Two best World XIs of last 50 years in Test cricket?

[Harsh Thakor]

These are my best world XI's excluding all cricketers who played before 1970.

1st XI

Tendulkar
Gilchrist (W)
Viv
Lara
Steve Smith
Botham
Imran (C)
Warne
Marshall
Wasim
Mcgrath

Chosen Tendulkar to open because of great ODI record as an opening batsmen, who I feel would be most effective and could facilitate entry of more great middle order batsmen.Gilchrist chosen as he wast he most explosive batsmen and best match-winner of his day,who proved prowess as opener in limited overs cricket.Viv was the most intimidating of all and best against pace.Lara singlehandedly won games more than any great batsmen as well as bore crisis for the weakest of batting sides like none else.Steve Smith's batting stats were simply mind boggling.Imran came close to perfection as a cricketer as few did being an outstanding captain and I would choose him to lead this side.Warne re-defined the role of a leg spinner and was the ultimate match-winner of his day.Marshall took the biodynamics of pace bowling to metaphysical pproportions ,unsurpassed by a right arm fast bowler.Wasim took the art of pace bowling to a height of divinty traversing regions unexplored.Mcgrath exhibited greater control and intelligence than any bower I ever saw .

The most important cutting edge here is the match-winners like Viv,Gilchrist , or Warne and the supreme talent of Wasim,Lara , or Marshall.Also ofcourse the impact of Tendulkar and Imran,2 of the most complete cricketers in the history of the game.No doubt Botham wa s the ultimate match-winner at his best and thus preferred to Kallis.




2nd XI
Gavaskar
Barry
Ponting (c)
Jacques Kallis
Greg Chappell
Miandad
AB Devilliers (w)
Hadlee
Lillee
Ambrose
Murlitharan


Ponting would lead my 2nd XI who displayed mastery in rekindling Australia into a side of world beaters and at his best matched strides with Lara and Sachin .Gavaskar broke all the batting records facing the greatest pace bowlers ever.Barry selected as he was a great match-winner and more destructive than Gavaskar or Greenidge.The batting records of Greg Chappell speaks for itself. Kallis statistically wast he best ever all-rounder and was the best batting all-rounder of last half century.Devilliers virtually gave a new dimension to batting resembling an acrobat .Hadlee on a green top was arguably the best ever bowler.No paceman was more complete of agressive as Lillee.Ambrose surpassed any fast bowler for sheer accuracy and relentlessness.Murli statistically was the best bowler of all.Miandad would be the ultimate batsmen in a crisis who could niggle opponents more than Border.

 

[Junaids]

Excluding all players pre-1970 has rightfully not excluded Richards - it you should then include Pollock and Procter.

1. Barry Richards
2. Gordon Greenidge
3. Jacques Kallis
4. Graeme Pollock
5. Viv Richards
6. Kumar Sangakkara (wk)
7. Mike Procter
8. Imran Khan (c)
9. Malcolm Marshall
10. Wasim Akram
11. Shane Warne

I’d love to have had Tendulkar or Lara but ultimately there are only 3 middle order slots and Kallis gets one due to his bowling and catching. And Viv and Pollock were better than Lara and Tendulkar.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Excluding all players pre-1970 has rightfully not excluded Richards - it you should then include Pollock and Procter.

1. Barry Richards
2. Gordon Greenidge
3. Jacques Kallis
4. Graeme Pollock
5. Viv Richards
6. Kumar Sangakkara (wk)
7. Mike Procter
8. Imran Khan (c)
9. Malcolm Marshall
10. Wasim Akram
11. Shane Warne

I’d love to have had Tendulkar or Lara but ultimately there are only 3 middle order slots and Kallis gets one due to his bowling and catching. And Viv and Pollock were better than Lara and Tendulkar.

Great team .Appreciate selection.Why not Gilchrist or Devilliers who were great match-winners?Also no Botham who was the ultimate man to turn games?Why not Gavaskar instead of Greenidge?

Like your 2nd XI also.

 

[NishanKonar]

70s & 80s World XI

Sunil Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Greg Chappel
Viv Richards
Alan Border
Alan Knott
Imran Khan
Malcolm Marshall
Denis Lilee
Bishen Bedi
Abdul Qadir

Post 90s XI

Alaistair Cook
Graeme Smith / Sehwag
Steve Smith
Brian Lara
Sachin Tendulkar
Jacques Kallis
Adam Gilchrist
Dale Steyn
McGrath
Shane Warne
Wasim Akram / Curlty Ambrose

( Keeping Murali out for his action )

 

[Junaids]

Great team .Appreciate selection.Why not Gilchrist or Devilliers who were great match-winners?Also no Botham who was the ultimate man to turn games?Why not Gavaskar instead of Greenidge?

Like your 2nd XI also.

De Villiers was close but I didn’t have enough left-handers.

Gilchrist I think was a less reliable batsman than Sangakkara.

Second eleven:

1. Sunil Gavaskar
2. Graham Gooch
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Brian Lara
5. Sachin Tendulkar
6. Ian Botham (1977-81)
7. AB De Villiers (wk)
8. Shakib-al-Hasan
9. Richard Hadlee
10. Dennis Lillee
11. Joel Garner

 

[Harsh Thakor]

De Villiers was close but I didn’t have enough left-handers.

Gilchrist I think was a less reliable batsman than Sangakkara.

Second eleven:

1. Sunil Gavaskar
2. Graham Gooch
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Brian Lara
5. Sachin Tendulkar
6. Ian Botham (1977-81)
7. AB De Villiers (wk)
8. Shakib-al-Hasan
9. Richard Hadlee
10. Dennis Lillee
11. Joel Garner

Very good team.Balanced.Why no Curtly Ambrose or Glen Mcgrath-the most relentless of all pace bowlers?Never seen a more craftier or intelligent fast medium bowler as Mcgrath or a more accurate or hostile pace bowler like Curtly.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

70s & 80s World XI

Sunil Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Greg Chappel
Viv Richards
Alan Border
Alan Knott
Imran Khan
Malcolm Marshall
Denis Lilee
Bishen Bedi
Abdul Qadir

Post 90s XI

Alaistair Cook
Graeme Smith / Sehwag
Steve Smith
Brian Lara
Sachin Tendulkar
Jacques Kallis
Adam Gilchrist
Dale Steyn
McGrath
Shane Warne
Wasim Akram / Curlty Ambrose

( Keeping Murali out for his action )

Very good selections.appreciate.Which team would win-Post 90's or 70s and 80's ?

 

[Ab Fan]

Excluding all players pre-1970 has rightfully not excluded Richards - it you should then include Pollock and Procter.

1. Barry Richards
2. Gordon Greenidge
3. Jacques Kallis
4. Graeme Pollock
5. Viv Richards
6. Kumar Sangakkara (wk)
7. Mike Procter
8. Imran Khan (c)
9. Malcolm Marshall
10. Wasim Akram
11. Shane Warne

I’d love to have had Tendulkar or Lara but ultimately there are only 3 middle order slots and Kallis gets one due to his bowling and catching. And Viv and Pollock were better than Lara and Tendulkar.

Haha ), basically Junaids trolling Indians..

He picks a 41 averaging Greenidge over 51 averaging Gavaskar who has scored not just more test runs but Gavaskar also faced the Windies attack while Greenidge facing an attack of Kapil Dev and nobodies.

 

[NishanKonar]

Very good selections.appreciate.Which team would win-Post 90's or 70s and 80's ?

The 70s & 80s should win. Slightly stronger bowling. 5 specialist bowlers versus 4 in Post 90s plus 1 support bowler ( Kallis ) . But again post 90s team has stronger batting due to Kallis & Gilchrist over Imran & Knott

So should be close & marginal between the 2 teams

 

[Junaids]

Great team .Appreciate selection.Why not Gilchrist or Devilliers who were great match-winners?Also no Botham who was the ultimate man to turn games?Why not Gavaskar instead of Greenidge?

Like your 2nd XI also.

Very good team.Balanced.Why no Curtly Ambrose or Glen Mcgrath-the most relentless of all pace bowlers?Never seen a more craftier or intelligent fast medium bowler as Mcgrath or a more accurate or hostile pace bowler like Curtly.

Ambrose, Garner and McGrath are clones - you can only pick one in an attack.

I just think that Garner was fractionally better than Ambrose and McGrath. Van Der Bijl was the best of the lot, but he’s not eligible in this thread!

 

[sindhiboy]

Sunil Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Sachin Tendulkar
Viv Richards
Gary Sobers
Jacques Kallis
Adam Gilchrist
Imran Khan
Wasim Akram
Shane Warne
Malcolm Marshall

 

[NishanKonar]

Haha ), basically Junaids trolling Indians..

He picks a 41 averaging Greenidge over 51 averaging Gavaskar who has scored not just more test runs but Gavaskar also faced the Windies attack while Greenidge facing an attack of Kapil Dev and nobodies.

On a diff note - the hype about South AFricans of 70s is nauseating. Its unfortunate that they missed their careers due to apartheid ban but in hindsight look at how over hyped * over -glorified they are - largely on basis on that 1 series against Australia in 1969-70. even that Australia team was not really world beating team. Their talisman fast bowlers were Graham McKenzie & Alan Connolly both of whom played their last test 1 year later. They had 1 spinner John Gleeson who played grand total of 29 tests for Australia. Barry Richards & Graeme Pollokc scored tons of runs against this attack. We often talk how Gavaskar scored against below par West Indies pace attacks but somehow that logic never applied to runs scored by Barry & Pollock in this series. Plus South Africa were playing at home with favorable pitches & home umpires ( everyone knows how neutral they were in those days )

No way Barry, Pollock , Proctor or Eddie Barlow wud have have got so much hype that they actually played regular test cricket in all cricket nations. We really donno for sure how good they wud have been against India spinners in India. Or against Richard Hadlee in NZ on those green seaming pitches where even West Indies never won test series in 80s.. Or against Roberts & Andy Holding on under-prepared pitches in Kingston / Bridgetown

Example -- Zaheer Abbas scored 274 in his debut series against England at Edgbaston. Imagine if he never played test cricket again , based on his county record we wud have hailed him as greatest batsman of 70s . But we know he was not so great against west indies pace bowlers or against Denis Lilee in australia

ps : Sunil Gavaskar scored 774 in his debut series against WI in an away series. Imagine if he never played test cricket again . Do u think he wud have been seen in same league as Barry Richards. Really doubtful

 

[Ab Fan]

On a diff note - the hype about South AFricans of 70s is nauseating. Its unfortunate that they missed their careers due to apartheid ban but in hindsight look at how over hyped * over -glorified they are - largely on basis on that 1 series against Australia in 1969-70. even that Australia team was not really world beating team. Their talisman fast bowlers were Graham McKenzie & Alan Connolly both of whom played their last test 1 year later. They had 1 spinner John Gleeson who played grand total of 29 tests for Australia. Barry Richards & Graeme Pollokc scored tons of runs against this attack. We often talk how Gavaskar scored against below par West Indies pace attacks but somehow that logic never applied to runs scored by Barry & Pollock in this series. Plus South Africa were playing at home with favorable pitches & home umpires ( everyone knows how neutral they were in those days )

No way Barry, Pollock , Proctor or Eddie Barlow wud have have got so much hype that they actually played regular test cricket in all cricket nations. We really donno for sure how good they wud have been against India spinners in India. Or against Richard Hadlee in NZ on those green seaming pitches where even West Indies never won test series in 80s.. Or against Roberts & Andy Holding on under-prepared pitches in Kingston / Bridgetown

Example -- Zaheer Abbas scored 274 in his debut series against England at Edgbaston. Imagine if he never played test cricket again , based on his county record we wud have hailed him as greatest batsman of 70s . But we know he was not so great against west indies pace bowlers or against Denis Lilee in australia

ps : Sunil Gavaskar scored 774 in his debut series against WI in an away series. Imagine if he never played test cricket again . Do u think he wud have been seen in same league as Barry Richards. Really doubtful

They are rated because of their performance in WSC also. But I agree with your points. The South Africans who played are underrated like Donald or Pollock or Smith while the ones who didn't are rate highly.

For me, Gavaskar is the best test opener in last 50 years and the second one is not even close. It's a completion for second spot between Smith, Hayden, Greenidge, Cook and Sehwag.

 

[NishanKonar]

Even the performances in WSC should be scrutinized. I think Barry Richards faced the famed West Indies pace attack only 1-2 times in " Supertests ".

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Sunil Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Sachin Tendulkar
Viv Richards
Gary Sobers
Jacques Kallis
Adam Gilchrist
Imran Khan
Wasim Akram
Shane Warne
Malcolm Marshall

Great team but Sobers really does not belong to pat 50 years No player before 1970 . In these teams.Do make a list with a replacement Kindly,

 

[Srtfan]

Team A
Sunny
Kallis
S smith
Sachin
Lara
Viv
Gilly
Marshall
Steyn
Murli
McGrath

Team B
G smith
Hayden
Ponting
Dravid
Kohli
Imran
Sanga
Hadlee
Warne
Ambrose
Lillee

 

[Ab Fan]

Great team but Sobers really does not belong to pat 50 years No player before 1970 . In these teams.Do make a list with a replacement Kindly,

Last 50 years my Team:-

Sunil Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Viv Richards
Sachin Tendulkar
Brian Lara
Adam Gilchrist (wkt)
Imran Khan
Richard Hadlee
Wasim Akram
Shane Warne
Malcolm Marshall

2nd team

Graeme Smith
Mathew Hayden
Ricky Ponting
Greg Chappell
Jacques Kallis
Kumar Sangakkara (wkt)
Ian Botham
Dale Steyn
Muttiah Muralitharan
Curtly Ambrose
Glenn McGrath

3rd team

Virender Sehwag
Gordon Greenidge
Rahul Dravid
Javed Miandad
Steve Waugh
Allan Border(c)
AB de Villiers (wkt)
Shaun Pollock
Michael Holding
Allan Donald
Waqar Younis

 

[therealAB]

[MENTION=132062]Harsh Thakor[/MENTION]

ABdV as keeper over Gilchrist. Gilchrist a significantly better keeper

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Very much wish you participation here [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=65183]freelance_cricketer[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Last 50 years my Team:-

Sunil Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Viv Richards
Sachin Tendulkar
Brian Lara
Adam Gilchrist (wkt)
Imran Khan
Richard Hadlee
Wasim Akram
Shane Warne
Malcolm Marshall

2nd team

Graeme Smith
Mathew Hayden
Ricky Ponting
Greg Chappell
Jacques Kallis
Kumar Sangakkara (wkt)
Ian Botham
Dale Steyn
Muttiah Muralitharan
Curtly Ambrose
Glenn McGrath

3rd team

Virender Sehwag
Gordon Greenidge
Rahul Dravid
Javed Miandad
Steve Waugh
Allan Border(c)
AB de Villiers (wkt)
Shaun Pollock
Michael Holding
Allan Donald
Waqar Younis

Great teams. appreciate selection a lot.Prefer ed Mcgrath instead of Hadlee in 1st XI with his greater adaptability and craft in unhelpful conditions and phenomenal intelligence to outwit opponent.Applaud your choice of Wasim in 1st XI as well as Barry.Gilly,Lara and Viv ,Good choice of Botham in 1nd XI as well as Greg Chappell and Ambrose.

Did you like my relegating Tendulkar as an opener and Gilchrist and my overall selections?Like feedback.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Team A
Sunny
Kallis
S smith
Sachin
Lara
Viv
Gilly
Marshall
Steyn
Murli
McGrath

Team B
G smith
Hayden
Ponting
Dravid
Kohli
Imran
Sanga
Hadlee
Warne
Ambrose
Lillee

Goood,well-balanced teams but why no Wasim?Or even Botham or Barry Richards?Viv,I feel too low down the order.

 

[Ab Fan]

Great teams. appreciate selection a lot.Prefer ed Mcgrath instead of Hadlee in 1st XI with his greater adaptability and craft in unhelpful conditions and phenomenal intelligence to outwit opponent.Applaud your choice of Wasim in 1st XI as well as Barry.Gilly,Lara and Viv ,Good choice of Botham in 1nd XI as well as Greg Chappell and Ambrose.

Did you like my relegating Tendulkar as an opener and Gilchrist and my overall selections?Like feedback.

Fair enough point.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

On a diff note - the hype about South AFricans of 70s is nauseating. Its unfortunate that they missed their careers due to apartheid ban but in hindsight look at how over hyped * over -glorified they are - largely on basis on that 1 series against Australia in 1969-70. even that Australia team was not really world beating team. Their talisman fast bowlers were Graham McKenzie & Alan Connolly both of whom played their last test 1 year later. They had 1 spinner John Gleeson who played grand total of 29 tests for Australia. Barry Richards & Graeme Pollokc scored tons of runs against this attack. We often talk how Gavaskar scored against below par West Indies pace attacks but somehow that logic never applied to runs scored by Barry & Pollock in this series. Plus South Africa were playing at home with favorable pitches & home umpires ( everyone knows how neutral they were in those days )

No way Barry, Pollock , Proctor or Eddie Barlow wud have have got so much hype that they actually played regular test cricket in all cricket nations. We really donno for sure how good they wud have been against India spinners in India. Or against Richard Hadlee in NZ on those green seaming pitches where even West Indies never won test series in 80s.. Or against Roberts & Andy Holding on under-prepared pitches in Kingston / Bridgetown

Example -- Zaheer Abbas scored 274 in his debut series against England at Edgbaston. Imagine if he never played test cricket again , based on his county record we wud have hailed him as greatest batsman of 70s . But we know he was not so great against west indies pace bowlers or against Denis Lilee in australia

ps : Sunil Gavaskar scored 774 in his debut series against WI in an away series. Imagine if he never played test cricket again . Do u think he wud have been seen in same league as Barry Richards. Really doubtful

I disagree.Asess Barry's outstanding performance of averaging over 79to to batting averages in WSC supertests including a double hundred and century,that too match-winning efforts.In FC cricket Barry dominated the best bowlers lie when scoring 356 in 1972.Not for nothing did even Bradman rate Bary as the best batsmen of the 70's and chose him in his alltime XI.Even Gary Sobers rated Mike Procter very highly who was marvellous in WSC cricket and outstanding against strong opposition in 1st class cricket.Pollock did not belong to the 1970'S but averaged over 60 facing the most challenging attacks and conditions.Read what Chappell brothers say about Graeme who rate him on par with Sobers as a batsmen .Great writers place him on par with Sunny and Viv.

Cricket is also about aesthetics where such cricketers reign supreme.Barry took batting perfection to its ultimate height while fore pure all-round skill Procter was arguably next only to Sobers.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Haha ), basically Junaids trolling Indians..

He picks a 41 averaging Greenidge over 51 averaging Gavaskar who has scored not just more test runs but Gavaskar also faced the Windies attack while Greenidge facing an attack of Kapil Dev and nobodies.

I agree but remember unlike Sunny Greenidge was an attacking batsmen and more of a match-winner.Gavskar definitely better but Greenidge could be more impactful.What about Greenidge joining Sunny?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

The 70s & 80s should win. Slightly stronger bowling. 5 specialist bowlers versus 4 in Post 90s plus 1 support bowler ( Kallis ) . But again post 90s team has stronger batting due to Kallis & Gilchrist over Imran & Knott

So should be close & marginal between the 2 teams

Good analysis but I think the reverse with post 90's team having more match-winners or diversity.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

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[Harsh Thakor]

[MENTION=132062]Harsh Thakor[/MENTION]

ABdV as keeper over Gilchrist. Gilchrist a significantly better keeper

Like my teams? balanced and corrrect?Do comment .

 

[Harsh Thakor]

[MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] do come here [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION]

 

[Robert]

A Team
————

Gavaskar
Greenidge
Sir Viv Richards
Tendulkar
Kallis
Lara
Imran (Capt.)
Knott (w)
Marshall
Warne
Lillee

Team B
————

Boycott
Smith G (capt.)
Sangakkara
Chappell G
Border
Gilchrist (w)
Botham
Hadlee
Ambrose
Donald
Murali

 

[Robert]

C Team
————

Sehwag
Gooch
Ponting
DeViliers
Waugh S (capt.)
Kapil Dev
Healy (w)
Wasim
Kumble
McGrath
Steyn

 

[Robert]

D Team
————

Taylor (capt.)
Anwar
Amla
Pietersen
Gower
Stokes
Prior (w)
Roberts
Holding
Garner
Bedi

 

[therealAB]

Like my teams? balanced and corrrect?Do comment .

Nope shocking teams. Gilchrist, Tendulkar are not openers.
Hadlee >> Wasim in every way, and no need for 6 bowlers

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Fair enough point.

What do you feel about my team selections overall?Appreciate your view on my choices.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

A Team
————

Gavaskar
Greenidge
Sir Viv Richards
Tendulkar
Kallis
Lara
Imran (Capt.)
Knott (w)
Marshall
Warne
Lillee

Team B
————

Boycott
Smith G (capt.)
Sangakkara
Chappell G
Border
Gilchrist (w)
Botham
Hadlee
Ambrose
Donald
Murali

Great effort and respectable choices.Disagree on Wasim not there or Barry who were simply geniuses.Maybe Botham in 1st Xi but it is absolutely touch and go with Kallis.Very surprised no Mcgrath who was arguably the best of all pacemen in teams or Javed Miandad who was the king in a crisis?Also no Devilliers who was like a Viv of modern times?

Any view on my selections?Appreciate response

 

[therealAB]

My Teams, debuted after 1970:
1's
1. B.Richards
2. Gavaskar
3. V.Richards
4. Smith
5. Tendulkar
6. Kallis
7. Gilchrist
8. Hadlee
9. Marshall
10. Warne
11. McGrath

2's:
1. Greenidge
2. Graeme Smith
3. Sanga
4. Chappell
5. Lara
6. Border
7. Knott
8. Imran
9. Steyn
10. Murali
11. Ambrose

3's:
1. Sehwag
2. Cook
3. Dravid
4. Kohli
5. Javed
6. Botham
7. Healy
8. Wasim
9. Kumble
10. Lillee
11. Donald

 

[Robert]

Great effort and respectable choices.Disagree on Wasim not there or Barry who were simply geniuses.Maybe Botham in 1st Xi but it is absolutely touch and go with Kallis.Very surprised no Mcgrath who was arguably the best of all pacemen in teams or Javed Miandad who was the king in a crisis?Also no Devilliers who was like a Viv of modern times?

Any view on my selections?Appreciate response

Tendulkar and Gilchrist were not test match openers.

I never saw Barry Richards so cannot comment.

There are more effective fast bowling options than Wasim. “Genius” means nothing to me, it’s about who bowled the hard yards and got the top batters out.

I could have MgGrath in for Lillee, it’s a personal thing as the older man was so much more viscerally exciting to watch.

DeVilliers came up in an easier bowling time than the eighties and nineties middle order guys.

 

[Ab Fan]

I think Martin Crowe often gets underrated, aside from Viv, Gavaskar, Chappell, Border and Miandad and probably Greenidge, he should also be in consideration.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

I think Martin Crowe often gets underrated, aside from Viv, Gavaskar, Chappell, Border and Miandad and probably Greenidge, he should also be in consideration.

I agree Martin Crowe was right up there with the best.Wasim and Waqar rated him to be the hardest batsmen they ever bowled to.Wjat about David Gower?In same class?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Tendulkar and Gilchrist were not test match openers.

I never saw Barry Richards so cannot comment.

There are more effective fast bowling options than Wasim. “Genius” means nothing to me, it’s about who bowled the hard yards and got the top batters out.

I could have MgGrath in for Lillee, it’s a personal thing as the older man was so much more viscerally exciting to watch.

DeVilliers came up in an easier bowling time than the eighties and nineties middle order guys.

Why Hadlee instead of Imran in top team ?Also feel my selections were good?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Tendulkar and Gilchrist were not test match openers.

I never saw Barry Richards so cannot comment.

There are more effective fast bowling options than Wasim. “Genius” means nothing to me, it’s about who bowled the hard yards and got the top batters out.

I could have MgGrath in for Lillee, it’s a personal thing as the older man was so much more viscerally exciting to watch.

DeVilliers came up in an easier bowling time than the eighties and nineties middle order guys.

My Teams, debuted after 1970:
1's
1. B.Richards
2. Gavaskar
3. V.Richards
4. Smith
5. Tendulkar
6. Kallis
7. Gilchrist
8. Hadlee
9. Marshall
10. Warne
11. McGrath

2's:
1. Greenidge
2. Graeme Smith
3. Sanga
4. Chappell
5. Lara
6. Border
7. Knott
8. Imran
9. Steyn
10. Murali
11. Ambrose

3's:
1. Sehwag
2. Cook
3. Dravid
4. Kohli
5. Javed
6. Botham
7. Healy
8. Wasim
9. Kumble
10. Lillee
11. Donald

No Ricky Ponting who was arguably 2nd to only Bradman amongst Australian batsmen?Dravid bettter?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Tendulkar and Gilchrist were not test match openers.

I never saw Barry Richards so cannot comment.

There are more effective fast bowling options than Wasim. “Genius” means nothing to me, it’s about who bowled the hard yards and got the top batters out.

I could have MgGrath in for Lillee, it’s a personal thing as the older man was so much more viscerally exciting to watch.

DeVilliers came up in an easier bowling time than the eighties and nineties middle order guys.

Last 50 years my Team:-

Sunil Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Viv Richards
Sachin Tendulkar
Brian Lara
Adam Gilchrist (wkt)
Imran Khan
Richard Hadlee
Wasim Akram
Shane Warne
Malcolm Marshall

2nd team

Graeme Smith
Mathew Hayden
Ricky Ponting
Greg Chappell
Jacques Kallis
Kumar Sangakkara (wkt)
Ian Botham
Dale Steyn
Muttiah Muralitharan
Curtly Ambrose
Glenn McGrath

3rd team

Virender Sehwag
Gordon Greenidge
Rahul Dravid
Javed Miandad
Steve Waugh
Allan Border(c)
AB de Villiers (wkt)
Shaun Pollock
Michael Holding
Allan Donald
Waqar Younis

I repeat selections were great However there was a major flaw obliterating the name of Dennis Lillee,arguably the most complete of fast bowlers.Remember morally took 455 scalps in international cricket with 31 5 wicket hauls.I also suggest in 1st team why not Kallis join Imran while Let Hadlee join Botham in 2nd. team.Best to have combination of great fast bowling allrounder with great batting allrounder.Arguably Andy Roberts could make teamm3 with his great repertoire,

 

[therealAB]

No Ricky Ponting who was arguably 2nd to only Bradman amongst Australian batsmen?Dravid bettter?

I want a number three who will perform in countries with spin and seam. I rate Javed and Kohli below Ponting ATM, but ponting cannot bat in the late middle order due to his weakness vs spin.

Just realised I missed Waugh actually, sub him in for Javed

 

[therealAB]

I repeat selections were great However there was a major flaw obliterating the name of Dennis Lillee,arguably the most complete of fast bowlers.Remember morally took 455 scalps in international cricket with 31 5 wicket hauls.I also suggest in 1st team why not Kallis join Imran while Let Hadlee join Botham in 2nd. team.Best to have combination of great fast bowling allrounder with great batting allrounder.Arguably Andy Roberts could make teamm3 with his great repertoire,

Lillee home track bully like Anderson, Kumble, Ashwin, Jadeja etc. Only good in Eng and Aus. A tier below the top like McGrath, Hadlee, Marshall, Ambrose, Imran and Steyn. In the Wasim tier, with Waqar etc. Looking more into it though should be ahead of pollock

 

[Ab Fan]

I repeat selections were great However there was a major flaw obliterating the name of Dennis Lillee,arguably the most complete of fast bowlers.Remember morally took 455 scalps in international cricket with 31 5 wicket hauls.I also suggest in 1st team why not Kallis join Imran while Let Hadlee join Botham in 2nd. team.Best to have combination of great fast bowling allrounder with great batting allrounder.Arguably Andy Roberts could make teamm3 with his great repertoire,

I think I forgot about including Lillee. I will also put McGrath in the first XI and send Hadlee to second one as he can bat in my second team. Will keep Wasim in first XI because of being left arm.

Lillee will be in my 3rd team alongside Allan Donald, Waqar Younis and probably Shaun Pollock to maintain the balance. If I make another team, it will have Roberts, Holding, Garner and probably Kumble or Bedi or Chandra. A spinner gap in 3rd team actually tells us about the gap in spin quality after Warne and Murali.

 

[Robert]

Lillee home track bully like Anderson, Kumble, Ashwin, Jadeja etc. Only good in Eng and Aus. A tier below the top like McGrath, Hadlee, Marshall, Ambrose, Imran and Steyn. In the Wasim tier, with Waqar etc. Looking more into it though should be ahead of pollock

I’m not having that.

Hadlee raved about Lillee, copied him even down to the cocked left wrist. Imran said he was the best quick he ever faced in terms of sheer bravery and determination, pounding in on those dead Australian tracks of the seventies and shaking the batters up. He taught Imran how to cut the ball away from the right handed, making the Pakistan champion even more formidable..

Lillee was the first modern quick bowler, pushing the edge of the intimidation law. Later as his speed declined he became the prototype advanced bowler, cutting and swinging it both ways with varying pace. He averaged five wickets per test, which even Marshall did not, and extended the wicket record from 307 to 356, which would have been 432 including WSC. He raised the bar by a huge margin and the next generation stood on his shoulders.

 

[therealAB]

I’m not having that.

Hadlee raved about Lillee, copied him even down to the cocked left wrist. Imran said he was the best quick he ever faced in terms of sheer bravery and determination, pounding in on those dead Australian tracks of the seventies and shaking the batters up. He taught Imran how to cut the ball away from the right handed, making the Pakistan champion even more formidable..

Lillee was the first modern quick bowler, pushing the edge of the intimidation law. Later as his speed declined he became the prototype advanced bowler, cutting and swinging it both ways with varying pace. He averaged five wickets per test, which even Marshall did not, and extended the wicket record from 307 to 356, which would have been 432 including WSC. He raised the bar by a huge margin and the next generation stood on his shoulders.

Lillee was iconic and a 10-15 fast bowler of all time. The reality is Marshall, McGrath, Hadlee, Trueman, Steyn, Ambrose, Donald and Imran all have more balanced and stronger records. Lillee falls into the next category with Waqar, Wasim, Lindwall, Davo, Garner, Holding etc. He is like Wasim in that despite having all of then weapons he did not perform as well as the other great fast bowlers.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Tendulkar and Gilchrist were not test match openers.

I never saw Barry Richards so cannot comment.

There are more effective fast bowling options than Wasim. “Genius” means nothing to me, it’s about who bowled the hard yards and got the top batters out.

I could have MgGrath in for Lillee, it’s a personal thing as the older man was so much more viscerally exciting to watch.

DeVilliers came up in an easier bowling time than the eighties and nineties middle order guys.

I think I forgot about including Lillee. I will also put McGrath in the first XI and send Hadlee to second one as he can bat in my second team. Will keep Wasim in first XI because of being left arm.

Lillee will be in my 3rd team alongside Allan Donald, Waqar Younis and probably Shaun Pollock to maintain the balance. If I make another team, it will have Roberts, Holding, Garner and probably Kumble or Bedi or Chandra. A spinner gap in 3rd team actually tells us about the gap in spin quality after Warne and Murali.

Very progressive changes Appreciate.What about Kaliis in top team?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Tendulkar and Gilchrist were not test match openers.

I never saw Barry Richards so cannot comment.

There are more effective fast bowling options than Wasim. “Genius” means nothing to me, it’s about who bowled the hard yards and got the top batters out.

I could have MgGrath in for Lillee, it’s a personal thing as the older man was so much more viscerally exciting to watch.

DeVilliers came up in an easier bowling time than the eighties and nineties middle order guys.

I’m not having that.

Hadlee raved about Lillee, copied him even down to the cocked left wrist. Imran said he was the best quick he ever faced in terms of sheer bravery and determination, pounding in on those dead Australian tracks of the seventies and shaking the batters up. He taught Imran how to cut the ball away from the right handed, making the Pakistan champion even more formidable..

Lillee was the first modern quick bowler, pushing the edge of the intimidation law. Later as his speed declined he became the prototype advanced bowler, cutting and swinging it both ways with varying pace. He averaged five wickets per test, which even Marshall did not, and extended the wicket record from 307 to 356, which would have been 432 including WSC. He raised the bar by a huge margin and the next generation stood on his shoulders.

You are spot on concerning Lillee,who was close to the very top if not the best. Why did you not put Imran in top team in place of Hadlee? Was not Imran the more impactful?

 

[Ab Fan]

Very progressive changes Appreciate.What about Kaliis in top team?

Not required.

 

[Robert]

Lillee was iconic and a 10-15 fast bowler of all time. The reality is Marshall, McGrath, Hadlee, Trueman, Steyn, Ambrose, Donald and Imran all have more balanced and stronger records. Lillee falls into the next category with Waqar, Wasim, Lindwall, Davo, Garner, Holding etc. He is like Wasim in that despite having all of then weapons he did not perform as well as the other great fast bowlers.

It is reality that he averaged five wickets per test and none of them did.

 

[Robert]

You are spot on concerning Lillee,who was close to the very top if not the best. Why did you not put Imran in top team in place of Hadlee? Was not Imran the more impactful?

I prefer Imran the bowler because he had more guts. If the batters were on top then Imran charged in harder as he had seen Lillee do, while Hadlee could go defensive. Also Imran got six test centuries of course.

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

My 1st XI

1. Sunil Gavaskar (Phenomenal record as an opener.)
2. Michael Slater(Unreal how many times he got out on 90's. Would get on with things fast)
3. ViV Richards(Just ahead of Ponting)
4. Steve Smith (Amazing player)
5. Brian Lara(That's tough tough choice leaving out Sachin. Lara gets the nod for his ability to dominate spin bowling)
6. Jacques Kallis
7. Adam Gilchrist(WK)(Someone termed him as a bit unreliable batsman. Not bad for an Unreliable batsman to average 56+ after 70 odd tests with that mind blowing SR)
8. Shane Warne(would struggle in India. The only foreign spinner to succeed greatly in india was Saqlain Mushtaq. but his overall record was no where near Warne or Murali.)
9. Richard Hadlee( Great everywhere)
10. Malcolm Marshall (Great everywhere)
11. Glenn Mcgrath (Great everywhere)

 

[Mobashir]

Great teams. appreciate selection a lot.Prefer ed Mcgrath instead of Hadlee in 1st XI with his greater adaptability and craft in unhelpful conditions and phenomenal intelligence to outwit opponent.Applaud your choice of Wasim in 1st XI as well as Barry.Gilly,Lara and Viv ,Good choice of Botham in 1nd XI as well as Greg Chappell and Ambrose.

Did you like my relegating Tendulkar as an opener and Gilchrist and my overall selections?Like feedback.

You can't have Tendulkar as opener in Test cricket as he has never batted over number 4 in his 20 years long career. Even in case of injuries to any other player he refused to bat even at 3. India had to reshuffle all the batting order but Tendulkar is not batting in the top 3.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

You can't have Tendulkar as opener in Test cricket as he has never batted over number 4 in his 20 years long career. Even in case of injuries to any other player he refused to bat even at 3. India had to reshuffle all the batting order but Tendulkar is not batting in the top 3.

In your team would you place Tendulkar and if so where?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

My 1st XI

1. Sunil Gavaskar (Phenomenal record as an opener.)
2. Michael Slater(Unreal how many times he got out on 90's. Would get on with things fast)
3. ViV Richards(Just ahead of Ponting)
4. Steve Smith (Amazing player)
5. Brian Lara(That's tough tough choice leaving out Sachin. Lara gets the nod for his ability to dominate spin bowling)
6. Jacques Kallis
7. Adam Gilchrist(WK)(Someone termed him as a bit unreliable batsman. Not bad for an Unreliable batsman to average 56+ after 70 odd tests with that mind blowing SR)
8. Shane Warne(would struggle in India. The only foreign spinner to succeed greatly in india was Saqlain Mushtaq. but his overall record was no where near Warne or Murali.)
9. Richard Hadlee( Great everywhere)
10. Malcolm Marshall (Great everywhere)
11. Glenn Mcgrath (Great everywhere)

Great team appreciate.However why Steve Smith and not Tendulkar when you compare longevity ,pressure faced and opposition?Also why Hadlee is instead of Wasim Akram and no Imran?Was not Imran the bast skipper?Who will lead this team?

 

[jeetu]

Best players since 70's

[table=width: 600, class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Type [/td][td]Player [/td][td]Span [/td][td]Mat [/td][td]Runs [/td][td]Ave [/td][td]100 [/td][td]50 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener [/td][td]G Boycott (ENG) [/td][td]1970-1982 [/td][td]66 [/td][td]5482 [/td][td]51.23 [/td][td]16 [/td][td]29 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener [/td][td]ML Hayden (AUS) [/td][td]1994-2009 [/td][td]103 [/td][td]8625 [/td][td]50.73 [/td][td]30 [/td][td]29 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener [/td][td]SM Gavaskar (INDIA) [/td][td]1971-1987 [/td][td]119 [/td][td]9607 [/td][td]50.29 [/td][td]33 [/td][td]42 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener [/td][td]V Sehwag (ICC/INDIA) [/td][td]2002-2013 [/td][td]99 [/td][td]8207 [/td][td]50.04 [/td][td]22 [/td][td]30 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener [/td][td]DA Warner (AUS) [/td][td]2011-2020 [/td][td]84 [/td][td]7205 [/td][td]49.68 [/td][td]24 [/td][td]30 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener [/td][td]GC Smith (ICC/SA) [/td][td]2002-2014 [/td][td]114 [/td][td]9030 [/td][td]49.07 [/td][td]27 [/td][td]36 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener [/td][td]JL Langer (AUS) [/td][td]1993-2007 [/td][td]65 [/td][td]5112 [/td][td]48.22 [/td][td]16 [/td][td]18 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener [/td][td]HH Gibbs (SA) [/td][td]1998-2008 [/td][td]68 [/td][td]5242 [/td][td]47.22 [/td][td]14 [/td][td]21 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener [/td][td]CG Greenidge (WI) [/td][td]1974-1991 [/td][td]107 [/td][td]7488 [/td][td]45.1 [/td][td]19 [/td][td]34 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]SPD Smith (AUS) [/td][td]2013-2020 [/td][td]64 [/td][td]6681 [/td][td]69.59 [/td][td]25 [/td][td]26 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]KC Sangakkara (SL) [/td][td]2000-2015 [/td][td]130 [/td][td]12138 [/td][td]58.35 [/td][td]38 [/td][td]51 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]JH Kallis (ICC/SA) [/td][td]1997-2013 [/td][td]160 [/td][td]13029 [/td][td]56.64 [/td][td]45 [/td][td]56 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]SR Tendulkar (INDIA) [/td][td]1992-2013 [/td][td]186 [/td][td]15044 [/td][td]54.9 [/td][td]49 [/td][td]64 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]GS Chappell (AUS) [/td][td]1971-1984 [/td][td]79 [/td][td]6575 [/td][td]54.79 [/td][td]21 [/td][td]30 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]V Kohli (INDIA) [/td][td]2011-2020 [/td][td]81 [/td][td]6825 [/td][td]54.6 [/td][td]26 [/td][td]19 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]Mohammad Yousuf (PAK) [/td][td]1998-2010 [/td][td]89 [/td][td]7292 [/td][td]54.41 [/td][td]24 [/td][td]33 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]Javed Miandad (PAK) [/td][td]1976-1993 [/td][td]120 [/td][td]8504 [/td][td]54.16 [/td][td]22 [/td][td]42 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]SR Waugh (AUS) [/td][td]1985-2004 [/td][td]114 [/td][td]7202 [/td][td]54.15 [/td][td]25 [/td][td]31 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]RT Ponting (AUS) [/td][td]1995-2012 [/td][td]135 [/td][td]11179 [/td][td]53.48 [/td][td]34 [/td][td]53 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]BC Lara (ICC/WI) [/td][td]1990-2006 [/td][td]131 [/td][td]11820 [/td][td]53.24 [/td][td]34 [/td][td]47 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]KS Williamson (NZ) [/td][td]2010-2020 [/td][td]76 [/td][td]6186 [/td][td]52.42 [/td][td]20 [/td][td]30 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]R Dravid (ICC/INDIA) [/td][td]1996-2012 [/td][td]149 [/td][td]11789 [/td][td]52.39 [/td][td]31 [/td][td]57 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]Younis Khan (PAK) [/td][td]2000-2017 [/td][td]111 [/td][td]9428 [/td][td]52.08 [/td][td]31 [/td][td]30 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]IVA Richards (WI) [/td][td]1974-1991 [/td][td]113 [/td][td]7794 [/td][td]51.27 [/td][td]22 [/td][td]41 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]AR Border (AUS) [/td][td]1979-1994 [/td][td]123 [/td][td]8408 [/td][td]50.34 [/td][td]21 [/td][td]44 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]DPMD Jayawardene (SL) [/td][td]1998-2014 [/td][td]147 [/td][td]11650 [/td][td]50.21 [/td][td]34 [/td][td]49 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3-5 Bat [/td][td]Inzamam-ul-Haq (PAK) [/td][td]1993-2007 [/td][td]101 [/td][td]7302 [/td][td]50.01 [/td][td]21 [/td][td]37 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]WK [/td][td]A Flower (ZIM) [/td][td]1992-2002 [/td][td]55 [/td][td]4404 [/td][td]53.7 [/td][td]12 [/td][td]23 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]WK [/td][td]AC Gilchrist (AUS) [/td][td]1999-2008 [/td][td]96 [/td][td]5570 [/td][td]47.6 [/td][td]17 [/td][td]26 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]WK [/td][td]Q de Kock (SA) [/td][td]2014-2020 [/td][td]45 [/td][td]2884 [/td][td]40.61 [/td][td]5 [/td][td]21 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]WK [/td][td]KC Sangakkara (SL) [/td][td]2000-2008 [/td][td]48 [/td][td]3117 [/td][td]40.48 [/td][td]7 [/td][td]11 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]WK [/td][td]BJ Watling (NZ) [/td][td]2012-2020 [/td][td]62 [/td][td]3266 [/td][td]40.32 [/td][td]7 [/td][td]17 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]WK [/td][td]MJ Prior (ENG) [/td][td]2007-2014 [/td][td]79 [/td][td]4099 [/td][td]40.18 [/td][td]7 [/td][td]28 [/td][/tr]
[/table]

[table=width: 600, class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Player [/td][td]Span [/td][td]Mat [/td][td]Bat Av [/td][td]100 [/td][td]Wkts [/td][td]Bowl Av [/td][td]5W [/td][td]Ave Diff [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]JH Kallis (ICC/SA) [/td][td]1995-2013 [/td][td]166 [/td][td]55.37 [/td][td]45 [/td][td]292 [/td][td]32.65 [/td][td]5 [/td][td]22.71 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Imran Khan (PAK) [/td][td]1971-1992 [/td][td]88 [/td][td]37.69 [/td][td]6 [/td][td]362 [/td][td]22.81 [/td][td]23 [/td][td]14.88 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]SM Pollock (SA) [/td][td]1995-2008 [/td][td]108 [/td][td]32.31 [/td][td]2 [/td][td]421 [/td][td]23.11 [/td][td]16 [/td][td]9.19 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]IT Botham (ENG) [/td][td]1977-1992 [/td][td]102 [/td][td]33.54 [/td][td]14 [/td][td]383 [/td][td]28.4 [/td][td]27 [/td][td]5.14 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Sir RJ Hadlee (NZ) [/td][td]1973-1990 [/td][td]86 [/td][td]27.16 [/td][td]2 [/td][td]431 [/td][td]22.29 [/td][td]36 [/td][td]4.86 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]N Kapil Dev (INDIA) [/td][td]1978-1994 [/td][td]131 [/td][td]31.05 [/td][td]8 [/td][td]434 [/td][td]29.64 [/td][td]23 [/td][td]1.4 [/td][/tr]
[/table]

[table=width: 600, class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Type [/td][td]Player [/td][td]Span [/td][td]Mat [/td][td]Wkts [/td][td]Ave [/td][td]SR [/td][td]5W [/td][td]10W [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]MD Marshall (WI) [/td][td]1978-1991 [/td][td]81 [/td][td]376 [/td][td]20.94 [/td][td]46.7 [/td][td]22 [/td][td]4 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]J Garner (WI) [/td][td]1977-1987 [/td][td]58 [/td][td]259 [/td][td]20.97 [/td][td]50.8 [/td][td]7 [/td][td]0 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]CEL Ambrose (WI) [/td][td]1988-2000 [/td][td]98 [/td][td]405 [/td][td]20.99 [/td][td]54.5 [/td][td]22 [/td][td]3 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]GD McGrath (AUS) [/td][td]1993-2007 [/td][td]124 [/td][td]563 [/td][td]21.64 [/td][td]51.9 [/td][td]29 [/td][td]3 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]AA Donald (SA) [/td][td]1992-2002 [/td][td]72 [/td][td]330 [/td][td]22.25 [/td][td]47 [/td][td]20 [/td][td]3 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]Sir RJ Hadlee (NZ) [/td][td]1973-1990 [/td][td]86 [/td][td]431 [/td][td]22.29 [/td][td]50.8 [/td][td]36 [/td][td]9 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]Imran Khan (PAK) [/td][td]1971-1992 [/td][td]88 [/td][td]362 [/td][td]22.81 [/td][td]53.7 [/td][td]23 [/td][td]6 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]DW Steyn (SA) [/td][td]2004-2019 [/td][td]93 [/td][td]439 [/td][td]22.95 [/td][td]42.3 [/td][td]26 [/td][td]5 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]SM Pollock (SA) [/td][td]1995-2008 [/td][td]108 [/td][td]421 [/td][td]23.11 [/td][td]57.8 [/td][td]16 [/td][td]1 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]Waqar Younis (PAK) [/td][td]1989-2003 [/td][td]87 [/td][td]373 [/td][td]23.56 [/td][td]43.4 [/td][td]22 [/td][td]5 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]Wasim Akram (PAK) [/td][td]1985-2002 [/td][td]104 [/td][td]414 [/td][td]23.62 [/td][td]54.6 [/td][td]25 [/td][td]5 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]DK Lillee (AUS) [/td][td]1971-1984 [/td][td]70 [/td][td]355 [/td][td]23.92 [/td][td]52 [/td][td]23 [/td][td]7 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]CA Walsh (WI) [/td][td]1984-2001 [/td][td]132 [/td][td]519 [/td][td]24.44 [/td][td]57.8 [/td][td]22 [/td][td]3 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Spinner [/td][td]M Muralitharan (ICC/SL) [/td][td]1992-2010 [/td][td]133 [/td][td]800 [/td][td]22.72 [/td][td]55 [/td][td]67 [/td][td]22 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Spinner [/td][td]SK Warne (AUS) [/td][td]1992-2007 [/td][td]145 [/td][td]708 [/td][td]25.41 [/td][td]57.4 [/td][td]37 [/td][td]10 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Spinner [/td][td]R Ashwin (INDIA) [/td][td]2011-2020 [/td][td]71 [/td][td]365 [/td][td]25.43 [/td][td]53.6 [/td][td]27 [/td][td]7 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Spinner [/td][td]HMRKB Herath (SL) [/td][td]1999-2018 [/td][td]93 [/td][td]433 [/td][td]28.07 [/td][td]60 [/td][td]34 [/td][td]9 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Spinner [/td][td]A Kumble (INDIA) [/td][td]1990-2008 [/td][td]132 [/td][td]619 [/td][td]29.65 [/td][td]65.9 [/td][td]35 [/td][td]8 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Spinner [/td][td]GP Swann (ENG) [/td][td]2008-2013 [/td][td]60 [/td][td]255 [/td][td]29.96 [/td][td]60.1 [/td][td]17 [/td][td]3 [/td][/tr]
[/table]

 

[jeetu]

For my selection i have ignored non retired players or like Boycott who started in mid 60's.
I have not set the batting order in these tables.
[table=width: 500, class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Role [/td][td]Team 1 [/td][td] [/td][td]Role [/td][td]Team 2 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener1 [/td][td]SM Gavaskar (INDIA) [/td][td] [/td][td]Opener1 [/td][td]G Boycott (ENG) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener2 [/td][td]ML Hayden (AUS) [/td][td] [/td][td]Opener2 [/td][td]GC Smith (ICC/SA) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Bat 3 [/td][td]IVA Richards (WI) [/td][td] [/td][td]Bat 3 [/td][td]RT Ponting (AUS) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Bat 4 [/td][td]SR Tendulkar (INDIA) [/td][td] [/td][td]Bat 4 [/td][td]GS Chappell (AUS) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Bat 5 [/td][td]BC Lara (ICC/WI) [/td][td] [/td][td]Bat 5 [/td][td]AR Border (AUS) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]AR [/td][td]JH Kallis (ICC/SA) [/td][td] [/td][td]AR [/td][td]Imran Khan (PAK) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]WK [/td][td]AC Gilchrist (AUS) [/td][td] [/td][td]WK [/td][td]A Flower (ZIM) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]MD Marshall (WI) [/td][td] [/td][td]Pacer [/td][td]CEL Ambrose (WI) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]Wasim Akram (PAK) [/td][td] [/td][td]Pacer [/td][td]Sir RJ Hadlee (NZ) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]GD McGrath (AUS) [/td][td] [/td][td]Pacer [/td][td]DW Steyn (SA) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Spinner [/td][td]SK Warne (AUS) [/td][td] [/td][td]Spinner [/td][td]M Muralitharan (ICC/SL) [/td][/tr]
[/table]

[table=width: 500, class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Role [/td][td]Team 3 [/td][td] [/td][td]Role [/td][td]Team 4 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener1 [/td][td]CG Greenidge (WI) [/td][td] [/td][td]Opener1 [/td][td]V Sehwag (ICC/INDIA) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Opener2 [/td][td]JL Langer (AUS) [/td][td] [/td][td]Opener2 [/td][td]HH Gibbs (SA) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Bat 3 [/td][td]R Dravid (ICC/INDIA) [/td][td] [/td][td]Bat 3 [/td][td]Younis Khan (PAK) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Bat 4 [/td][td]SR Waugh (AUS) [/td][td] [/td][td]Bat 4 [/td][td]Inzamam-ul-Haq (PAK) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Bat 5 [/td][td]Javed Miandad (PAK) [/td][td] [/td][td]Bat 5 [/td][td]Mohammad Yousuf (PAK) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]AR [/td][td]IT Botham (ENG) [/td][td] [/td][td]AR [/td][td]SM Pollock (SA) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]WK [/td][td]KC Sangakkara (SL) [/td][td] [/td][td]WK [/td][td]MJ Prior (ENG) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]AA Donald (SA) [/td][td] [/td][td]Pacer [/td][td]DK Lillee (AUS) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]J Garner (WI) [/td][td] [/td][td]Pacer [/td][td]CA Walsh (WI) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Pacer [/td][td]Waqar Younis (PAK) [/td][td] [/td][td]Pacer [/td][td]MA Holding (WI) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Spinner [/td][td]A Kumble (INDIA) [/td][td] [/td][td]Spinner [/td][td]GP Swann (ENG) [/td][/tr]
[tr][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr]
[/table]

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

Great team appreciate.However why Steve Smith and not Tendulkar when you compare longevity ,pressure faced and opposition?Also why Hadlee is instead of Wasim Akram and no Imran?Was not Imran the bast skipper?Who will lead this team?

Shane Warne would be my Captain who I think is the greatest captain never to have captained a test side.

Tendulkar I don't think was much of a pressure player. most times than not, he crumbled under pressure against great bowlers.Steve Smith also bats in a weak lineup compared to Sachin who was part of a batting line(post 2000)which probably is the greatest of Indian history. So Smith edges it slightly.

I picked Hadlee for his phenomenal record almost everywhere. But thinking about it, I think Wasim does have a reason to be in the team. With Marshall & Mcgrath, Hadlee wont get the new ball so I think Wasim as a first change bowler & as an expert old ball bowler can be in my team. Touch & go this. But I can accept Wasim. A wizard he was.

Kallis to me is probably the greatest cricketer. Also I like my number 6 to be a proper batsman and a containing bowler. Hence Kallis being picked.