I fully agree, but do we look only at the prime, especially when it was relatively brief?
No offence, but I really wish people would stop disrespecting IMHO the best test opener of all times by pushing him out of position.
Most great sides have a pair of fast bowlers leading the attack; so Anderson, Larwood or Snow to partner Trueman.
He was England’s greatest ever match winner with bat and ball over a long period. Even in the 86/87 Ashes win he set up both victories with a century and a 5-fer. He’s the sort of player you build an all time XI around, not a bits and pieces all rounder who should have been chucked down the order and shielded by Mike Gatting .
Peak Botham when he bowled with real pace was an ATG bowler for sure, so….
Why on earth would you pick two blokes who never opened to play as openers in an all time XI? Insulting to actual openers IMO, to just assume anyone could slot in there.
Yeah, not looking for agreement on this. I just think they would outperform Hayden and Simpson, and, more importantly, would prefer to see them bat. If not opening, then GChappell would replace SWaugh at 5 and Ponting would be out.
I agree 100%. Such a selection is entirely without substance and is pure supposition. I can no longer take @harsh.ag 's posts with the respect I had in the past.
... and another silly suggestion.
It's not a suggestion. He had a top four of Chappell - Ponting - Bradman - Smith with Ponting and Chappell opening. If that's the top four I would rather see Bradman and Smith opening.
