CW Decides The XI of the Decade

[ataraxia]

If you want to take two spinners into tests outside the SC then don't worry about picking AT teams to play against you, settle for an Australian team from 1985 or a 1990s England outfit. Both will beat you as often as not. Picking two spinners to play every test in SA, England, NZ & Aus is a recipe for losing. It's just that simple.

Except that this is a XI to play Tests around the world rather than just in SENA. Two spinners will often win you SENA matches on the fifth day as well.

 

[Burgey]

No they really won't. Just as often quicks do. Obviously if a raging turner is dished up, you adjust, But that isn't the case for the most part. There's just less value in picking two spinners on balance.

Do you know what home sides say when they see visiting teams pick two spinners? "Welcome."

 

[ataraxia]

No they really won't. Just as often quicks do. Obviously if a raging turner is dished up, you adjust, But that isn't the case for the most part. There's just less value in picking two spinners on balance.

Do you know what home sides say when they see visiting teams pick two spinners? "Welcome."

Windies have done a good job disproving you.

 

[Burgey]

The bench mark is the West Indies bowling to Afghanistan? It really has been a **** decade then. You'd back any side in the world to get them out with a tomato

 

[ataraxia]

The bench mark is the West Indies bowling to Afghanistan? It really has been a **** decade then. You'd back any side in the world to get them out with a tomato

They have been the best team this decade after all. Anyway terrible NZ spinners in the UAE wrecking havoc is a much better example.

 

[stephen]

How did Stephen (2 100s and 23 50s in the 90s) Fleming make that Third XI??!! Amongst NZers in that decade he was well behind Crowe (obviously), John Wright (who averaged over 50 from 1990 to retirement in 1993), Andrew Jones (av of 45), and even Craig McMillan who started his career brilliantly and Nathan Astle who scored 2 test 100s on a tour of the Windies. Fleming's conversion rate was still pretty bad after 2000 but was absolutely horrific in the 90s.

John Wright was an absolute gun opener from 1990-1993 (up with Gooch imo as the best in the world).

Crowe was in the second XI.

I went for players who played for most of the decade over ones who had played less that half, hence why Dravid was in the third XI.

I of course didn't pick match fixers because **** them.

 

[Victor Ian]

Are we picking this a year too early?

 

[ataraxia]

Are we picking this a year too early?

I think we are picking this a month and a bit early, but the result is very unlikely to change.

 

[srbhkshk]

Crowe: 32 matches, 2317 runs @45, 7 hundreds, 7 fifties
Inzamam: 58 matches, 3717 runs @43, 8 hundreds, 23 fifties
Dravid: 34 matches, 2698 runs @50, 6 hundreds, 6 fifties

You'd take Dravid's record for that period over the other two wouldnt you? Had some terrific overseas tours as well.

I'd pick Dravid now that we are picking in 2019, but in 1999 surely you'd consider Inzamam the front runner, 31 50+ scores to 12 is a big deal.

 

[ankitj]

Surprised to see Inzamam only averaged 43 in 1990s. He ended with average just shy of 50!

 

[honestbharani]

One of a number of batsmen who made hay in the noughties.

 

[Gnske]

I think a second XI might be worth discussing given the absolute wealth of bowlers. Think this top 6 might go head and tongs with those mofos.

Rogers
Latham
Pujara
de Villiers (want to say Amla since AB gave up on tests like a dog prick)
Root
Shakib

 

[_00_deathscar]

I think a second XI might be worth discussing given the absolute wealth of bowlers. Think this top 6 might go head and tongs with those mofos.

Rogers
Latham
Pujara
de Villiers (want to say Amla since AB gave up on tests like a dog prick)
Root
Shakib

It's considerably weaker IMO. I mean the other team has a middle order 3 (3-5) who are shoo-ins, if not already, then certainly in contention for their respective country's All Time XI
Plus for the rest of the team, no Steyn.
Other bowlers likely to be as good/comparable.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I think a second XI might be worth discussing given the absolute wealth of bowlers. Think this top 6 might go head and tongs with those mofos.

Rogers
Latham
Pujara
de Villiers (want to say Amla since AB gave up on tests like a dog prick)
Root
Shakib

I think my alternative 2nd XI had a better top 6.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I think a second XI might be worth discussing given the absolute wealth of bowlers. Think this top 6 might go head and tongs with those mofos.

Rogers
Latham
Pujara
de Villiers (want to say Amla since AB gave up on tests like a dog prick)
Root
Shakib

How about a best of the rest XI (and I know the openers aren't specialists):

Pujara
Amla
Sangakkara
Younis K
Taylor/Root?
ABDV (wk)
Shakib/Holder depending on conditions
Ashwin
Cummins
Rabada
Wagner

I reckon this side could beat the other one. It would be more equipped at taking wickets in tough bowling conditions.

Here it is. If Latham goes big in Australia maybe he could open with everyone moving down one and Root/Taylor being removed.