One performance All time world XI

[hang on]

By one performance, I mean one truly stupendous performance, for example, Laxman's 281 or Botham's heroics in 'that' test or Ambrose's 7 for 1, etc. They do not have to be great players since many could argue that Astle's manic double belongs should get him in.

Would be an interesting exercise; so good luck!

Needless to say, I leave the definition of stupendous to you.

 

[Burgey]

Bob Massie to open the bowling at Lord's. 16 wickets in debut.

 

[hang on]

here's my exploratory stab at it: (am being a little flexible about batting position)

1: haven't the foggiest. perhaps something from hobbs, hutton, trumper, gavaskar? will need some thought as well as dredging the beweeded banks of memory.

2: gooch and that 100 against the rampaging windies

3: i imagine that a few of bradman's innings would slot in rather comfortably though i am sorely tempted by lara's 150

4: astle for the fastest double 100

5: laxman for his 281

6: sobers for his 254 against lillee and co. (not really a test but am allowing myself some leeway as OP!)

7: gilchrist for his 200 against the saffers

8: botham for that 100

9: ambrose for his 7 for 1

10: laker for his 10 wickets

11: malcolm (gotcha!) for his 9 for against the saffers in 94

 

[Burgey]

Mark Butcher's ton vs Australia on the last day in 2001 worth a shout, likewise Phil Hughes' twin hundreds vs SA.

I'm thinking more of players who had a one off performance beyond their records, hence Massie, Butcher, Hughes.

Also, Merv Hughes' 13 for the match vs Windies on Perth 88-89 was an amazing individual performance.

 

[robelinda]

So its basically a fluke artist XI?

 

[Daemon]

Might as well get a list of highest scores and best figures and chuck them in

 

[bagapath]

gooch (154*) & sehwag (201) - both epitomize what a great opener is supposed to do when the rest of the team is just crumbling around you
laxman (281) - the greatest comeback in history
RG pollock (274) - top quality middle order innings, full of style, aggression and class
lara (153*) - best fourth innings knock in a tough tough chase
bradman (234) - great demo of grinding down your opponent from so late in the batting order
gilchrist (102) - second fastest hundred in test cricket
ian botham (114 and 13 for 106) - biggest and most colorful one man circus in the world
fred spofforth (7 for 44) - birth of the ashes
akhthar (5 for 21) - possibly the fastest spell ever when a top quality batting line up couldnt even lay bat on ball
laker (19 for 90) - best bowling figures in a match forever

 

[hang on]

Might as well get a list of highest scores and best figures and chuck them in

don't bother.

 

[Daemon]

don't bother.

Actually after seeing bagapaths incredible list I withdraw my sarcastic comment. Quality =/= quantity

 

[hang on]

appreciate it.

 

[vcs]

gooch (154*)
sehwag (201) - both epitomize what a great opener is supposed to do when the rest of the team is just crumbling around you
laxman (281) - the greatest comeback in history
RG pollock (274) - top quality middle order innings, full of style, aggression and class
lara (153*) - best fourth innings knock in a tough tough chase
bradman (234) - great demo of grounding down your opponent from so late in the batting order
gilchrist (102) - second fastest hundred in test cricket
ian botham (114 and 13 for 106) - biggest and most colorful one man circus in the world
fred spofforth (7 for 44) - birth of the ashes
akhthar (5 for 26) - possibly the fastest spell ever when a top quality batting line up couldnt even lay bat on ball
laker (19 for 90) - best bowling figures in a match forever

Great post. Gilchrist's ton against Pakistan when he came in at about 5/120 chasing 370 was a better knock, IMO.

 

[Burgey]

So its basically a fluke artist XI?

I think that's a harsher way of putting it, but I took it to mean where players produced s monumental spell/ innings that you might call generally out of character.

Bagspath's list is a great one though.

 

[zaremba]

Some thoughts:

Tip Foster (287)
Andy Ganteaume (obvious)
Mark Butcher (Headingley)
DR Jardine (100 against fast leg theory) (captain)
Narendra Hirwani (16 wickets)
Bob Massie (Lord's)
Devon Malcolm (history)

 

[hang on]

have been going through my memories - seen and read - and i suppose gavaskar and his oval 200 and his 90odd in his last test innings would be a serious contender for one of the opening slots.

middle order - stan mccabe and eddie paynter, too.

fast bowling - holding and his 14(?) wickets on a flat surface in 76.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Atherton (Jo'burg)

 

[fredfertang]

I can't believe there has been a better one off performance than Charles Bannerman's in the first ever test match

 

[zaremba]

Fred Tate?

 

[fredfertang]

Fred Tate?

Plead your case then Mr Z

 

[zaremba]

Well he put in one fine and highly significant performance 9 months prior to 30 May 1895

 

[fredfertang]

Somewhat tenuous but, looking back at the opening post, I suppose it's a valid point, and I'll resist the obvious riposte