The term “Godfather” refers to a person who acts as a mentor or advisor to someone or inspires someone. In the 147-year history of international cricket, many figures can easily be considered the “Godfather of Cricket.” However, every legend of the game had their own extraordinary abilities and restrictions. So no legend of cricket is idolized as perfect; every legendary player has unique attributes that make him a figure that inspires countless future players. In short, no cricket legend is perfect enough to be called the “Godfather of Cricket,” yet there are names who had a Midas Touch in their hands that made success an obedient of theirs. Here is a list of some cricketing legends who can actually fit in the role of Cricket’s Godfather.
William Gilbert Grace ( The Father of Cricket)
William Gilbert (WG) Grace was an English cricketer who played as an amateur. William Gilbert Grace, popularly known as WG Grace played for 44 seasons from 1865 to 1908, leading England, Gloucestershire, the Gentlemen, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the United South of England Eleven (USEE), and other teams. Grace was a right-handed batter and bowler known for his competitiveness and ability to make money, which made him one of England’s most famous figure.
Grace dominated the game throughout his career, and his technical advancements and immense influence left an indelible mark on cricket. Grace excelled at essential skills batting, bowling, and fielding, but his batting is most renowned. He got the credit for having pioneered modern batsmanship and acclaimed for his command of all strokes. William Gilbert Grace is known as cricket’s first superstar. His technical prowess and impact left a lasting impression on the sportsmanship for the game of cricket.
Sir Donald Bradman ( Greatest Batsman Ever Lived and Greatest Batsman of the 20th Century)
Sir Donald George Bradman, also known as “The Don,” was an Australian cricketer who is generally revered as the greatest batsman on the planet. His Test career batting average of 99.94 is a testimony to how he has been different from contemporary and modern cricketers. Considered the greatest achievement by a cricketer and can’t be achieved again. During his 20-year playing career, Bradman consistently scored at a level that made him “worth three batsmen to Australia,” according to the remarks of former Australia captain Bill Woodfull. Bradman is known as the founder of the controversial Bodyline bowling tactic.
As a captain and administrator, Bradman was committed to attacking, entertaining cricket, and drawing spectators in record numbers. Bradman maintained his preeminent position in the game by serving as an administrator, selector, and writer for three decades after retirement. In 2009 Bradman was the inaugural inductee of the ICC Hall of Fame. Bradman is one of the greatest cricket batter of all time and is often called the greatest in 20th century.
Sir Garfield Sobers ( Greatest All all-rounder in The Game of Cricket)
Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, popularly known as Sir Gary Sobers, is a former Barbadian cricketer who played for the West Indies between 1954 and 1974. He is the greatest ever all-rounder and ambassador for the game of Cricket. In 93 Test matches he played so far for West Indies, Sobers took 235 wickets at an average of 34.03 and scored 8032 runs at astonishing average of 57.78. He has the fifth-highest batting average in Test cricket amassing more than 5,000 runs.
Gary Sobers was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975 and became a dual Barbadian-Australian citizen through marriage in 1980. In 2000, Sir Garfield Sobers was named one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century. In 2004, ICC inaugurated the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy in honor of him; the trophy is awarded annually to the player selected as Player of the Year. Sir Garfield Sobers is one of the most gifted all-round cricketers of all time.
Sachin Tendulkar ( Modern Era Great of This Generation)
For Cricket pundits and a myriad of fans globally, Sachin Tendulkar is one of the world’s most prolific and iconic batsmen in the game of Cricket. With almost 18,000 and 15,000 runs, respectively, he is the all-time leading scorer in both ODI and Test cricket. Tendulkar began playing cricket at eleven and made his Test match debut in 1989 against Pakistan in Pakistan. A globally renowned cricketer known for his consistent on-field batting display, earning him a mass fan following, especially Down Under.
Often referred to as the “God of Cricket,” popularizing the phrase, “Cricket is my religion, and Sachin is my God.” In 2002, Wisden rated him as the second-greatest Test batsman of all time and the second-greatest ODI batsman ever. In 2013, he was included in the all-time Test World XI to mark the 150th anniversary of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack; Sachin was the only specialist batsman of the post-World War II era to get featured in that team. In 2019, Sachin was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
Apart from these legends, there are many greats like Kerry Packer, Sunil Gavaskar, Sir Vivian Richards, Brian Lara, and Jacques Kallis, who are some more worthy names for the role of “Godfather of Cricket.”
