April's Hero of the Month

As always on the first day of the month, I offset the cynicism and mockery of the previous day's Pillock Poll by offering a vote on who has turned in an impressive performance in the previous four weeks of so. And generally that poll gets far fewer votes than the one for fools and eejits, which proves some sort of point. Anyway, the previous heroes in this poll have been Adam Gilchrist, the England women and Ryan Sidebottom. Who will join them from this list of three bowlers and three batsmen?

Ravi Bopara Yes, I admit I'm a cheerleader for the Essex all-rounder but his early-season form is proof that sometimes being dropped by England can help your career. In four completed innings for Essex this season he has made 499 runs, with two centuries and a 99, and he has two chances to earn his England spot back tomorrow against the New Zealanders at Chelmsford and for England Lions against the same opponents next week.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul Ten runs needed for the West Indies to beat Sri Lanka with one wicket in hand and two balls remaining - and Chaminda Vaas, no slouch, bowling them. Chanderpaul is not fazed: he smears a four through mid-off and then wallops a full toss for six. Easy.

Matthew Hoggard Like Bopara, he has responded well to being dropped by England. In his first game for Yorkshire, he took eight wickets against Hampshire, with six for 57 in the first innings, to set up an innings win. Gets bonus points too for his contempt for one-day cricket. After not being selected for Yorkshire's next 50-over game, Hoggy said: "The white ball can take a jump as far as I'm concerned. It means I can spend the day with my family instead of watching the rain."

Brendon McCullum His innings of 158 off 73 balls for Kolkata in the first IPL match eventually became rather dull as six followed yet another six, but as far as making your mark in the most expensive event in cricket history goes, the New Zealander wicketkeeper grasped his chance and throttled it. He has been nominated for this once before, losing the the England women.

Glenn McGrath and Mohammad Asif For reminding those watching the IPL that it's not just about big-hitting. In eight overs together for Delhi against Deccan Chargers, McGrath and Asif conceded just 41 runs against the supposedly explosive likes of Gilchrist and Symonds. McGrath even had a maiden - bringing his tally to a tournament-leading two in four matches. Might is keeping it tight, as they don't say in the IPL.

Dale Steyn Back to the start of the month for this one and Steyn's cheap five-for, conceding 23 runs, helped to bowl India out for 76 in, rather appropriately for this day and age, precisely 20 overs and continue. But this wasn't a Twenty20 game or even an ODI, but a Test match. It is rare to see bowlers destroy a batting line-up, so Steyn definitely is worth considering.

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Comments

[Patrick Kidd]

Sorry you are aghast Rahul, but perhaps that is because Sehwag's 300 was made in March rather than April. And I included it in last month's poll, although it only came second:

http://timesonline.typepad.com/line_and_length/2008/04/who-is-marchs-h.html

[Rahul]

I am sorry but I am absolutely aghast at this list..How can VIRENDER SEHWAG be missing in this list???? The 300 scored was the most thrilling piece of batting seen by anyone in decades!