Ikki
Hall of Fame Member
Well, if your life depended on it, stakes are high, of course, who would you give the bat/ball to?
Include Bradman if you wish, but I think he is an automatic choice really, so I am not going to mention him in my list. I also don't really mind which form of the game you are talking about, mine might have a mix.
Batting:
1) Bevan - Saved Australia so many times in ODI. batting to the end. it is quite ridiculous.
2) Gavaskar - He was India. They say he was selfish, but it only benefited his country. In a time where talent was abundant in the opposition, it was not as much in his side.
3) Border - Much like Gavaskar, he was Australia, enough said.
4) Richards - This might be a controversial choice given his method of batting. But I feel that when it really mattered he made those huge scores and could take on all-comers.
5) Lara - I was going for Waugh but I decided not to. Thinking of a situation where I only had one batsman and I needed a big score, I'd shade it to Brian Charles Lara.
Bowling:
1) Warne - The King, the genius. Had the will to turn a match on will alone, but the majesty and command of his craft meant it was never a blind shot in the dark.
2) Lillee - Like Warne, his heart was big and where he differs is that he had to get over the physical aspect of the game. His discipline requires much more of that physique than Warne's, and so it was quite amazing to see him pummel into the opposition all day as hard as he could, injured or otherwise.
3) Akram - Not so much for his heart or things of that nature, although he had it, but because his supreme skill meant he was a danger to the opposition, all the time. I don't think I've said "Wow, that was close" as many times for other bowlers as I have for Wasim.
4) McGrath - Not a choice I pick because I think he'll bring a dramatic turn around but because he won't. His bowling will more than not put you in a position of calm. A safe bet.
5) Khan - I pick Imran because simply...he is Imran. He is one of those players whose influence goes past his own efforts. He makes others play better.
Include Bradman if you wish, but I think he is an automatic choice really, so I am not going to mention him in my list. I also don't really mind which form of the game you are talking about, mine might have a mix.
Batting:
1) Bevan - Saved Australia so many times in ODI. batting to the end. it is quite ridiculous.
2) Gavaskar - He was India. They say he was selfish, but it only benefited his country. In a time where talent was abundant in the opposition, it was not as much in his side.
3) Border - Much like Gavaskar, he was Australia, enough said.
4) Richards - This might be a controversial choice given his method of batting. But I feel that when it really mattered he made those huge scores and could take on all-comers.
5) Lara - I was going for Waugh but I decided not to. Thinking of a situation where I only had one batsman and I needed a big score, I'd shade it to Brian Charles Lara.
Bowling:
1) Warne - The King, the genius. Had the will to turn a match on will alone, but the majesty and command of his craft meant it was never a blind shot in the dark.
2) Lillee - Like Warne, his heart was big and where he differs is that he had to get over the physical aspect of the game. His discipline requires much more of that physique than Warne's, and so it was quite amazing to see him pummel into the opposition all day as hard as he could, injured or otherwise.
3) Akram - Not so much for his heart or things of that nature, although he had it, but because his supreme skill meant he was a danger to the opposition, all the time. I don't think I've said "Wow, that was close" as many times for other bowlers as I have for Wasim.
4) McGrath - Not a choice I pick because I think he'll bring a dramatic turn around but because he won't. His bowling will more than not put you in a position of calm. A safe bet.
5) Khan - I pick Imran because simply...he is Imran. He is one of those players whose influence goes past his own efforts. He makes others play better.
Last edited:
