All time Asian-XI

[Coronis]

If we are going for an keeper, I will probably go with Engineer. Solves the opening problem in SEN, somewhat. Though will probably still prefer Sangakkara, an Asian team really needs a second spinner. And like, I truly believe, mostly with his ODI peak coinciding with his Test one and him always keeping there, that it was more him hitting his peak than keeping load, though waving off the latter also will be wishful nonsense.

No it really doesn’t.

 

[Coronis]

I honestly think there should be equal matches in Asia and in SENAW. Make it 10 Tests and add 2 Tests in Bangladesh and UAE, in which case I definitely will as the success in 40-50% of places is dependent on spinners.

Would you then also add a second spinner to the RoW side?

 

[capt_Luffy]

Would you then also add a second spinner to the RoW side?

No. Spinning isn't the stronger suit of RoW, it is of Asia.

 

[Coronis]

No. Spinning isn't the stronger suit of RoW, it is of Asia.

But 40-50% of the tests are going to be in spinning conditions. I guess you could argue quality. What about a World XI that plays everywhere? Are you going to pick Warne and Murali?

 

[capt_Luffy]

But 40-50% of the tests are going to be in spinning conditions. I guess you could argue quality. What about a World XI that plays everywhere? Are you going to pick Warne and Murali?

Hmmm.... Tough. I would probably had had one of them was an all-rounder. I also want to have 3 pacers and if I take 2 of them, the batting kinda gets weak. Also, the presence of Sobers deals with the need of a 5th bowler, and offers spin (though of variable quality).

 

[smash84]

Hmmm.... Tough. I would probably had had one of them was an all-rounder. I also want to have 3 pacers and if I take 2 of them, the batting kinda gets weak. Also, the presence of Sobers deals with the need of a 5th bowler, and offers spin (though of variable quality).

You're being generous. His was very ****e quality spin

 

[Anthony Clayden]

Would you then also add a second spinner to the RoW side?

Warne, O'Reilly, Barnes, Grimmet, Laker Row has plenty of spin options

 

[kyear2]

Say the premise is, Asia XI vs ROW XI

8 test series, (Aus, Eng, SA, WI, NZ, IND, PAK, SL) would you pick two spinners for the series?

I would drop NZ and make it a 7 game series.

 

[kyear2]

Hmmm.... Tough. I would probably had had one of them was an all-rounder. I also want to have 3 pacers and if I take 2 of them, the batting kinda gets weak. Also, the presence of Sobers deals with the need of a 5th bowler, and offers spin (though of variable quality).

Yes Sobers versatility covers for all options , especially he's either the 4th seamer kt 2nd spinner. His unorthodox spin was just as effective as his seam, especially noting he didn't exactly play on rank torners for the most of his career. His average wasn't that far off Gupte / Gibbs etc, especially after the first few years of his career.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Yes Sobers versatility covers for all options , especially he's either the 4th seamer kt 2nd spinner. His unorthodox spin was just as effective as his seam, especially noting he didn't exactly play on rank torners for the most of his career. His average wasn't that far off Gupte / Gibbs etc, especially after the first few years of his career.

Yeahhhhhh...... Now please don't go compare his bowling with them. They both averages 5 runs less. Not to mention, Kallis and Zaheer have similar averages, but doesn't makes their bowling comparable.

 

[capt_Luffy]

I would drop NZ and make it a 7 game series.

Equal matches home and away. Either drop WI/SA or add Bangladesh.

 

[smash84]

Yes Sobers versatility covers for all options , especially he's either the 4th seamer kt 2nd spinner. His unorthodox spin was just as effective as his seam, especially noting he didn't exactly play on rank torners for the most of his career. His average wasn't that far off Gupte / Gibbs etc, especially after the first few years of his career.

Yeah...... no.

 

[kyear2]

Warne, O'Reilly, Barnes, Grimmet, Laker Row has plenty of spin options

None of them comes close to the pace options.

And let's be real, since the advent of covered pitches, pace bowling has been the key for test success and dominance. They are the match winners, especially outside of the SC, and even Bumrah has been one of the keys to India's success.

Three pacers and one spinner seems to be the sweet spot for most teams.

 

[kyear2]

Equal matches home and away. Either drop WI/SA or add Bangladesh.

There are more teams outside of the SC than within, and even such games as the WTC is at Lord's, that can be the game 7. That's a neutral conditions ground.

 

[kyear2]

Yeahhhhhh...... Now please don't go compare his bowling with them. They both averages 5 runs less. Not to mention, Kallis and Zaheer have similar averages, but doesn't makes their bowling comparable.

He's playing as the 5th bowler. You understand the difference right?

Also the hypocrisy, no one rates or compares the batting all rounders to the specialist batsmen.

He's in the team as a batsman, and as far as 5th options go that can make this team as a batsman, he's not that far off, especially in what would be square turning conditions.

 

[kyear2]

Yeah...... no.

Didn't ask for your opinion.

He's the 5th bowler, he can serve the purpose required with either seam or spin.

 

[capt_Luffy]

He's playing as the 5th bowler. You understand the difference right?

Also the hypocrisy, no one rates or compares the batting all rounders to the specialist batsmen.

He's in the team as a batsman, and as far as 5th options go that can make this team as a batsman, he's not that far off, especially in what would be square turning conditions.

I just said that because the Gibbs/Gupte comparison was stupid and uncalled for, especially since Sobers was more successful with pace.

 

[capt_Luffy]

There are more teams outside of the SC than within, and even such games as the WTC is at Lord's, that can be the game 7. That's a neutral conditions ground.

Yeah no. Lord's is the opposite of neutral conditions and one the reasons why WTC Finals is a stupid joke.

 

[smash84]

Didn't ask for your opinion.

He's the 5th bowler, he can serve the purpose required with either seam or spin.

Given your ****e opinions, the forum will be thankful for mine.

Yeah, he is a 5th bowler, so don't try to big him up as some super spinner who is in any way comparable to Gupte or Gibbs.

And not to forget his early career bowling Strike rate of 356 against Pakistan.

Dude, get our head out of your back side for once.

 

[Coronis]

There are no truly neutral conditions in test cricket. Even with the UAE it became a semi home for Pakistan for years.

I’d just be thinking of at least having one test in each country that had a player in the series. (so rip Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Ireland, Afghanistan)

If you want a truly neutral ground get China to prepare a pitch.