Bob's Top 10

Bob Willis picks out his top 10 memories of the cricketing decade... topped off by his ultimate favourite.

Bob Willis picks his top 10 Moments of the Decade

With the decade at an end, skysports.com has assembled its Noughties' Hot 100 - a century of stand-out sporting moments. It covers all sports, but seeing as we have so many experts to call on, we asked our commentators and columnists to come up with their very own Top Ten from their sport. And they have picked out one Moment of the Decade, their own personal highlight and why, from the decade - but do you agree? Here, former England fast bowler Bob Willis gives his selection, in chronological order...

Laxman inspires India - March 2001

Much as JP Duminy and Dale Steyn would do for South Africa in 2008, VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) combined to transform the second Test against Australia in Kolkata in March 2001 with a magnificent 376-run partnership. Their efforts helped India to become only the third team to win a Test match after following on as Harbhajan Singh wrapped up a famous 171-run victory.

Tugga puts on a show - January 2003

There was an unbelievable sense of theatre as Steve Waugh smashed Richard Dawson for four to reach his hundred off the final ball of day two of the fifth Test at the Sydney. Written off by some before the Test, the innings epitomised what Steve Waugh as all about - a real gutsy campaigner. If the odds were stacked against him you'd usually back him to come out on top. England did all they could to stop him hitting it for four but he managed it anyway.

Lara leads the way (again) - April 2004

Will anyone ever surpass Brian Lara's unbeaten 400 against England at Antigua? That depends on how much flatter Test pitches get! To reclaim the best Test score of all time after Matthew Hayden eclipsed his 375 was an incredible feat and what made it all the more special for me was that I commentated on the 400th run. The lasting memory of that innings was his amazing ability to miss fielders in an orthodox way.

Stunning South Africa - March 2006

Not that many one-day internationals stick in your mind like great Test matches do but South Africa's incredible one-wicket victory over Australia at Johannesburg in March 2006 definitely does. For one side to score over 400, as the visitors did, was exceptional but for South Africa to chase down a target of 435 in the last of their 50 overs was quite extraordinary. The way the ball disappeared that day was a Twenty20 vision.

A magician at work - December 2006

Shane Warne was imperious during the 2006/07 Ashes, none more so than in the second Test at Adelaide. With the match seemingly heading for a draw, England froze in Warne's headlights and inexplicably collapsed from 69-1 to 129 all out. The spinner's 4-49 not only won the Test but the series because England were completely deflated after that and went on to an ignominious 5-0 defeat.

Yuvraj's Broad-side - September 2007

The improvisation shown by India's Yuvraj Singh as he splattered Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over at the 2007 World Twenty20 was incredible. A modern, top-class bowler has plenty of variations - changes of length, line and pace - but he managed to compute all of that in his brain and smack every ball over the rope. Some went so far that they deserved to be 12.

Partnership inspires Proteas - December 2008

Many of the great Tests have seen sides recover from a position where they looked down and out and that was the case in Melbourne in 2008, when JP Duminy and Dale Steyn, shared a match-winning partnership of 180. Days after helping the Proteas claim a stunning victory in the first Test, newcomer Duminy (166) and Steyn again turned the tables setting the platform for a nine-wicket victory.

Flintoff Lord's it - July 2009

It was a long time coming - 75 years in fact - but England finally broke their hoodoo and beat Australia at Lord's thanks to a terrific spell of bowling from Andrew Flintoff on the final day of the second Ashes Test. As a fellow pace bowler Flintoff's unselfish performance when he was not fully fit was close to my heart even if his herculean effort probably did finally wreck his knee for good!

Jayawardene stand delivers - November 2009

This is one for the statisticians: Mahela Jayawardene's 351-run stand with Prasanna Jayawardene in November's first Test against India in Ahmedabad was a Test record for the sixth-wicket - even if it did result in one of the most boring Tests of all time! Mahela is no stranger to the record books after putting on 437 with Thilan Samaraweera in February's first Test against Pakistan in Karachi.

Bob Willis' Moment of the Decade

The iconic image of Andrew Flintoff bending down to console Brett Lee and shake his hand after England's thrilling two-run win in the Edgbaston Test rightly went around the world because those few seconds summed up exactly what this great game is all about - giving everything for your country but never sacrificing sportsmanship in the pursuit of victory. Do you agree with Bob's selection? Let us know by filling in the feedback form below...