6 players with the strongest throwing arms in cricket history

Fielding is a very crucial part of the game. At times it is less worked on compared to the batting and bowling departments but it can win matches. Present-day cricketers have understood the value of fielding, hence now all teams have a specialist fielding coach. They are trained specifically so that agility and speed becomes a force to reckon with on the field.One important facet of fielding is the throwing. Several times have the advantage of having boundary riders with good, strong throwing arms been highlighted in close games. Throwing arms are also important as during the fag-end of an innings, batsmen look to convert ones into two. Here is where a good throwing arm could save runs which could become crucial in deciding the fate of the match.Here is a look at some of the best in the world in the history of cricket:

#1 AB de Villiers

This man is the best example of modern-day cricket. Years from now, AB de Villiers will be known for changing the very meaning of the game. He easily makes it to every batting or fielding lists because of his enormous talent.

The Renaissance-man from South Africa is arguably the best fielder in the business. He is lightning on the field and triggers tension among the opposition batsman when the ball is played to him.

Most batsmen decide against the run, it is widely understood that his arms and shoulders are naturally gifted. He is agile, a true athlete in every sense of the world, thanks to his experience of playing multiple sports before taking up cricket. He is also one of the most feared and admired batsmen in the world today.

He used to be an outstanding wicket-keeper as well but his true athletism only came to light after he gave up the big gloves.

No one can forget when AB de Villiers destroyed Simon Katich’s coming half-century with a terrific run-out in 2006. Katich placed the ball softly to mid-off, AB quickly dived in from extra cover and makes a brilliant stop. In a unbelievable show of speed and strength, the South African captain throws the ball and hits the stumps at the non-striker’s end while rolling on the ground.

#2 Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes had throws that usually hit the stumps

When it comes to strong arms in the history of cricket, it is impossible to omit Jonty Rhodes from that list. This man was known to effect a run-out when there wasn’t any, he plucked the ball out the air when it was a certain dropper. The South African would prowl the boundaries and shoot the ball like a bullet.

In short, he was a dream to watch. In the late 90s, Rhodes made diving around the field look fashionable. South Africans are naturally fast on the field because they spend a lot of time outdoors as the climate is always pleasant. There is no monsoon or snow, giving them enough opportunity to focus on sports.

Barring cricket, Rhodes played football and field hockey. Hockey is something that pumps strength into the hands, helping him with those outrageous throws.

Between 1999-2003, he effected 15 run-outs in 94 matches at the astounding rate of 0.1595 in ODIs. No matter where Rhodes was placed in the field, he knew how to anticipate and throw the ball to make a difference to the match.

#3 Andrew Symonds

Andrew Symonds is a former Australian all-rounder who was known for his aggressive batting and exceptional fielding skills. During his playing days, this man cast a huge shadow across the point and cover region as he prowled for any loose scraps that would come his way.His deadeye-throwing arm could get batsmen hastening, when they realised that the ball had reached him. His throw from the boundary or from close would fly in to the keeper like a bullet. Not only batsmen but even wicketkeepers were wary of his enthusiastic throws because they would inevitably thud loudly into their gloves.His burly size and seemingly laconic approach was completely deceptive as he had excellent reflexes and agility. He was able to take catches well and his powerful and accuratethrowing arm was an asset to the Australian side.

#4 Colin Bland

Bland’s sensational throw for Barrington and Parks can still not be equalled

Kenneth Colin Bland was a cricketer who played for South Africa between 1961-1966-67. He originally hailed from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) which was then not a Test cricket-playing nation. Playing during the apartheid era, Bland's chief fame rested on his fielding. By common consent he was the finest cover fieldsman of his time and a great thrower of the ball.

Bland had been an all-round sportsman who had opted for cricket after he had already been offered a rugby scholarship. Like Jonty Rhodes after him, he was also a hockey player of note. He was characterised by his uncanny ability to hit the wicket whilst running at full pace, often in the opposite direction.

His throws from more than 80 metres travelled in a blink, traversing the whole distance at the level of the bails. His flying and swooping earned him the tag ‘Golden Eagle.’

His most notable throwing exploits were in a match against the English at Lord’s. His sensational running out of Ken Barrington and Jim Parks can still not be equalled.

Barrington was on 91 and England were heading towards a match-winning lead when Bland ran from mid-wicket towards mid-on and in one movement scooped up the ball and threw down the stumps at the bowler's end, much to the amazement of Barrington, who thought he could run a comfortable single.

#5 Keith Boyce

Boyce’s speed in the field was reinforced with a powerful throw

Keith Boyce was a West Indian who played 21 Tests and 8 ODIs between 1971 and 1976. Apart from being an exceptional all-rounder, Boyce was a fielder who prowled in the deep with feline ease. His sprints were express fast, his catches outstanding. Above all, he had flattest throw that has ever existed — that went like a bullet to crash into the wicketkeeper’s gloves.

There was a reason he was called Stingray.

Boyce was believed to be keen pupil who never wanted to rest. Even when he was given a match off against his wishes – he changed in the hope of fielding substitute. When the home team needed a fielder, he was on the field before the local twelfth man realised he was wanted. Such was Boyce's enthusiasm.

Blessed with unusual physical strength, the Barbadian had balance and a sense of timing. His speed in the field was reinforced with a powerful throw, During a test at Lords’ while playing for Essex, he forced the whole crowd to erupt in appreciation.

He went full pelt to cut off a certain boundary, caught it and in one movement returned the ball straight to the wicket-keeper. Had that piece of fielding been filmed, it could provide the classic instruction of the greatest throw for all time.

#6 Fanie de Villiers

This speedster from Transvaal was one cricketer that the crowds took a liking to in almost all cricket-playing nations. Fanie de Villier’s cricketing life has been a story of triumph against the odds. He grew up in Vereeniging, well away from South Africa's traditional cricketing structures, but by sheer force of talent bowled his way into the Northern Transvaal team.

His throws were legendary. He was a champion javelin thrower who won all the different age group competitions in his schooldays before switching over to cricket. His throwing from the outfield, very flat and fast without any windup, was a distinctive feature of his fielding.

He himself admitted that he wasn;t the best athlete. The South African had hurt his back while throwing the javelin and had a fusion - a surgery on his back to fuse three vertebrae. Inspite of that he had pne of the best throwing arms. He generated pace through muscle and lots of gym work, which improved the strength of his arms.

He was one of the first Afrikaaner men who broke through the system to play for South Africa and mesmerised crowds with his cricketing skills.