Harsh Thakor
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Here I am trying to evaluate the best world test xi's at one point of time.
1978-79
Barry Richards
Sunil Gavaskar
Ian Chappell
Viv Richards
Greg Chappell
Mike Procter
Ian Botham
Alan Knott
Andy Roberts
Dennis Lillee
Derek Underwood
1987-88
Sunil Gavaskar
Gordon Greenidge
Viv Richards
Javed Miandad
Alan Border
Ian Botham
Jeffrey Dujon
Imran Khan(c)
Malcolm Marshall
Richard Hadlee
Abdul Qadir
1999-2000
Matthew Hayden
Saed Anwar
Ricky Ponting
Brian Lara
Sachin Tendulkar
Jacques Kallis
Adam Gilchrisr
Shane Warne
Wasim Akram
Alan Donald
Glen Mcgrath
In 1999-2000 world xi Tendulkar-Ponting-Lara were the ultimate batting army while Wasim,Donald ,Warne and Mcgrath bowling in tandem would comprise the most balanced bowling attack blending speed ,control,turn and seam movement .In addition having the best all-rounder of all statistically in Kallis and the best match-winning wicket keeper batsmen of all in Gilchrist would gives this world xi a distinct edge.Morally contains arguably the best spinner of all,2 of the best 3 batsmen and pace bowlers of all time.
On paper 1987 team wast he best.1987 sides has the best combination of all-rounders in Botham,Imran and Hadlee and deepest batting depth with Richard Hadlee batting at no 9 .Also aided by the wizardry of spin bowler Abdul Qadir. Batting not as flamboyant as in later eras but fast bowlers as lethal as in the next decade.Man to man better than 1999 world xi but not posessing equal match-wining flair.I also think 1999 team had more variety in bowling.
1979 team had the best opening pair and a great middle order batting line up.It also had a lethal bowling attack but still not as potent as the later teams .
Touch and go between these teams but what would go in favour of the 1999-2000 team was the scoring rate of middle order batsmen and variety in bowling attack.My choice would be the 1999-2000 team as even if the 1987 and 1979 teams were morally as talented this team had players who were more explosive and better match-winners.The prowess of Wasim,Gilchrist,Sachin and Lara would to me be the deciding actor.Thus I place 1999-2000 xi at 1,1987 at 2 and 1979-80 at 3.
1978-79
Barry Richards
Sunil Gavaskar
Ian Chappell
Viv Richards
Greg Chappell
Mike Procter
Ian Botham
Alan Knott
Andy Roberts
Dennis Lillee
Derek Underwood
1987-88
Sunil Gavaskar
Gordon Greenidge
Viv Richards
Javed Miandad
Alan Border
Ian Botham
Jeffrey Dujon
Imran Khan(c)
Malcolm Marshall
Richard Hadlee
Abdul Qadir
1999-2000
Matthew Hayden
Saed Anwar
Ricky Ponting
Brian Lara
Sachin Tendulkar
Jacques Kallis
Adam Gilchrisr
Shane Warne
Wasim Akram
Alan Donald
Glen Mcgrath
In 1999-2000 world xi Tendulkar-Ponting-Lara were the ultimate batting army while Wasim,Donald ,Warne and Mcgrath bowling in tandem would comprise the most balanced bowling attack blending speed ,control,turn and seam movement .In addition having the best all-rounder of all statistically in Kallis and the best match-winning wicket keeper batsmen of all in Gilchrist would gives this world xi a distinct edge.Morally contains arguably the best spinner of all,2 of the best 3 batsmen and pace bowlers of all time.
On paper 1987 team wast he best.1987 sides has the best combination of all-rounders in Botham,Imran and Hadlee and deepest batting depth with Richard Hadlee batting at no 9 .Also aided by the wizardry of spin bowler Abdul Qadir. Batting not as flamboyant as in later eras but fast bowlers as lethal as in the next decade.Man to man better than 1999 world xi but not posessing equal match-wining flair.I also think 1999 team had more variety in bowling.
1979 team had the best opening pair and a great middle order batting line up.It also had a lethal bowling attack but still not as potent as the later teams .
Touch and go between these teams but what would go in favour of the 1999-2000 team was the scoring rate of middle order batsmen and variety in bowling attack.My choice would be the 1999-2000 team as even if the 1987 and 1979 teams were morally as talented this team had players who were more explosive and better match-winners.The prowess of Wasim,Gilchrist,Sachin and Lara would to me be the deciding actor.Thus I place 1999-2000 xi at 1,1987 at 2 and 1979-80 at 3.
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