Aus, WIs and PakWhich three countries, if combined, do you guys think would produce the best ODI XI?
I'd go with oz, pak and the saffers...something like :
1. Gilchrist wk
2. Anwar
3. Ponting c
4. Amla
5. ABD
6. Kallis
7. Afridi
8. Pollock
9. Akram
10. Ajmal/Saqqy
11. Younis
So many more combinations, Hayden, Warner, Inzy, Abbas, Razzak, Donald, McGrath, Malik and so on. Could make 3 or 4 top world class teams from those groups of players
I'd keep Botham (his ODI bowling figures were pretty decent) and lose one of the NZ bowlers, otherwise it's a pretty long tail.I'd do a straight swap Botham for Fairbrother there, you've got enough bowlers
Pretty good stuff but no idea how Symonds can be in there.Aus, WIs and Pak
Adam Gilchrist
Shane Watson
Viv Richards
Ricky Ponting
Zaheer Abbas
Javed Miandad
Andrew Symonds
Wasim Akram
Shane Warne
Joel Garner
Glenn McGrath
Have we already had this conversation about Symonds? Dunno, but he goes into any ODI XI I am picking, even a world XI. Brutal bat, handy bowler and the best fielder I've seen.Pretty good stuff but no idea how Symonds can be in there.
Also never believe in an ODI side without Waqar.
Solid other than that, although if there is going to be a Pakistani at 5, shouldnt it be Yousuf or Inzy?
A team to take you on:A Glichrist
S Watson
R Ponting
K Williamson
M Hussey
M Bevan
A Symonds
R Hadlee
S Warne
B Lee
G McGrath
Not over Lee, McGrath or Hadlee.No Bond?
Oops, just realised you had Watson in there as well...Symond and Watson are capable, most definitely but great teams are made of more than just capable players. Those are odd picks considering what you have left behind. I think they'd be 3rd or 4th squad kin of players with the type of talent available in the teams you were picking from.Have we already had this conversation about Symonds? Dunno, but he goes into any ODI XI I am picking, even a world XI. Brutal bat, handy bowler and the best fielder I've seen.
Abbas was a true early era ODI batting great. His average and SR were beyond the pale for the era he played in. One of the true greats.
Waqar could displace McGrath, Garner or Wasim and you wouldnt lose much, I agree. I'd prefer the three I have already, just. Watson and Symonds more than capable of bowling ten between them.
Probably the other option I'd have is to include Imran at the expense of Symonds. I'd gain a lot in bowling but lose a lot in batting power down the order. I'd honestly prefer Symonds.Oops, just realised you had Watson in there as well...Symond and Watson are capable, most definitely but great teams are made of more than just capable players. Those are odd picks considering what you have left behind.
As someone to come in at 6 or 7, you have two options. You can have a Bevan type, or a Symonds type. I disagree so strongly with the argument that he isn't in the top echelon of batsmen. I can't think of many players I'd prefer to come in to finish an innings with 5-15 overs left. Symonds IS the man for that situation. Which puts him clearly in the top echelon.The problem is trying to shoehorn him into a side as something he wasn't. He's nowhere near the top echelon of batsmen who he should be competing with for a slot in any ATG side so people are trying to call him an all rounder when in reality his bowling was just meh.