ডগ বলিঞ্জার

Such was Australia's coffer of riches in fast bowling that a fast bowler of Doug Bollinger's caliber couldn't be a regular for a long period of time. A bustling left-arm pacer who loved to hit the deck, he could also swing the ball which made him a precocious commodity. Having debuted in the domestic circuit during the 2002-03 season, it took time for Bollinger to develop from a raw fast bowler to a finished product. The high competition for spots in the Australian team in the 2000s meant that Bollinger never really got a long run although he was fairly regular from 2009-11. His numbers across all three formats were impressive in the brief stint that he had. In fact, one glance at them and you would wonder how he didn't play more for the country.

The 2009-11 phase was not only Bollinger's best time in international cricket but also in terms of gaining fame. He got picked up in the IPL by the Chennai Super Kings and played a pivotal role in the team's title wins in 2010 and 2011. His fiery pace and aggression added a new dimension to the team's bowling attack while his extremely jovial character off the field made him a popular figure within the franchise and its fans. A lukewarm 2012 season and injuries saw him getting unsold at the 2013 auctions. Injuries also hurt his international career, robbing him of a spot in the 2011 World Cup squad. With the next generation pacers stepping up, Bollinger's international comeback plans were diminishing. Since 2011, he hadn't represented Australia in any formats until 2014 when he got picked for the World T20, only to be dropped thereafter.

Bollinger continued to be a key figure in the domestic circuit and the BBL as he strove for a return to the national side. The Sydney man also spent a considerable amount of time in England for Worcestershire and Kent over the years which helped him polish his skills. With the chances of an international comeback virtually over and age catching up, Bollinger decided to retire from all forms of the game in February 2018. For his incredible spirit as a cricketer and his fun-loving persona, he is always remember fondly by all those associated with Australian cricket. He loved to liven up the atmosphere in the team and was always a favorite of his mates. His famous nickname was 'Doug the Rug' because he had to transplant his hair after being bald initially.

By Hariprasad Sadanandan