best Australian lineup

[Jumno]

2001 test series in India?

2003 wc vs India

Hayden
Gilchrist
Ponting
Martyn
Symonds
Lehmann
Bevan
B Lee
Hogg
Gillespie
McGrath

 

[honestbharani]

2001 test series in India?

2003 wc vs India

Hayden
Gilchrist
Ponting
Martyn
Symonds
Lehmann
Bevan
B Lee
Hogg
Gillespie
McGrath

I always felt the Australian 2007 WC line up was the GOAT ODI side. Maybe it was because of how dominant they were in that WC. Even more than 2003.

 

[Jumno]

I always felt the Australian 2007 WC line up was the GOAT ODI side. Maybe it was because of how dominant they were in that WC. Even more than 2003.

The only weak link in the 2003 WC side was Lehmann, Hussey is much better at number 6. McGrath, Bracken, Tait, Hogg to Lee, Hogg, McGrath, Bichal vs Bracken.

In the 2003 WC, Australia was way inconsistent in their batting, collapses against Pakistan, England, NZ, Kenya, Sri Lanka. It was Symonds, Bevan, Bichal bailing them out and also Lee.

Also the reserves was much better in 2007, I think Australia had Haddin, Johnson. Australia had Harvey, Maher etc.

 

[Jumno]

2007 batting better than 2003 only marginally, 2007 number 6 better than 2003 number 6.

2003 bowling in my opinion better then 2007 due to the consistent performances by the pacers.

 

[honestbharani]

I guess the 2003 side had a couple of close games but the 2007 side just curb stomped everyone. That may well be because the other sides were better in 2003 but to me, it always feels like the 2007 ODI side was the zenith for Australia.

 

[Jumno]

Yep, Australia was stomping everyone in 2007. I was hoping SA, NZ, Eng, Sri L would give them a close call, but no.

Smith, Kallis just gave the 2007 SF to show intent to Aussies and were bowled. Prince got out to a very wide ball. Still remember that collpase SA 27-5. I thought Pollock, Kemp and co would get them to 200 but no. That game was just gifted to Aussies.

 

[Gob]

Brah you're remembering wrong. McGrath averaged 21.41 in his last 3 years, actually lower than his career average. He was then man of the tournament in the 2007 World Cup.

Warne was as good as ever as well. In his last 2 years he also averaged better than his career average. I watched the 06/07 Ashes live and have rewatched a lot of it a lot of times, and I can tell you Warne and McGrath were as good as they ever were.

You're right about Langer and Gilchrist though, they definitely weren't as good as they were 2-3 years beforehand.

Think I said McGrath wasn't the same since he treaded on a ball at the edgbaston. I mean last 3 years of his career tracks back to 2004 where he was close to his best and bowled probably the best spell of fast bowling I've seen at lords the following year but he hadn't been the same since even statistically



Again that injury may only have affected him that particular series but I suspect Jane's diagnosis must have had an impact. Average of 27 is still very very good though

As per Warne, yeah maybe past it is bit harsh but I remember reading somewhere that during the Perth test first innings when he was getting canned a bit (after a similar treatment Adelaide first innings) that he first felt 'what am I doing here' vibe.

 

[Gob]

I guess the 2003 side had a couple of close games but the 2007 side just curb stomped everyone. That may well be because the other sides were better in 2003 but to me, it always feels like the 2007 ODI side was the zenith for Australia.

Biggest difference is Brett Lee imo. I mean he should have been playing that world cup in 07. Tait did a pretty decent job though

06 champions trophy side was great too only it didn't feature the terminator Matt Hayden who was sent from the future to destroy all the bowlers but I'll never forget let's block forward defensive shots through cover version Martyn

 

[OverratedSanity]

inspired by the 18yo ago thread

Is it 1948? Is it 2004? Is it just before WSC broke everything? Who knows, it definitely is someone who lets you know they've ground you into the dust though

The one that lost at home to an attack of Saini Siraj thakur natarajan sundar is a personal favourite.

 

[Gob]

Biggest difference is Brett Lee imo. I mean he should have been playing that world cup in 07. Tait did a pretty decent job though

06 champions trophy side was great too only it didn't feature the terminator Matt Hayden who was sent from the future to destroy all the bowlers but I'll never forget let's block forward defensive shots through cover version Martyn

Actually Marto was playing the push drive so well he kept it going even after the tournament leading to


Good times

 

[OverratedSanity]

One of the ATG cricket photos

 

[Jumno]

I don't think it was a deliberate push, it may have been seen disrespectful, but I don't think deep down it was intentional. He just got in the way.

 

[Gob]

I don't think it was a deliberate push, it may have been seen disrespectful, but I don't think deep down it was intentional. He just got in the way.

Yeah they were taking the team photo

 

[AndrewB]

What about somewhere in the 30s?

Peak Bradman, Jackson, Mccabe, Ponsford

To go with Grimmett and Oreilly.

Lacking a star pacemen but the invincibles didn't have a star spinner

Jackson's last Test was in 1930-1, and O'Reilly's debut was in 1931-2.

 

[honestbharani]

Yeah they were taking the team photo

Actually Marto was the only one concerned about Pawar there. Deserves his name on a donkey for being concerned about that piece of **** though...

 

[ataraxia]

I guess the problem is though the Test O'Reilly played Bradman didn't. While both sides are very similar Harvey is a big tick in 48's favour, IMO.

I suppose it depends whether Bradman is eligible for 1946. I had said 1946 under the assumption that it was just O'Reilly vs Harvey. If Bradman is eligible for 1946:

1946:

Morris
Barnes
Bradman
Hassett*
Brown
Miller
McCool
Tallon +
Lindwall
O'Reilly
Toshack


1948:

Morris
Barnes
Bradman
Harvey
Hassett*
Miller
McCool
Tallon +
Johnson
Lindwall
Johnston

Not much at all between the sides.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Think I said McGrath wasn't the same since he treaded on a ball at the edgbaston. I mean last 3 years of his career tracks back to 2004

I just used last 3 years because that's what you said. And again, he's not going to be the man of the tournament in 2007 without being in ATG form.

There definitely may have been a lack of drive and intent as you mentioned, hence the retirements, but it's not like their form was falling away.

 

[stephen]

2002 first test vs SA at Johannesburg

Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Waugh ME
Waugh SR
Martyn
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
Gillespie
McGrath

Best years for both Waugh brothers were behind them. Lee was basically bowling two lengths and Martyn hadn't yet established his place

2006 first Ashes test at Gabba

Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Hussey
Clarke
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
Clark
McGrath

Both Warne and McGrath were passed their prime as were Langer and Gilchrist

Not sure what to make of it but think I'll lean towards the more recent one for no particular reason. Maybe the 2004 side which conquered Asia was superior to either since almost everyone representing were firing in all cylinders

The irony of your comments on the 06 side is that McGrath took a Michelle in that exact match. He was clearly the best Australian quick that series as well. Stuart Clark was better in South Africa the series before, but McGrath was the top dog in the 06/07 Ashes.

 

[Gob]

The irony of your comments on the 06 side is that McGrath took a Michelle in that exact match. He was clearly the best Australian quick that series as well. Stuart Clark was better in South Africa the series before, but McGrath was the top dog in the 06/07 Ashes.

Which match? Gabba? Yeah I know. I'm not saying they were rubbish and shouldn't have played rather they weren't at their absolute best

Anyway Stuart Clark was easily the pick of the bowlers that series

 

[Spark]

I usually don't wade into these sorts of debates too much because it's just not my strength of cricket knowledge but surely "includes Bradman" is a basic prerequisite for consideration in Tests. There's ATG side as the 2003/07 Aus teams were, then there's "ATG side effectively playing with two extra batsmen".