All in the blink of an eyelid.
But sometimes players have all the time in the world to make the toughest decision in cricket – to decide when to call time on one's career and retire. To unstrap pads, dump bat in the kitbag, mark the run-up one final time. It's never easy to retire and slip into an uncertain afterlife.
Recently, Jimmy Anderson and David Warner retired in somewhat similar circumstances. Anderson's farewell was on a gorgeous sunlit morning at Lord's. The Test ended before lunch on Day 3 but an almost full house waited respectfully till mid-afternoon to celebrate the extraordinary career (188 Tests, 704 wickets) of England's greatest.
Warner's last dance was at Sydney, his home ground, ending a spectacular 15-year-old career that brought him 20,000 international runs and 48 hundreds.
Both Anderson and Warner were allowed a grand departure, their final Test appearance announced in advance to give them a dignified exit in front of adoring fans. Yet the emotional moment was not without a touch of sadness – both were told, politely but firmly, that it was time to go.
This story is from the December 16, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 16, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How the challenge of batting in Oz changed
KOOKABURRA RELEASED A REDESIGNED BALL FOR TESTS IN 2021 THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE THE GAME MORE EXCITING, BUT IT HAS ONLY MADE BATTING MORE DIFFICULT
Grit in the tail frustrates the hosts, India avoid follow-on
Like in 2021, there was defiance in the damp air of Gabba as Deep and Bumrah steer India towards a likely draw on Day 4
Jhulan Goswami stand: Another historic moment at Eden Gardens
KOLKATA: At 6.58pm on a misty winter evening near the Eden Gardens change rooms, Jhulan Goswami took the stage. And said she was speechless.
DEVESH HITS 64 TO LEAD MODERN ENGLISH'S CHASE IN HARRIS FINAL
MUMBAI: Modern English School have put themselves in a good position after scoring 263/8 at stumps on Day 2 of the Harris Shield final against Anjuman I-Islam Allana School, at the Brabourne Stadium.
Prithvi Shaw now axed from Vijay Hazare squad
In a forgettable season, Prithvi Shaw received another jolt when the Mumbai selectors ignored his superb record in List A cricket by dropping him from the squad for the upcoming 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament.
Pidilite, two others vie for Dulux maker
MUMBAI: The race for Akzo Nobel India Ltd has narrowed to Pidilite Industries Ltd, JSW Paints Pvt. Ltd and Indigo Paints Ltd, two people close to the development said, with a deal likely to value the maker of Dulux paints at $2.1-2.5 billion.
Hayley shines, WI level series with big victory
The visiting skipper hit a 47-ball 85* after taking 2 wickets to help the Caribbean women level the 3-match T20 series
Market in oversold zone on FPI selling
Fall risk Apart from cash selling, Flls increased bearish bets on index futures by a whopping 16,060 contracts on Tuesday.
RBI's new leadership to retain anti-crypto stance, officials say
The change of guard at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is unlikely to change the central bank's position on private cryptocurrencies, two officials said.
CHINA EXECUTES OFFICIAL INVOLVED IN BIGGEST CASE OF GRAFT WORTH $421 MILLION
BEIJING: China, on Tuesday, executed Li Jianping, a former official in the north Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, who was convicted in the largest-ever corruption case in the country totaling over $421 million.
