Who is the worst player of all time that would be selected in every XI in history?

[kyear2]

Excellent idea and thread.

Stokes is as good an option as any, didn't get to read the entire thread as yet, but top of mind S. Waugh isn't a bad shout but, he rates way higher than Stokes.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Stokes gets into every team. He's a slightly better player than the worst ATVG bat who also gets into every team IMO

False. Martyn or Mark Waugh are not getting dropped for Stokes

 

[Athlai]

2022 CW - I don't understand or care for this thread
2024 CW - Great thread op

 

[mr_mister]

Can't speak for every side but Stokes doesn't make Australian sides of 00s or 48

Might get in post 2005 Ashes purely because of the weird obsession they had with finding an all-rounder, but he would have made the team worse

Interesting that you mentioned the '48 ashes, he cruises in

ENG vs AUS Cricket Scorecard, 4th Test at Leeds, July 22 - 27, 1948

Get cricket scorecard of 4th Test, ENG vs AUS, Australia tour of England 1948 at Headingley, Leeds dated July 22 - 27, 1948.

www.espncricinfo.com

He's better than both Loxton and Johnson at 6 and 7 in this game for example

 

[TheJediBrah]

Yeah that was obviously a bad call by me. Wasn't around in 1948 tbf

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Eddie Barlow would be a good shout. Would make 90% of teams as an opener and in the middle order for the rest.

 

[ataraxia]

They went without Loxton in the first two tests, however, instead playing:

Barnes /
Morris /
Bradman /
Hassett /
Miller o /
Brown /
Johnson o /
Tallon + /
Lindwall o /
Johnston o
Toshack o

In which case Stokes still makes it for Toshack, or even Johnson or Brown.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Funnily enough, were Stokes around in England back in the old days he probably would have been convicted, sent to Australia and we'd find out whether he makes the team

 

[morgieb]

Were Katich, Hussey and early Clarke definitely better than Martyn anyway? I feel like this thread is kinda harsh on Martyn.

Outside of Asia I’d definitely pick Hussey over Martyn. Katich is different, but the strongest Australian middle-orders weren’t picking him anyway.

 

[mr_mister]

Yeah that was obviously a bad call by me. Wasn't around in 1948 tbf

Yeah all good. It's interesting the reputation the 48 side has, sometimes compared to the 80s Windies or early 00s Australia

Bradman, Morris, Harvey, Miller and Lindwall were all icons, but there was a lot missing from 48. No quality front line spinner, a keeper who averaged considerably less than even Healy let alone Gilchrist and a few no rounders taking up some engine room spots

 

[TheJediBrah]

Yeah all good. It's interesting the reputation the 48 side has, sometimes compared to the 80s Windies or early 00s Australia

Bradman, Morris, Harvey, Miller and Lindwall were all icons, but there was a lot missing from 48. No quality front line spinner, a keeper who averaged considerably less than even Healy let alone Gilchrist and a few no rounders taking up some engine room spots

Probably just the Bradman effect tbh. Basically adds a player

 

[Qlder]

I rate 1980's West Indies the best team ever but Mark Waugh's aggressive batting and spin would slot in perfectly. If he can get into that team, then he should slot into every team

Greenidge
Haynes
Richards
Kallicharran
M. Waugh
Lloyd
Murray
Marshall
Holding
Garner
Croft

 

[morgieb]

Thing with Tallon is that despite underperforming with the bat at Test level he was a fantastic keeper. He makes a number of pre-Gilchrist Australian ATG XI’s, for example. And with Miller and Lindwall his mediocre batting can be masked. No great spinner a bigger flaw really.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I rate 1980's West Indies the best team ever but Mark Waugh's aggressive batting and spin would slot in perfectly. If he can get into that team, then he should slot into every team

Greenidge
Haynes
Richards
Kallicharran
M. Waugh
Lloyd
Murray
Marshall
Holding
Garner
Croft

I think this is right that Mark Waugh makes every team, so the next question is whether there is someone worse than him that would also make every team

 

[mr_mister]

@morgieb I agree with Lindwall but not Miller. Miller's test batting output at 5 and up was pretty lacking and extending the tail not shortening it.

It's impressive for a 22 averaging opening bowler to be able to do a job batting top 5, but an average of 36 is kinda bare minimum.

I know he was successful in the shield averaging 50 and probably doing it in the top 5. But he fell well short of that in tests, having the output of a solid 6 or 7

 

[mr_mister]

I think this is right that Mark Waugh makes every team, so the next question is whether there is someone worse than him that would also make every team

Aravinda de Silva

 

[Qlder]

I think this is right that Mark Waugh makes every team, so the next question is whether there is someone worse than him that would also make every team

Andrew Symonds?

Like Mark Waugh an aggressive middle order bat (ave 40) and handy spin or medium pace and great fielder but not as good as Mark Waugh?

 

[TheJediBrah]

Aravinda de Silva

Nah he's either better than Mark Waugh so he doesn't qualify as being worse than Mark Waugh, or he's worse than Mark Waugh and doesn't make the Aus team. Either way he can't be the answer.

 

[mr_mister]

Nah he's either better than Mark Waugh so he doesn't qualify as being worse than Mark Waugh, or he's worse than Mark Waugh and doesn't make the Aus team. Either way he can't be the answer.

Waugh was rarely the bottom rung of batting the Australian team right? Had a Blewett or someone similar hanging around at most points of his career. Maybe at the very end of his career?

 

[TheJediBrah]

Waugh was rarely the bottom rung of batting the Australian team right? Had a Blewett or someone similar hanging around at most points of his career. Maybe at the very end of his career?

Either him or Martyn were the bottom rung when they were at their peak though, post 1999, which is what matters if we're talking about making every team