Harmy's decline is nothing compared to Hansie's spectacular downfall

In 2005, Steve Harmison was being described as “the most feared fast bowler in the world”. Constantly tormenting opening batsmen, his searing pace and devilish bouncers were parts of his game that most bowlers could only dream about.

Fast forward to England’s ill-fated Ashes tour of Australia in 2006-07 and the figure who once petrified opposition batsmen was being laughed out of the Gabba, bowling an horrendous wide with the opening ball that rather set the tone for a series to forget for the Durham man. His loss of form and fall from prominence has been spectacular, but there is an international cricketer whose plummet from favour was even more incredible.

Wessel ‘Hansie’ Cronje had tasted international cricket at the age of 21 and was South Africa’s permanent captain by 26. A useful bowler as well as a commendable batsman, his averages of 36 in Tests and 38 in ODIs are at the upper end of the spectrum. He had played his part in South Africa’s biggest ever victory, scoring a century in an innings-and-208-run win over Sri Lanka, and seemed to have the cricketing world at his feet.

Cronje is South Africa’s record captain in terms of both appearances and victories in ODIs and Tests. His record places him as the third most successful national captain in cricket’s history. Yet, for many, his name will conjure only images of the mark on his career that tainted his memory permanently.