Ok, here we go, long writeup:
Team Name:
Apocalypse Now
Grounds:
Lords, London
Image of Grounds:
http://static.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/92100/92191.2.jpg
1.
Jack Hobbs - 5410 runs @ 56.94
The original "Master", and arguably the greatest batsman of the pre-Bradman era. Scored 199 first-class centuries in a three-decade career. Jack Hobbs was cricket's most prolific batsman. He finished with 61,237 first-class runs and 197 centuries*, most of them stylishly made from the top of the Surrey or England batting orders. None has, since Grace, had such a creative influence. Like WG, he gave a new direction to the game. One of the best batsmen of all time and an automatic choice to open the innings in any all time team that he qualifies for.
2.
Gordon Greenidge - 7558 runs @ 44.72
Powerful, desctructive and dismissive. He formed one of the best opening pairings of all time along with Desmond Haynes. He was the more attacking player of the two and an immense strokeplayer. He was solid defensively and brutal with attacking strokes. Greenidge hooked at the drop of a hat, drove the ball sweetly between cover and midwicket, and favoured the square cut. Together with Hobbs he forms an exceptionally formidable opening pairing at the top of the batting order.
3.
Rohan Kanhai - 6227 runs @ 47.53
One of the most gifted batsmen to come out of the West Indies, Kanhai is considered by some to being as near to being a genius as any player can be. An exciting stroke-player with a technically good defence, he had every stroke in the game and a sweep which lifted him off the ground and left him full length in the crease, on the seat of his pants, as the ball landed beyond the boundary behind square leg. His tally of 6227 runs with 15 centuries from 79 Test matches and an average of 47.53 does not do justice to a batsman so gifted. Gavaskar even named his son after him.
4.
Stan McCabe - 2748 runs @ 48.21
Image of player:
http://static.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/DB/092004/054476.jpg
One of Australia's greatest and most enterprising batsmen, McCabe was short and stockily-built, with strong arms, flexible wrists and excellent footwork, he was at his best when facing bowlers of pace. Though he scored most of his runs by strokes in front of the wicket, with the drive his speciality, he also hooked splendidly. He was one of the best performers in the Bodyline series and faced short bowling exceptionally well. In addition, he was a useful change bowler above medium pace, with the ability to send down the occasional ball which came back from the off at disconcerting speed, and an energetic and accurate fielder.Played three of the most ferocious innings ever and was remembered in awe by his team-mates.
5.
Stanley Jackson - 1415 runs @ 48.79 | 24 wkts @ 33.29
Colonel The Honourable Sir Francis Stanley Jackson was one of the finest cricketers ever seen in England. He was a fantastic batsmen and performed well on the extremely difficult wickets during his era. A right-handed rather fast-medium bowler with a nice easy action he kept a good length and often got on a sharp off-break. On a difficult wicket he was a bowler who might dispose of any side. If the Ashes is the zenith for any England cricketer, then who better to lead than Jackson, whose deeds in 1905 secured a 2-0 win. In all five Tests he won the toss, and with 492 runs at 70, and 13 wickets at 15.46, he led from the front as well. He's my vice captain for Imran Khan and a worthy candidate to step up and lead should the need arise. Will also be a useful backup bowler
6.
Imran Khan - 3807 runs @ 37.69 | 362 wkts @ 22.81
Imran was widely considered by many to be the most accomplished from cricket's golden quartet of allrounders in the 80s; that he was the most successful captain strengthens the case for favourable comparison alongside Sir Garry Sobers as simply the greatest allrounder ever. A devastating fast bowler for 12 years through the 70s and 80s - among the quickest at one stage - and a technically accomplished middle-order batsman, for the last 10 years of his career Imran averaged over 50 with the bat and under 20 with the ball, almost incomparable anywhere. He's going to be the glue that holds all these brilliant players together and give the side balance. As the captain and natural leader he's a key player in this team and will lead the bowling line with the new ball.
7.
Jackie Hendriks - 447 runs @ 18.62 | 42 catches, 5 stumpings
One of the best West Indian keepers of all time. Fairly successful with the bat at first class level but as a keeper was among the best at the highest level. Like all West Indies keepers, Hendriks was great against pace. Unlike most of them, however, he was also great with spin. Catches win matches and this guy isn't going to drop any.
8.
Jason Gillespie - 1218 runs @18.73 | 259 wkts @ 26.13
Jason Gillespie's bouncing mullet, hook nose and Spofforth-like glare were a pleasing constant in Australian pace attacks during the first half of the 2000s. The man at the other end to McGrath was rougher, quicker and sweatier, refusing to bow to a string of serious injuries and finishing as the country's sixth-most successful bowler. Must be remembered for his fierce spells over a decade, not England 2005. Also fairly useful with the bat as he notched up a double century to his name. Is the 4th seamer who completes a ruthless pace attack in the team.
9.
Harold Larwood - 485 runs @ 19.40 | 78 wkts @ 28.35
A name synonymous with the Bodyline furore of 1932-33, but a bowler who deserved better than a curtailed 21-Test career. Possessed the extreme pace and unwavering accuracy to carry out Douglas Jardine's masterplan. One of the rare fast bowlers in the game's long history to spread terror in opposition ranks by the mere mention of his name. He'll be Imran Khan's enforcer, never hesitant to use the short ball, with pace and accuracy to boot. Will partner Imran with the new ball.
10.
Abdul Qadir - 1029 runs @ 15.59 | 236 wkts @ 32.80
The true father of modern legspin, Qadir had more tricks than a truckload of monkeys. There were two kinds of googlies (from the wrist and fingers), a killer flipper, leggies of various breaks and speeds, and an over regularly threw up six different deliveries, all from a wonderfully wheelin', dealin' action. Qadir was a slave to his moods but when the mood took him - usually at the coaxing of Imran Khan (what luck) - he was unplayable. Graham Gooch reckoned him to be more difficult to negotiate than Shane Warne.
11.
Dale Steyn - 540 runs @ 13.50 | 211 wkts @ 23.13
Easily the best fast bowler of the modern times. He's accurate, rapid and dangerous and will be the first change bowler. A proper strike bowler who isn't bothered about hurting batsmen and he has that raw aggression and quality express pace to take bucketloads of wickets which he continues to do to an extraordinary level.
12. Dick Barlow - 591 runs @ 22.73 | 34 wkts @ 22.55
Image of player:
http://static.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/DB/072004/053294.player.jpg
Dick Barlow was a dour and resolute opening batsman who was the first to really use forward play defensively. He also developed into a very good slow-medium left-armer with immaculate length, clever variation, and a good eye for batsmen's weaknesses. He took a wicket with his first ball in first-class cricket and took four first-class hat-tricks. Barlow played several valuable defensive innings in difficult circumstances. Will step in if the conditions favour him or if there is an injury to another player.
Strengths:
1. Top quality opening pairing.
2. Deadly 4 man pace attack.
3. Great overall balance to the side.
Weaknesses:
1. Some dependance on Imran to provide that extra batting option at number 6.
2. The middle order doesn't average as highly as they should considering the quality of the players.
3. Qadir has awful stats despite being an exceptionally bowler so probably would fare poorly in a sim.
Obtained most of these descriptions and images straight from
cricinfo.