Greatest Team to never play a test

[morgieb]

One guy that probably should've played more than he did from that era (given some of the crap that kept wickets for India between Mongia and Dhoni) is Pankaj Dharmani.

For a while I think his average was more like mid-50's too.

 

[Howe_zat]

It's really quite startling how much time morgie has spent in cricketarchive over the years.

Things have changed

 

[Starfighter]

His Essex average is only 42.55 (which is actually a little bit higher than I expected), the 47 is from belting the Intercontinental Cup. And most of his time at Essex was in Division 2.

What's his bowling average for Essex?

 

[morgieb]

It's really quite startling how much time morgie has spent in cricketarchive over the years.

Things have changed

Majority of that is from knowledge of ICC games, not CricketArchive.

And CPL-related stuff helps too.

 

[morgieb]

What's his bowling average for Essex?

35.14.

 

[sledger]

Hampshire.

 

[Agricultural]

His record for Essex (mostly in division 2) is much more modest. Rarely goes a season averaging 40+.

A very special associate player, but there are lots of players like him in first class cricket.

I think he is the type of player that rises to the occasion. On the international stage he’s stepped up a few notches. I think it’s possibly a case of him taking the county game as fun. Whereas he takes international stuff more seriously. Making his level of play go up a few ticks. He’s a rare case as he’s an associate player. I’d expect he would have averaged 40 plus in tests based on his international record (even if it’s mostly against associate teams). My thoughts anyhow. I don’t think his bowling would trouble many in tests personally. He’d been an ok 6th bowler in tests. I’m not convinced he has had enough to be a fifth bowler in tests.

 

[Agricultural]

Lots of Indian guys from that time had insanely high averages but rarely got much of a crack. Ajay Sharma for example average nearly 70 at FC level but only played one Test. The quality of that era can't have been particularly strong.

Or was it all politics? Rogue selectors ?

 

[Starfighter]

35.14.

Hmm. I was not sure how well his bowling would translate to tests, but county cricket being county cricket it doesn't say much about how he'd go outside of England.

 

[marc71178]

Though I'm not sure of the exact circumstances and cbf to look into it right now, ten Doeschate was born and raised in South Africa, before ending up playing County Cricket and qualifying for the Dutch side. Unsure why he didn't play for South Africa in the end.

I suspect it's because he's not actually that good in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Coronis]

His Essex average is only 42.55 (which is actually a little bit higher than I expected), the 47 is from belting the Intercontinental Cup. And most of his time at Essex was in Division 2.

Did he not subsequently bring them to Division 1 and a Championship?

 

[morgieb]

Did he not subsequently bring them to Division 1 and a Championship?

Hard to say he was the key to them winning the Championship last year though, it was mostly down to Porter and Harmer taking over 70 wickets @ under 20.

 

[marc71178]

Did he not subsequently bring them to Division 1 and a Championship?

582 runs @ 36?

 

[SeamUp]

I suspect it's because he's not actually that good in the grand scheme of things.

Another Saffer and Essex legend Kenny McEwan defenitely has more claim.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154493.html

https://medium.com/@wobblybob25/ken-mcewan-essexs-brilliant-south-african-f20e226c4f2f

 

[Mike5181]

RtD always passed the eye test for me, quite a classy bat. I don't necessarily think he's as good as people on here thought he was a few years ago, but he definitely would've been successful at international level had he played for one of the top sides. He's also like 38, so reading too much into his numbers over the last couple of seasons is pointless.

 

[Dendarii]

Sticking with Dutch players born elsewhere - Dirk Nannes perhaps?

 

[Howe_zat]

RtD always passed the eye test for me, quite a classy bat. I don't necessarily think he's as good as people on here thought he was a few years ago, but he definitely would've been successful at international level had he played for one of the top sides. He's also like 38, so reading too much into his numbers over the last couple of seasons is pointless.

I'm sure would have gotten a gig at some point over the last 15 years for England if he'd really wanted to. Whether he'd have worked out in tests is pretty much guesswork. He wouldn't be the only very good looking county player to not work out in tests around that time - Owais Shah, Rob Key, Ravi Bopara come to mind.

Most likely would have stuck around and been very good in ODIs though.

 

[cpr]

I think he is the type of player that rises to the occasion. On the international stage he’s stepped up a few notches. I think it’s possibly a case of him taking the county game as fun. Whereas he takes international stuff more seriously.

This would be all fine if he hadn't skipped every ODI The Netherlands have played for the last 7 years

 

[jimmy101]

Utpal was a much better bowler than Venkatapathy Raju (and a way better batsman). But Raju played as many tests as he did because captain Mohammad Azharuddin who led the Ranji team that Raju played in was partial to him.

Sounds like something Azhar would do.

Another guy from that era who currently springs to mind is Robin Singh. I know he eventually played a Test, but how it took so long for that to happen is anyone's guess.

 

[jimmy101]

Or was it all politics? Rogue selectors ?

Indian cricket is arguably the most affected by politics in the world. I'm sure some of the guys who know more about it than I do will correct me on this one, but the selectors in India seem to favour players which come from a privileged background.