Sachin Tendulkar retires from ODIs

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar has announced retirement from ODI format today bringing an end to a glorious 23-year-old career in the format. "I have decided to retire from the One-Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team. The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest," the 39-year-old said in a statement released by the BCCI today. He also added that he would like to wish the team all the very best for the future and he is eternally grateful to all my well wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years.

After World Cup Victory

Tendulkar, considered the most complete batsman in modern cricket and one who was considered next only to the legendary Sir Donald Bradman. He retires with amassing 18,426 runs in 463 one-dayers at an average of 44.83 with 49 hundreds in the format, including a double hundred - the first in this form of the game. He is highest run getter in this format of game. Ricky Ponting stands second highest run getter and Sanath Jayasuriya stands third in this format. Besides his batting, Tendulkar was an effective bowler and finishes his ODI career with 154 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.

Sachin's 1st Run in ODI

Tendulkar made his ODI debut against Pakistan way back in 1989 and interestingly he is quitting the scene just ahead of another series against the arch-rivals. Going forward Sachin will now remain active in only the Test arena. The brightest moment of his ODI career came last year when he finally became part of a World Cup winning Indian team after five previous appearances.

The Australian government on Tuesday awarded Tendulkar the prestigious Order Of Australia (OOA). He became the third Indian after Mother Teresa (1982) and Soli Sorabjee (2006) and fourth non-Australian cricketer after West Indian greats Clive Lloyd (1985) and Garfield Sobers (2003), Brian Lara (2009) to get the honour.

DOUBLE DHAMAKA SEHWAG

 

As far as cricket is concerned, India has become a home of records as it is holding most of the record in International cricket. Its been an another milestone in India’s record list. For a long time, Virender Sehwag's fans had discussed what their hero was capable of scoring if he ever batted through an innings. A double century was expected and Sehwag knew it well and he did it now in Indore. Sehwag's brutal hitting ended in a world record 219 against West Indies, saw India post its highest one-day total of 418 for five and resulted in a series-clinching victory. Though Sehwag was the most expected guy for double hundred in ODI, Sachin Tendulkar became the first man to reach the milestone against South Africa in February last year. Earlier this year, Sehwag threatened Tendulkar's 200 not out before he was dismissed for his then career-best 175 against Bangladesh. “Many great players have tried to score a double century but have not succeeded in their careers. I never expected to score 200. I think, it was a once in a life-time opportunity. I am happy that I could break the record of my role-model” said Sehwag during post match presentation.

ICC CRICKET AWARDS - 2011

Based on the performance during period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 were presented in association with FICA to players and officials.

England's Jonathan Trott has been named ICC Cricketer of the Year 2011. In 12 Tests, he scored 1,042 runs at an average of 65.12, including four centuries and three half-centuries. In addition, he played 24 ODIs, scoring 1,064 runs at an average of 48.36 with two centuries and nine 50s. Previous winners of the Cricketer of the Year award include Rahul Dravid (2004), Andrew Flintoff and Jacques Kallis (joint winners in 2005), Ricky Ponting (2006 and 2007), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (2008), Mitchell Johnson (2009) and Sachin Tendulkar (2010) for their splendid performance.

England's Cook won the Test Cricketer award after having a prolific year in the format. Cook played 12 Tests, and in 18 innings he scored 1302 runs at an average of 76.58, including six centuries and four half-centuries.

Kumar Sangakkara named the ODI Cricketer of the Year and also picked up the People's Choice Award. He scored 1049 runs at an average of 55.21 in 25 ODIs and had 26 catches and 10 stumpings as wicketkeeper and led Sri Lanka to the final of the 2011 World Cup.

Indian captain MS Dhoni  who was given the Spirit of Cricket accolade. 

West Indies legspinner Devendra Bishoo has been given the Emerging Player Award.,  He took 21 wickets at an average of 35.42 in five Tests and also picked up 19 wickets at 21.57 each in 11 ODIs.

Ryan ten Doeschate, the Netherlands allrounder, was named the ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year for the third time in four years, and for the second year running.

New Zealand seamer Tim Southee won the award for Twenty20 International Performance of the Year, for his spell of 5 for 18 against Pakistan in Auckland. 

Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar has won the David Shepherd trophy for the Umpire of the Year for the third consecutive time. He beat competition from Steve Davis, Ian Gould and five-time winner Simon Taufel. 

Stafanie Taylor, the West Indies women's all rounder, was named the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year. 

COVENTRY EQUALS ANWAR's RECORD

Finally after 12 years, a new man Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe who equals Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar record (194 out against India) and scored marvelous 194* runs against Bangladesh during the fourth ODI of the series in Bulawayo. He started of the innings at no.3 and reached his century ony in the 38th over of the match with 110 balls. After reaching 42nd over of the match, Coventry made all the balls to cross the fence where he reached 180 runs in 47th over of the match as the Zimbabwe’s crowd was excited and awaiting to see their country men scoring double hundred in ODI cricket. But Unfortunately, Coventry couldn’t score his double hundred as he remained unbeaten on 194 runs of 156 balls with 16 fours and 7 sixes which puts their team total as 312 runs for 8 wickets. Chasing a huge total of 313, Opener Tamim Iqbal of Bangladesh provided a good start with 154 runs (138 balls) guided their team to victory Bangladesh lead the five match series 3-1 against Zimbabwe. Man Of Match award - Charles Coventry and Tamim Iqbal (shared) .