Top 5 bespectacled cricketers

The game of cricket has seen many bespectacled players who have managed to make their mark in the international arena. Although the players now prefer using contact lenses, there are a few who made their mark even with their glasses on. Here are the top five who made everyone take note of their game and have left their marks bold and deep in cricketing history.NOTE: The list is not in any particular order.

#1 Clive Lloyd

The former West Indies captain is atwo-time ODI World Cup winner (1975,1979) and one of the most aggressive playersof his time. Being someone who hadspectacles on throughout his career, the kind of dominance he exercisedwith the bat, and against bowlers who bowled at immaculate speeds,is simply astonishing.

Standing at 6 feet4 inches, thewell-built cricketerhas 1977 ODI runs from 87 matches. Also,in the 110 Tests (175 innings) he batted for the Caribbean team, the left-handerscored 7515 runs at an average of 46.67 including 19 tons and 39 50s.

#2 Daniel Vettori

The Kiwi left-arm spinner is undoubtedly one of the greatest slow ball bowlersto have played thegame. With a determined attitude and a shrewdcricketing acumen, the New Zealander was an asset to the team with the ball and regularly chipped in with the bat, as well. Some expertsclaim Vettori to be the greatest Test cricketer from New Zealand for his 360 scalps and 4516 runs from 112 matches.

The 35-year-old is one of those rarebreedswho had the ability and brilliance to shine across all three formats of the game:284 wickets and 2110 runs in ODIs and121wickets in T20s proves his case. While a series of injuries have made sure he had to quit Tests,his limited-overs career very much remains alive with him trying to prove his fitness and extend his career at least till the 2015 World Cup.

#3 Anil Kumble

The Bangaloreanwith 619 Test wickets is the third highest wicket taker in the format and also has 2506 Test runs to his name. The leg-spinner used pace and bounce to good effect, surprsing the batsmen at times with his sharp turn, albeit not primarily relying on spin.

The Indian bowling great also has 337 ODI wickets to show for hisefforts from 271 ODI matches. The spinneralso jointlyholds the world record with Jim Lakerfor beingonly the second bowler to bagall 10 wickets (10/74) inan innings,against Pakistan atDelhi in1999. Kumble switched to contact lenses in the late 90s.

#4 Geoffrey Boycott

The great English opener made a transition to contact lenses only during the later stagesof his controversial career. Even though he hasagreatrecord of 8114 runs from 108 Tests at an average of 47.72, he was largely accused for his slow scoring rate during his playing days. The righthanderwas once famously dropped after scoring a double hundred against India for the samereason.

A strike rate of 53.36 for his 1082 runs in36 One-Day Internationals only adds fuel to the debate on what his intentions exactly were while at the crease. Since retiring from cricket, Boycott has managed to have an even more colourful career, courtesy commentary.

#5 Zaheer Abbas

The Pakistani batsman perhaps does not haveremarkable numbers to show for, but 5062 runs at an average of 44.72 with 12 centuriesis no mean achievement. The right-hand batsman was even regarded as the Asian Don Bradman in his time for scoring 108 first-class tons.

He was also adored for his eye catching strokes and the ability to play the ballon both front and back footatwill. Hemade his debut,against New Zealand at Karachi,in1969 and played his final Test in 1985.