Russel Arnold

Infobox Cricketer


nationality = Sri Lankan
country = Sri Lanka
country abbrev = SL
name = Russel Arnold
Nickname =
picture = cricket no pic.pngbatting style = Left-handed batsman (LHB)
bowling style = Right-arm off break (OB)
balls = true
tests = 44
test runs = 1821
test bat avg = 28.01
test 100s/50s = 3/10
test top score = 123
test overs = 1334
test wickets = 11
test bowl avg = 54.36
test 5s = -
test 10s = -
test best bowling = 3/76
test catches/stumpings = 51/-
ODIs = 180
ODI runs = 3950
ODI bat avg = 35.26
ODI 100s/50s = 1/28
ODI top score = 103
ODI overs = 2157
ODI wickets = 40
ODI bowl avg = 43.47
ODI 5s = -
ODI 10s = -
ODI best bowling = 3/47
ODI catches/stumpings = 48/-
date = May 2
year = 2007
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/48122.html

Russel Premakumaran Arnold (born October 25, 1973, Colombo) is a former Sri Lankan cricketer of Tamil descent. Arnold made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1997 and his One day international debut against South Africa later in the year. Originally an opening batsmen, Arnold has since moved down the batting order. He is most famous in the pearl island as a utility and very versatile- making him ideally suitable for the limited over version of the game. However when he started his career, he was seen primarily as a solid top order batsmen where he impressed against Australia during the AIWA cup of 1999, as well as the subsequen test series against them, where he batted at no. 3. Failure in the 2003 Cricket World Cup saw him sidelined for many months. However, he fought his way back into the side with a string of good scores in domestic cricket for his club, Nondescripts. A calm and cool player in a crisis situation, Arnold has dragged Sri Lanka out of many sticky situations. He is highly valued for his gritty qualities and is considered an unselfish team man. He is considered an ideal No. 6; he is a good fielder and can bowl useful off breaks as well. He is a methodist Christian and speaks Tamil [http://specials.rediff.com/cricket/2003/jul/18arnold.htm?zcc=ar] as does Muttiah Muralitharan. Nicknamed "Rusty" by Roshan Mahanama and Pramodya Wickramasinge, due to it being a very common nickname for the name Russel, and also it complemented his batting style as tough and durable- though not really pretty.

During April 2007 he announced, through team manager Michael Tissera, a shock to Sri Lankan cricket that he intended to retire from the international cricketing scene after the World Cup final. He cited that the pressure of too much travel as his reason. Others to retire in the world cup include - Anil Kumble, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Brian Lara and Glenn McGrath.

He is currently playing in Sydney grade cricket in Australia. He made 148.

Career highlights

*"Statistics correct as of 26 January 2006"

Test cricket

*Debut: 1st Test, Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan, Colombo, April 1997.
*Highest score: 123 vs. Pakistan, Lahore, March 1999.

One-day cricket

*Debut: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa, Lahore, November 1997.
*Highest score: 103 vs. Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, December 1999.

External links

* [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/48122.html Cricinfo Player Profile: Russel Arnold]