His bowling is lesser than Jayasuriya-level which is where I draw the line in an AT context and as a #5 he's a downgrade over De Villiers. Not really a #7. Rather have Hussey because Symonds's bowling is a non factor imo.Why?
If you're looking for someone to bowl 4 overs per match (remembering you also have Viv and Tendulkar), be a great lower orders slogger and be a constant presence in the field then Symonds is your man. He absolutely belongs there - he's a better batsman than the others and gives you a third bowling option to full in the extra ten overs.His bowling is lesser than Jayasuriya-level which is where I draw the line in an AT context and as a #5 he's a downgrade over De Villiers. Not really a #7. Rather have Hussey because Symonds's bowling is a non factor imo.
Problem is that 6-7 is such a niche role because no team will bat their best player there. So you'll have to take a punt by either batting someone too high or too low. Klusener stands out in this regard which is why he's my #7If you're looking for someone to bowl 4 overs per match (remembering you also have Viv and Tendulkar), be a great lower orders slogger and be a constant presence in the field then Symonds is your man. He absolutely belongs there - he's a better batsman than the others and gives you a third bowling option to full in the extra ten overs.
because apparently that spot has been taken by Angelo ****ing Mathews.Why?
Why is it laughable? Gilly was one of the most destructive ODI batsman in the greatest ODI team of all time. Maybe laughable if you have certain biases. He was also a better keeper for a longer period of time. Dhoni spent almost a decade as a podgy backstop he got annoyed with journalists questioning his fitness (it did improve at times but I don't think he kept the diet of an athlete).Symonds as a batsman is of no value outside of #5. As a bowler, he is not good enough to be a proper 5th bowler. I have made this point elsewhere but to me, he is nowhere near the ATG ODI XI and is in the conversation for the second XI but still won't make mine.
And Gilly over MSD in ODIs is just laughable.
Your second paragraph actually demonstrates why your first paragraph is not just your opinion but is likely heavily flawed.Symonds as a batsman is of no value outside of #5. As a bowler, he is not good enough to be a proper 5th bowler. I have made this point elsewhere but to me, he is nowhere near the ATG ODI XI and is in the conversation for the second XI but still won't make mine.
And Gilly over MSD in ODIs is just laughable.
And how closely were you following cricket in Symonds' era?This is how the rest of us feel about Symonds being crammed into an ATG XI.
Why is it laughable? Gilly was one of the most destructive ODI batsman in the greatest ODI team of all time. Maybe laughable if you have certain biases. He was also a better keeper for a longer period of time. Dhoni spent almost a decade as a podgy backstop he got annoyed with journalists questioning his fitness (it did improve at times but I don't think he kept the diet of an athlete).
Your second paragraph actually demonstrates why your first paragraph is not just your opinion but is likely heavily flawed.
And I didn't even say that Symonds was the definitive choice for that spot, I said that he was one of four very good options for that spot. Whichever one of those options you take depends on the things you value in a player.
I hope you realise that saying Symonds has "no value" outside number 5 is completely insane.
Last exercise on ranking top 50 ODI cricketers here had Dhoni ranked higher.He has very sharp competition from Gilly, who most would rank as superior ODI keeper batsman
Mate you know this very well that you are not in position to ask others if they were following any cricketer's career. You only ever know anything about Aussie cricketers.And how closely were you following cricket in Symonds' era?
WTF? He had his back issues like most keepers do, but fitness wasn't what you would question the guy at.(it did improve at times but I don't think he kept the diet of an athlete).
Yeah pretty silly post. Dhoni has his faults but he was an insanely fast runner between the wickets even after keeping for 50 overs and never looked like he got exhausted. Being supremely fit is probably one of his best attributes.WTF? He had his back issues like most keepers do, but fitness wasn't what you would question the guy at.