Best XI in Test cricket consisting of players from the last 40 years

[Harsh Thakor]

These are my best test xi's for period from 1977

1st XI

1.Sunil Gavaskar
2.Barry Richards
3.Viv Richards
4.Brian Lara
5.Sachin Tendulkar
6.Jacques Kallis
7.Adam Gilchrist
8.Imran Khan
9.Richard Hadlee
10.Wasim Akram
11.Shane Warne


2nd X1
1.Gordon Greenidge
2.Virendra Sehwag
3.Ricky Ponting
4.Greg Chappell
5.Alan Border
6.Kumar Sangakaara
7.Ian Botham
8.Malcolm Marshall
9.Dennis Lillee
10.Glen Mcgrath
11.Muthiah Murlitharan

The 1st xi benefits from the non -existence of any tail with all the last 4 proficient batsmen.The 2nd xi has marginally better pace bowling but has a long tail.Brilliant all-rounders combination in 1xt xi,choosing Imran and Hadlee instead of Lillee and Marshal.Virtual photo-finish between Marshall and Imran foe 1st xi.Chose Hadlee not only because of batting skill but also because his phenomenal control was a perfect foil for the seam or movement of Wasim and Imran.Hadlee's prowess as a batsmen won him a place instead of Glen Mcgrath.

 

[The Googly]

No way I agree with Hadlee in 1st XI ahead of the West Indian greats, McGrath , Waqar and Donals. Replace Hadlee with Marshall and you're sorted.

I'm also now starting to rate Sangakarra over Gilly.

My first XI would be same as your apart from

- Greenidge ahead of his Hampshire colleague Barry Richards. A great player but Greenidge for me.

- Sangakarra ahead of Gilly

- Marshall ahead of Hadlee.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

No way I agree with Hadlee in 1st XI ahead of the West Indian greats, McGrath , Waqar and Donals. Replace Hadlee with Marshall and you're sorted.

I'm also now starting to rate Sangakarra over Gilly.

My first XI would be same as your apart from

- Greenidge ahead of his Hampshire colleague Barry Richards. A great player but Greenidge for me.

- Sangakarra ahead of Gilly

- Marshall ahead of Hadlee.

Appreciate your point of view but just examine Hadlee's phenomenal performance as a bowler where he has 330 scalps in 60 tests in his peak period at a strike rate of around 19 .Bearing the brunt of a weak bowling attack unlike Imran I give Richard the edge in peak era over Imran.Hadlee has 36 5 wkt.hauls and 7 1owkt hauls.Hadle also has match-wining hundreds against teams like West Indies.Would he not be a great accomplice with his great control and accuracy to the versatility and movement of Wasim?Fast-medium but on a green top more lethal than anyone.

Gilly more of a match-winner than Sanga,in the Viv Richard's mould.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Just to clarify I have chosen Imran in 1st xi because of his great leadership qualities and chose him to lead 1st xi.Best skipper of his era.That is why Marshall missed out in 1st team or even Lillee .

 

[The Googly]

Appreciate your point of view but just examine Hadlee's phenomenal performance as a bowler where he has 330 scalps in 60 tests in his peak period at a strike rate of around 19 .Bearing the brunt of a weak bowling attack unlike Imran I give Richard the edge in peak era over Imran.Hadlee has 36 5 wkt.hauls and 7 1owkt hauls.Hadle also has match-wining hundreds against teams like West Indies.Would he not be a great accomplice with his great control and accuracy to the versatility and movement of Wasim?Fast-medium but on a green top more lethal than anyone.

Gilly more of a match-winner than Sanga,in the Viv Richard's mould.

Let's agree to disagree.

Sport divides opinions.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Utterly subjective as usual:

1. Gavaskar
2. Sehwag
3. Ponting
4. Lara
5. Richards
6. Imran (c)
7. Gilchrist
8. Wasim
9. Warne
10. Marshall
11. Lillee

 

[The_Odd_One]

1. Gavaskar
2. Richards
3. Ponting
4. Tendulkar
5. Lara
6. Kallis
7. Gilchrist
8. Marshall
9. Akram
10. Warne
11. Steyn