I like this team. Care to elaborate on your choice of Larwood though? Can't recall seeing him in an all nation's ATG team before. Love the choice of McCartney though. Would you include him in an ATG Australian XI (with Bradman included), or do you see him as a specialist #3.
I've had the Larwood debate a few times now, and it gets awfully messy. I rate him as the best fast bowler in history, and understandably many disagree with me.
Chappell?
I read a biography of Larwood a few years ago. Cracking read. And he was an absolute champion of a bloke. From what I read, you couldn't ask for a better team man that Larwood. He thought the world of Jardine too. Almost made me tolerate Jardine, that book!
From what I've read, Bradman was a superb fieldsman, it's just rarely talked about when compared to the ridiculousness of his batting. I've quoted before the essay by Robertson-Glasgow where he talks about Bradman standing pre-eminent even among a generation of outstanding Australian fielders.
Miller's always going to be one of them as he's my first pick on the teamsheet. I tend to lean towards Marshall because of his heart and character, I was surprised by the amount of wayward balls I saw him bowl when I watched full spells of his though. A few wides here and there - lots of swing and accuracy from the rest though. I really tend to pick players with good hearts and who played the game for enjoyment over ruthless freaks with a real unpleasant streak (McGrath's and Lillee's tantrums spring to mind). My fast bowling pool would be something like this...
, and Imran only down there because of my colour 'problems'. Larwood only down here because I am not sure his body would be strong enough for lots of long test series, at least in comparison with superhuman specimens like Procter.
Sobers in there at leg slip, Davidson as a close fielder where he was one of the best ever - 'The Claw' is always overlooked. Miller was the one who coined that term, for the record
Archie Jackson or Barry Richards are my first two instinctive thoughts
Incidently, Ray Lindwall's nickname was "KILLER", so maybe he should go in the 'nasty' list.Miller's always going to be one of them as he's my first pick on the teamsheet. I tend to lean towards Marshall because of his heart and character, I was surprised by the amount of wayward balls I saw him bowl when I watched full spells of his though. A few wides here and there - lots of swing and accuracy from the rest though. I really tend to pick players with good hearts and who played the game for enjoyment over ruthless freaks with a real unpleasant streak (McGrath's and Lillee's tantrums spring to mind). My fast bowling pool would be something like this...
Miller
Procter
Marshall
Davidson
Ambrose
Lindwall
Garner
and to a lesser extent
Gregory
Mahmood
Larwood
Imran
Gregory not successful enough at test level to justify inclusion, but
Players that deserve to be in the discussion but who were ****s on the field/not 'teamy' enough include...
McGrath
Lillee
Trueman
Donald
Steyn
Indeed, I've never read anything about him bowling with malicious intent though - just playfully killing the batsman
Yep, nothing wrong with a friendly bouncer that skids off the pitch throat high.Indeed, I've never read anything about him bowling with malicious intent though - just playfully killing the batsman
Better off at 9 though IMO, same with Davidson - allowed to free themselves and hit out with less responsibility
I think Davidson was a genuine #8, especially if you look at what he did with the bat in Shield cricket. Underachieved slightly at Test level if anything, probably due to a lack of real necessity to make significant runs. Lindwall more a #9 at fictional ATG competition level though, indeed.
During the WA University investigation into Fast Bowling In the 70's, they estimated the speed of past fast bowlers like Lindwall from film recordings. For Lindwall they had speeds
I'm basing my opinion from something I remember reading actually, so I probably jumped the gun. His FC record suggests he was actually a very talented batsman (same goes for Benaud actually).I think Davidson was a genuine #8, especially if you look at what he did with the bat in Shield cricket. Underachieved slightly at Test level if anything, probably due to a lack of real necessity to make significant runs. Lindwall more a #9 at fictional ATG competition level though, indeed.
I know Hobbs is considered to be one of the best at covers. Did Bradman also field at covers? It'd be interesting whether anyone compared fielding abilities of Don and Master.
