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Best Test XI from each nation (that you have seen)
- Thread starter aussie
- Start date
smash84
The Tiger King
smash84
The Tiger King
A Pak bowling attack without a spinner seems odd
weldone
Hall of Fame Member
That is out of question. Not even Cronje over Gibbs in that lineup... (because we already have a batting allrounder in Kallis, and Gibbs was a better batsman than Cronje)
I think you can replace Shoaib with Saqlain. IMO Shoaib is the better bowler, but the replacement might be good for balance - so yeah.
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weldone
Hall of Fame Member
I rate Smith's captaincy more than Cronje's (even after overlooking the obvious reason). He's definitely one of their best 2 openers since Barry Richards. And, even if I have to replace a batsman in the lineup, the replacement is more likely to be Hashim Amla than Hansie Cronje.
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weldone
Hall of Fame Member
Why not? And even if you rate Cronje as the better captain (which is fair enough), I don't see how that is good enough a reason to place him in the best South African XI since re-admission. I also don't see a reason why Smith shouldn't be a lock-in for an opener's slot in such a team.
I am not a Smith fan, FTR.
I am not a Smith fan, FTR.
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vic_orthdox
Global Moderator
At least Smith's captaincy has seen his team reach number one spot (in a more legitimate manner than Cronje's, having actually beaten Australia).
NUFAN
Y no Afghanistan flag
I have to say that without excluding the obvious scandal, I think Cronje was the better captain, but he just wasn't productive enough with the bat to make the best XI. His bowling doesn't mean much either as he's going to be a 6th option.
1 Gary Kirsten
2 Graeme Smith*
3 Hashim Amla
4 Jacques Kallis
5 AB de Villiers
6 Brian McMillan
7 Mark Boucher
8 Shaun Pollock
9 Dale Steyn
10 Allan Donald
11 Paul Adams
Now Adams is a bit of a surprise, but with the make up of the team I really thought that it needed a spinner. It's difficult working out who the best SA spinner has been since re-admission..
Agent Nationaux
International Coach
I really don't rate Smith as a good captain. With the team he has, he should have got South Africa to be no. 1 a long time ago. Plus he is one of the most defensive captains ever.
LegendaryProtea
School Boy/Girl Captain
He is good tactically (field settings, juggling bowlers etc.) but rather defensive minded with his declarations. You can't really blame him though for South Africa not being number one. We've hardly lost a series in the last 4 or 5 years, with only the odd blip here and there. He should be praised for that at least.
weldone
Hall of Fame Member
awta
South Africa is the most consistent side in world cricket today. The side most rounded to play in any condition.
A couple of years on
1. Cook
2. Trescothick
3. Smith
4. Pietersen
5. Thorpe
6. Stewart
7. Flintoff
8. Swann
9. Broad
10. Anderson
11. Fraser
Broad just edging out Caddick and is assuming that he keeps his current form going.
Prior has probably done more than enough to edge out Stewart but still more comfortable with Alec at 6, still a shame he did not just stay an opener.
Despite his recent troubles I wanted Bell but not done enough to get in above Thorpe.
Trott maybe should be at 3 but I love the Judge too much.
Problem is there is no captain.
Agent Nationaux
International Coach
Tresco would have been a good captain.