KILLER BALLS

While Shane Warne bowled the ball of the century, HT looks at five other deliveries that could have qualified as the ball of the century.

Imran Khan bowls Gundappa Vishwanath

(Karachi, Second Test, 1982) The situation: India, having conceded a 283-run lead, were 102/2 in second essay. What the ball did: The ball was well outside off and Vishwanath left it. But it cut in sharply, looking as if it was pulled in by air, and before Vishwanath could get to terms, hit the stumps.

Wasim Akram bowls Allan Lamb

(World Cup final, MCG, 1992) The situation: England, after early wickets, had recovered through Allan Lamb and Neil Fairbrother.

What the ball did: Akram’s delivery came in through the air as Lamb readied for it. But it moved away after pitching, knocking back his offstump.

Wasim Akram bowls Rahul Dravid

(Chennai, Second Test, 1999) The situation: India, chasing 271, were 50/2.

What the ball did: Started straight before sharply moving away in the air. Kept going away after pitching, squaring up Dravid and clipping the off-stump.

Waqar Younis bowls Brian Lara

(Rawalpindi, Second Test, 1997) The situation: Batting first, West Indies were 53/2 with Lara beginning aggressively.

What the ball did: Waqar produced a yorker that darted in late and sharply. The West Indian batsman, in trying to avoid his toes, toppled over, with his leg-stump flying away.

Shoaib Akhtar bowls Rahul Dravid

(Asian Test Championship, Kolkata, 1999) The situation: After getting Pakistan dismissed for 185, India were 147/2. What the ball did: Inswinging yorker sneaks in through the tiny space beneath Dravid’s bat, making him lose balance, and uprooting leg-stump.