Top 5 selfish cricketers and unsportsmanlike acts

• Brian Lara- West Indies

The prince as he was called is undoubtedly one of the greatest cricketers of all time. The classy and stylish left handed West Indian batsman without a doubt was a marvel to watch when in full flow. One of the biggest criticisms, in his career though was when he was on many occasions thought to be selfish captain and played for his own cause rather than the team. In 2004 after losing the home series to England, he had a chance to revitalize his team and lead them to a morale boosting win. Instead he chose to play for his record and score 400 runs, which is a noteworthy feat but a selfish one.

• Steve Waugh-Australia

Steve Waugh is possibly the grittiest ever cricketers to have played the game. He was one of the greatest ever middle order batsmen to have played the game. Be it test matches where Australia were in trouble and he had to bat for a draw or bat with the tail or in one day internationals , chase a total from a tricky position, Waugh has also been at the end of the criticism stick. Many have called him out on his baggy green obsession, while others have questioned him on his involvement with hundred plus run out dismissals that he was a part of.

• Steve Smith-Australia

Australia has produced really enterprising and top batsmen of each generation. Steve smith along with Kohli, Root and Williamson is considered to be in the top four of this era. Smith as a captain has been called selfish, be it his in famous “Brainfade” moment in the Indian tour of 2017 or his involvement in the 2018 sand paper controversy, his captaincy tenure has been tarnished with him being labeled selfish for trying to preserve his own image rather than the image of Australian cricket team on the whole.

• Hansie Cronje- South Africa

The South African captain was known to be a fair and no fear captain’s of his generation. He led South Africa with integrity for most part of his career. Cronje was seen as someone who was a great ambassador of the game, till the turn of the new millennium where he was implicated in the biggest scandal the game has ever seen. His selfish attitude saw him not only pull his stellar career into the abyss of match fixing but also take along with him, some of the most talented cricketers tumbling with him.

• Geoffrey Boycott- England

Former English opening batsman and captain was one of the best test batsmen of his era. He still is one of the most opinionated commentators to this day. His former cricketing colleagues though rate him has a very selfish player and captain who played for his own records. His penchant to score runs at a snail’s pace and running between wickets is the stuff that legends still like to speak about. In his heyday he managed to kick up a lot of storm and divide opinions.