Ian Chappells World Eleven for the Super series

[Mingster]

If Fleming is good enough to be in the side - it doesn't matter if he's batting at 3 or opening the innings, because he has shown it does not have any effect on his batting ability.

 

[Tim]

Again, I think in a world xi you want to pick the best players in each position. That includes best captain & best glovesman.

Fleming is widely regarded as the best captain so he should fit in somewhere..and i seriously doubt he'd let the team down with the bat either..it's not like he's total rubbish.

 

[marc71178]

Yes, but that also means best openers!

It's Catch 22, is his captaincy that much better that he is more worthy of a middle order spot than those named in it?

For me, that's touch and go.

Of course, if he's persisted with as an opener and continues in this vein, then come this time next year, he may very well be worthy of a spot opening by right.

 

[Adamc]

Fleming is a fantastic captain of New Zealand. It will be difficult for him to be of any great benefit to a team of superbly talented players who have only been assembled for a few days. I doubt a 'specialist' captain is necessary in this case.

 

[Tim]

What happens if it turns into the British Lions fiasco though? they had no leadership & subsequently lost to Australia who played as a team rather than a team of individuals.

 

[delkap]

Fleming is a fantastic captain of New Zealand. It will be difficult for him to be of any great benefit to a team of superbly talented players who have only been assembled for a few days. I doubt a 'specialist' captain is necessary in this case.

Captaincy is not only uniting the players, but tactics as well. Fleming is by far the best tactician. As for uniting the team, noone can achieve that. Fleming is better suited as atleast he has experience. Rather than hv a younger captain like Vaughan or Smith. That will definitely cause unity problems for the senior players IMO.

 

[Deja moo]

. A more reliable keeper like Mark Boucher would also help the spinners.

Boucher , a reliable keeper to spinners ?? you r kidding right ?

His only experience of keeping to spinners is Boje .

 

[Craig]

Boucher , a reliable keeper to spinners ?? you r kidding right ?

His only experience of keeping to spinners is Boje .

So what are Paul Adams, Robbie Peterson, Claude Henderson, Pat Symcox all fast bowlers?

 

[Deja moo]

So what are Paul Adams, Robbie Peterson, Claude Henderson, Pat Symcox all fast bowlers?

Yea , they are all in the same league as Murali .

 

[Tim]

As has been shown before, when a team of star individuals come together..things usually go wrong. E.g. Real Madrid or The British Lions.

Fleming is respected as a captain by nearly everybody whereas someone like Smith or Vaughan still probably have a fair way to go before they earn respect as captains of their respective countries.

I believe that the captain will be a vital cog in this World XI side..Fleming's going to keep them in check & I think with good players at his disposal & his previous tactics used against Australia..he's the best option IMO & it doesn't mean he has to open the batting.

 

[marc71178]

As for uniting the team, noone can achieve that. Fleming is better suited as atleast he has experience.

I'd actually say Ganguly if it's uniting a team.

 

[marc71178]

he's the best option IMO & it doesn't mean he has to open the batting.

But he wouldn't merit a place in the middle order, that's the problem.

If he has a stellar year, then by all means pick him, but if there are others performing a lot better, then pick the skipper from that side.

 

[Tim]

But an average of almost 40 in test cricket is not that bad! I can understand if he averaged in the low 30's.

If his Captaincy is a factor in the series then his batting average would effectively add another 5 to 8 on his average of 40..because it's unlikely players like Lara or Tendulkar would have a huge influence outside of batting.

 

[Mingster]

As has been shown before, when a team of star individuals come together..things usually go wrong. E.g. Real Madrid or The British Lions.

Oh yeah, the British Lions beating the Aussies all went "wrong".

The Pacific Islanders have been such a failure this year.

 

[Tim]

The British Lions lost 2-1 to Australia! & the fall-out between players & management is well documented.

The Pacific Island is different..they're not full of individual stars, maybe a handful like Sivivatu & Lauki. And they're not over-paid either. -> perhaps why they've played so well?

 

[Mingster]

Sorry, I was supposed to say the tradition of the British Lions was a failure when it isn't.

 

[Tim]

I think it was fine before Professionalism kicked in after 1995. Since then players have become more concerned about money, what shirt they're wearing etc.

But anyway the point is that in recent times, so called World XI teams have failed when there has been a clear lack of leadership.

 

[Mingster]

The Hemisphere rugby concept would have been interesting if it actually went ahead.

 

[marc71178]

But an average of almost 40 in test cricket is not that bad! I can understand if he averaged in the low 30's.

It isn't that bad, but compared to his rivals, it's not good enough!

If his Captaincy is a factor in the series then his batting average would effectively add another 5 to 8 on his average of 40..because it's unlikely players like Lara or Tendulkar would have a huge influence outside of batting.

Yes, but that would still put him around 44-47, below the likes of Lara.

 

[tooextracool]

But an average of almost 40 in test cricket is not that bad! I can understand if he averaged in the low 30's.

yet significantly worse(like 20 runs?) than graeme smith, and he cant even find a place in the side. sehwag himself isnt a genuine opener and to go in with 2 in a side would be OTT against a quality bowling attack.