Captain of 1946-2006 World XI

[aussie tragic]

Please select a Captain for the 1946-2006 XI (Criteria is to have won at least one test as captain)

1. Sunil Gavaskar: 47 tests, 9W (19%), 30D (64%), 8L (17%)
2. Len Hutton: 23 tests, 11W (48%), 8D (35%), 4L (17%)
3. Viv Richards: 50 tests, 27W (54%), 15D (30%), 8L (16%)
4. Sachin Tendulkar: 25 tests, 4W (16%), 12D (48%), 9L (36%)
5. Brian Lara: 47 tests, 10W (21%), 11D (23%), 26L (55%)
6. Garry Sobers: 39 tests, 9W (23%), 20D (51%), 10L (26%)
7. Adam Gilchrist: 6 tests, 4W (67%), 1D (17%), 1L (17%)


The 1946-2006 World Test XI:

1. Sunil Gavaskar (51.12)
2. Len Hutton (54.62)
3. Viv Richards (50.23)
4. Sachin Tendulkar (55.11)
5. Brian Lara (52.88)
6. Gary Sobers (57.78) and (Bowl: 34.03)
7. Adam Gilchrist (48.98)
8. Malcom Marshall (18.85) and (Bowl: 20.94)
9. Shane Warne (17.03) and (Bowl: 25.35)
10. Muttiah Muralitharan (11.75) and (Bowl: 21.73)
11. Glenn McGrath (7.45) and (Bowl: 21.65)

12. Dennis Lillee (13.71) and (Bowl: 23.92)

 

[silentstriker]

Our fast bowlers are McGrath, Marshall and Sobers? That's it? Well good luck to us.

Sobers for captain.

 

[aussie tragic]

Our fast bowlers are McGrath, Marshall and Sobers? That's it? Well good luck to us.

Sobers for captain.

I added Dennis Lillee as 12th man (as the runner-up in the final bowler poll) to cater for the 60% of the time that pitches don't suit two spinners

 

[silentstriker]

I added Dennis Lillee as 12th man (as the runner-up in the final bowler poll) to cater for the 60% of the time that pitches don't suit two spinners

Better. Of course, now you need a poll on which of the two spinners he would replace.

 

[Fusion]

Can I do a write-in vote for Imran?

 

[aussie tragic]

Can I do a write-in vote for Imran?

Only if I can do one for Ian Chappell

 

[steds]

Len. Need some of that gallic flair.

 

[Anil]

Our fast bowlers are McGrath, Marshall and Sobers? That's it? Well good luck to us.

Sobers for captain.

you don't trust an attack with mcgrath in it? shame on you!

 

[PhoenixFire]

Sir Len

 

[aussie tragic]

I never thought that selection of an all-time 1946-2006 captain could be so lame, however at least we haven't fallen to English standards of picking a captain first (e.g Brearley) and then the team.......

I think Hutton would be the obvious captain, however I voted Richards thinking it would at least give a vote for the coolest cricketer ever (however he's now tied with Hutton )

 

[oz_fan]

Len Hutton

 

[bagapath]

i voted for len hutton. yes. you do need his cricketing acumen to lead this team of champs.

 

[adharcric]

Richards for me. Hutton as vice-captain.

 

[JBH001]

Better. Of course, now you need a poll on which of the two spinners he would replace.

That should not be necessary, Murali received 1 more vote than Warne (21 - 20).

Therefore, Warney gets to carry the drinks when 2 spinners are not required.

 

[DCC_legend]

Vivian Richards for me!!!

 

[LongHopCassidy]

The major issue here is that there's no obvious standout, and for good reason. Hutton and Richards both command superlative stats as captains, but neither were particularly lauded for their tactical acumen - or indeed, as leaders of men.

Maybe this side needs a specialist captain - it would be far more beneficial to see a united side than simply a team of champions - a combination that isn't guaranteed success (see the ICC World XI). It doesn't necessarily have to be a dire batsman such as Brearley, but it could be someone like Frank Worrell, Ian Chappell, Richie Benaud or Imran Khan - none of whom disgraced themselves at their respective callings, and distinguished themselves as leaders of men and tacticians.

 

[adharcric]

I don't think Hutton or Richards would be poor captains. They may not be legendary captains or great tacticians or leaders but surely they were decent captains.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

As is Ponting, using the same criteria.

 

[adharcric]

Yes. Your point?

 

[LongHopCassidy]

I'm just saying that since Ponting is only really distinguished by his statistics, that it's not out of the realm of possibility that Hutton and Lloyd are too. Hence I believe that this team is being robbed of its true potential by not having an exceptional strategist or leader at the helm, and that the slight compromise in cricketing skill that this would entail is outweighed by the leadership contributions that would be made.