THE BIG SLAYERS

Over the past few decades, some teams have finished or hastened the end of careers. Here’s a look at them...

RIVALS BE DAMNED

Before they visited Pakistan in 1978-79, Bishan Bedi & BS Chandrasekhar were easily the best. Pakistan tamed the two. In the next few Tests, the two couldn’t regain form and quit. Four years later, Pakistan also put a full stop on GR Viswanath’s career on batting surfaces.

THE BLOWS

Few teams have risen from the dumps like this Aussie squad has. During the home Ashes, they forced Jonathan Trott to abandon tour, Graeme Swann to retire, coach Andy Flower and Kevin Pietersen to be sacked. If that wasn’t enough, Graeme Smith was shown the exit door too.

USING ATTRITION

After Shaun Pollock & Co retired, leaving a hole in the South African team, Graeme Smith took over in style. His tenure saw Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan quitting captaincy during the course of two series in England. The Proteas then hastened former Aussie captain Ponting’s exit.

LEAVING ‘EM IN TEARS

Any talk of careers-ending shows can’t be without the West Indians. In 1984, they pushed Bob Willis into retirement. Willis was dropped after the first 3 Tests as he took just six wickets @61. When the Windies toured Australia later, they had Kim Hughes quitting in tears. Hughes made just 81 @10.1 in four Tests.

Bob Willis retired after he flopped against Windies.

Michael Vaughan quit captaincy during a series against SA.