Playing selector: Lets pick the best test XI of different eras

[Alysum]

mmm cant believe Sehwag is ahead of Langer...

 

[bagapath]

Due to comments that there are too many options, for all future positions, I propose we first have a 5-day preliminary Poll, whereby the 3 highest vote getters will then go into a 3-day selection Poll.

Comments??

sure. sounds good. but cant we use the top 5 from the preliminary poll? three sounds too narrow. having five options will be better in my opinion. of course, its your call.

 

[aussie tragic]

sure. sounds good. but cant we use the top 5 from the preliminary poll? three sounds too narrow. having five options will be better in my opinion. of course, its your call.

How about we split the difference and put the top 4 into a selection Poll. This would also work better as then the 3 "unselected" batsmen can be added to the next preliminary Poll.

 

[bagapath]

How about we split the difference and put the top 4 into a selection Poll. This would also work better as then the 3 "unselected" batsmen can be added to the next preliminary Poll.

 

[aussie tragic]

Poll for # 3 is now open.

I think the prelimanary vote will be pretty predictable with the 4 to go through to the selection round being Ponting, Lara, Dravid & Younis Khan. However, I think the vote between these 4 will be extremely close.

In addition, I think the # 4 position will then be a bit tougher with, amongst others, Tendulker, Kallis, Miandad, Border & Yousif being added to the three runner ups from the # 3 Poll.

 

[bagapath]

i think we should use this thread to discuss the overall selection process in detail and leave the specific threads only for the respective polls and related issues. perry mason and jbh are invited to continue their SR arguments right here

 

[C_C]

1986-2006 First XI:

M.Hayden
V.Sehwag
R.Dravid
B.Lara
S.Tendulkar
S.R.Waugh
A.Gillchrist
W.Akram
C.Ambrose
G.McGrath
M.Muralitharan

 

[Burgey]

Love these discussions.

Are picking these fellas on their form during the era in question, or are wee assuming that they would play their best? EG: AB probably not at his best 1988-1993 batting-wise but can we assume that he takes his best form from any part of his career into the side - eg: 1982-1986?

 

[aussie tragic]

Love these discussions.

Are picking these fellas on their form during the era in question, or are wee assuming that they would play their best? EG: AB probably not at his best 1988-1993 batting-wise but can we assume that he takes his best form from any part of his career into the side - eg: 1982-1986?

Hi Burgey. We are only talking about their performance between 1986-2006 and we have established the following criteria for a player to be in the Preliminary Polls:

Between 1986-2006, a player must have:

Minimum tests: 10
Batsmen: Batting ave: > 40
Keeper's batting ave: > 25 and averaging at least 3 dismissal per test
Allrounder: batting ave > 20 and bowling ave < 35
Fast bowler: bowling ave < 30 and strike rate of < 60.0
Spinners: bowling ave < 35 and strike rate of < 75.0

 

[aussie tragic]

For the # 4 batting Poll, I need some feedback.

Mohammad Yousuf has 2079 @ 67.06 at # 4 and 3455 @ 53.15 at # 5.

I think he should be placed in the # 4 Poll due to his higher average (thus more success), however # 5 might be more appropriate as he batted there more often.

Any preference?

 

[aussie tragic]

A question for the # 6 position.

I propose we pick the Allrounder and Wicket-keeper and then decide where they bat.

If we determine that they can bat at # 6 & # 7, then we carry on, however if we think they're better suited to # 7 & # 8, then I think we should pick another batsman at # 6.

Just a thought and all suggestions (and/or abuse) welcome

EDIT: To aid a decision, please note the following stats for the nominated Allrounders:

Imran: 34 tests; 1715 runs @ 50.44; 4 centuries; 113 wkts @ 23.63
Botham: 23 tests; 791 runs @ 23.96; 1 century; 40 wkts @ 45.80
Kapil: 58 tests; 2239 runs @ 32.44; 5 centuries; 154 wkts @ 31.74
Hadlee: 26 tests; 925 runs @ 34.25; 1 century; 132 wkts @ 21.73
Cairns: 62 tests 3320 runs @ 33.53; 5 centuries; 218 wkts @ 29.40
Pollock: 102 tests; 3515 runs @ 31.95; 2 centuries; 395 wkts @ 23.42
Kallis: 102 tests; 8033 runs @ 55.78; 24 centuries; 200 wkts @ 31.71
Flintoff: 62 tests; 3127 runs @ 32.91; 5 centuries; 186 wkts @ 31.32
Akram: 99 tests; 2880 runs @ 22.85; 3 centuries; 394 wkts @ 23.59

 

[Jamee999]

Why not do a poll choosing the team balance?

 

[Beleg]

pick another batsman at six.

 

[adharcric]

You could just put batsmen as well as all-rounders in the race at #6. For example, you can let the pollers choose between Waugh, Kallis and Imran. (plenty of other candidates)

 

[marc71178]

Of all those "options" as all rounder, I'd suggest perhaps 5 at most would be good enough batsmen to go in at 6 - and that's stratching it to include players whose best periods are well before the 1986 cut off.

 

[aussie tragic]

You could just put batsmen as well as all-rounders in the race at #6. For example, you can let the pollers choose between Waugh, Kallis and Imran. (plenty of other candidates)

This one I like No response from the Chairman of Selectors yet though.

Bagapath, how about we amend it slightly to have the nominated Allrounders + the 3 runner-ups from the # 5 Batting Poll...

 

[BhupinderSingh]

1. Openers:

Australia: Boon, Taylor, Slater, Hayden, Langer
England: Gooch, Atherton, Vaughan, Trescothick, Strauss
India: Gavaskar, Navjot Sidhu, Sehwag
Pakistan: Anwar, Sohail
New Zealand: Wright, Fleming
South Africa: Gary Kirsten, Gibbs, Smith
Sri Lanka: Jayasuriya, Attapattu
West Indies: Haynes, Greenidge, Gayle

No Shoaib Mohammad?Its called bias.Isn't it?

 

[bagapath]

This one I like No response from the Chairman of Selectors yet though.

Bagapath, how about we amend it slightly to have the nominated Allrounders + the 3 runner-ups from the # 5 Batting Poll...

hi aussie tragic. i was caught up with my work last week i could not even vote for the final poll for no. 3. what a shame!!!

i would prefer a team with five bowlers with two being spinners. if one of the fast bowlers happens to be a fast bowling all-rounder it is ideal for the combo we set out to select. by placing a batsman at 6, you are restricting your attack to two pacers and two spinners. or you end up sacrificing one of the spinners. is it worth it? especially when your all-rounder and wicket keeperr could be capable batters?

 

[aussie tragic]

I'm all for an allrounder at # 6, however only if they can hold that position in their own right as a # 6 batsman (e.g. Botham pre-1985). Out of the nominated list, only Kallis and Imran have the 1986-2006 stats to be nominated as a # 6, while IMO, 5 others could fill # 7 and 2 at # 8.

Accordingly, we wouldn't be voting for a # 6 and the balance of the team would be off (eg. would we really put Hadlee at # 6 and Gilchrist at # 7). btw, why do we need two spinners as I would have thought one would be enough (after all, it would have to be Warne or Murali). Is this what is driving the pace bowling allrounder?

So the following is proposed:

(a) We pick the Allrounder and Wicket-Keeper and then decide if we need another batsman; or
(b) We add the 3 runner-ups from the # 5 position poll with the # 6 "Allrounders" and let the members decide; or
(c) Leave the nominated allrounder position as it is.

The only way we can change this is if enough of us convince Bagapath that his team balance is off, so please speak up folks, or do I have to do another Poll

 

[bagapath]

I'm all for an allrounder at # 6, however only if they can hold that position in their own right as a # 6 batsman (e.g. Botham pre-1985). Out of the nominated list, only Kallis and Imran have the 1986-2006 stats to be nominated as a # 6, while IMO, 5 others could fill # 7 and 2 at # 8.

Accordingly, we wouldn't be voting for a # 6 and the balance of the team would be off (eg. would we really put Hadlee at # 6 and Gilchrist at # 7). btw, why do we need two spinners as I would have thought one would be enough (after all, it would have to be Warne or Murali). Is this what is driving the pace bowling allrounder?

So the following is proposed:

(a) We pick the Allrounder and Wicket-Keeper and then decide if we need another batsman; or
(b) We add the 3 runner-ups from the # 5 position poll with the # 6 "Allrounders" and let the members decide; or
(c) Leave the nominated allrounder position as it is.

The only way we can change this is if enough of us convince Bagapath that his team balance is off, so please speak up folks, or do I have to do another Poll

Hey! I am sure flintoff and cairns can also be nominated for the all-rounder slot. in my opinion an imran or flintoff or cairns is more vaulable at no.6 than a specialist batsman. with gilly almost sure to bag the keeping slot why do you need an additional bat?

also i am an advocate of the five bowler theory (with two slots going to two of the greatest spinners of all time!!) since we need to take 20 wickets every time. would love to hear other voices too. i hope there is no overwhelming majority that votes me out.

remember this team will have to play against the best teams of other eras like the best of 1946 - 1965 and 1966 - 1985. with hutton and morris and compton and weeks and miller in your opposition dont you want five bowlers?????