5 Fast Bowlers of last decade.

Fast Bowlers, Speed & Thrill.

Top 5 Fast Bowlers in the last decade

Living in India and watching the Indian fast bowlers has never pleased me. I have been pleading for the last couple of years for one genuine fast bowler to be produced by India, but no hope so far. When I was a kid I used to enjoy Waqar – Wasim working in tandem with their Yorkers and reverse swing at breath taking speed.  Although Cricket is known as a batsman’s game but a good Fast bowler can knock down any batsman and can give him nightmare throughout his life. A Fast bowler can be as elegant as McGrath or Unorthodox like Malinga. A Fast bowler at his peak is a treat to watch in test cricket. Eight out of ten fast bowlers are prone to injuries. A fit fast bowler can rattle any batsman on his day. Cricmatez.com brings you the top 5 fast bowlers in the last decade.

5) James Andersen –

James Andersen is on 5^th number of my last 13 years fast bowlers list, with his mixed international career. Debuting at age of 20 a prime time for a young fast bowlers he was expected to knock off batsman too frequently but couldn’t met the expectation & later dropped from squad. But he made a strong come back at international level & now he is the leading pace man for England from last 6 years. He is also Englands most wicket taker combined all form of Cricket & to be counted as a one of the best fast bowlers playing today. His Ability is to swing bowl at good pace above 140+ kph with Surprising Yorkers.

4) Brett Lee –

The Quickie from New South Wales is the most loved fast bowler of his time especially for his “digging into ground” style after taking wicket.  He was consistent in bowling fast & taking wickets. Although he was dependent on pace to take a wicket he used to bowl a good bouncers & Yorkers too. His average speed used to be 145kp/h through out the match. “Speed isn’t everything” but Lee has the technique to bowl batsman out & he was a naturally gifted quickie too. He was named wisden’s cricketer of the year in 2006.

3) Shane Bond –

2 Fast 2 Furious, Easily the best fast bowler of New Zealand after Richard Hadlee. In his debut series itself he clears that he is the best bowler to come out after Legend Hadlee. Steady Run up, elegant action & the follow through, everything about his bowling was perfect, his strength was not only to bowl 140+ kph consistently but also to swing the ball prolifically. If not Malinga then I would definitely go with Shane Bond if ask about Yorker, who can forget his Devastating Yorker to Gilchrist in ODI & the Banana Yorker to England’s Ex-Captain Mr. Vaughan? May be we can but not these two batsmen’s. He used to bowl Yorker at 150kph leaving batsman on the ground & then a late swing to trouble batsman even more. He was a star performer for Kiwis in 2003 world cup too scalping 17 opponents in just 8 Matches. Bond’s career average in tests was 22 with a strike rate of almost 38 and in ODIs it was 21 and 29 respectively. But he was a fragile Injury was his major concern through out his international career; he missed most of the matches in 2003-2007 also faced ban because of signing for ICL. Injury did damage to his career & he only lasted for 18 test matches taking 86 wickets.  If he was ready to sacrifice his pace & few skill he would have a big career at international level but he was not ready to sacrifice what he is known for. My Last word about Bond “One of the best fast bowlers ever… If he wasn't plagued by injuries he would have been very famous. ” and the Name is Bond, James Bond.

2) Shoaib Akhtar

“Controversially yours” perfect name for his book & for him. The most annoying, arrogant & the most loving speedster of his generation. The Pakistan Airline celebration that annoying smile & the marathon run up all reminds us to one name Shoaib Akhtar. He was light & fast in his initial career and used to bowl 145+ kph easily but as he grown old his speed decreases a bit but still he was able to bowl 140kph. Despite of Fast Grounds & flat Pitches there have been a lot of fast bowlers produced by Pakistan Wasim, Waqar & Imran too name few, but Akhtar was the crowd puller, his run up was the longest I ever saw, He was the self speed gun, ruthless & fearless. He also own the crown of the fasted ball bowled by any bowler in any format of the game, clocking 161.7 to Knick Knight (Few may argue).  He was the most exciting bowler & favorite among youngster in early 2000’s, coming from long run up & beating world’s best batsman with his pace was his remark. He is regarded as one of the fastest ever bowler in history of Cricket & also known as Rawalpindi Express.

1)      Dale Steyn

Natural Speed, Accuracy, Variations & Technique make one the best bowler in the world, & Steyn got this all. The Best & most successful fast bowler of current era, regarded as the most dangerous & skill full bowler today name is Dale Steyn. Pitching on Off side off stump, hitting same length & beating batsman is Steyn’s strength. He always has chances against batsman, Bowled, LBW or Edge behind as corridor of uncertainty is his strength where batsman left stranded by deliveries whether to leave or to play. Occasional bouncer & Yorker in death overs is added weapon in Steyn’s arm. Yet another elegant bowling action with steady body follows up. He is leading South Africa’s pace attack from last 5 years. Opposition batsman gets chill in there spine when this man is bowling, spectators enjoy’s watching him bowl too.  More then 5 wicket in test & averaging near 23 is clearly a symbol of Great bowler ever in Cricket. Steyn in Rhythm is Monster running on Open Street. He is quick but the amount of control which he have on his bowling is awesome too, he has mastered the most difficult delivery for Batsman “AN OUT SWINGER”. He is 30 years of old & I am sure when he will be there right beside Walsh, Ambross, Hadlee, Waqar, Marshal, Wasim, Murali & Wanre. For Me he is clearly the best Fast Bowler I ever saw.

RTR 180 Motorcycle Review

TVS APACHE RTR 180 (ABS), 'Beast'














TVS Apache 180 Specification -

Model – TVS Apache RTR 180 ‘ABS’

Color – Pearl White

Engine Type - 4Stroke Single Cylinder Air Cooled

Max Power: 17.03 PS @ 8500 RPM

Torque: 15.5 Nm @ 6500 rpm

Bore x Stroke: 62.5×57.8mm

Power to Weight Ratio: 124.08 BHP/Ton

Electric Start

Max Speed: 124 KM/H

Front & Rear Disc brake with ABS System (Optional)

Height: 1100mm, Length: 2085mm, Width: 730mm, Wheelbase: 1326mm,Ground Clearance: 180mm

Suspension Front: Telescopic Forks, 105mm Stroke

Rear: Mono Tube Inverted Gas filled SHOX with Spring Aid

Battery: 12 V, 90Ah

Headlamp: 35/35 Watt Osram

Fuel tank capacity: 16L, Reserve 2.5L

Tubeless Tires








Personal Stats & Specs :-

Bike Delivery Date – 13th June 2012

Registration 28th June 2012

Price - 96,000 :r:

Location - Mumbai.

ODO – 23,000 Kilometers as of 25/03/2013

Top Speed Achieved – 138 kp/h on ODO

0-60 Lap Time - 4.0 seconds

Max Kilometers in a day – 900 km without any issue.

Mileage – Around 43

Headlight - Philips Night Vision 55/60W Installed, no issue’s as such.










Design –


MUSCLED TANK & ENGINE COIL

RTR Stickers & Racing Strips looks very sporty & aggressive too, Although TVS apache RTR 2012 Comes with Grey Sticker on Tank written APACHE where as ABS Version comes with Apace Written in Silver Metal. Tank is designed to combat wind resistance which can hold up to 16 liter of petrol with 2.5 liter as a reserve. Aggressively angled Tank Cowl reduces engine heat by a Spectacular 10 Degree C. Engine Coil is Perpetual Motion Styling Aerodynamic Razored Design.








Split Grab Rails

The Bull Horn grab rails are splits and ergonomically designed to aid the pillion rider in holding on tight. The grabs are designed based on input data taken from thousands of palm types and grab holding styles to achieve an optimum blend of design and functionality.




Aerodynamic Airs coops

The 2012 RTR comes loaded with aerodynamic air scoops that not only ass to the design but also ensure air is directed towards the engine unit to help better cooling efficiency.




Sculpted Digital Display

The blue backlit Speedo Console pack is enough too get the attraction, with info like two trip logs, Max speed registration and time added beauty to console. It also record the fastest lap time from 0-60kph. Digi meter is nicely integrated with analog rpm meter. Console also shows 5-4-3-2-1 GO asap it’s turned on.







Tail Lamps

leading from the rear led tail lamps. LED’s are more powerful and ensure hi visibility in all weather conditions and are also as consume less power from the unit. TVS has integrated LED Tail lamps very beautifully personally its Tail Lamps are best compare to any vehicle.





Engine & Performance –




RTR engine's is capable of generating 17.03bhp of raw power Short stroke/low-end torque, its the Best-in-class Power-to-Weight Ratio, so the First thing you will notice is the torque, very good low & mid range torque, can zip up to 60kp/h in as less as 4.0 Seconds. Be it City or highway torque stands out, it’s like a raging bull. Comes with 5 Speed gear box which always make me miss the 6th one, I always felt the sixth gear is necessary. But Bike is always ready to red line engine on each cog you can feel Engine power in every gear. Very short gear ration which help’s in acceleration & will keep you on top gear very quickly. RTR read as Racing Throttle Response, & yes it does stand out on his name. Twist the throttle & disappears. To sum up The TVS Apache is one fun-to-ride motorcycle in its class. . Coming to Vibration part now, asap you cross 4,000rpm you will start feeling Vibration on foot peg & handle bar till 4900rpm, & then again surprisingly it comes back after 7,000rpm. But this vibration isn’t a very noticeable compare to older models but the presence cannot be ignored too. Though a bit loud & well tuned deep-throated exhaust note gives fair idea about power. Be it from Standing Still to 60kp/h or Cruising at 100kp/h or Zipping through traffic apache does it easily & without much problem. RTR has got no REV limiter too.




Engine Oil which is used by Service Centers are TVS Tru4 Premium which Semi Synthetics, lots of controversies & criticism been made over this topic & oil, but looking at it’s price I personally feel it’s decent Engine Oil which can be used till Engine Run in period atleast. I personally prefer Shell Advance Ultra FS & Motul 10w40.




Over all TVS Team say’s it’s a menace so does I.


”Acceleration is real fun as it’s a Racing Throttle Response”
















Brakes & ABS:




ROTO PETAL FRONT DISC BRAKES 270mm, & 20mm REAR DISC, of brute-force brake power Enhanced Heat Dissipation. Brakes really give confidence to you while riding at any speed, & disc look’s attractive too. It has been said Apache has one of the best brakes available in Indian Bike manufacturer.

Apache 180 is available with ABS too as an option (Which I personally feel should be mandatory in every bike), which prevents wheel locking & skid. This ABS system has been developed in Germany, & has been fine tuned in India. ABS comes with ABS Switch too, to turn off it whenever you want, which I would never recommend unless you wants to lift your rear wheel. ABS technology works fine as far as detecting and preventing panic situations is concerned. I personally rate it much higher & it’s really a wroth of paying those extra 10,000 with closed eyes.








After all whats “WHAT'S ABSOLUTE FURY, WITHOUT ABSOLUTE CONTROL?”









Handling:




Handling of Apache RTR series is simply awesome, very easy handler. With Light weight around 137 kg you can easily zip pass other four Wheeler in traffic with ease & the wild torques backs you up there too. Cornering of RTR is fun easy to bend on either side at any speed. Apache is known for its quick handling and rev-happy engine ready to take abuse. Though bike can be leaned easily but Tires are disappointment in this bike, gives heart in a mouth moment sometime. Width of tires is increased compare to 160cc. TVS Apache RTR series is launched with tubeless tires with the specifications of 90/90-17 at front and 110/80-17 at the rear respectively having six spoke alloy wheels. A mono tube inverted gas filled shock (MIG) with spring aid at the rear end with Golden plating looks very eye catching. The all new TVS Apache RTR 180 ABS can also make its presence felt at the race track because of features like late braking, faster exits and incredible stability. This technology is more common for passenger cars but it is something that is new to Indian two wheeler industries and will make the riding experience safer and better.




Touring part is personally dependent, a Rider can ride his Chetak to Ladhak, can tour for 5000km & same rider can comfortably tour on ZMR too, but Apache is specially design for Race Tracks but that doesn't mean it can’t be on tour. We have member’s like “Prateek220” who has taken his Apache to Spiti & some other region too.










Conclusion :
The Best in Class Power to Weigh Ratio
Veritable pick up, Twist the throttle & disappear, two words for Pickup "Simply Awesome"
Good Brakes with additional option of ABS
Very Light Weight help in traffic, Ease of handling
Vibrations in few rpm band
Pathetic TVS Servicing
Truculence Design, including ODO, Tail Lamp & Head lights very appealing for youngster specially
A Loud Exhaust which gives a fair idea about its power & torque.
NO issue riding up-hills.
With Pillion bike seems to be under powered
Good Mileage compare to power it delivers
Short Gear Ratio
Loud Exhaust which gives fair idea about power
Slippery tyres but good in curves & cornering



































PIC Credits - Shaby(Me), Avi (Insane Rider) & Paddy (Padfootmoony)
Also TVS Apache Website

My Influence XI

My Influence XI well I’ve started watching cricket from the age of 4 (year 1994), since then I was influence with lots of Cricketers through out the last 18 years. So here is my XI players influence team, not best or better or comparison it’s just an influential from my childhood.

1. Sanath Jayasuriya
2. Grant Flower
3. Rahul Dravid
4. Arvinda DeSilva
5. Andy Flower
6. Mohammad Azharuddin
7. Michael Bevan
8. Chris Cairns
9. Chaminda Vass
10. Allan Donald
11. Muttiah Muralitharan
12. Jonty Rhodes

Kumara Sangakkara - "Mr. Elegent"

Kumara Sangakkara – Captain, Wicket Keeper, Batsman, lecturer, Gentlemen & a Team man or we can say a best man. “Many Into One” A Tough talking & a sharp thinking man from Sri Lanka, whose aggression is calculated & intelligent. Cover Drive, lofted shots or straight drive take whatever you want this cricketer has the charm of Cricket which can bring an audience to any ground. Not just on the talk but statistically also he is one of the great cricketer in today's cricket, more then 10,000 runs in both of Cricket. 31 Test Centuries with an average of over 56 is enough to convey the Greatness of this man. Before he made a debut for Sri lanka at age of 22 he was known as Wicket Keeper who can bat but, since his first international match he showed that he is gem of a glance, a cricketer who gives calmness to soul for cricket fans.A Natural puller, he pulls balls with ease & the way he cut does describe the beauty of batting in Cricket. Kumara Sangakkara is known as one of the "most polished and prudent of batsmen" in cricket with ability to score all over the ground. He has learn most of the cricket book shots through out the yaer & now he has excel himself in a category of a most mature cricketer ever produce in ASIA. yet somehow he has not lived up to the mark in One day international Cricket, often throwing his wicket after a very promising start. Only in his second International match he played match wining knock of 85 runs against South Africa. hard work, determination and an impeccable work ethic made him ICC World’s number one ranked Test batsman in June 2008. be it batting for 60 Overs to save test match on 5^th day & scoring 63 runs he was always there for his team when needed. He is the youngest & the only current player, who has given lecture 2011 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture. He is intelligent off the field as he is on it. That speech connects every cricketers or lovers soul. With the, speech Sangakkara had become a rare example of a sportsman who provided revelations on and off the field. Here is the best part of that lecture,

"Our cricket embodied everything in our lives, our laughter and tears, our hospitality, our generosity, our music, our food and drink. It was normality and hope and inspiration in a war-ravaged island. In it was our culture and heritage, enriched by our myriad ethnicities and religions. In it we were untouched, at least for a while, by petty politics and division. It is indeed a pity that life is not cricket. If it were, we would not have seen the festering wounds of an ignorant war." -- Kumar Sangakkara, 2011 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey lecture 

Kumar Sangakkara is an all-rounder in complete sense. Not only is he Sri Lanka's stylish batsman ever produced also one of the finest wicket-keeper produced by country and some may call him the best captain for his country too. Talking about batting again, he is has 8 Double hundred on his name & one of the most unlucky cricketer to come close to double hundred twice & couldn't reach it because of other’s fault. Last year he was stranded on 199* against Pakistan due to his team’s got all out & few years before a classy inning of 192 in Australia where he was given out falsely which still terms as the most classy knock by any sri lankan out side his nation. He is close to 36 now & I am sure he will have more double hundred before he retired. He is the most successful Sri lankan player in overseas to. Despite all crisis & issue's with board he has always given his 100% along with his team during his captaincy time leading from front. he is among nine players who has scored century against all test playing nations but sometime you may feel he is under achiever looking at his Hard work & dedication which is transparent in his strokes, wonder if he was a part of strong batting line up like Australia of 90’s or India of mid 00s, things would have been little different may be. Be it 156 runs against New zeland in New Zealand or 287 Against South Africa in Home Condition he has performed every where to say least.He was consistent through out his career, critics hardly got any chance to point fingers on him. in June 2011 when he was a bit rusty pre & post world Cup he made a strong come back against England in England by scoring a century. But still in a Country like Sri Lanka who is still struggling to prove his metal in world he has been fantastic role model not only for Young Lankan fans but also for other nation’s youngster, I feel he was born with Waugh’s team attitude. If any team in this world really plays for there country it would be Sri lanka only and it was visible in his MCC lectures too about what it means to play for Sri Lanka & why they want to play for Lanka despite of lots of issues which doesn’t seems to be minors.

As a Cricket fan I have enjoyed his batting a lot & for me he is the most prolific player ever produced by Sri Lanka, I wish him best of luck. A last line with which I would like to end this would be “As a batsman, Sanga Excelclass.”

Let's Live the Moments again,

Mumbai - Mt.Abu - Udaipur - Mumbai 1900 km on 2 Wheels x4

"To ride or not to ride... what a stupid question!"

Isn't it ?, its indeed stupid question, it started a month ago when I got bored riding into states & was continuously asking to my riding friend Paddy "Mr. Kshitij Hunari (An Analyst in Care Rating Industry)" to lets make a big plan to somewhere which is not in Maharashtra or Goa, as we want to go big this time to test our Endurance, Skills & Patience, and soon I came up with suggestion of Mount Abu looking at weather condition & distance, it was 750 km ride from Mumbai & We all Agreed to make it our next destination. We have decided to meet at our Regular Meeting spot McD Thane our RoadRunnerz Headquarter, where we can plan & prepare a blue print of our next ride.

3 Day's plan was made but then Paddy & Abby "Mr. Abdul Sheikh ( Works in IT department in Capegemini), came up to me saying 3 days will be too short & if we going this far Let's make it a even more bigger, all agreed & we decided to extend it to 2 more day's & the Udaipur was added to our destination. we were four Riders, ohhh well I am slow to Introduce to our 4th Rider Maddy "Mr. Melwyn D'souza (Graphics Designer), no worries he is even slow too. So let's come to a point Final destination was Rajasthan, 5 day's Ride. The Plan was Mumbai - Mount Abu - Udaipur - Mumbai covering approx 1900 km.

So the date's were decided we will be starting our journey on 09 February 2013 to 13 February 2013 from Hotel Fountain Ghodbuner @5am. everybody started buying stuffs but the biggest issue was asking a 3 days leave to our Company Manager's for Riding, huh! Indeed a tough one which we all did in end quite comfortably. So the next thing was to Collect Bungee Chords & buy some Riding gears for our self, Abdul & Kshitij bought LS2 for themself, Melwyn bought DSG Riding Jacket & I bought Rynox Magnetic Tank Bag & Cramster TRGII Gloves, Kshitij also bought Cramster TRGII Gloves. we were all ready to achieve our dreams & the day arrived yes 09 Feb 2013 morning 5 am was meeting point at fountain, but as always Paddy & Maddy were late, almost 1 hour late to reach at fountain. we started our journey at 06.05 am in the morning from Fountain & took halt for Fuel there we have decided to stop directly at Manor Vithal Kamat Restaurant for breakfast which was 60 km away from Fountain Hotel. we reached Vithal Kamat at 7.10 am had our breakfast & left from there after 40 minutes (7.50am). Next target was Vapi McDonald. we reached there at 9.30 am had coffee & hash brown & left it at 10 am sharp. And decided to keep on riding till Kosamba (Ankaleshwar) for Lunch. straight NH8 with no path holes we reached kosamba at 12.50, till now we have covered almost 310 km from Hotel Fountain. Spent an hour there eating & chit chating & left it around 1.40 pm. we all were riding in formation Me Leading with Maddy following me & Abdul trailing. we reached Anand around 05 pm and from there as were werent sure about direction we stopped to ask local people. Paddy took the lead from here as he was well aware about Gujrati & we left in search of Himmatnagar. Here we were already well late but we didnt bothered about it as we were enjoying every bit of company. Went through lots of roads in night covered with no human, Riding near by Jungle was the experience for us, we keep on riding till we get our highway, Ajmer - Himmatnagar Highway. Had our Dinner there an to our surprised the Owner of dhaba was a Maharashtrian, greeted us calmly. we had our Dinner there & left for Himmatnagar again. we reached himmatnagar at 10pm & there we stayed for a night just for 300 rs for Four of us err not four but five of us, there was one pigeon in a room to company us.

Better to wear out than to rust away.

That's me "SHABY"

Shahbaz "shaby" Patel
Thane, Mumbai.

TVS Apache RTR 180 'ABS'
ENGINEER at AGC Networks

Interest :- Cricket, Riding, Music & Tours.

Enigma in life & Extremer in style, I love doing things by my own in my own way, love Cricket & Music apart from Riding my Beast Angelica aka. RTR. A very Keen Cricket follower & got interest in Tennis & Football too. in Music Eminem, Enrique, Linkin Park, Bon Jovi, AX7, Bryan Adams, Tupac, Script, Back Street Boys, Bruno Mars & etc etc, never ending list of artist I listen everyday.

Riding is the essential part of my life now & there aint a day I think of not riding.

Thanks,
Shaby