Dravid Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Michael Kasprowicz, who grew into a respected Test bowler after starting his state career as a smiling 17-year-old, will retire after Queensland's one-day match against Western Australia at home on February 16. One of the game's most popular players, Kasprowicz will leave as Queensland's most prolific wicket-taker - he currently has 501, 38 more than his great friend Andy Bichel - and a valued contributor to Australian cricket over the past three decades. In a collection of fine achievements, Kasprowicz's greatest is probably the recovery from injuries as a result of the 2006 boot camp. He hurt his back during the bonding exercises, then suffered a groin problem and delivered only eight balls for Queensland before hurting his leg. It was his lowest season but he remained in good spirits, jokingly claiming the break as long-service leave. Further problems hampered him this summer and the constant battle to regain fitness has resulted in him walking away. He has appeared in four first-class matches since coming back, taking 11 wickets at 35.09, and collected five victims in five FR Cup matches. Kasprowicz, who has two young children, is 36 on Sunday and his exit opens the way for a new breed of Queensland bowlers. He has played 114 first-class games for Queensland and also had county stints with Essex, Leicestershire and Glamorgan, where he honed his skills and frightened batsmen with his under-estimated pace. Consistent performances for the domestic sides ensured he was never far from being mentioned in selection meetings and he was constantly to-ing and fro-ing into the national side. In 43 Tests he picked up 113 wickets at 32.88, although his figures were better than they read. Five-wicket hauls came at The Oval, where he recorded a career-best 7 for 36 in 1997, Bangalore, Darwin and Perth, showing his versatility. He also appeared in 43 ODIs and the country's first two Twenty20 internationals. Link to comment
Dravid Posted February 7, 2008 Author Share Posted February 7, 2008 what is upwith all the retirements lately?:| i have no prob with this oz, one of the few good ones.. Link to comment
fineleg Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Teamplayer, a workhorse - well played Kaspa! Kumble like in attitude, if not in wickets. Link to comment
Dhondy Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Please Sriram, not another eulogy, followed by change in avataar. Link to comment
Ram Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 ^ :D, No Doc, not this time.... Link to comment
talksport Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 :haha::haha::haha: Oh Why, did he retire before a Subcontinental Tour. Selectors could have picked him, you never know. I blame IPL :D Link to comment
Online Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 The only memory I have of Kasprowicz is of Sachin dancing down the track and carting him over mid wicket for six in Sharjah :D Link to comment
kumble_rocks Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Kaspo is the Munaf Patel of Australia ... had his moment of glory but faded into oblivion later. Decent bowler nevertheless. Link to comment
Rajan Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 i remember sachin toying with him in the 2-1 win series, in india. kasper won the bangalore test for aussies by bowling well in the second innings. he was not a threat like gillespie or Mcgrath,but sachin always played kasper very disdainfully. he filled in whenever the big guns had injury. came across as an honest trier. Link to comment
apocalypse Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Against India his economy rate is 5.19 while is overall economy rate is 4.51 in ODI Link to comment
apocalypse Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Similarly in Tests his Strike Rate against India is 91.42 while is overall SR is 63.19 Link to comment
coffee_rules Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 So the friendly ghost goes! Link to comment
Anakin Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 The only memory I have of Kasprowicz is of Sachin dancing down the track and carting him over mid wicket for six in Sharjah :D And Kaspa cursed something like "not that **** again" if not mistaken. Link to comment
arkay Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 He certainly was a great workhorse. Sachin has a great regard for him even though he was on top of him. Link to comment
King Tendulkar Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 what an average player, is he really worthy of a thread. its like the aussies doing a thread on agarkar retirement. Reminds cant wair for the day I hear of the bombay duck calling it a day Link to comment
Gambit Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Only the second Aussie fast bowler in the last 40+ years to have a match winning 5fer in India. Link to comment
Ram Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Like some one had pointed out earlier, he was a honest trier. His last ball of the day will as quick as the first ball of the day. Link to comment
Holysmoke Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Sachin destroyed his career :finger: Link to comment
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