Somerset
Cricketer Of The Year
For starters I'll take VVS Laxman for my test side, to complement what is starting to look like a solid middle order. I'll also go with Shabbir Ahmed for the test team. Somewhat controversial given he hasn't featured in a lot of matches for Pakistan and was accused of chucking for most of them, but his performance in that short period was good and he has the statistics to back it up. The only real concern is the relatively small number of matches Bond and Shabbir have played and if this was in real life, it'd be a miracle if either got through a series without either an injury or throwing allegation.
In ODIs I need a pace bowler to open the attack and I don't want to be left with picking New Zealanders too late in the draft, so by selecting Geoff Allott, equal top wicket taker at the 1999 World Cup from memory, that solves both issues. I'll also lock in Abdul Razzaq. With Sarwan, Kallis, Flower and Bevan we've got plenty of good accumulators of runs but lack a hitter, and Razzaq can play that role nicely. Also gives us plenty of depth with him batting at eight and playing as a second genuine allrounder to Kallis. Would've liked another specialist bowler so difficult choice that.
In ODIs I need a pace bowler to open the attack and I don't want to be left with picking New Zealanders too late in the draft, so by selecting Geoff Allott, equal top wicket taker at the 1999 World Cup from memory, that solves both issues. I'll also lock in Abdul Razzaq. With Sarwan, Kallis, Flower and Bevan we've got plenty of good accumulators of runs but lack a hitter, and Razzaq can play that role nicely. Also gives us plenty of depth with him batting at eight and playing as a second genuine allrounder to Kallis. Would've liked another specialist bowler so difficult choice that.
