 115, guiding England home with a masterclass in run-chasing to finish on 279/5. Going further back in time, England chased down 216 in 1965 against New Zealand, finishing at 218/3, with Ted Dexter contributing a fine 80 during the pursuit. Now, as India prepares to bat fourth once again at Lord's, the challenge is as steep as it is inspiring. They will need to strike early with the ball and restrict England to the lowest possible total. India finished the day with 387, the exact total that England piled up. After Gill's fiery exchange with Zak Crawley, England remained unscathed and ended the day with 2/0. (ANI)
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
WTC Final, AUS vs SA: Kagiso Rabada becomes only second player to achieve this unique feat in Lord's 141-year history
Rabada claimed a total of 9 wickets against AUS, including a fifer in the first innings (Image via AP /Kirsty Wigglesworth) South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has etched his name alongside West Indies legend Gordon Greenidge as the only two players in the 141-year history of Lord's to appear on the iconic honours boards in both the home and away dressing rooms. Rabada 's latest feat came during the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at the historic ground. The 30-year-old delivered a masterclass, claiming 5 for 51 in the first innings and following it up with another four wickets in the second, helping South Africa stay competitive against a strong Australian side. In Test cricket, players who score a century or take a five-wicket haul at Lord's earn the privilege of having their name inscribed in gold lettering on the famous honours boards - an accolade revered by cricketers worldwide. Before Rabada, this rare distinction belonged solely to Gordon Greenidge. The legendary opener's scores of 214 not out and 103 for the West Indies against England in 1984 and 1988 are immortalised on the away honours board. Lesser known, however, is Greenidge's appearance on the home board — a result of his 122 while playing for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) against the Rest of the World in 1987. Bold prediction! Astrologer Greenstone Lobo picks winner of Australia vs South Africa WTC Final 2025 Rabada, too, was already on the away board for his five-wicket haul (5 for 52) against England in 2022. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sunderland: If You Were Born Between 1945-1974 You Could Be Eligible For This British Seniors Read More Undo But this time, a unique twist added to the story. As South Africa were assigned the home dressing room for the WTC final, Rabada's first-innings five-for earned him a place on the home board as well — making him only the second player in Lord's history to achieve this honour. A piece of sticky batting tape with Rabada's name written on it has been temporarily attached to the board for his figures of 5-51, as tradition dictates during the match. The gold lettering will follow soon, reported the BBC. Poll Do you believe Rabada's doping ban affected his performance? Yes No, he has fully recovered Rabada's achievement is even more poignant given his recent redemption arc, bouncing back strongly after serving a doping ban for using a recreational drug — an incident Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed his side would not exploit as a sledging tactic. 'That's not our style. I doubt that will come up,' Cummins said before the final. Cricket greats have not held back in their praise. Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting likened Rabada's prowess at Lord's to that of Glenn McGrath, who famously exploited the unique slope at the ground to devastating effect. 'Glenn McGrath was exactly the same at Lord's. He loved bowling there and mastered the slope from both ends — something not talked about as much as it should be,' Ponting told the ICC. 'These big games are about big-name players standing up, and Rabada did exactly that. ' Temba Bavuma on picking Ngidi over Paterson for WTC Final: 'Tough decision' Reflecting on his name appearing in both dressing rooms, Rabada called the achievement 'cool', underlining the personal significance of joining such a niche club in cricket's spiritual home.
