# 5 for 1986-2006 World Test XI

[aussie tragic]

This is now a 5-day "Selection" Poll to pick the # 5 Batsman for the 1986-2006 World Test XI (the 3 runner-ups will be in the Poll for the # 6 position with the allrounders).

First, the 3 runner-ups from the # 4 Poll

Allan Border (LHB): 79 tests, 5340 runs @ 49.44 (11/33)
Rahul Dravid (RHB): 104 tests, 9048 runs @ 58.75 (23/46)
Brian Lara (LHB): 128 tests, 11505 runs @ 52.05 (32/47)

Plus the following # 5 nominees:

Mohammad Azharuddin (RHB): 91 tests, 5610 runs @ 44.52 (19/22)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (LHB): 98 tests, 6531 runs @ 44.73 (14/34)
Surav Ganguly (LHB): 88 tests, 5221 runs @ 40.78 (12/25)
David Gower (LHB): 41 tests, 2846 runs @ 41.85 (18/39)
Andy Flower (LHB): 63 tests, 4794 runs @ 51.54 (12/24)
Saleem Malik (RHB): 76 tests, 4500 runs @ 44.11 (10/23)
Viv Richards (RHB): 44 tests, 2651 runs @ 43.45 (5/20)
Graham Thorpe (LHB): 100 tests, 6744 runs @ 44.66 (16/39)
Inzamam Ul-Haq (RHB): 113 tests, 8498 runs @ 50.88 (25/44)
Steve Waugh (RHB): 167 tests, 10909 runs @ 51.45 (32/50)

Btw, the 1986-2006 World XI so far:

1. Matthew Hayden (LHB): 84 tests, 7326 runs @ 53.08, 26 centuries, 26 fifties
2. Saeed Anwar (LHB): 55 tests, 4052 runs @ 45.52, 11 centuries, 25 fifties
3. Ricky Ponting (RHB): 105 tests, 8792 runs @ 58.22, 31 centuries, 34 fifties
4. Sachin Tendulkar (RHB): 132 tests, 10469 runs @ 55.39, 35 centuries, 41 fifties
5. …………………….
6. …………………….
7. Adam Gilchrist (currently leading Flower in the WK Poll)
8. …………………….
9. Shane Warne (currently leading Murali in the spinner Poll)

 

[silentstriker]

Sir Viv...its hard to vote against him.

 

[Beleg]

As far as I am concerned, the true competition is between Inzy, Waugh, Flower and Lara. (as much as I love Dravid, I don't think he should play at five) Personally it's hard for me to choose between Flower and Inzy and Steve Waugh's record speaks for itself. Waugh will probably be a deserved selection here.

 

[steds]

Can't go past Graham Thorpe.

 

[silentstriker]

As far as I am concerned, the true competition is between Inzy, Waugh, Flower and Lara. (as much as I love Dravid, I don't think he should play at five) Personally it's hard for me to choose between Flower and Inzy and Steve Waugh's record speaks for itself. Waugh will probably be a deserved selection here.

No Viv in there?

 

[Armadillo]

Viv's record at no. 5 doesn't do justice to his talent. Gotta be Isaac.

 

[open365]

Can't go past Graham Thorpe.

Graham Thorpe has no votes, vote for him now!

 

[BoyBrumby]

As tempting as it is to jump onboard the patriotic bandwagon & vote for Thorpey, I'll have to go for BCL as it just seems counter-intuitive to me to have a best XI from 86-06 & him not to be there!

 

[adharcric]

Sir Viv...its hard to vote against him.

Viv Richards doesn't even stand a chance. This is not an all-time XI nor is it a 1980s XI. Take a look at the statistics and you'll see that Richards didn't accomplish much in the defined period for this poll. Lara or Waugh are the clear frontrunners with Inzy in 3rd. Lara for me, you can't possibly leave out one of the two best batsmen of the past two decades out of this team just because we've got too many Punter-loving Aussies on here (Oh wait, I think I voted for him too)

 

[luffy]

The Ice Man(Waugh)

 

[Mister Wright]

Can't go past Steve Waugh. If he misses out on this team it would be a catastrophe. But, so would Lara missing the team.

 

[R_D]

We can't have Brian Lara missing from this team.

 

[Slats4ever]

We can't have Brian Lara missing from this team.

word. he gets my vote

 

[Jono]

Lara for me too.

 

[pug]

Yea, Lara gets my vote too.

Does anyone fancy a 2nd 1986-2006 World Test XI? Would be interesting to see who these guys play against.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Lara and Waugh both deserve to make it, really. Waugh will be at 6, hopefully.

 

[pug]

Lara and Waugh both deserve to make it, really. Waugh will be at 6, hopefully.

An all rounder would be more suited for that spot. Waugh for no 5 in the 2nd XI!

 

[andyc]

Going for Waugh myself. Decent captain, apparently.

 

[adharcric]

Lara and Waugh both deserve to make it, really. Waugh will be at 6, hopefully.

Although Waugh deserves to make it at #6, the presence of Gilchrist in the side probably gives the edge to Imran rather than Waugh.

 

[aussie]

this is why even though Tendulkar didn't bat @ at all 3 during his career i would have still put him in that spot intially, since he's so suited to it. Then one could have had Lara #4, Waugh 5 over richards since i'd say he accomplished more than Richards during the last 20 years..

But now you got to sacrifice one of Lara/Waugh which is wrong