Best Test XI from each nation (that you have seen)

[vic_orthdox]

Pietersen...

 

[Prince EWS]

Tresco would have been a good captain.

I used to think so too, but realistically I don't think burdening a man battling with depression with the full-time captaincy of a side would have ended well.

 

[Pothas]

Pietersen...

Yep obviously the man for the job, him and Freddy to do it together.

 

[Jacknife]

A couple of years on

1. Cook
2. Trescothick
3. Smith
4. Pietersen
5. Thorpe
6. Stewart
7. Flintoff
8. Swann
9. Broad
10. Anderson
11. Fraser

Broad just edging out Caddick and is assuming that he keeps his current form going.

Prior has probably done more than enough to edge out Stewart but still more comfortable with Alec at 6, still a shame he did not just stay an opener.

Despite his recent troubles I wanted Bell but not done enough to get in above Thorpe.

Trott maybe should be at 3 but I love the Judge too much.

Problem is there is no captain.

The Chef.

 

[wpdavid]

A couple of years on

1. Cook
2. Trescothick
3. Smith
4. Pietersen
5. Thorpe
6. Stewart
7. Flintoff
8. Swann
9. Broad
10. Anderson
11. Fraser

Problem is there is no captain.

Harsh on Stewart, to say the least.

 

[MrPrez]

Smith
Kirsten
Amla
Kallis
de Villiers
Prince
Boucher
Pollock
Philander
Steyn
Donald

The batting is weak, look at that bowling though!

 

[marc71178]

awta

South Africa is the most consistent side in world cricket today. The side most rounded to play in any condition.

I call bull****. 10 wins and 7 losses in their last 25 matches is a crap record. 3 series wins out of the last 9 as well (NZ, SL and WI the 3 wins so not beaten a top side in a long time).

 

[MrPrez]

I honestly think that we are the best side in the world, overall, on paper. Too bad we never show it on the pitch...

 

[Rasimione]

I call bull****. 10 wins and 7 losses in their last 25 matches is a crap record. 3 series wins out of the last 9 as well (NZ, SL and WI the 3 wins so not beaten a top side in a long time).

I seem to remember the english holding on for dear life with Onions saving their bacon. How people easily people forget....

 

[Rasimione]

Smith
Kirsten
Amla
Kallis
de Villiers
Prince
Boucher
Pollock
Philander
Steyn
Donald

The batting is weak, look at that bowling though!

Lol team is fine but Prince over Gibbs? Also i think Philander aint done enough to warrant selection.IMO

 

[MrPrez]

Lol team is fine but Prince over Gibbs? Also i think Philander aint done enough to warrant selection.IMO

I judged the team on how well they played when I watched them, not the players I watched with the best record. Philander has been awesome and has looked better to me than guys like Ntini ever did.

Gibbs is a fair call though, I went blank over that no 6 position, quite shocked I could forget him One of those moments...

 

[marc71178]

I seem to remember the english holding on for dear life with Onions saving their bacon. How people easily people forget....

Yes, they did indeed save a game in that manner. I can remember that as well, but we're talking about a team that has only won 40% of recent games and not won a series against a major nation in ages - that is not worthy of the praise they seem to get.

 

[Agent Nationaux]

When I was thinking of my South Africa squad, I also couldn't think of a decent no 6, so I put Klusener in there who btw is one if my fab South African players. Has South Africa ever had a world class no 6?

 

[GIMH]

South Africa are the best side in the world in theory.

However

(Adamc probably could have found the actual picture I wanted, but whatever. I regret nothing)

 

[Pothas]

Harsh on Stewart, to say the least.

Yeah you are probably right but he didn't do the job for long, if you think about an England side for the last 20 years then you really want one of Athers, Nasser, Vaughan or Strauss.

 

[LegendaryProtea]

When I was thinking of my South Africa squad, I also couldn't think of a decent no 6, so I put Klusener in there who btw is one if my fab South African players. Has South Africa ever had a world class no 6?

No, but number 6 is a really weird position. Nowadays it's just used as a breeding spot for the younger talents before they get pushed up the order and another youngster gets moved in at 6. The only real exception to this in recent times is Mike Hussey.

 

[Rasimione]

The Only cönsistent number Six i knw for Rsa is Jonty. But its always been rotated.

 

[smash84]

Hansie?

 

[wpdavid]

Yeah you are probably right but he didn't do the job for long, if you think about an England side for the last 20 years then you really want one of Athers, Nasser, Vaughan or Strauss.

Indeed - I was only commenting on the XI listed though.

That being said, I've always thought that Stewart's captaincy deserves more respect than it usually gets. The 1998 series win over SA was an outstanding result - iirc the only time we've beaten them at home since the early 1960's. And he was in charge when we turned around the 2000 series at home to WI. Apart from that, there was a 3-1 loss in Aus that could have happened to anyone, and may well have ended up 2-2 had the 3rd umpire done his job with the Slater run-out. And then the poor sod got sacked because our batsmen were appalling in the 1999 WC.

 

[Biryani Pillow]

I'll chuck in my England, Australia and West Indies choice (since 1942):

England:
Boycott
Trescothick
Gooch (would have been a great 3)
Gower
Thorpe
Botham
Flintoff
Knott
Underwood
Anderson
Willis

If a 2nd spinner is needed Swann comes in, likely for Willis on such a pitch.

KP close n the batting front, Broad not far ff on the bowling.

Australia:
Langer
Hayden
Chappell (G)
Ponting
Border
Hussey (maybe Walters if nt playing in England)
Gilchrist
Warne
Lillee
Thompsn
McGrath

West Indies:
Greenidge
Haynes
Richards
Lara
Lloyd
Dujon
Stephenson (Franklin 'took the Rand but if he'd waited he'd have starred)
Harper (only Windies spinner I've seen worth a lick - didn;t really see Gibbs)
Marshall
Garner
Roberts