Cricket Families Draft

[BoyBrumby]

With that our first full squad. Mind me casting some opinions?

Overall a very solid side. Batting is obviously the key. An average opening combination is well balanced against a supurb middle order of Bradman, Ponting, Sobers and Waugh. The lower middle order contains some very damaging bats in Cairns and Marsh. Then three bowlers who are more than capable of swinging the bat in Holford, Pollock and Cairns. Incredible that a lusty hitter such as Lance Cairns is number 11. Incredible depth in batting.

Big totals are the key to this side. Bowling in my opinion is relatively weak. Numerous options, but lacking in strike power. Pollock the standout bowler. Lance and Chris Cains will provide useful support. Holford is an average spinner at best. Then numerous all-rounders, Sobers and the Waugh brothers. Can this side take all 10 wickets? Are they capable of running through a batting lineup?

Little support from the bench. Expect much the same from most teams. This team would struggle if a bowler wen't down injured.

The batting rates an A
The bowling rates a C+

Think that's very fair and maybe slightly generous to the bowling. It was tempting to bring in a big name spinner, but I'd feel like the A&R man who passed on The Beatles if I overlooked the great man.

 

[Noble One]

Think that's very fair and maybe slightly generous to the bowling. It was tempting to bring in a big name spinner, but I'd feel like the A&R man who passed on The Beatles if I overlooked the great man.

Possibly I'm being generous to your bowling attack. But I do like some variety, and your attack has that. Also must be noted that for a bowling attack to succeed they need good supporting fieldsman. You have a terrific bunch of fielders in your side, some of the best. At least every chance should be taken with your side.

 

[archie mac]

Ha, Jesus. Wish I was as good with lottery numbers.

It is very tempting to go for Bradman, tbh. He is the man, after all. Against that my middle order is pretty tidy as it is and including him means either dropping someone or playing them out of position.

But, it is Bradman & I've talked myself into it. Junior Waugh used to open in ODIs after all.

1) GR Marsh
2) ME Waugh
3) DG Bradman
4) RT Ponting
5) GSA Sobers
6) SR Waugh*
7) CL Cairns
8) RW Marsh+
9) DAJ Holford
10) PM Pollock
11) BL Cairns

12) DJ Marsh
13) SE Marsh
14) GD Campbell
15) AG Pollock

I can't understand G. Pollock not being in the side I know Marsh was an opener but he had about 1/10 (and that is being nice) the ability of Pollock

 

[BoyBrumby]

I can't understand G. Pollock not being in the side I know Marsh was an opener but he had about 1/10 (and that is being nice) the ability of Pollock

Suspect you're confusing Graeme with his son there arch.

Graeme & Shaun were snapped up v early.

 

[NUFAN]

Good work Mumbai!

I'll go for Malcolm Marshall

1 Len Hutton
2 Walter Hadlee
3 George Headley
4 Neil Harvey
5 Duleepsinhji
6 Ranjitsinhji
7 Ian Healy
8 Richard Hadlee
9 Richie Benaud
10 Malcolm Marshall
11 Dean Headley

12 John Benaud
Richard Hutton Ken Healy, Merv Harvey.

I think overall my 11 is very good. Marshall and Hadlee would be a terrific opening bowling combination and my batting is excellent to number 9, Marshall at 10 was no mug either. The only weakness really in my side is Walter Hadlee, his job would be to just try and see off the new ball. Dean Headley is a slight weakness too but not the worst first change bowler in the world.

 

[Noble One]

Good work Mumbai!

I'll go for Malcolm Marshall

1 Len Hutton
2 Walter Hadlee
3 George Headley
4 Neil Harvey
5 Duleepsinhji
6 Ranjitsinhji
7 Ian Healy
8 Richard Hadlee
9 Richie Benaud
10 Malcolm Marshall
11 Dean Headley

12 John Benaud
Richard Hutton Ken Healy, Merv Harvey.

I think overall my 11 is very good. Marshall and Hadlee would be a terrific opening bowling combination and my batting is excellent to number 9, Marshall at 10 was no mug either. The only weakness really in my side is Walter Hadlee, his job would be to just try and see off the new ball. Dean Headley is a slight weakness too but not the worst first change bowler in the world.

Yes I really like this team. Very dangerous batting line-up, Hutton, Headley, Harvey, Duleep, Ranji such terrific batsman. This team will prove one of the hardest to dismiss. Walter Hadlee is the concern opening the batting, but with depth behind him any runs he scores are a bonus.

Healy, Hadlee and Benaud to round out the batting line-up. Very solid, each is interchangeable amongst one another. All attacking bats could prove dangerous after Headley or Hutton makes a big century.

The bowling is also very strong. Arguably the greatest paceman of all time in Malcolm Marshall leading the attack, with another top 5-6 contender Richard Hadlee providing support. Benaud is a fantastic leg-spinner, one of the best. Dean Headley showed glimpses of becoming a fantastic fast bowler. Doesn't detract from this side having him in.

My only issue is the lack of any all-rounder option. Essentially none of the batsman are effective bowlers. May prove a risk if Dean Headley goes down injured. Richie Benaud may be required to bowl a large quantity of over’s.

Bench strength is average. Will expect this weakness across all teams. John Benaud was a pretty decent cricketer who deserved a longer test career. He would have made the final XI of some other members teams I believe.

Batting A
Bowling A- (Only due to lack of all-rounder, 5th bowler)

This team is the early favourite in my opinion.

 

[Athlai]

Something wrong with the rating system if this gets the same grade for batting IMO.

 

[Noble One]

Never said the rating system was any good

 

[Athlai]

Never said the rating system was any good

B to B+ IMO.

Considering this is an A+ alltime great line up:

1) GR Marsh
2) ME Waugh
3) DG Bradman
4) RT Ponting
5) GSA Sobers
6) SR Waugh*
7) CL Cairns

 

[NUFAN]

Just wish to clarify that bench strength is not a factor when determining who has the best 11, I had this confirmed very early on and influenced my choices.

 

[stumpski]

Well I had another look at my side and I considered bringing in another quick but I decided what I really needed was a specialist number 3, to avoid the need for Stewart (the sole keeper) to bat there. So Walter Reginald Hammond it is.


Hanif Mohammad
Micky Stewart
Walter Hammond
Denis Compton
Alec Stewart (wk)
Mushtaq Mohammad
Sid Martin
Albert Trott
Hugh Tayfield
Ryan Sidebottom
Fidel Edwards

Harry Trott
Pedro Collins
Nick Compton
Arnie Sidebottom

I don't claim the bowling attack has much in the way of star quality although Edwards/Sidebottom/Trott make a serviceable first three, and Tayfield will want to bowl all day at the other end anyway. Martin isn't well-known but he was a good enough all-rounder to complete the 10,000 run/500 wicket career double for Worcs. The captaincy might have to pass to Wally Hammond as I think Micky might be overawed taking charge of some of the star names, though he'll keep the Gaffer in check.

 

[Noble One]

Just wish to clarify that bench strength is not a factor when determining who has the best 11, I had this confirmed very early on and influenced my choices.

I understand that. My selections are based on the same principle, creating the strongest first XI.

I was just casting an opinion over the entire XV selected for each member. Just making some broad comments.

 

[NUFAN]

B to B+ IMO.

Considering this is an A+ alltime great line up:

1) GR Marsh
2) ME Waugh
3) DG Bradman
4) RT Ponting
5) GSA Sobers
6) SR Waugh*
7) CL Cairns

This lineup while very good has 2 players in the top 14 batsman in the CW ranks the batsman thread.

My lineup has 3...
10th Len Hutton,11th George Headley, 14th Ranji

 

[NUFAN]

I understand that. My selections are based on the same principle, creating the strongest first XI.

I was just casting an opinion over the entire XV selected for each member. Just making some broad comments.

No worries, just putting it out there for everyone.

Enjoying your comments mate.

 

[Noble One]

Tough final selection. I had always planned to take Keith Miller as my final selection. Re-examining my side, I feel my bowling is strong enough. What I require is another quality batsman. So many legends to pick from, do I go for Jack Hobbs, Brian Lara, Sunil Gavaskar? I'm going with Sachin Tendulkar. One of the finest middle order bats of all time, and will combine with Viv Richards as my extra bowling option.

Final

1 Gary Kirsten
2 Peter Kirsten
3 Viv Richards
4 Sachin Tendulkar
5 Clive Lloyd (C)
6 Andy Flower (WK)
7 John F Reid
8 Brett Lee
9 Alec Bedser
10 Lance Gibbs
11 Bruce Reid

12 Grant Flower
13 Mali Richards
14 Shane Lee
15 Eric Bedser

So to cast a critical eye over my own side. I'm pleased with how it has ended up, don't think its the strongest, but solid.

Gary Kirsten was a fantastic opening batsman against some of the finest pacemen of all time. Full confidence with him at the top of the order. His half brother Peter was well past his best when South Africa re-entered international cricket. But he had established himself over a long first class career, will do well.

Middle order of Richards, Tendulkar, Flower and Lloyd. Damaging. All very attacking batsman, dangerous, keys to my side. John Reid I am unsure about, terrific record, but limited test career. Stands out like a sore thumb in this lineup.

Tail has limited batting depth. Brett Lee is a fine number 8. But Bedser, Gibbs and Reid are all true tail-enders. Nothing like the depth of some of the other sides.

I feel the balance is right for my bowlers. Lacking a true legend of the game, but still 4 very solid bowlers. Brett Lee will provide strike bowler power. Bedser the ability to move the ball around. And Bruce Reid to utilise his left arm angles, swing the ball away from the batsman. Lance Gibbs was a fine off-spinner, arguably one of the top 3-4 of all time.

Bench strength like all teams is poor. Grant Flower is serviceable, Shane Lee was never close to test selection, Mali Richards; dud, and Eric Bedser a useful off-spinner. The only player I would feel comfortable to insert into my XI is Eric Bedser, and at a stretch Grant Flower.

I would be happy for someone to criticise my team more than I have. Lack of a true 5th bowler, three cricketers (Reid, Reid and Kirsten) who had limited test careers, an average wicketkeeper all glaring weaknesses.

 

[stumpski]

Just looking at NUFAN's team again, I'm not sure that my lot would ever be able to bowl them out. Expect a four-figure total if they let the innings go long enough (I assume these are timeless Tests ). You'd have to feel sorry for poor old Ryan wouldn't you - Ranji at 6, indeed.

 

[archie mac]

Suspect you're confusing Graeme with his son there arch.

Graeme & Shaun were snapped up v early.

 

[stumpski]

Or , even.

 

[Jamee999]

Shane Keith Warne

1 CC Hunte
2 VT Trumper
3 GS Chappell
4 AD Nourse
5 AW Nourse
6 Imran Khan
7 IT Botham
8 SK Warne
9 S Carter+
10 Abdul Qadir
11 CEH Croft

12 IM Chappell

13 Majid Khan
14 LJ Botham
15 Sulaman Qadir

 

[archie mac]

Shane Keith Warne

1 CC Hunte
2 VT Trumper
3 GS Chappell
4 AD Nourse
5 AW Nourse
6 Imran Khan
7 IT Botham
8 SK Warne
9 S Carter+
10 Abdul Qadir
11 CEH Croft

12 IM Chappell

13 Majid Khan
14 LJ Botham
15 Sulaman Qadir

A bit of a tail, but well balanced bowling attack, should give us a real chance of winning and not just saving matches