On hindsight, without pretending otherwise, yes I am embarassed at the timing of that interjection.So, in the sense that your concerns about it have nothing to do about the quality of the cricket played, and hence your interjection meaningless?
Dude, Shakib's calling you.WSC was comedy cricket.
Do you turn the ball? CA needs you.Dude, Shakib's calling you.
hayden
langer
ponting
g.chappell
border (c)
s.waugh
gilchrist (Iwk)
warne
lillee
mcgrath
reid
reserves: mcdermott, m.taylor and healy
Man for Man let's see:sorry to go off topic. but just want to complete the statement i am making by talking about the other big team of the same era. it must be west indies. and this is my take on the best xi of that country in post packer years to be pitted against the aussie team given above
greenidge
haynes
richards
lara
lloyd (c)
chanderpal
dujon (wk)
marshall
holding
ambrose
garner
reserves: walsh, richardson and gayle
for me, the aussie team's middle order's relative superiority (including gilchrist) will determine the outcome of a dream match between them. the bowling and the opening slots look pretty much even.
infact, ponting, g.chappell, border and s.waugh can be equal to any dream xi's middle order. four bloody minded aggressive bats. two of them being street fighters specializing in back to the wall situations and in working with the lower order and the two above them all round stroke makers capable of dominating any attack. i just wish ponting were included in this poll. would have given a chance to discuss punter vs chappell.
IMOMan for Man let's see:
Greenidge >or= Hayden
Haynes= Langer
Richards> or = Ponting
Lara < or = Chappell
Lloyd < or = Border
Chanderpaul < S Waugh
Dujon << Gilchrist
MArshall= S Warne
Holding < or = Lillee
Ambrose = Mcgrath
Garner >> Reid
Pretty much even stevens if u ask me .
TBF most of the players in the "best of" teams would do that on their day - Hayden, Ponting, Gilchrist, Chappell; Richards, Greenidge, Lloyd, Lara - all pretty special..Interesting that many of you put Chappell ahead of Lara.
If Lara is on song he would be the best batsmen in either team and would win the match on his own.
Lara's troughs were pretty bad though. In terms of consistenty winning games, someone like Chappell is a surer bet.That's true but I believe Lara was a cut above all of them at his absolute best. Only Richards and Gilchrist would challenge his ability to take the game away from the opposition.
His inconsistency evens it out.That's true but I believe Lara was a cut above all of them at his absolute best. Only Richards and Gilchrist would challenge his ability to take the game away from the opposition.
ah... SS! that team is a killer, i agree. in fact, this kind of puts all of us in agreement that g.chappell and punter > border and s. waugh. my combined xi would be slightly different because i cannot go into a test match without any spinner to make use of the old ball and to dominate the opposition on last 2 days' crumbling wicket.Hmm:
When you select the composite side, mine would be:
- Greenidge
- Hayden
- Richards
- Ponting
- Chappell
- Lara
- Gilchrist
- Holding
- Marshall
- Lillee
- McGrath
That would annihilate many all time XI's.
Drop one of the quicks for Warne and I'd agree. Probably out of Holding or Lillee.Hmm:
Greenidge > Hayden
Haynes = Langer
Richards > Ponting
Lara < Chappell
Lloyd < Border
Chanderpaul < S Waugh
Dujon < Gilchrist
Marshall > S Warne
Holding < Lillee
Ambrose < Mcgrath
Garner > Reid
Aussie win 6, WI win 4, one tie.
WI with the better top three, Australia with the better 4-7. Bowling is 2-2, but Reid is weaker than anyone that WI have, while WI's bowling lineup is absolutely brutal. Give them conditions like the Perth of Old, and I don't see them losing, even with McGrath and Lillee on the Australian side.
However, overall, Australian side is better, and I'd pick them in most games.
Aussies are better overall IMO.
When you select the composite side, mine would be:
- Greenidge
- Hayden
- Richards
- Ponting
- Chappell
- Lara
- Gilchrist
- Holding
- Marshall
- Lillee
- McGrath
That would annihilate many all time XI's.
Nah, step and fetch it blokes can go to hell.Drop one of the quicks for Warne and I'd agree. Probably out of Holding or Lillee.
Lara was better than Ponting, but not Chappell IMO. I like Lara, but if I need some runs, I'd back Chappell over Lara.Interesting that many of you put Chappell ahead of Lara.
If Lara is on song he would be the best batsmen in either team and would win the match on his own.
Agree with this. Holding was a fine bowler but a jot below Ambrose.Don't see Holding>Ambrose TBH.