The ATG World XI's game

[NUFAN]

Some clear winners once again, with Graeme Pollock easily winning with 14 votes. Next up was Greg Chappell with 8. As both batsman played the majority of their careers at number 4, Chappell moves up to 3 as far as I'm concerned, due to Pollock never once batting in that position throughout his Test career.

Bill O'Reilly gets 12 votes, more than double his nearest rival.

Again with O'Reilly the tail order is difficult to decide with all batsman averaging between 13.81 and 12.81.

World B XI
1 B Richards
2 V Trumper
3 G Chappell
4 G Pollock
5
6
7 K Miller
8
9 D Lillee
10 F Trueman
11 B O'Reilly

 

[NUFAN]

The team looks fantastic so far. Basically today, the two spots up for grabs will be the players who aren't playing keeper.

Now I imagine that depending on our picks this round, it will have some influence on what keeper we select. Personally the number five position should go to the best batsman available with bowling not even considered. The number 8 spot is difficult to decide on, but I would suggest to pick someone who is capable with the bat.

Suggested list
Ken Barrington, Allan Border, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dennis Compton, Martin Crowe, Ted Dexter, Rahul Dravid, Andy Flower, David Gower, Neil Harvey, Vijay Hazare, Mahela Jayawardene, Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, Charlie Macartney, Peter May, Stan McCabe, Javed Miandad, Dudley Nourse, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, Inzamam ul-Haq, Clyde Walcott, Doug Walters, Steve Waugh, Everton Weekes, Frank Worrell, Mohammad Yousuf

I'm not going to do a shortlist for number 8, as some people might just want to pick the best available bowler and not care about his batting average, while others might want a spinning all rounder, or perhaps Miller at 8 is fine and we want two batsman etc etc.

1) Select a batsman for that number 5 spot.
2) Select a non-wicketkeeping Cricketer who will benefit the team the most..

 

[vic_orthdox]

Allan Border

It's a pretty "showy" team at the moment, I think Border can bring about some grit and toughness, and be a good nomination to captain this side. Other options for this role were Miandad (but not as big a tick in terms of captaincy) and S. Waugh.

Alan Davidson

High quality bowler, and well suited to batting at number 8. Gives our team further depth in both disciplines. Also, with his miserly economy rate, can provide appropriate foil to the attacking instincts of Lillee, Trueman and Miller, building pressure whilst still showing the ability to take wickets.

 

[kyear2]

Allan Border Shores up the lower middle, while Frank Worrell provides a fifth bolwing option (med & spin) and could be the legitimate # 3 if required.

Allan Border
Frank Worrell

Plan to push Miller to 8 with Walcott at seven. Keeping the batting strong.

 

[Jager]

Can I clarify whether Walcott is a legitimate wicketkeeping option?

 

[NUFAN]

That batting lineup would be insane if we end up having 6 Worrell 7 Walcott 8 Miller!

Walcott is a legitimate keeper for the purpose of this competition. But obviously, he's a legitimate batting option too. He kept in 15 matches, with 11 stumpings. But 15 is enough matches when you consider Barry Richards makes our team with 4 Tests.

Do we rate his effectiveness keeping to O'Reilly? If the answer is no, don't pick him. If yes, he's in with a chance.

 

[Jager]

From what I hear, his keeping to spin was his strongest point in terms of his glovework, which raises his worth in my eyes. I'll wait a little before I vote though, but I think we definitely need a decent fifth bowling option here.

 

[vic_orthdox]

We already have Miller, I don't think he's got nosebleeds at 7.

 

[weldone]

Am I right that Sydney Barnes is still available? If so, then

1. Allan Border
2. Sydney Barnes

After these 2, if we pick a keeper who was very good with the bat (Flower, Sangakkara or Walcott) the batting will be great. The bowling, with the inclusion of Barnes, will be immense and full of variety.

 

[kingkallis]

Allan Border
Frank Worrell

 

[NUFAN]

Yes, weldone Barnes is still available. The bowling attack will be terrific if we do get Barnes. For some reason, I don't feel comfortable with him opening the bowling in these World XI's, but he'd be a dream fourth seamer, wouldn't he.

 

[Noble One]

Allan Border
Agree with the assessment made by vic_orthdox. A top order of Trumper, Richards, Chappell and Pollock is on the aggressive side. Border provides a nice balance from number 5, and he also offers the complete package with part-time spin, brilliant fielding from either the slips or within the in-field, and his leadership ability.

Frank Worrell
My preference is for Miller to play as a specialist bowler, with the added luxury of the damage he can cause from number 8. Sir Frank Worrell will make a fantastic choice to bat after Border, and he gives our 5th bowling option such depth with Worrell, Border and Chappell to choose from.

 

[Jager]

I think Noble One is right on the money, I'll select...
Allan Border
Frank Worrell

 

[Howe_zat]

Ken Barrington
Sydney Barnes

Would lack a top #8 but having three good #9s makes up for it.

 

[weldone]

Ken Barrington
Sydney Barnes

Would lack a top #8 but having three good #9s makes up for it.

Absolutely. And with someone like Flower (or Sangakkara or Walcott) at 6 and Miller at 7 the lower middle-order will be gun too.

 

[Noble One]

Of the opinion that Miller as the all-rounder batting at 7 is excessive. The advantage that Bill O'Reilly brings as a bowler is the ability to bowl 30+ overs an innings. By rotating the three pace bowlers and using the part-timers when needed surely that will suffice?

 

[NUFAN]

Its a difficult choice, I can see both sides to the argument.

I was kind of expecting someone like Botham to attract some votes this round. Botham, keeper, Miller would still be a good 6,7,8 if the keeper isn't a mug.

The good thing about this is when someone like Border is getting so much love. Just say we were onto World C with all of the currently available players left. If I started the round by saying 'pick any batsman', who here thinks Border would have gotten so many votes?

 

[vic_orthdox]

Again, not comfortable with Botham at 6 at this stage of proceedings. I'd want him in my side, again, when I can have a keeper batting at 6 or above in my side. Basically see him as the same as Miller in terms of a team's balance.

 

[weldone]

In my book, Miller is a better batsman than Botham overall.

 

[Jager]

I was kind of expecting someone like Botham to attract some votes this round. Botham, keeper, Miller would still be a good 6,7,8 if the keeper isn't a mug.

The strange thing with playing Miller at 8 is that he was a genuine top order batsmen when he played.