The Honest Hunks
Sunil Gavaskar - 10122 runs @ 51, 108 catches, Captain
Eddie Barlow - 216 runs @ 46, 40 wickets @ 34, Right Arm Medium
Everton Weekes - 4455 runs @ 59, 49 catches
Sachin Tendulkar - 14692 runs @ 57, 45 wickets @ 53, 106 catches, Right Arm Leg Spin
Patsy Hendren - 3525 runs @ 48,
Doug Walters - 5357 runs @ 48, 49 wickets @ 29 - Right Arm Medium
Alec Stewart - 8463 runs @ 40, 263 catches, 14 stumpings, wicketkeeper
Alan Davidson - 1328 runs @ 25, 186 wickets @ 21 - Left Arm Fast
Hugh Trumble - 892 runs @ 20, 141 wickets @ 22, 45 catches - Right Arm Off Spin
Ken Higgs - 183 runs @ 12 , 71 wickets @ 21 - Right Arm Fast Medium
Bill Bowes - 68 wickets @ 22 - Right Arm Fast Medium
12th Man:
Bill Voce - 66 runs @ 14, 98 wickets @ 28 - Left Arm Fast Medium
Opening Batsmen:
Gavaskar and Barlow are two of the greatest ever cricketers, leave alone openers. Barlow's dour style coupled with Gavaskar's technical excellence is a nightmare for most bowling sides. And in case of an emergency, there is always Alec Stewart to fill the void, one of the best players of fast bowling among modern test batsmen. Barlow bowling will be more than handy as he helps take the load off the super efficient bowling side.
Middle Order:
Weekes and Tendulkar are once again, among the greatest EVER batsmen to have played this game and need no fancy words to remind people of their greatness. Patsy Hendren and Doug Walters with their almost 50 batting averages will build on the starts from this fantastic top 4. With Walters at 6 providing the much needed aggression. Geoff Boycott once said the best test sides always have 2 dashers in their side, and Sachin and Walters shall play the role in mine. Walters medium pace and Sachin's legspin will be more than handy for the skipper too.
Wicketkeeper:
Alec Stewart, one of the better batsman of England this side of the 90s and a fine fine player, esp. of fast bowling. His keeping was not always tested by the best spinners but with his pace heavy attack he should go just fine, as well as adding some amazing depth to the batting.
Spin:
Hugh Trumble, one of the few spinners to average 22 with the ball. The fact that he can score runs at an average of 20 at 9 is a real bonus. And when needed Sachin shall roll his arm over for some leg spin complement to Trumble's offbreaks.
Fast Bowlers:
Alan Davidson, one of the GREATEST bowlers of all time and one of the two greatest left arm fast bowlers ever, shall spearhead the attack that also features Bill Bowes to provide the right arm fast medium complements. Bowes bowling average of 22 should indicate there is no let up for the batsmen at this end too. Ken Higgs completes the seam line up and a bowling line up where everyone averages < 23. And in case of injury to any of them, there is Bill Voce to step in, with his left arm fast medium adding even more variety to the attack.
Skipper:
While there are a couple of good options here, in the end, I have gone for the man who has as good a practical understanding of the game as any former player and a man who lead the Indian side to one of its most memorable ODI tourney victories outside the WC.. Sunil Gavaskar.
