If you thought the world only drooled over 'Ash' and 'Sush', think again.
Three members of the Indian squad -- Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan -- have been voted into a World Hunks' eleven by women cricket buffs in South Africa, not on the basis of their statistics, as vital as they are, but their sex appeal.
Wasim Akram heads the hotlist for those "slightly louche, bad-boy looks which promise delightful wickedness".
The poll was conducted by The Star newspaper, which asked women to name by phone or e-mail their favourite hunks.
The women had this to say about Dravid:"Despite lacking a chin, Dravid is an Indian pin-up with a huge fan following. His versatility on the field -- as wicketkeeper and batsman -- suggests inventiveness off it too. Women would relish being driven up "The Wall".
On Sachin: "The legendary Master Blaster is every bowler's nightmare and every maiden's dream, but both genders quake before his prowess. A small perfectly formed package who is gorgeous, whether grimacing or grinning."
And Zaheer got this accolade: "Dark and handsome with curly hair and an attractive face, Zaheer Khan, with his muscular frame and sweet smile, got into the side. A 'reserved extrovert', there are depths to be plumbed."
The others who made the hotlist were Stephen Fleming, Alok Kapali, Makhaya Ntini, Corey Colleymore, Craig White, Brett Lee and Chris Cairns. The stand-bys were: Shane Warne, Adam Holliaoke, and Ramnaresh Sarwan.
The women, whose findings were reported by Zinaide Jones, had this to say about each of their choices.
Stephen Fleming (New Zealand): "Everything about him is perfect -- the hair, the twinkly eyes, the luscious lashes, and the strong jaw, the lean body. A real man, the kind you could take home and be sure that he would win over both your mother and your father."
Alok Kapali (Bangladesh): "Delicious dimples, kissable lips and broad shoulders -- he has all that. What's more, he may be a bully with a bat but to the women he seems soft-spoken, gentle and quite biddable."
Makhaya Ntini (South Africa): "He has dips and curves in the most extraordinary places on that ripped body. Exploring their dimensions would keep the women occupied or hours. The real reason he polled so many votes was the sight of him lifting weights topless in recent newspaper photos."
Corey Colleymore (West Indies): "He may not be the moon and the stars but when he smiles he eclipses the sun -- a real toothpaste cover boy with seductive eyes and great bone structure."
Brett Lee: "Not quite a hunk yet, but a wood chip with potential. The blond bombshell is enormously popular among the tweenie set, but serious cricket lovers love him for his long run-up and his blistering pace."
Chris Cairns: "Rugged, strong and macho, Cairns has a sweet sensitive side too."
The inclusion of Craig White in the list is proof that there is no account for taste. Even though he was born in Australia, the 33-year-old looks like a typical Englishman. He has the look of a hard man, which probably appealed to those who appreciate a bit of rough and tumble.
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