Best Players in History: Cricket

The first step to understanding a sport is to know the basics of the rules. The specifics can be learned as you go as long as you grasp the general structure. The second step is to learn about the greats. This will immerse you more in the culture of the sport, the fandom.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India-batsman): He holds many records: the leading run-scorer in both Test and One Day Internationals (ODIs), the most centuries in both formats, and the most Man-of-the-Match awards (62) in ODIs. We has also been a member of several champion World Cup teams.

2. Don Bradman (Australia-batsman): With a batting average of 99.94 in Test cricket, his record is unlikely to be broken. He holds the records for the highest career batting average, highest number of centuries, and highest batting average in a series. He was also captain.

3. Viv Richards (West Indies-batsman): He was a key member of the fearsome West Indian team of the 1970s and 1980s. He captained the West Indies to their first ever World Cup victory in 1975 and still holds the record for the fastest Test century.

4. Wasim Akram (Pakistan-bowler): He has been one of the most successful match-winners in the history of cricket. He holds the record for most wickets in ODIs, and is the only bowler to have taken 500 wickets in both Tests and ODIs.

5. Shane Warne (Australia-bowler): He holds the record for most wickets in Tests and also has the most Man-of-the-Match awards in Tests. He was a key member of the Australian team that won the 1999 World Cup.

Of course, everyone has their own opinion of what makes someone great. But these gentleman were the face of the game in their respective playing days and on the 'must know' list.