Good, quick and bad running between wickets

Rahul Dravid's runout yesterday was perhaps the only way he could have been dismissed - but that dismissal brought about a thought in my mind about the various kinds of runners in cricket. Now Dravid is definitely not a quick runner, but does that necessarily make him a bad runner?

Broadly speaking, there are two qualities that you need as a runner - judgement and speed. A combination of both is ideal, but if you could pick one area you would rather pick judgement over speed - cuz you can run like a hare but if you judge poorly, either you or your partner could be in serious trouble.

Here are a few categories in my opinion (please note, no stats were examined - I think mere number of run outs does not tell any story - circumstances and actual video evidence is key especially with run outs):

The quickies who judge well:

Dean Jones was probably the first to really showcase the benefits of quick running - well, to me anyway. His running between wickets was breathtaking, and really showed up the skill deficiencies in the Indians at that time (I am talking late 80s early 90s). He also seemed to judge the run quite well, knowing when to not run, and aware of his partner's ability as well. In the 90s, Michael Bevan was the absolute undisputed champion of running between wickets. His speed was dramatic - converting 1's to 3's, and backing his swiftness to make the impossible run. Jadeja was good for India, and so was Azhar (except for one notable incident in Sharjah). Ricky Ponting is very good (Pratt notwithstanding!). Tendulkar is not in the super-fast league, but is quick enough, and is a good judge of a run.

The 'reckless' speedster:

I have no stats to back me up on this one, but I stick my neck out and say that Jonty Rhodes was not the best judge of a run. Boy he was quick, but probably not the smartest. I remember him diving way too often to make his ground - a good runner does not need to do that, and his partner's heart rate would surely have gone up with Jonty at the other end. You want to focus on your batting, and not about when to take off for the next risky single!

The sage:

These blokes are good judges, but sometimes lack the speed to back their judgement. Dravid fits in nicely here - he has the willingness to take quick singles, knows where the fielders are, but sometimes does not have the momentum or the athleticism to make it to the other end on time.

The plodder:

There are a few here - the poor athletes who can't even judge if they can sneak one or not. Inzy obviously tops this - he is a real plodder. Ganguly and Laxman are disastrous as well, and Steve Waugh has been involved in a few dismissals where judgement went awry.

The amusing/annoying:

Srinath and Kumble are the stars of this category. Their running (especially when together in the middle) was hilarious. Srinath's mid-pitch confabulations/hand shaking with Raju in WC 1992 is stuff of legend. Ranatunga must surely deserve the award for most annoying runner. His ambling/waddling across 3/4ths of the pitch went against the first principle of running - to run the first run hard no matter what. He did that right through WC 1996, annoying me to death.

Category: Cricket