He's probably the right choice, but keeping for a lot of ODIs doesn't mean he was a great keeper. Andy Flower kept for nearly a decade didn't he? He was an atrocious keeper.
You have to be somewhat competent to keep to Murali.
Rationale behind choosing Border in lieu of Tendulkar or Lara? Both seem to be a far better test batsman than Border, everything considered.
Why not go for Murali and Gilly in place of Warne-Sanga? Makes the team a bit stronger.
How come stronger? Personally I favour Warne above Murali, Murali's record outside his home ground are mostly pedestrian (except England). Warne did well in much wider variety of grounds.
Even if you believe that, there is a much bigger benefit to having Gilchrist over Sanga than there is having Warne over Murali.
Ah, didn't know you thought Warne is appreciably better than Murali. Makes sense.
In ODIs I understand, but in tests? Gilly provides much bigger advantage over Sangakkara? In what way? Because his hardhitting that can alter the course of the match on his day?
You reckon Murali is better? Possible, but can you explain your stance?
Kim Hughes, really? Ponting, Steve Waugh, Hayden, Langer will be a better choice on any day IMO. Not to mention Lara, Tendulkar or Kallis! Sobers can be a decent spinner, but probably not sufficient to clear the opposition on a spinning track, might need the wizardry of Warne or Murali.
Don't think there is much either way as pure bowlers. Warne's batting and slip catching makes him slightly preferable a pick.
Kim Hughes is one of the most exciting batsmen I've ever seen, which was the theme of the XI. In regards to spinners, Sobers is definitely enough given the 4-prong pace attack + Viv and the Chappells as part-timers (WI seemed to do well without a spinner). As for Ian Chappell, he batted at 3 his whole career so opening shouldn't be a huge difference (I originally had Warner, but needed Chappelli in the team for his aggressive captaincy).
Fair enough.
