Kings of their castle

[Chubb]

So in other words...

Zimbabwe - Duncan Fletcher or David Houghton

Houghton for me. Walked from Bulawayo to Harare (or the other way round, can't remember which) to raise the money to build the Cricket Academy, which he later ran, he was first captain, the first Test centurion, he orchestrated World Cup performances to persuade the selectors to give Zimbabwe Test status, and he played a role in expanding the game to the black population. It has to be him.

 

[Richard]

You're quite right - you know me and my Fletcherite nature of course, but he does have one thing going for him in his orchestration of the demolition of Australia in 1983 which put the place on the cricket map.

 

[Fusion]

I would postulate that the grandfather of Pakistan cricket was neither Hanif nor Imran but Abdul Hafeez Kardar.

Agree with Beleg. Kardar formed the identity and shape of Pakistan cricket in those early years. He was as much an authoritarian figure as Imran would become later. Hanif and Imran certainly had more of an impact on Pakistan cricket, but if we're talking about Godfathers (in a sense who started it all), then it has to be Kardar for Pakistan.

 

[PhoenixFire]

'Mkay.

??

 

[Sanz]

Agree with Beleg. Kardar formed the identity and shape of Pakistan cricket in those early years. He was as much an authoritarian figure as Imran would become later. Hanif and Imran certainly had more of an impact on Pakistan cricket, but if we're talking about Godfathers (in a sense who started it all), then it has to be Kardar for Pakistan.

I completely agree. I forgot about him.

 

[subshakerz]

Agree with Beleg. Kardar formed the identity and shape of Pakistan cricket in those early years. He was as much an authoritarian figure as Imran would become later. Hanif and Imran certainly had more of an impact on Pakistan cricket, but if we're talking about Godfathers (in a sense who started it all), then it has to be Kardar for Pakistan.

I second that. Beat every team he played against, not bad for a supposed minnow!

 

[Richard]

Pakistan were never, ever a substandard side - they even more than West Indies, India, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, deserved Test-status every bit when given it.

 

[jeevan]

Couple of other names into the ring for India:
Ranjitsinhji, for whom the premier domestic tournament is named.
CK Nayadu: first test captain and first class player into his sixties.

 

[Pratters]

Couple of other names into the ring for India:
Ranjitsinhji, for whom the premier domestic tournament is named.

No where near.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Though TBH with Australia I really think you could make a case for Demon Spofforth or Warrick Armstrong.

Nah, it's Bradman 100%.