1970-94 XI v 1995-2020 XI in Test cricket - Who will win?

[Harsh Thakor]

I am pitting World XI'S of 1970-94 and 1995-2020 against one another in test cricket

1970-94
Sunil Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Viv Richards
Greg Chappell
Javed Miandad
Ian Botham/Gary Sobers
Alan Knott (W)
Imran Khan(C)
Malcolm Marshall
Dennis Lillee
Abdul Qadir




1995-2020
Virendra Sehwag
Saed Anwar/Matthew Hayden
Ricky Ponting (C)
Brian Lara
Sachin Tendulkar
Jacques Kallis
Adam Gilchrist (W)
Shane Warne
Wasim Akram
Curtly Ambrose/Dale Steyn
Glen Mcgrath


The contest would be at a razor's edge,with hardly a whisker separating the 2 sides.The 1995-2020 team has a more potent,and diverse bowling attack blending the variation sof Wasim with the accuracy of Ambrose and Mcgrath and variety of Shane Warne. 1970-94 side has more all-rounders like Imran,Botham or Marshall.The middle order is more or less equal with lara,Sachin,Ponting and Kallis about on par with Viv,Greg,Javed and Sobers.1970-94 definitely has abetter opening pair in Sunny and Barry.

Chose Miandad as though Border had a better overall record,Javed niggled opponents more who prized his wicket more than anyone.Chose Botham as Sobers was not as explosive with both bat and ball from the 1970's as Botham was at his best,coming to the end of his career.

I would back 1995-2020 team to win in test cricket considering level of athleticism or fitness in the game and relative strike rate.The match-winning prowess of Warne and Gilchrist with the flair of Wasim and Lara could well be the determining factor.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

The technical weakness of the 1995-2020 openers is the only opening that Marshall, Imran and Lillee need to scythe through the batting order. Maybe Cook and Langer/Hayden would be more solid for them to withstand the initial burst.

However, the fast bowlers of 1995-2020 are rock solid and will be a fascinating battle between Curtly, Wasim and Glenn against Barry and Sunny. Battle for the ages. Can't even imagine how good that would be!

 

[Ab Fan]

1970-1994

Botham completely in, Sobers completely out
Bedi in, Qadir out
Hadlee in, Lillee out

1995-2020:-

Openers:- Graeme Smith, Matthew Hayden
Rest agreed.

90s post will win. Far more destructive batsmen at 7 and a legendary spinner (in comparison, the other team has weaker spin options)

 

[therealAB]

Smith >> Ponting already re team selection. Just performed in more conditions.

Border > Miandad as well. Comparatively Miandad was a home track bully. You talk about niggle opponents, does that make Warner > Smith?. Please respond to this as you did not last time

Sobers shouldnt be available for selection.

Hadlee >> Lillee, just a vastly better bowler. Qadir shouldn't be anywhere near the team as well, if a spinner must be picked pick Bedi. Qadir average 47 outside of SC

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Smith >> Ponting already re team selection. Just performed in more conditions.

Border > Miandad as well. Comparatively Miandad was a home track bully. You talk about niggle opponents, does that make Warner > Smith?. Please respond to this as you did not last time

Sobers shouldnt be available for selection.

Hadlee >> Lillee, just a vastly better bowler. Qadir shouldn't be anywhere near the team as well, if a spinner must be picked pick Bedi. Qadir average 47 outside of SC

Miandad was not as good as Border to bat for your life but morally more combative .Opponents prized his wicket more than Border.Hadlee was better on a green top but not as versatile as Lillee,who gave outstanding performances even on unhelpful tracks like Melbourne in 1979-80 or Oval in 1972.Why do batsmen like Viv,Chappell brother and Barry Richards rate Lille at the top?Also see the views of Viv and Lillee on Miandad.

Sobers was not at his best but still a worthy competitor of you asess performances from 1970-74.I preferred Botham as he wa sat his peak from 1977-82,turning games more than any cricketer.

Qadir foxed batsmen better than anyone of his time -ultimate magician.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Please participate here [MENTION=113824]Nikhil_cric[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Please participate here [MENTION=113824]Nikhil_cric[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

I would definitely take the team from 1995 - 2020 simply for its varied bowling attack. You have the greatest left arm fast bowler, greatest leg spinner, arguably the best skiddy fast bowler and a metronomical seam and bounce merchant. A very complete attack. Not to mention having Gilchrist at 7 is a massive advantage.

 

[sweep_shot]

1995-2020 should win. They have a slight edge thanks to be more battle hardened.

 

[Robert]

I am pitting World XI'S of 1970-94 and 1995-2020 against one another in test cricket

1970-94
Sunil Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Viv Richards
Greg Chappell
Javed Miandad
Ian Botham/Gary Sobers
Alan Knott (W)
Imran Khan(C)
Malcolm Marshall
Dennis Lillee
Abdul Qadir




1995-2020
Virendra Sehwag
Saed Anwar/Matthew Hayden
Ricky Ponting (C)
Brian Lara
Sachin Tendulkar
Jacques Kallis
Adam Gilchrist (W)
Shane Warne
Wasim Akram
Curtly Ambrose/Dale Steyn
Glen Mcgrath


The contest would be at a razor's edge,with hardly a whisker separating the 2 sides.The 1995-2020 team has a more potent,and diverse bowling attack blending the variation sof Wasim with the accuracy of Ambrose and Mcgrath and variety of Shane Warne. 1970-94 side has more all-rounders like Imran,Botham or Marshall.The middle order is more or less equal with lara,Sachin,Ponting and Kallis about on par with Viv,Greg,Javed and Sobers.1970-94 definitely has abetter opening pair in Sunny and Barry.

Chose Miandad as though Border had a better overall record,Javed niggled opponents more who prized his wicket more than anyone.Chose Botham as Sobers was not as explosive with both bat and ball from the 1970's as Botham was at his best,coming to the end of his career.

I would back 1995-2020 team to win in test cricket considering level of athleticism or fitness in the game and relative strike rate.The match-winning prowess of Warne and Gilchrist with the flair of Wasim and Lara could well be the determining factor.

I would be inclined to drop Sobey who was near the end.

Gavaskar
Greenidge
Sir Viv Richards
Chappell G
Border
Imran (c)
Knott (w)
Sir Richard Hadlee
Marshall
Lillee
Underwood

 

[Harsh Thakor]

I would be inclined to drop Sobey who was near the end.

Gavaskar
Greenidge
Sir Viv Richards
Chappell G
Border
Imran (c)
Knott (w)
Sir Richard Hadlee
Marshall
Lillee
Underwood

Which team would you back to win?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

I would be inclined to drop Sobey who was near the end.

Gavaskar
Greenidge
Sir Viv Richards
Chappell G
Border
Imran (c)
Knott (w)
Sir Richard Hadlee
Marshall
Lillee
Underwood

Which team would you back to win?1970 -1994 or 1995-2020?

 

[sweep_shot]

1995-2020 should win. They have a slight edge thanks to be more battle hardened.

Being*.

I also want to add that present generation of cricketers play three different formats and hence are much more innovative/creative. So, they have a clear edge.

 

[Robert]

Which team would you back to win?

Difficult. Olds have the stronger top three but the weaker four to seven. Fast bowling has not much in it. On a seamer, Lillee and Hadlee would be hard and Unders would dominate later. On a drier track Imran and Wasim cancel each other out, but I might give it to the News as they have Warne.

But Knott might decide it with blindingly quick stumpings.

 

[MMHS]

Please participate here [MENTION=113824]Nikhil_cric[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

From the earlier team, I’ll drop Javed & Botham for AB & Hadlee, with Bedi as 12th man, just in case they decide to play two spinners on turners - Lillee will miss out in that case.

In second team, I’ll drop both optional openers and play Smith with Ponting - Smith comes at No. 6, with Kallis promoted to 3. Smith leads the side as well. I’ll pick Ambi over Styen and pick Murali as 12th man - if they go for two spinners on a drier surface, Ambi misses out; his record isn’t great in Pakistan, don’t think he ever played in India.

In a 6 Test series, I’ll go 3-2 for the veterans with one draw/wash-out; otherwise 4-2. The game of Test cricket was at it’s peak in between 1970s to 2000 and the first team has some of the finest Test players from in history. Do the same for ODI, I would go with the later team, but Test players of 70s, 80s & 90s were the most skilled and perfect for for that game; which gradually is diminishing.

 

[therealAB]

Miandad was not as good as Border to bat for your life but morally more combative .Opponents prized his wicket more than Border.Hadlee was better on a green top but not as versatile as Lillee,who gave outstanding performances even on unhelpful tracks like Melbourne in 1979-80 or Oval in 1972.Why do batsmen like Viv,Chappell brother and Barry Richards rate Lille at the top?Also see the views of Viv and Lillee on Miandad.

Sobers was not at his best but still a worthy competitor of you asess performances from 1970-74.I preferred Botham as he wa sat his peak from 1977-82,turning games more than any cricketer.

Qadir foxed batsmen better than anyone of his time -ultimate magician.

Morally?? lollol. Miandad says that fixers should be hung so not too moral. Border carried Aus' batting for most of his career, he was def the more prized wicket

Hadlee more versatile that Lillee, great record in Subcontinent

Those batsmen mentioned were more of Lillee's era. He also made a greater impression on them as he bowled to them when they were younger.

Given that Qadir had a SR in the 70's, he didn't outfox batsmen that often. He may have been a agician but underwood, Bedi, Chandra were way more effective

 

[Harsh Thakor]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] plead your contribution also [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

 

[Harsh Thakor]

From the earlier team, I’ll drop Javed & Botham for AB & Hadlee, with Bedi as 12th man, just in case they decide to play two spinners on turners - Lillee will miss out in that case.

In second team, I’ll drop both optional openers and play Smith with Ponting - Smith comes at No. 6, with Kallis promoted to 3. Smith leads the side as well. I’ll pick Ambi over Styen and pick Murali as 12th man - if they go for two spinners on a drier surface, Ambi misses out; his record isn’t great in Pakistan, don’t think he ever played in India.

In a 6 Test series, I’ll go 3-2 for the veterans with one draw/wash-out; otherwise 4-2. The game of Test cricket was at it’s peak in between 1970s to 2000 and the first team has some of the finest Test players from in history. Do the same for ODI, I would go with the later team, but Test players of 70s, 80s & 90s were the most skilled and perfect for for that game; which gradually is diminishing.

Is not 1995-2020 bowing attack better or more diverse with Wasim,Warne ,Ambrose and Mcgrath?Fielding standards not better as well as strike rate? batting not on par with Sachin,Lara,Kallis and Smith with likes of Sunny ,Greg and Viv.Does not the 1995-2020 taem have more match-winners like Warne and Gilly?Appreciate response. Do also name your 2 teams kindly.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

1970-1994

Botham completely in, Sobers completely out
Bedi in, Qadir out
Hadlee in, Lillee out

1995-2020:-

Openers:- Graeme Smith, Matthew Hayden
Rest agreed.

90s post will win. Far more destructive batsmen at 7 and a legendary spinner (in comparison, the other team has weaker spin options)

Very valid criticisms and suggestions.However remember that Lillee was more hostile and versatile than Hadlee with the greatest batsmen like Barry,Viv and Chappell brothers rating im at the top.Remember Deennis at Melbourne v England in 1979-80 or at the Oval in 1972.Hadlee often became defensive or benighn on flat surfaces lacking Lillee's armoury.

Bedi may have been better but could not equal Qadir's wizardry.

Appreciate your point on Botham-the complete all-round cricketer and match-winner

 

[therealAB]

My teams:

Early:

Richards
Gavaskar
Richards
Chappell
Border (c)
Proctor
Imran
Knott
Hadlee
Marshall
Bedi

Play to the strength with the allrounders who are also ATG bats

2nd team:
Greenidge
Boycott
Crowe
Miandad
Clive Lloyd
Greig
Marsh
Botham
Lillee
Underwood
Garner

Modern:

Hayden
Smith
Lara
Smith
Tendulkar
Kallis
Gilchrist
Warne
Donald
Ambrose
McGrath

Wasim doesn't get in based purely off post 1995

2's
Sehwag
Kirsten
Ponting
Dravid
Steve Waugh
Sangakarra
Prior
Pollock
Wasim
Walsh
Murali

 

[Ab Fan]

Very valid criticisms and suggestions.However remember that Lillee was more hostile and versatile than Hadlee with the greatest batsmen like Barry,Viv and Chappell brothers rating im at the top.Remember Deennis at Melbourne v England in 1979-80 or at the Oval in 1972.Hadlee often became defensive or benighn on flat surfaces lacking Lillee's armoury.

Bedi may have been better but could not equal Qadir's wizardry.

Appreciate your point on Botham-the complete all-round cricketer and match-winner

As a bowler, Hadlee is simply better. Lillee was more hostile and destructive just like Waqar was to Donald. But overall, Hadlee is among the top 3-4 fast bowlers of all-time. Lillee is slightly below.

Qadir has a pathetic away record and even worse overseas stats. Just because he is a classical leg spinner doesn't mean by default he becomes the best spinner. Murali, Bedi, Kumble, Saqlain and Chandra are all better and more successful than him.

The best Pakistani spinner should always be Saqlain Mushtaq because he stood up and won his country matches against the greatest spin playing team and has a relatovely good away record also. That version is probably better than any Asian spinner. Unfortunately, the longevity part goes against him.

I agree on Botham's part but didn't noticed that you can actually go with Imran at 6 and have both Lillee and Hadlee in your team. So, that is also an alternative.

 

[Mueez]

1970-1994 team should win.

And that is because of the West Indies touch.

Monster team.

I wouldn’t like to bat against prime Marshall, Imran and Lillee.

Not to forget Sir Gary Sobers and Abdul Qadir.

 

[MMHS]

Is not 1995-2020 bowing attack better or more diverse with Wasim,Warne ,Ambrose and Mcgrath?Fielding standards not better as well as strike rate? batting not on par with Sachin,Lara,Kallis and Smith with likes of Sunny ,Greg and Viv.Does not the 1995-2020 taem have more match-winners like Warne and Gilly?Appreciate response. Do also name your 2 teams kindly.

Fielding of the older team is not only better it's worth one extra man better - remember, this is Test cricket; I don't bother much about the fancy staffs of modern fielding; what matters is the catching ability of WK, 3 slips, a gully & a forward short leg. Knott, Greg, Viv, AB, B Richards & Gavaskar in that older - bring me a better catching unit.

Bowling of the younger team might be versatile, but not more penetrative. The fifth bowler for the younger team is Jaques, for older team is Hadlee or DK Lille - one Shane Warne isn't enough to cover that. Overall combination Marshall, Imran, Hadlee, Lille & Qadir...... is better.

I put it this way - make a team from combined team at least 5 players will come from the older bunch - Viv, Sunny, Imran, Marrshall & BA Richards and I'll pick Greg over anyone from modern team bar Lara. On Keeping skills, you can put Knott ahead of AG, while most Aussies will rate DK over McGrath, I do and as a total package, Hadlee was better than Mac/Ambi, par with Wasim. From the younger team, only four players are certain to start in a Test game - Lara, Wasim, Gilchrist & of course Warne.

This will be my combined XI

SG
BAR
Viv
Lara
Greg
+Gilchrist
*Imran
Hadlee
Wasim
Marshall
Warne
------------
Jacques