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10 Test teams from hypothetical draft - Choose your TOP THREE!

Which is the strongest team?

  • Total voters
    19
A

Abdullah719

T20I Captain
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
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These are the 10 teams picked by the posters in our draft. Please choose your top 3 and list them in order.

[table=class:grid][tr][td]@ahmadharis1[/td][td]@Thunderbolt14[/td][td]@maddgenius[/td][td]@freelance_cricketer[/td][td]@therealAB[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Sanath Jayasuriya[/td][td]Graham Gooch (c)[/td][td]Len Hutton[/td][td]Barry Richards[/td][td]Herbert Sutcliffe[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Saeed Anwar[/td][td]Gordon Greenidge[/td][td]Justin Langer[/td][td]Jack Hobbs[/td][td]George Headley[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Steve Smith[/td][td]Ken Barrington[/td][td]Rohan Kanhai[/td][td]Martin Crowe[/td][td]Kumar Sangakkara (wk)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Sachin Tendulkar[/td][td]Brian Lara[/td][td]Allan Border (c)[/td][td]Viv Richards[/td][td]Everton Weekes[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Virat Kohli (c)[/td][td]Michael Clarke[/td][td]Andy Flower (wk)[/td][td]Clive Lloyd (c)[/td][td]Wally Hammond[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Andrew Flintoff[/td][td]Damien Martyn[/td][td]Steve Waugh[/td][td]Alec Stewart (wk)[/td][td]Gary Sobers[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Brendon McCullum (wk)[/td][td]Alan Knott (wk)[/td][td]Tony Greig[/td][td]Kapil Dev[/td][td]Keith Miller (c)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Ravi Ashwin[/td][td]Andy Roberts[/td][td]Richard Hadlee[/td][td]Ian Botham[/td][td]Ray Lindwall[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Mitchell Starc[/td][td]Dale Steyn[/td][td]Alan Davidson[/td][td]Jim Laker[/td][td]Fred Trueman[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pat Cummins[/td][td]Curtly Ambrose[/td][td]Shane Warne[/td][td]Bhagwath Chandrasekhar[/td][td]Bill O'Reilly[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Vernon Philander[/td][td]Bishan Singh Bedi[/td][td]Dennis Lillee[/td][td]Allan Donald[/td][td]Joel Garner[/td][/tr][/table]

[table=class:grid][tr][td]@Da_Future_Knick[/td][td]@Kaddy[/td][td]@world cup captain[/td][td]@Bezli[/td][td]@Rayyman[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Virender Sehwag[/td][td]Hanif Mohammad[/td][td]Graeme Smith (c)[/td][td]Matthew Hayden[/td][td]Sunil Gavaskar[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Alastair Cook[/td][td]Clyde Walcott[/td][td]Geoff Boycott[/td][td]Gary Kirsten[/td][td]Chris Gayle[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]David Warner[/td][td]Graeme Pollock[/td][td]Ricky Ponting[/td][td]Hashim Amla[/td][td]Kane Williamson[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Rahul Dravid (wk)[/td][td]Younis Khan[/td][td]Inzamam-ul-Haq[/td][td]Jacques Kallis[/td][td]Kevin Pietersen[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Javed Miandad (c)[/td][td]Greg Chappell (c)[/td][td]David Gower[/td][td]Babar Azam[/td][td]Mahela Jayawardene[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shiv Chanderpaul[/td][td]AB de Villiers (wk)[/td][td]Adam Gilchrist (wk)[/td][td]V.V.S. Laxman[/td][td]Imran Khan (c)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Ben Stokes[/td][td]Mike Procter[/td][td]Shaun Pollock[/td][td]M.S. Dhoni (c) (wk)[/td][td]Shahid Afridi[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shakib Al Hasan[/td][td]Malcolm Marshall[/td][td]Rangana Herath[/td][td]Anil Kumble[/td][td]Mark Boucher (wk)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Wasim Akram[/td][td]Derek Underwood[/td][td]Brett Lee[/td][td]Stuart Broad[/td][td]Mitchell Johnson[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]James Anderson[/td][td]Shane Bond[/td][td]Morne Morkel[/td][td]Shoaib Akhtar[/td][td]Michael Holding[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Muttiah Muralitharan[/td][td]Glenn McGrath[/td][td]Courtney Walsh[/td][td]Mohammad Asif[/td][td]Waqar Younis[/td][/tr][/table]
 
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Team writeups

maddgenius said:
Tough Nuts

1- Sir Len Hutton
2- Justin Langer
3- Rohan Kanhai
4- Allan Border (c)
5- Andy Flower (wk)
6- Steve Waugh
7- Tony Greig
8- Sir Richard Hadlee
9- Alan Davidson
10- Shane Warne
11- Dennis Lillee


Bowling Attack

5 genuine bowling options:

2 genuine right arm quickies (Lillee & Hadlee)
1 Left arm seamer (Davidson)
1 Leg spinner (Warne)
1 offspinner or 4th seamer (Tony greig)
2 more than handy part timers (Steve Waugh & Allan Border)

Shane Warne - Needs no introduction. The Wizard. The Magician. Undisputed greatest spinner of all time. Only bowler among the Wisden's 5 cricketers of the century.

Dennis Lillee - An epitome of fast bowling. Considered to be the most complete fast bowler of all time. Pace, aggression, swing, seam, accuracy. Lillee had it all. Voted #6 in the Wisden greatest cricketer of 20th century

Sir Richard Hadlee - Original swing of Sultan. Wisden named him as the second best test bowler of all time. Carried a mediocre Kiwi team for almost 2 decades and made them compete with the best. Boasts incredible bowling stats: 436 wickets at an average of 22 with 36 5 wicket hauls and 10 10fers. Bowling average of 21 in Asia proves Hadlee was all conditions, all weather bowler who would take pitch out of the equation.

Alan Davidson 2nd best left arm pacer of all time. Some even consider him even better than Wasim. He has the lowest bowling average (20.53) among all post war pacers with 100+ wickets. Bowling average of 17 in Asia proves his versatility as a bowler.

Tony Greig He is among the rare class of bowlers who could bowl seam as well as spin and be equally good at both of them. He has six 5 wicket hauls including 5 fers in West Indies and India bowling offspin while in New Zealand bowling medium pace. So he can become either the 4th seamer or 2nd spinner in my XI according to the pitch type.

Although part timers aren't required in an ATG bowling side but it doesn't harm to mention the fact that Steve Waugh has three 5 fers bowling medium pace while Border once won a match with his SLA bowling getting 11 wickets against West Indian side that included the likes of Viv, Greenidge, Haynes, Richie Richardson.

Batting lineup

One opener and 3 middle order batsmen with 50+ average. Left hand, right hand combination all the way till #8. 4 lefties in top 8. Top batsmen/AR's selected from their respective generations. Hutton (1940's), Kanhai (1960's), Greig (1970's), Border (1980's), Waugh & Flower (1990's), Langer (2000's). Most batsmen have even better away average. Amazing batting depth with Hadlee and Davidson batting at #8 and #9 and Warne with 12 test fifties batting at #10.



1- Sir Len Hutton Globally regarded as one of the greatest openers of all time alongside Sir Jack Hobbs and Sunil Gavasker. Batting with an average of 56+ as an opener in an era of uncovered pitches is no joke. He once held the record of highest score of 364 which was subsequently broken by Gary Sobers.

2- Justin LangerAlongwith Hayden, Justin Langer formed one of the greatest opening pairs of all time. He averaged 48+ as an opener which is three points higher than his career average.

3- Rohan Kanhai Widely considered to be one of the best batsmen of 1960's. Has a much better record in Australia than the famous three W's. Sunil Gavaskar was such a fan of Rohan that he named his son after him and wrote of him "To say that he is the greatest batsman I have ever seen so far is to put it mildly."

4- Allan Border Epitome of resilience. Tough as they come. After Bradman, Border is easily among the top 5 batsmen Australia ever produced and probably the best Australian batsman against spin with an average of 54 in Asia. He was the best middle order batsman of 1980's (decade of legendary fast bowlers i.e. Marshall, Holding, Garner, Imran, Hadlee, Wasim, Kapil, Botham) with an average of 55+ and 20 hundreds which was ahead of Viv and Miandad. He averaged 60+ in 6 calendar years at his peak. 50+ average in England, Pakistan, India, New Zealand and West indies. Only batsman in history to have scored 150 in each innings of a test. Scored 50+ 90 times in his career which is the 6th most in test history (behind Sachin, Kallis, Dravid, Ponting and Chanderpaul)

5- Andy Flower Easily among the top 3 greatest wicket keeper batsmen of all time. Has the 2nd best batting average (53.7) of all time for a keeper. Only behind ABDV's 57 who only kept for a couple of years during his career. A champion cricketer who carried a minnow team like Zimbabwe and made them compete with the best. Has 50+ average in all continents barring Europe where he only played a couple of matches.

6- Steve Waugh The embodiment of true Australian grit. The ultimate fighter. Solid as a rock. Better away average than home. 2nd best middle order batsman of 1990's (only behind Sachin) with an average of 55+. After Bradman, easily among the top 5 Australian batsmen ever alongwith Border, Chappel, Ponting and Hayden. He holds the record of scoring most test centuries (24) at number 5 and the only batsman #6 batsman in history with an average of 50+ off all the batsmen scoring 3000+ runs batting at #6.

7- Tony Greig With an average of 40+, 8 hundreds and 20 fifties in his short career curtailed due to his role in Karry Packer rebellion, he's probably the best #7 of this draft. He has hundreds in Australia, England, India and West indies. Equally good batsman against both pace and spin as evident by his memorable hundred in Brisbane against fire breathing Lillee and Thomson or his hundred at Bridgetown against Holding & Roberts and a couple of hundreds in India against the spin trio of Bedi, Chandra and Prasanna. Chief architect of the famous series win in India.

8, 9 and 10 - Richard Hadlee, Alan Davidson, Warne With the batting averages of 27, 24 and 17 respectively and 2 hundreds and 32 fifties between them, these three form the strongest lower order in this draft so this is probably the only team without a tail. Even Lillee at #11 has a test 50.
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ahmadharis1 said:
ahmadharis1's XI

1. Sanath Jayasuria
2. Saeed Anwar
3. Steve Smith
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. Virat Kohli (C)
6. Andrew Flintoff
7. Brendon McCullum (WK)
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Vernon Philander
11. Pat Cummins

Introduction​

Ladies and gentlemen, I firmly believe that my XI is the best batting lineup of the entire draft. Top to bottom, every single member of my team has the batting ability to torture and wear down opposition bowlers. With a perfect mix of aggression, composure, and depth, my XI will have no difficulty putting up runs.


That's not to say my team is completely dominated by bat. I have also put together a versatile and attacking bowling lineup. Mitchell Starc, Vernon Philander, and Pat Cummins compose a strong pace trio and Ashwin is a modern bowling great. With 5 genuine bowlers and plenty of part-time options, my bowling is just as strong as my batting.

Openers
Sanath Jayasuria/Saeed Anwar​

Opening the batting are the lefty duo of Sanath Jayasuria and Saeed Anwar. These two are more than capable of balancing between classic test match batting and aggressive stroke play to keep bowlers on their toes. Jayasuria revolutionized the opening game, while Anwar is a classy fan-favorite player. With 25 test centuries between them, they form a powerful opening combination

Middle Order
Steve Smith/Sachin Tendulkar/Virat Kohli​

In my honest opinion, the best middle order of the entire draft. Coming in at 3 is Steve Smith. Already solidifying himself as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Steve Smith has made a name for himself with 26 test centuries and counting. With a famous unorthodox technique that bowlers can't figure out, even the legends will struggle to take his wicket.

Coming in at #4, the Little Master himself. The first pick of the entire draft... ladies and gentleman I present... Sachin Tendulkar. Whatever I write about this batsman will not do justice to the extraordinary talent he possesses. 51 test centuries. Almost 16,000 test runs. The greatest batsman of all time.

If you think that wasn't enough. Coming in at 5, the spiritual successor to Sachin himself, is Virat Kohli, the captain. The fiery, passionate Kohli bolsters what is already a powerful middle order. 27 test centuries and counting, his textbook technique will prove difficult for even the legendary bowlers.

Imagine being an opposition bowler facing this powerful batting lineup. If they had manage to get the openers out, in comes Steve Smith. If, by some miracle, he heads back to the pavilion, in comes the greatest batsman of all time, Sachin Tendulkar. And if that wasn't enough, standing by at #5 is Virat Kohli.

Between the three, 104 test centuries and over 30,000 runs.

Lower Order
Andrew Flintoff/Brendon McCullum (WK)​

Coming in at 6, a legendary all rounder who has won matches with the bat and ball... Andrew Freddy Flintoff. The man has made a name for himself for his starring role in the 2005 Ashes Series. With the bat, he can play the attacking role, pounding opposition bowlers after they tire bowling to the middle order. He is no sham with the ball either. The legendary Ricky Ponting himself has called him one of the best bowlers he's faced, recalling Flintoff's over to him in Edgbastonb 2005 as the ‘Best over I ever faced’

If that wasn't enough aggression for you, in at #7, the wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum. Baz has made a career for himself striking fear into the hearts of bowlers. He is the proud owner of a brutal triple century to go along with 12 test hundreds. He is also a genuine keeper who will have no trouble on that end.

Bowlers
Ravichandran Ashwin/Mitchell Starc/Vernon Philander/Pat Cummins​

The frontline bowlers of my XI form a modern day legendary bowling quartet. At #8 is Ravichandran Ashwin, already one of the greatest off-spinners of all time. With 365 test wickets to his name, Ashin has the know-how and ability to test even the greatest of batsmen.

Don't let Mitchell Starc's limited overs prowess fool you; he is a brilliant test bowler who has spearheaded Australia's attack for nearly a decade. He's a tall, pinpoint accurate bowler with a deadly yorker that can topple all batsmen.

Vernon Philander is yet another modern day great in the XI. Even without the brutal pace of Starc, he has taken 224 test wickets at an extraordinary average of 22.32. He hits the same spots consistently, testing out rival batsmen. His knowledge and experience will be handy in the bowling lineup.

Rounding out the team and bowling attack is Pat Cummins. At just 27 years old and 30 tests old, Cummins was a bit of a surprise pick in the draft, but he will prove the doubters wrong. 143 wickets at a fantastic average of 21.82 proves his ability.

The XI also has plenty of part time options with Jayasuria and Sachin Tendulkar forming a capable spin duo when needed.

Together, this versatile bowling attack is more than capable of bowling out opposition teams, at the same time being capable with the bat.
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Thunderbolt14 said:
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the best, most balanced team yet. But of course, that's for you to decide. Here it is, my Thunderstorm XI.

1- Graham Gooch (C)
2- Sir Gordon Greenidge
3- Ken Barrington
4- Brian Lara
5- Michael Clarke
6- Damien Martyn
7- Alan Knott (WK)
8- Sir Andy Roberts
9- Sir Curtly Ambrose
10- Dale Steyn
11- Bishan Singh Bedi


Openers
There is much to be said about them, and very little that needs to be said. Everyone knows who they are.

1. Perhaps we'll begin with Graham Alan Gooch. England's best post-war opener, and arguably the best opener against pace of all time. He is most famous as the best batsman to tame the famous West Indian Calypso quartet of Roberts, Garner, Holding, and spearheaded by Sir Andy Roberts. In 1991, Gooch was responsible for what Wisden now hails as the 3rd greatest Test innings of all time. Playing the likes of Ambrose, Marshall, Walsh, and Patterson with sheer skill and mastery, many to this day remember his famous 2nd innings 154 at Headingly in bad light, where the second highest English score was 27. The innings is only superseded by two others in Wisden's all time ratings: Bradman's 270, and Lara's 153*. But he wasn't just a master against pace - you'd be well equipped to refer to his mammoth 472 runs in India in 1981.

2. Sir Gordon Greenidge. Technically correct, majestic, dominating. Many refer to him as the best opener of all time next to Gavaskar. One of the integral aspects of the GOAT Calypso team, and one of their greatest match winners. More consistent than Richards and Lloyd. What devastating cuts and pulls to terrorize any bowling attack! Some would say he is the best post-war opener ever, but there is a debate to be had. I agree, Gooch too has fair claim to the title.

3-7 Batting Order
3. Ken Barrington. Barrington, Barrington, Barrington. Nobody, not a soul, has ever done better at the number 3 position since Don Bradman himself. What a magnificent player he was. With an average of 77.24, this man knew how to bat day in and day out. There are very few batsmen I would trust more than him in a time of crisis. Perhaps the greatest English bulldog after Winston Churchill. All positions combined, only 2 men (Bradman and Steve Smith) have made more than his 6800 runs at a better average. He has the highest post-WW2 English score ever in the Ashes at 256, which is also the third highest of all time. Twice made centuries in 4 consecutive tests. An epitome of consistency, and the anchor to hold my innings as the devastating likes of Greenidge and Lara play around him.

4. Where to begin with Brian Lara, the Prince of the Port of Spain? The backlift? His Mozart-esque artistry in batting or the dynamite with a fuse that never forgets to go off? The records? Should it be his maiden century of 277 against Australia? Seriously, who does that? Or should it be the highest ever score of all time at the time, 375 against England batting for two days, also known as Wisden's 10th greatest innings of all time? Maybe it's his 400, setting the record again ten years later. I digress. True cricket fans know it's none of these, but actually his fighting 153* against Australia. With WI chasing 308 after being 105 for 5, his GOAT chasing knock is rated as the 2nd best innings of all time after Bradman by Wisden. Hailed as the toughest batsman to bowl to by Murali and Akram, Lara is easily the best batsman in this draft.

5. Michael Clarke. The third best batsman at Number 5 of all time. Please note that he is a specialist number 5 bat for me, and I will ignore his performances at number 4 which no doubt influences many's initial impression of him being in such a GOAT lineup. For context, he averages 30.6 at 4 over 62 innings vs 60.8 at 5 over 110 innings. The only triple centurion ever at number 5 after Don Bradman. With 40 fifty-plus scores in 110 innings and an average of 60.8, this man played with multiple injuries as well as was forced to carry the worst Aussie side in decades. Daddy hundreds of 151 and 130 in India, 151 and 161* in South Africa, and 187 and 136 in England. I'm not even talking about his triple century and 3 double centuries at home. To do so much with a weak batting side, a man who oozes as much class as Clarke would no doubt elevate himself with the Top 4 I have already cultivated - if I may be a little humble to say it is the best Top 4 of the draft.

6. Damien Martyn. What an underrated gem. It's easy to be passed over when you're in the same team as Ponting, Hayden, and Gilchrist. Especially when you make your trade in the lower batting order. But make no mistake, Martyn was possibly the most artistic batsman in the entirety of the ATG Aussie team and the most pleasing to watch. His mastery of the offside was simply impeccable. His timing, his shot placement, square cuts through two fielders standing two yards away from each other, simply fantastic. Player of the series in 2004, in Aussie's only ever Test series victory against India in India since 1969. Yes, it's been that long. What great second innings hundreds, what a great consolidation of the middle order. That Aussie team simply wouldn't have beat India away without him. So when you talk about Aussie's horrible modern day away record and why maybe they don't deserve the number 1 position, just think about what it means that their GOAT team might not have won in India either if not for this man. Martyn is also arguably the greatest fielder in the covers of all time with the ability to manufacture run outs out of thin air. When every opposition wicket is an ATG batsman, a GOAT fielder supporting your ATG bowling attack to provide you a breakthrough can win you the match.

7. 7- Alan Knott. Forget a draft XI where ten teams are made, this man will make most all time World XIs for his skill with the glove. The greatest wicket-keeper batsman (although perhaps Gilchrist takes it as batsman-wicket keeper), this eccentric man was energetic, agile, quick on his feet, and economical in movement. I have prioritized getting a better wicket keeper than batsman because I am more than confident of my top and middle order. At this point, I must ensure that not a single opportunity, not a chance, created by my bowlers goes missing. For this reason, in my opinion, the wicket keeper is perhaps the most important aspect of the entire lineup. This was a man who stood up to the stumps to Underwood on a wet pitch, and the same to medium pacers on seam-friendly pitches. An eccentric man too, who maintained his own technique, kept his collar up, and washed his hands with warm water before going on the pitch. This man was no slob with the bat. He innovated different grips between medium pacers and fast bowlers, while he was described by team mates as "dancing around the track" to India's famous spin quartet (including Bedi and Prasanna) in Bangalore, 1977.

Before I come to bowling, I must mention that my "tail" has 7 50's between them.

Bowling Attack
New Ball: Sir Curtly Ambrose and Dale Steyn. 405 and 417 wickets respectively, with a total of 822 wickets between the pair. Wow.

Who to begin with? Ambrose, what a bowler he was. We all remember his 7/1 against an immaculate Australia in 1993. Stunning, lethal, devastating, quick, aggressive, tall. No one has arguably ever been so accurate but terrorizing at the same time. His relentless fury, awkward arm angle, and amazing bounce. Best average of all time after Marshall among pacers at 20.99. Best pacer after Marshall with an average of 16.86 in wins, with Younis, Lillee, Pollock, and Akram at 18 or more. Ambrose is simply one of the greatest Test bowlers of all time. He could single-handedly destroy an entire batting lineup, and was immensely skillful at making his deliveries awkward to play through bounce and an extra gear of pace. To put it simply, he was a master of his craft, against the best of the best batsmen.

But he's not alone, for Dale Steyn is his perfect new ball partner; complimenting Ambrose's awkward angles, Steyn's mastery of the outswinger in a batsman dominated era place him at the top of the top. He is so, so, so far ahead of the bowlers of his era. So effective, so consistent. A monster with impeccable line, length, pace, and seam position. Beautiful run up and action that is just so good to watch. Performances go beyond conquering SENA. Devastated the ATG Indian batting lineup at its peak in India... perhaps the best overseas bowler in the subcontinent of all time. No bowler has ever dominated the number one spot in Test rankings as his incredible 263 weeks between 2008 and 2014. In a time when bowlers average 34, the legendary Steyn Gun averages 22.9 at a SR of 42.4: nearly 5 wickets per match. A contender for one of the top Test bowlers of all time - definitely comes in any top 5, perhaps only behind Marshall, McGrath and Imran Khan. His ability to deliver individual match winning spells, to return and completely turn a game on its head, is second to none.

At first change, I have Sir Andy Roberts. What do Barry Richards, David Gower, Greig, Botham, Sunny Gavaskar and the Chappels all have in common? They all name the spearhead of the great Calypso attack, Sir Roberts himself, as the best they ever played against. A pioneer, leading the famous West Indian pace quartet, Andy Roberts is undoubtedly one of the greatest "thinking" bowlers to ever play the game. This legendary paceman crafted skill and painted tapestries of innovation with his use of trajectories, 2 different bouncers (slow and fast), what is said to be an incredible off cutter, and subtle variations on a masterful line and length. Removed both the Chappels off back to back deliveries. Crowe writes in his autobiography of an innings in county where Roberts brutalized him with 4 bruises to his chest. And he is also said to have knocked Botham's teeth out.

My spinner - the great Bishan Singh Bedi. The best of the Indian spin quartet. Indisputably the greatest left arm spinner ever. The great Jim Laker once described, "My idea of paradise is Lord’s in the sunshine, with Ray Lindwall bowling from one end and Bishan Bedi from the other". An aggressive personality, Bedi is one of the few spinners with the character of a fast bowler - completely ruthless, Bedi is described to have bowled with clockwork precision, computerized line and length, and weaving a web of magic deliveries around the batsmen. Would too often deceive a batsman with flight, and dominated on even the flattest of pitches.

-----

You will see that I have very precisely cultivated a balanced squad, with no holes in the lineup. My players have not just performed in all conditions, but have dominated in all conditions, in addition to masterful 4th innings abilities; I have also picked my players keeping their specific batting position and bowling role in mind. It is a highly specialized lineup, where there are few players anywhere in the world who will do better in the specific roles I have given to my players.

This was a long writeup, but I hope you enjoyed it. What do you think?
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freelance_cricketer said:
Bhaijaan XI

1. Jack Hobbs
2. Barry Richards
3. Martin Crowe
4. Viv Richards
5. Clive Lloyd (c)
6. Alec Stewart (wk)
7. Kapil Dev
8. Ian Botham
9. Allan Donald
10. Jim Laker
11. B.S. Chandrasekhar


My dear PP friends, selection of this team has been a joyous and immensely satisfying experience for me as i was able to put together a group of individuals who were always my favorite cricketing idols growing up as a fan of the game. Some of these players made me fall in love with the game and this is my little tribute to them.

The following were the underlying criteria and theme for selecting every player in the XI :-
  • Iconic stature
  • Impact value
  • Larger than life personna
  • Leadership quality


The record and stature of every player in this XI vis-à-vis his playing position needs no reiteration and i will therefore spare you the monologue.

Bhaijaan XI has successfully combined the romanticism of the old with the explosiveness of the new to create the perfect blend of Cricketing genius

This is a team of folk heroes, of icons, of legends.

We are proud to present to you, Bhaijaan XI - The Team of Champions!

X562v5V.png
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Would really appreciate your rankings [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=132062]Harsh Thakor[/MENTION] @ABfan
 
Thanks for arranging this [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]! It’s been a lot of fun :salute
 
1 [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION]
2 [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION]
3 [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]
 
Since i can't rank my own team,

1- [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]
2- [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]
3- [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]
 
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1. [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION]

2. [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]

3. [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]
 
Following on in [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION] ' example of not picking ones own team

1. [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION]
2. [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]
3. [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]
 
[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] would be appreciated if you could change my captain to Miller, was a great tactical captain that could not operate at test level due to politics
 
Thoughts on starting the ODI thread now [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION], [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION], [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION], [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]
 
therealAB said:
[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] would be appreciated if you could change my captain to Miller, was a great tactical captain that could not operate at test level due to politics
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Done.

therealAB said:
Thoughts on starting the ODI thread now [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION], [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION], [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION], [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]
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I think we should start tomorrow.
 
1 [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION] -Marshall,Mcgrath,Procter,Bond in one team:hasan2
2 [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION] -Perfectly balanced team.
3 [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]
 
therealAB said:
Thoughts on starting the ODI thread now [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION], [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION], [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION], [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]
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Please start whenever you'd like :babar
 
1 [MENTION=135989]world cup captain[/MENTION]
2 [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION]
3 [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]
 
therealAB said:
[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] would be appreciated if you could change my captain to Miller, was a great tactical captain that could not operate at test level due to politics
Click to expand...

therealAB said:
Thoughts on starting the ODI thread now [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION], [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION], [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION], [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]
Click to expand...

Watsupdoc said:
Please start whenever you'd like :babar
Click to expand...

Let's keep draft discussion to the other thread :usman
 
1) [MENTION=3224]ahmed[/MENTION]haris1 - that middle order is gun and it's full of players who on their day could take the game away.

2) [MENTION=152035]Bezli[/MENTION] - Batting is amazing with a proper keeper. Bowling is not bad either with different strengths of each bowlers.

3) [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] - Eventhough, I haven't seen most of these guys. It has some of my favorite players: Brian Lara, Michael Clarke and Curtly Ambrose.

Probably would have voted for [MENTION=135989]world cup captain[/MENTION] or [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION] at third position. But World Cup captain has one bowler too many, Shaun Pollock batting at 7 makes the tail too long.

Whereas for Rayyman Afridi took the vote away. He's basically a wasted spot in a Test All time XI :))
 
[MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]
[MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]
Iam confused for 3rd pick between [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] and [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION].
 
All the teams are very strong and its overall a great effort from all the posters in putting such strong teams. It's not as easy but I will make the picks.
My top three picks are

1. [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION]

2. [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]

3. [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]


[MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION] is my first pick because he has got the most balanced and yet the most formidable team of all. A pace bowling trio of Lillee, Hadlee and Davidson is comparable to any bowling attack trio with two of them having a batting average in mid-20s. Then you have Shane Warne who is without any doubt the greatest test spinner of all-time. Tony Greig bring his multi-dimensional skills with spin and medium pace both. On the batting front, Len Hutton, Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Andy Flower are all ATG cricketers while Kanhai, Langer and Greig(all-rounder) are country greats.

[MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] is my second pick. He has got the best batting lineup among all the picks. Jack Hobbs and Barry Richards are the greatest opening pair you can have. It doesn't get anymore bigger when you have Viv Richards coming in next,followed by Martin Crowe, Clive Lloyd, Stewart, Botham and Kapil till 8, its a formidable lineup. Jim Laker is the greatest spin bowler of all time for me after Warne and Murali. Pace bowling could have been slightly better but Bhaijaan will have two spinners bowling in tandem.

My final pick is [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]. He has got a pace bowling of Marshall, MacGrath and Bond accompanied by ATG middle order batsmen- Greg Chappell, Greame Pollock, AB de Villiers and Younis Khan and an ATG all-rounder in Mike Proctor.This was a very strong contender for top spot actually but you must have two genuine openers in your test XI. Its still a phenomenal team though.
 
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andy0204 said:
[MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]
[MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]
Iam confused for 3rd pick between [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] and [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION].
Click to expand...

You can tie them on 3rd then
 
1. [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION]
2. [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION]
3. [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]
 
1. [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION] - Mcgrath, Bond, and Marshall in one attack, that's game over and not to forget the batting.
2. [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] - A very well balanced team
3. [MENTION=142013]ahmadharis1[/MENTION] - Bowling is not so strong but the batting will always be able to pile on the runs against any opposition on any type of wickets.
 
My top 3. Very little to separate them.

[MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION] - The most balanced team in my book. An incredible bowling lineup with a pretty strong batting lineup.
[MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION] - Stunning bowling combination and a really good batting lineup.
[MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] - The strongest batting lineup. Would have ranked it higher if there was one more ATG pacer in there.
 
Oh in that case sure :afridi buddy [MENTION=149506]andy0204[/MENTION] great selection :salute
 
If tie is allowed, I will have my third pick tied with another pick.
 
For me, the following 4 are the bottom in no particular order. Too many weak links in all these lineups.
1. ahmadharis
2. da_future_knick
3. world_cup_captain
4. Rayyman

Out of the remaining 6, I will go with the following as my top 3 although it is quite hard to say why it is not the other three.

1. therealAB
2. Kaddy
3. maddgenius

Great job guys!
 
Ab Fan said:
All the teams are very strong and its overall a great effort from all the posters in putting such strong teams. It's not as easy but I will make the picks.
My top three picks are

1. [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION]

2. [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]

3. [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]


[MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION] is my first pick because he has got the most balanced and yet the most formidable team of all. A pace bowling trio of Lillee, Hadlee and Davidson is comparable to any bowling attack trio with two of them having a batting average in mid-20s. Then you have Shane Warne who is without any doubt the greatest test spinner of all-time. Tony Greig bring his multi-dimensional skills with spin and medium pace both. On the batting front, Len Hutton, Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Andy Flower are all ATG cricketers while Kanhai, Langer and Greig(all-rounder) are country greats.

[MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] is my second pick. He has got the best batting lineup among all the picks. Jack Hobbs and Barry Richards are the greatest opening pair you can have. It doesn't get anymore bigger when you have Viv Richards coming in next,followed by Martin Crowe, Clive Lloyd, Stewart, Botham and Kapil till 8, its a formidable lineup. Jim Laker is the greatest spin bowler of all time for me after Warne and Murali. Pace bowling could have been slightly better but Bhaijaan will have two spinners bowling in tandem.

My final pick is [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]. He has got a pace bowling of Marshall, MacGrath and Bond accompanied by ATG middle order batsmen- Greg Chappell, Greame Pollock, AB de Villiers and Younis Khan and an ATG all-rounder in Mike Proctor.This was a very strong contender for top spot actually but you must have two genuine openers in your test XI. Its still a phenomenal team though.
Click to expand...

Having known the rule clearly now, I would like to make one modification. It was hard to drop out [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION] team as it has some legendary players although from older eras. Hence, I will tie [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION] with [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION] team for my third spot.

His team has a devastating pace attack and Gary Sobers and Keith Miller are among the two greatest all-rounders of all-time. A truly deserving team for a spot in top 3 even considering the recency bias.
 
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I rate Test teams based on their wicket taking ability - at the end of the day, you have to take 20 wickets to win a Test. It takes 10 unplayable balls to get a side all-out and no matter how strong the batting is, no line-up can sustain relentless wicket taking threat. And, for bowling attack, more than stats, I look for the combination - how 4/5 bowlers compliment each others.

Among the teams, first I'll take out those who I don't think can win a 6 Test series - one odd Test may be, but not series. (Not in particular order)

[MENTION=152035]Bezli[/MENTION] - bro, your XI missing a match winning spinner. Kumble is great container, who was extremely effective on customized wicket, but not for every condition. That pace attck is good, but nothing special.

[MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION] - very good pace attack, but just not the complete one. Shaid Afridi as a lead Test spinner.... if you could only picked Benaud, instead.

[MENTION=135989]world cup captain[/MENTION] - none of your bowlers are ATG and none were bowling leaders for their team. Good, support bowlers, but that attack will straggle without an ATG leader

[MENTION=132969]Da_Future_Knick[/MENTION] - very good all-rounder picks, but you left too much for three bowlers. This team will crash weaker opponents, but against top teams, they'll depend on Murali bowling relentlessly from one end and Wasim, Jimmy rotation.

[MENTION=142013]ahmadharis1[/MENTION] - probably weakest bowling combination bro, most of the bowlers are condition dependent. Your team might score most number of draws I believe for the batting (& depth), but it'll be tough for them to take 20 wickets even in one out of six Tests on a good, firm, true wicket.


In the top half, I think all five teams have comparable attacks - so, now I'll look at the combination, the all-rounder (it's extremely important to have a genuine all-rounder in Test XI, basically a player who makes the XI on merit from one core skill and can contribute with other) and the batting strength as well.

[MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] - you have picked a squad with only 4 bowlers and no all-rounders. This team will struggle for the lack of 5th bowler in a 5 Day Test against top teams. Batting is good and keeping probably best.

[MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] - What an opening pair man, but can't say that for the bowling attack. Your squad has cricketers a bit of freakish - on their peak days, absolute incomparable - Viv, Botham, Kapil, Chandra, Crowe; but many of your squad are under achievers. That spin attack does excite me - but I think, you have to win toss with that squad - pace attack isn't potent enough to win a Test in first morning, if you are to bowl first.

[MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION] - what a line-up man!!! If you could just pick one top quality spinner, who wasn't dependent on condition like Underwood!!! Proctor was a fantastic pick, though not sure if he could have been the player his 7 Test's career shows. Your team'll be among the top for sure, just we have to see others more.

[MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION] - I like your team, I like it. Some of my favorites are there - Hadlee, DK, Warne, Kanhai, Tony, AB. Your squad has the most complete attack I would say - there is everything and Steve also can add with his medium pace. Batting is also among best and the Captain was one of my favorites. You just spoiled with the WK - do you really think Andy can manage the barrage of that pace attack and the guile of Warne?

[MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION] - finally, my dream squad. You have covered everything bro - may be just open with Sanga for a left-right combo, but then he is keeping, may be #3 is ok. You XI has a sexy look at it - Sir Gary, KR Miller, Wailly Hammond, Fred Trueman, Tiger O'Reilley, RR Lindwall, Sanga .... in one XI - come on, if you can handle their ego, you are the winner. And, I like your Captain - you must be a good student of the game; this guy KR Miller could have been a better Captain than Benaud - apart from tactics & playing ability, he was extremely popular among teammates and youngsters respected him probably more than the mean guy denying him Australian Captaincy - some DG Bradman.

Do you know, what makes your team stand-out to me - that guy O'Reilley, the next best thing after Warne. That bowling line-up is the most complete one - it had pace, swing, seem, spin, mystery, height and part-timers as well - you can't hide from that attack batting first or second and you simply can't clean that tail with RR Lindwall & Bill at 9/10, FGS. We are not considering impact of cross era, hence I'll rate your batting among best as well - three of the 4 ATG "H"s from pre WW2 era are in that team - Herbert, Headley, Hammond. Add, Weekes, Sobers, Miller .... even batting at 10, Ray Lindwall had two Test hundreds.



This will be my top 3 -

1. [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]
2. [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION]
3. [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]

One thing I understand that most posters couldn't evaluate that top team, because most of the players are from past - if we don't argue with the comparative quality of cricket before 1970s, that team is absolute stand-out. Just to relate, modern equivalent will be

1. Sutcliffe (Gavaskar)
2. Headley (Ponting, very similar style as well)
3. Sanga
4. Weekes (Tendulkar - almost carbon copy)
5. Hammond (Greg Chappell)
6. Sir Gary - Unique, no one ever can be compared
7. Miller - Imran
8. RR Lindwall (Dale Styen)
9. Tiger O'Reilly (Warne)
10. Trueman - (Mo Asif, of 2007 SAF tour)
11. Garner - (Mcgrath/Ambrose)
 
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[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] I agree with your analysis. In hindsight, should have compromised a bit on batting to pick a top class keeper especially with such a strong lower order that has Greig, Hadlee and Davidson at #7, #8 and #9 respectively.
 
maddgenius said:
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] I agree with your analysis. In hindsight, should have compromised a bit on batting to pick a top class keeper especially with such a strong lower order that has Greig, Hadlee and Davidson at #7, #8 and #9 respectively.
Click to expand...

Not sure what was the draft rules, but you could have picked Doujon - still, batting won’t have been much compromised, but a brilliant WK against pace. Or even Ian Healy/Latif - both decent bat and worthy of that attack.

These are teams with ATG players - margin is too small, finer issues will matter. In a 6 Test series, your bowlers will struggle with the top team of mine for this one little hole - Sanga wasn’t the best WK either, but he was a regular Test WK for close to 70 Tests & still averaged 47 as WK; Andy was a good enough LO WK, but not sure about him keeping for 4-5 sessions at one go and then come back a day later again.

Best Test teams are built on attack and the corner stone of a match winning attack is a reliable WK; otherwise your bowlers will lose confidence & heart. May be you could have appointed Tony as a Captain, but no complaints with AB either.
 
MMHS said:
Not sure what was the draft rules, but you could have picked Doujon - still, batting won’t have been much compromised, but a brilliant WK against pace. Or even Ian Healy/Latif - both decent bat and worthy of that attack.

These are teams with ATG players - margin is too small, finer issues will matter. In a 6 Test series, your bowlers will struggle with the top team of mine for this one little hole - Sanga wasn’t the best WK either, but he was a regular Test WK for close to 70 Tests & still averaged 47 as WK; Andy was a good enough LO WK, but not sure about him keeping for 4-5 sessions at one go and then come back a day later again.

Best Test teams are built on attack and the corner stone of a match winning attack is a reliable WK; otherwise your bowlers will lose confidence & heart. May be you could have appointed Tony as a Captain, but no complaints with AB either.
Click to expand...

Andy kept in 55 test matches out of 63 he played for Zimbabwe. But yes, I could have gone for a better glovesman
 
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[MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=142432]Titan24[/MENTION] [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] [MENTION=45152]Saurav[/MENTION] [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION] [MENTION=147292]RedwoodOriginal[/MENTION] [MENTION=53377]jeetu[/MENTION] [MENTION=21715]Zaz[/MENTION] [MENTION=139649]WhenSultansBowled[/MENTION]
 
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[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] you should add the poll as well just for fun’s sake even if you don’t take it into account at the end.
 
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aSObQvsjcTY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
:sa
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7viGkgbtQww" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
[MENTION=135989]world cup captain[/MENTION]'s tail is too long. [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION] almost had my vote had it not been for Afridi, and to a lesser extent Gayle. [MENTION=132969]Da_Future_Knick[/MENTION] has Dravid keeping wickets, and has a few players out of position (i.e. Chanders at 6 and Warner at 3). All 3 have superb teams otherwise, but keeping all that in mind, I vote for:

[MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION] [MENTION=3224]ahmed[/MENTION]haris1 [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION]

[MENTION=152035]Bezli[/MENTION] was a close shout for me but the bowling attack didn't quite cut it IMO.

To everyone else - great teams but I haven't had the pleasure of watching too many of those players :usman
 
Square Drive said:
[MENTION=135989]world cup captain[/MENTION]'s tail is too long. [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION] almost had my vote had it not been for Afridi, and to a lesser extent Gayle. [MENTION=132969]Da_Future_Knick[/MENTION] has Dravid keeping wickets, and has a few players out of position (i.e. Chanders at 6 and Warner at 3). All 3 have superb teams otherwise, but keeping all that in mind, I vote for:

[MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION] [MENTION=3224]ahmed[/MENTION]haris1 [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION]

[MENTION=152035]Bezli[/MENTION] was a close shout for me but the bowling attack didn't quite cut it IMO.

To everyone else - great teams but I haven't had the pleasure of watching too many of those players :usman
Click to expand...
Afridi averages 37@87

Gayle averages 43@68 with a HS of 333

It’s ok bro I know u prefer guys like :azhar2

smhhhhh
 
Thanks to everyone for participating and special thanks to those voting me top 3. Some great debate going on.


[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION], fair critiques. Bowling is definitely a weak link in my team, although they do have good records both at home and away. I think the main turning point at my draft was my 2nd and 3rd picks which were back to back. I was thinking of picking two from Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Dale Steyn. I went for the batting power when in hindsight, a prime Dale Steyn would have surely boosted my bowling especially considering the relative surplus of middle order batsmen (Mohammad Yousuf could have just as easily slotted into 5 in place of Kohli).

Regardless, I do believe my team is strong and well balanced and hope people continue to vote for me!
 
1) [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]
2) [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION]
3) [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]

I voted for Kaddy first because i think that bowling attack is the best - i mean Marshall and McGrath in one team is insane. The batting lineup is very strong also. It was close between the top 3 - all are well balanced.
 
maddgenius said:
Think we'll get a point each if there is a tie on 3rd.
[MENTION=149506]andy0204[/MENTION] Waiting for your final rankings. Need to update the standings :usman
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Can we just toss a coin :afridi1
For heads [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION],for tails [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION]. [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] please do this,I don't want to make upset anyone,I want to keep it simple::sharjeel.
 
No worries buddy. [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION] you can have the point since you are ahead in the ranking and it will help you more than me :salute
 
I do think all the posters gave a very good thought on their picks, though I am not aware of the draft rules. I think, Bradman wasn't considered in the draft as it can't happen that all 10 cricket enthusiast missed the guy.

These are the very best 110 Test players in the history of the game, still some of the stalwarts of the game are missing. Just to add spice, I thought I should add couple more teams from the rest of the pack - these are not to contest with the 10 teams in poll, rather we can consider a tribute to the wonderful cricketers that missed the cut some how, as we could accommodate only 110.

I am sure, both my teams will compete with the 10 here, particularly the first team which will surprise many teams here.

Best of the Rest: Team 1
1. VT Trumper
2. RB Simpson
3. RN Hervey
4. Mo Yousuf
5. IM Chappell
6. Q De Kock (WK)
7. CL Cairns
8. R Benaud (C)
9. Headley Verity
10. K Rabada
11. Sir Alec Bedsar

Best of The Rest: Team 2
1. Sir Frank Worrell (C)
2. Arthur Morris
3. Clem Hill
4. DC Compton
5. Mike Hussey
6. Les Ames (WK)
7. Jack Gregory
8. Saq Mushtaq
9. RGD Wills
10. Syd Barnes
11. CV Grimmett
 
MMHS said:
I do think all the posters gave a very good thought on their picks, though I am not aware of the draft rules. I think, Bradman wasn't considered in the draft as it can't happen that all 10 cricket enthusiast missed the guy.

These are the very best 110 Test players in the history of the game, still some of the stalwarts of the game are missing. Just to add spice, I thought I should add couple more teams from the rest of the pack - these are not to contest with the 10 teams in poll, rather we can consider a tribute to the wonderful cricketers that missed the cut some how, as we could accommodate only 110.

I am sure, both my teams will compete with the 10 here, particularly the first team which will surprise many teams here.

Best of the Rest: Team 1
1. VT Trumper
2. RB Simpson
3. RN Hervey
4. Mo Yousuf
5. IM Chappell
6. Q De Kock (WK)
7. CL Cairns
8. R Benaud (C)
9. Headley Verity
10. K Rabada
11. Sir Alec Bedsar

Best of The Rest: Team 2
1. Sir Frank Worrell (C)
2. Arthur Morris
3. Clem Hill
4. DC Compton
5. Mike Hussey
6. Les Ames (WK)
7. Jack Gregory
8. Saq Mushtaq
9. RGD Wills
10. Syd Barnes
11. CV Grimmett
Click to expand...

Rules were No Bradman and only post-WWI players
 
ahmadharis1 said:
Rules were No Bradman and only post-WWI players
Click to expand...

OK, but they allowed JB Hobbs, who debuted in 1909, I believe.

Anyway, so Trumper, Barnes & Clem Hill misses out. Then, replace Trumper with Arthur Morris in first team and Hill, Morris & Barnes with Bill Ponsford/Ted Dexter, Bill Lawry & Fazal Mahmood in second team.
 
maddgenius said:
Andy kept in 55 test matches out of 63 he played for Zimbabwe. But yes, I could have gone for a better glovesman
Click to expand...

Andy indeed kept Wicket for ZIM, but I think it was more for a better combination for the weak team than his gloves work. Before him, Houghton kept wicket ZIM. But, that's true for Sanga as well - kept Prassanna Jaya out of squad for a better combination. I don't think Andy was that inferior WK than Sanga, but first thing that stuck in my mind is that Andy was a compromised choice for keeping, which is a bit harsh for him indeed.

Still, your team is as good as it can be - I just went for the best squad in a constant time universe.
 
MMHS said:
OK, but they allowed JB Hobbs, who debuted in 1909, I believe.

Anyway, so Trumper, Barnes & Clem Hill misses out. Then, replace Trumper with Arthur Morris in first team and Hill, Morris & Barnes with Bill Ponsford/Ted Dexter, Bill Lawry & Fazal Mahmood in second team.
Click to expand...

I think Hobbs is ok. Debuted in 1908 but played until 1930.
 
My first pick would be [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION]. Lara, clarke and martyn makes the most aesthetically pleasing middle order of all the teams. The two G's succede as openers in probably the greatest era of fast bowling. The bowling line up is i think the most balanced of all teams. It's true that this team doesn't have an al rounder, but neither did wi of 80's and aussies of 00's, the two greatest 2 teams of all times.
I will have [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] at 2d. The only team to have 2 atg spinners making them huge fav in subcontinent. In viv, kapil and botham they have some of the most charishmatic players of all time.
For the 3d position i will choose @ Rayman's team because pace is pace yaar.😂😂
 
1) [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION]

2) [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]

3) [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]

4) [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION]

5) [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]

6) [MENTION=132969]Da_Future_Knick[/MENTION]

7) [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION]

8) [MENTION=142013]ahmadharis1[/MENTION]

9) [MENTION=152035]Bezli[/MENTION]

10) [MENTION=135989]world cup captain[/MENTION]
 
Waiting for [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION] [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] and [MENTION=40190]BoomBoomCricket[/MENTION] to rank the teams :usman
 
Some seriously strong teams :afridi

1. [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]

2. [MENTION=132969]Da_Future_Knick[/MENTION]

3. [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION]
 
Just tagging some of the posters who are online right now.

Guys, please add your votes here. Just need to list your top 3 teams from the ones in OP.

Would like a few more people to add their thoughts before we wrap it up and declare a winner.

[MENTION=139190]Adijazz1706[/MENTION] [MENTION=143844]Adz1223[/MENTION] [MENTION=2551]ahmedzee[/MENTION] [MENTION=139150]aliasad1998[/MENTION] [MENTION=143344]babajee[/MENTION] [MENTION=151352]Babu Bhaiya[/MENTION] [MENTION=40952]Batman[/MENTION] [MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION] [MENTION=151956]Bigboii[/MENTION] [MENTION=141093]big_gamer007[/MENTION] [MENTION=20160]Corridor of Uncertainty[/MENTION] [MENTION=146773]Cric92[/MENTION] [MENTION=77086]cric_man[/MENTION] [MENTION=39455]cynical[/MENTION] [MENTION=10164]Deewana Mastana[/MENTION] [MENTION=87494]Dominant[/MENTION] [MENTION=136983]Fantasy[/MENTION] [MENTION=144683]Forum363[/MENTION] [MENTION=151679]Forward Defensive Push[/MENTION] [MENTION=144551]Geil[/MENTION] [MENTION=149733]Haider123[/MENTION] [MENTION=148759]HappyWarsFan[/MENTION] [MENTION=142117]hisham_ashraf[/MENTION] [MENTION=139981]HitWicket[/MENTION] [MENTION=147605]Invincible Gujjar[/MENTION] [MENTION=140337]Kaptan[/MENTION] @KB [MENTION=150009]Knight_Rider[/MENTION] [MENTION=140593]kris3012[/MENTION] [MENTION=139164]MABA[/MENTION] [MENTION=137118]Mir jibran[/MENTION] [MENTION=137804]msb314[/MENTION] [MENTION=141847]NauV[/MENTION] [MENTION=149716]raashidkhan89079[/MENTION] [MENTION=152021]Rajdeep[/MENTION] [MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION] [MENTION=1596]razorman[/MENTION] [MENTION=135839]Smbhayi[/MENTION] [MENTION=139975]The_Odd_One[/MENTION] [MENTION=152120]TrentDevil[/MENTION] [MENTION=135388]TSA321[/MENTION]
 
1. [MENTION=132969]Da_Future_Knick[/MENTION]
2. [MENTION=135989]world cup captain[/MENTION]
3. [MENTION=152035]Bezli[/MENTION]

I started watching cricket in 2000s so my voting is biased to teams which has recent players as I have simply no idea on teams like [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION] [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION] [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]
so sorry as i never heard the names of some of the players in your team

though I am not a fan of comparing eras as they simply cant be compared because the game was different in the past and has changed a lot now in present, though I would ideally like to see an era draft team not the all time draft team , just my opinion
 
[MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION]
@bezil [MENTION=132969]Da_Future_Knick[/MENTION]
 
Abdullah719 said:
Just tagging some of the posters who are online right now.

Guys, please add your votes here. Just need to list your top 3 teams from the ones in OP.

Would like a few more people to add their thoughts before we wrap it up and declare a winner.

[MENTION=139190]Adijazz1706[/MENTION] [MENTION=143844]Adz1223[/MENTION] [MENTION=2551]ahmedzee[/MENTION] [MENTION=139150]aliasad1998[/MENTION] [MENTION=143344]babajee[/MENTION] [MENTION=151352]Babu Bhaiya[/MENTION] [MENTION=40952]Batman[/MENTION] [MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION] [MENTION=151956]Bigboii[/MENTION] [MENTION=141093]big_gamer007[/MENTION] [MENTION=20160]Corridor of Uncertainty[/MENTION] [MENTION=146773]Cric92[/MENTION] [MENTION=77086]cric_man[/MENTION] [MENTION=39455]cynical[/MENTION] [MENTION=10164]Deewana Mastana[/MENTION] [MENTION=87494]Dominant[/MENTION] [MENTION=136983]Fantasy[/MENTION] [MENTION=144683]Forum363[/MENTION] [MENTION=151679]Forward Defensive Push[/MENTION] [MENTION=144551]Geil[/MENTION] [MENTION=149733]Haider123[/MENTION] [MENTION=148759]HappyWarsFan[/MENTION] [MENTION=142117]hisham_ashraf[/MENTION] [MENTION=139981]HitWicket[/MENTION] [MENTION=147605]Invincible Gujjar[/MENTION] [MENTION=140337]Kaptan[/MENTION] @KB [MENTION=150009]Knight_Rider[/MENTION] [MENTION=140593]kris3012[/MENTION] [MENTION=139164]MABA[/MENTION] [MENTION=137118]Mir jibran[/MENTION] [MENTION=137804]msb314[/MENTION] [MENTION=141847]NauV[/MENTION] [MENTION=149716]raashidkhan89079[/MENTION] [MENTION=152021]Rajdeep[/MENTION] [MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION] [MENTION=1596]razorman[/MENTION] [MENTION=135839]Smbhayi[/MENTION] [MENTION=139975]The_Odd_One[/MENTION] [MENTION=152120]TrentDevil[/MENTION] [MENTION=135388]TSA321[/MENTION]
Click to expand...
[MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=132062]Harsh Thakor[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=97523]Buffet[/MENTION] [MENTION=133315]Hitman[/MENTION] [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] [MENTION=53377]jeetu[/MENTION] [MENTION=21715]Zaz[/MENTION] [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION]
 
I havent ranked teams yet and truth me told I'm having a really tough time doing so. So many players I haven't heard of! I'd have done much better in the ODI draft
 
1. [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]
2. [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]
3. [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION]

These 3 are the best teams in my opinion. Difference between the three is very minute, on a different day I would have rated these three different. However, these are easily the top 3 teams.

Well done guys.
 
1. [MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]
2. [MENTION=98188]madgenius[/MENTION]
3. [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]

I pick these three.
 
Current Standings

Update-4.png

[MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION] [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION] [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] [MENTION=132969]Da_Future_Knick[/MENTION] [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION] [MENTION=135989]world cup captain[/MENTION] [MENTION=152035]Bezli[/MENTION] [MENTION=142013]ahmadharis1[/MENTION]
 
[MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION]. That batting line is murderous and the bowling utterly ferocious.
 
[MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]'s team is absolutely stacked, hard to not rank it as the best from all these lineups. [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION]'s team is not far behind though.

1. [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]
2. [MENTION=134789]maddgenius[/MENTION]
3. [MENTION=132969]Da_Future_Knick[/MENTION]
 
1. [MENTION=151884]Kaddy[/MENTION]
2. [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION]
3. [MENTION=152035]Bezli[/MENTION]
 
[MENTION=151648]therealAB[/MENTION] team is clearly the best imo.

Kaddy team is also good, but in an all time 11 you need to pick specialist openers. Walcott was never an opener. Also you need to pick a specialist keeper. Or someone who was not a part timer like AB.

Also a big crime that someone like Abdul Qadir is not selected, but Afridi is selected.
 
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