Born September --12, 1977, Penirith, New South Wales

Major teams --Australia, Gloucestershire, New South Wales, Worcestershire

Batting style --Left-hand bat

Bowling style --Left-arm fast medium

In few test appearances, Nathan Bracken has done nothing to betray the feeling in currency among the Australians that he is the bowler for the future. Nathan Bracken is quick when he wants to be and has the ability to swing the cricket ball in air in both ways. His formidable first class performances, which included 6 for 27 against Queensland, brought about an elevation in his cricketing status. Initially picked for the Ashes series in 2001, Nathan Bracken's shoulder injuries made him wait till 2003 to make his first test appearance. Cricketscorelive.com gives information on Nathan Bracken and other Great Cricket Players.

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Full name --Abdur Razzaq

Born --June 15, 1982, Khulna

Current age --24 years

Major teams --Bangladesh, Khulna Division

Batting style --Left-hand bat

Bowling style --Slow left arm orthodox

The slow batting tracks of Bangladesh have raised innumerable spinners. Abdur Razzaq stands tall (only literally so far) among the rest. Abdur Razzaq was instrumental in helping the underdogs Khulna Division to win the Dhaka Premier Division in 2002-03. Abdur Razzaq grabbed the opportunity of playing for the Bangladesh A team against the touring Zimbabwe and helped himself with 15 wickets, including the match winning figures of 7 for 17. His one-day debut against Hong Kong during 2004 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka fetched him figures of 3 for 17. Abdur Razzaq could not proceed further into the tournament as his bowling action came under international scrutiny. Abdur Razzaq's bowling action has been a source of problem for the Bangladesh cricket officials. Efforts are underway using video technology to rectify the faulty position of his bowling arm. Abdur Razzaq made his test debut against Australia in 2006 on the spinner friendly track at Chittagong. Cricketscorelive.com gives information on Abdur Razzaq and other Great Cricket Players.

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Full name --Andrew John Strauss

Born --March 2, 1977, Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa

Major teams-- England

Batting style --Left-hand bat

Bowling Style --Left-arm medium

Andrew Strauss was made captain of Middlesex in 2002 following the sudden retirement of Angus Fraser. He showed remarkable composure and led the side brilliantly while himself scoring almost a total of 2500 runs in 2002 and 2003. He made his Test debut for England in 2004 against New Zealand and scored a century in his very first innings. That was just a warm up for the flurry of runs that were to follow. He had successful outings there after against New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa and established himself as one of the most dangerous players in world cricket. He then had the pleasure of making two hundreds in England's historic victory over Australia in the 2005 Ashes series. He was rewarded for his good run by being made captain of England in 2006. Though it was a lot due to chance as both Michael Vaughn and Andrew Flintoff were out with injuries, Strauss deserved it following his brilliant contributions. However he was off to a disastrous start and lost all the five games against Sri Lanka. But he came back with a convincing century at Lord's to further establish his class. Cricketscorelive.com provides the profile of Andrew Strauss and other cricketers around the world.

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Full name --Daniel Luca Vettori

Born --January 27, 1979, Auckland

Major teams --New Zealand, ICC World XI, Northern Districts, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire

Batting style --Left-hand bat

Bowling style--Slow left-arm orthodox

Daniel Vettori is the youngest player ever to play for Zimbabwe. He made his debut in 1997 as an 18 year old and instantly caught the attention of all. He is perhaps the best spinner New Zealand has produced in a while and has emerged as the country’s premium bowler. He became only the third Kiwi player after Richard Hadlee and Chris Cairns to claim 200 Test wickets.

Daniel Vettori is an orthodox left arm spinner who is known more for his flight and guile rather than turn and precision. Daniel Vettori is also a good batsman and of late his batting skills have improved tremendously to make him one of the world’s leading all rounders. He has made 2000 Test runs and has two brilliant centuries and 10 fifties to his name. So impressive has been his performance that in 2005 he was ranked fifth on the ICC Player Rankings for Test all-rounders.

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Full name-- Shoaib Akhtar

Born --August 13, 1975, Rawalpindi, Punjab

Major teams --Pakistan, Asia XI, Durham, ICC World XI, Rawalpindi, Somerset, Worcestershire

Playing role --Bowler

Batting style --Right-hand bat

Bowling Style --Right-arm fast

Credited as being the world's fastest bowler, Shoaib Akhtar is also one of the most colorful characters of world cricket. He has bowled the fastest recorded ball in Test history. He has also bowled over the speed of 100 mph (160 km/h) in ODIs on two occasions, with the quickest recorded delivery being timed at 161.4 km/h, the fastest delivery dependably recorded.

He made his debut for Pakistan in 1997 in a Test against the West Indies and announced his arrival. The world had not seen so much of pace in a long time. But ego tussles, over ambition and attitude problems with seniors in the team have often left Shoaib Akhtar out in the dark. His career has always been shadowed by controversies. However, with his devastating bowling, he has assured himself a more or less permanent place in the Pakistani national side. Fondly called the Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar is very popular with the masses who admire his cricketing talents as much as they do his style. Cricketscorelive.com provides the profile of Shoaib Akhtar and other cricketers around the world.

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Full name --Gary Kirsten

Born --November 23, 1967, Cape Town, Cape Province

Current age-- 38 years

Major teams --South Africa, Western Province

Batting style --Left-hand bat

Bowling style --Right-arm offbreak

The stylish left handed opener Gary Kirsten has established himself as one of the greatest cricketers of all time with his unique technique and brilliant timing. He scored a total of 14087 international runs and consolidated his position as one of the best South African players of all time. Having made his Test debut against Australia in 1993, he had a solid 11 years of cricket ahead of him. He was often compared to his half brother Peter, but outshined the later on many occasions, brilliant fielding being one. Gary Kirsten is remembered most for his immense ability to concentrate and play long innings. A drawback however, was that he did tend to get out in similar fashions over a phase of time. But he worked it out and gained his form back each time he lost it. He was specially successful in the subcontinent where most players falter against the turning ball. He currently shares the South African individual Test record of 275 with Daryll Cullinan. His glorious batting continued with him scoring centuries against England in 2003. This made him push back his retirement till the end of the New Zealand series early the following year. He was once again successful with one century and one half century in the series that helped him sign off in style from the game he contributed so much to. Cricketscorelive.com provides the profile of Gary Kirsten and other cricketers around the world.

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Full name --Muttiah Muralitharan

Born --April 17, 1972, Kandy

Major teams --Sri Lanka, ACC Asian XI, ICC World XI, Kent, Lancashire, Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club

Batting style --Right-hand bat

Bowling Style --Right-arm offbreak

Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the greatest crickets in modern day cricket, and he has also held the record for having taken the most number of wickets. Muttiah Muralitharan's career however has been marked by many unprecedented incidents, the controversy regarding his action topping the list. He made his Test debut in 1992 as a right-arm off-spin bowler. He is the first Sri Lankan to take 100 wickets in Test cricket. By taking 500 Test wickets, he became only the third player in the history of the game to do so. He overtook Courtney Walsh's record of 519 Test wickets in 2004 and held the top spot in the leading wicket taker's list, only to be toppled by Shane Warne later that year.

But his career has often been marred by controversies and many a times he has been accused of "throwing" the ball. Even after being cleared by the ICC on many occasions, his woes seem to continue. He underwent extensive tests in Australia under experts who concluded that his action was legal. However, it is unlikely that this matter will not come up again. But Muralitharan seems to have taken it in his stride and continues to be a dominant force when he is on the cricket field. With many more years of cricket ahead of him, it can be certainly said that his dream of reaching 700 Test wickets is by no means an impossible dream. Cricketscorelive.com provides the profile of Muttiah Muralitharan and other cricketers around the world.

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Before his debut match against Australia in October 2000, few had thought that Yuvraj Singh would almost single handedly take India to victory against the world champions. But he did just that and with a stylish 84 and some breathtaking fielding announced his grand arrival in international cricket. He was previously known as a member of the Indian Under 19 side that had recently won the World Cup. However he took to international cricket like a natural and with his raw talent, tremendous strength and amazing determination, Yuvraj Singh soon cemented his place in the ODI team. He is specially remembered for his performance in the 2002 Natwest Series in England where he contributed heavily to assure India's fairytale run ended in victory. His Test debut got delayed by sometime and he finally played his first test in 2003 when captain Sourav Ganguly could not play owing to injury. After being in and out of the team for some time, he now is a regular in the Test team as well. However he is seen more as a one-day player, he is irreplaceable in the Indian team at the moment. Cricketscorelive.com provides the profile of Yuvraj Singh and other cricketers around the world.

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Full name-- Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

Born --April 24, 1973, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra

Major teams --India, ACC Asian XI, Mumbai, Yorkshire

Batting style --Right-hand bat

Bowling style --Legbreak googly

Demigod to millions of cricket fans around the world, Sachin Tendulkar is perhaps the greatest batsman the world has seen after the great Sir Don Bradman. Playing international cricket from age 16, breaking and setting records all along, Sachin Tendulkar is indeed a gift to the cricketing world. From being a child prodigy who made a century on first class debut to becoming the player to score the most number of international centuries, Sachin Tendulkar has done it all. He made his debut against Pakistan in 1989 and has since played 132 Tests and 363 ODIs and has averages of 55 and 44 respectively. He has scored 74 international centuries which is more than anyone else. He is also only the second Indian to score 10,000 runs in Tests.

Sachin Tendulkar was made captain of India in 1996 but found the job unsuitable and resigned in 1998, only to be appointed captain once again in 1999-2000. This time also he resigned and Sourav Ganguly was made the new skipper. This is perhaps one of the few achievements that has eluded Tendulkar-leading the side successfully. However once free from the additional responsibilities, Sachin went back to his brilliant form and continued to pile up runs. Mentally strong and a very deep thinking cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar is a master of the game. Apart from his blistering batting, he can also bowl and has often bowled the side to victory. He is a complete team man, unassuming and selfless. This was specially highlighted when he returned to join the team in England during the 1999 World Cup after the sad demise of his father.

With still some years of cricket left in him, Sachin Tendulkar will only further establish his rock solid position in cricket and keep entertaining and amazing fans all over. Cricketscorelive.com provides the profile of Sachin Tendulkar and other cricketers around the world.

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Full name-- Harbhajan Singh

Born --July 3, 1980, Jullundur (now Jalandhar), Punjab

Major teams --India, Punjab, Surrey

Batting style-- Right-hand bat

Bowling style --Right-arm offbreak

Harbhajan Singh is an exciting off-spinner, who looks to be the only one at the moment capable of carrying on India's tradition of spin bowling after Anil Kumble. At the time of Harbhajan Singh's initiation into test cricket, his arm action, which to some seemed like chucking, came under a glare, thus putting his career in jeopardy. Harbhajan fought his way back and came out an even more improved bowler. Harbhajan Singh's brightest moment in test cricket came in the series against Australia when he took 32 wickets in 3 tests. His haul of wickets included a hat-trick, a rare feat by an Indian in test cricket.

Harbhajan Singh's detractors point out that the off-spinner's test record pales out if one can considers his away record. In home series, Harbhajan Singh averages little over 25 but his away average stands at ungainly 40s. With the bat, Harbhajan Singh can be extremely entertaining and has scored over 2000 runs in first class cricket. The Turbanator, as Harbhajan Singh is fondly called, has come up with a special bowling variation, which he calls a doosra. Cricketscorelive.com gives information on Harbhajan Singh and other Great Cricket Players.

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Full name --Virender Sehwag

Born --October 20, 1978, Delhi

Major teams --India, ACC Asian XI, Delhi, ICC World XI, Leicestershire, Rajasthan Cricket Association President's XI

Batting style --Right-hand bat

Bowling Style --Right-arm offbreak

An explosive batsman and a complete entertainer are what describe Virender Sehwag best! He made a sparkling Test debut against South Africa, scoring a flawless 105. He was initially compared to his idol Sachin Tendulkar for his physical stature, style and aggressiveness. However what distinguishes him from Tendulkar is his boldness and complete confidence in playing the big shots. This fact was further ascertained when he hit a six to reach 300 - his and India's first.

Sehwag has played 45 Tests and 151 ODIs for India. Apart from being a superb batsman, he is also a very useful bowler and bowls in almost every match. He is known for his good fielding as well. Though a master of both forms of the game, Sehwag has performed better in Tests. He has an average of 52 with 12 hundreds and 12 half centuries. He is a dangerous cricketer and can be as devastating with the bat as he can with the ball on his given day. He has taken over 80 international wickets proving that he is not just an ordinary back-up bowler. Virender Sehwag captained India in one Test against Sri Lanka in 2003 and emerged victorious. Cricketscorelive.com provides the profile of Virender Sehwag and other cricketers around the world.

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Full name --Sourav Chandidas Ganguly

Born --July 8, 1972, Calcutta (now Kolkata), Bengal

Major teams --India, ACC Asian XI, Bengal, Glamorgan, Lancashire

Batting style-- Left-hand bat

Bowling Style-- Right-arm medium

Years hence, when criticisms and controversies surrounding Sourav Ganguly are passing their days in the solitude of a quiet retirement, he will be considered one of the finest batsmen to grace the game. The standing ovation that Sourav Ganguly received when he made his debut at Lords in England in 1996, was not a mere appreciation of the 131 runs he had made, but a sincere gesture of gratitude for showing how close to poetry batting can be. The days of Sourav Ganguly's opening partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar were one the brightest moments in Indian cricket history. The duo gave India 16-century opening partnerships in one-day internationals.

Credit should be given to Sourav Ganguly for having resuscitated a fighting spirit among the Indian cricketers. He was arguably the best Indian captain whose manner of plain speaking and uncompromising attitude brought out the best from his men. Under his captaincy, India transgressed the well-preserved tradition of losing away test matches and a spirit of positive approach floated around the entire team. In 2005, Sourav Ganguly became the third batsman in the world after Sachin Tendulkar and Inzamam Ul Haq, to reach 10,000 runs in one-day internationals, Many refuse to see a coincidence in the overlapping of the slump in Sourav Ganguly's performance with the introduction of one bouncer per over by ICC in 2000. Armed with statistics, they destroy all memories of some of the finest innings that Sourav Ganguly played for India and the countless occasions when he sailed the team out of the storm.

Sourav Ganguly's unfortunate spat with Greg Chappell has received much publicity and precipitated endless rounds of discussions; and amidst all this, the fate of this gifted cricketer lies densely surrounded by a haze of uncertainity. Cricketscorelive.com gives information on Sourav Ganguly and other Great Cricket Players.

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Full name --Rahul Sharad Dravid

Born --January 11, 1973, Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Major teams --India, Scotland, ACC Asian XI, ICC World XI, Karnataka, Kent

Batting style --Right-hand bat

Bowling Style-- Right-arm off-break

Fielding position --Occasional wicketkeeper

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2000

ICC Test Player of the Year 2004

ICC Player of the Year 2004

Rahul Dravid comes as a comfort to those who are perturbed by the feeling that the days of gentlemen cricketers are a passé. Whenever Rahul Dravid plays a good knock, which is quite often, cricket no longer appears to be mere game of bat and ball. Rather it suddenly seems to acquire a long tradition and his batting becomes an elaborate ritual of exorcising the dead legends of the past. Rahul Dravid's batting technique is immaculate. His flowing drives, where his elbow rests right over steady head, his perfect square cuts and his imposing hooks, truly Rahul Dravid seems to possess all the shots in the cricket book, which seems to be authored by none other than himself. Rahul Dravid made his debut against England at Lords in 1996. Even though he was more than impressive in the test matches, Rahul Dravid was never regarded as suitable for the shorter version of the game. In fact he was even dropped from the one-day squad for slow batting. Rahul Dravid has since then bounced back and taken his strike rate to a respectable 70.60.

Rahul Dravid has scored 23 centuries, out of which five of them are double centuries. With over hundred test matches to his credit, Rahul Dravid's batting average is staggeringly close to 60. He is one of the few batsmen in the world who average more overseas than in the friendlier home grounds.

Rahul Dravid's faultless batting has earned him an apt nickname "The Wall". Presently, Rahul Dravid is putting his cool head to a good use as the captain of the Indian team. He commands genuine respect and camaraderie among his teammates. Cricketscorelive.com gives information on Rahul Dravid and other Great Cricket Players.

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