Would Ponting make an Aussie all-time XI?

[trundler]

Surely, 5fas, 10fas and a ridiculous WPM count for *something*. Maybe not when we're splitting hairs but Lillee stands out massively on those. His average is maybe 10% higher than his reputation suggests but nah, his performances are definitely ATG.

 

[_00_deathscar]

Comparing him to Jadeja who can't win a game outside SC to save his life is an insult.

Actually it’s ironic cos Lillee couldn’t win a game IN SC.

 

[_00_deathscar]

In terms of Lillee himself, I don't actually think he was worse than Siddle or my main man Matty Hoggard, but his average standardises to 28. When you play the equivalent of an 8-year Test career, with 63% of your games at home, in a bowling era, in conditions that generally favour you, and you still only average ~24, you're basically Jadeja without the batting. That don't impress me much.

This post has been reported for besmirching the name of The Answer and comparing him to some substandard fake alpha male from Down Under with pathetic facial hair.
You must understand that actions have consequences. I hope you will learn from this.

 

[subshakerz]

As shown by all the greatest teams in history having 5 regular bowlers…

If a quality all-rounder were available, he would be selected. Ponting said after that 2005 Ashes that Flintoff would walk into their side.

They didnt need them because their opposition was so far below in quality. But all other factors equal they would love to have a genuine all-rounder rather than Clarke or someone turning their arm.

In these ATG XI exercises, the goal is to get the XI that can face the strongest opposition.

 

[_00_deathscar]

Going back to the discussion, surely you don’t move Bradman - why the hell would you do that? And Smith/Chappell are better 4s, and Border/Waugh better lower order. It’s hard to fit Ponting in cos of the Bradman problem.

And leaving Lillee out is pretty mental.

 

[Prince EWS]

This post has been reported for besmirching the name of The Answer and comparing him to some substandard fake alpha male from Down Under with pathetic facial hair.
You must understand that actions have consequences. I hope you will learn from this.

The Answer is gun because he also has the batting (and the fielding!)

He'd be a mere Lillee without it.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Ponting opening would be better than Ponsford, Simpson, Lawry, Morris or Hayden tbh

But I know a lot of people refuse to pick players out of position for things like this

 

[Prince EWS]

Ponting opening would be better than Ponsford, Simpson, Lawry, Morris or Hayden tbh

But I know a lot of people refuse to pick players out of position for things like this

If he was a more technically correct or defensive #3 I'd have thought about it more. Dravid seems like he could've opened more than he did, Ponting seems like he might've ended up at 4 in a different era.

 

[StephenZA]

I've always rated G. Smith up there above other openers I've seen but I think he's starting to get a bit overrated here

He is a bit overrated as a batsmen but his swagger and leadership tends to give him a bigger aura.

 

[Prince EWS]

He is a bit overrated as a batsmen but his swagger and leadership tends to give him a bigger aura.

lol this is so ironic given I'm the one who rates him most here

 

[TheJediBrah]

He is a bit overrated as a batsmen but his swagger and leadership tends to give him a bigger aura.

He also looks a lot like this really cool guy I used to hang out with a lot at high school

 

[the big bambino]

Going back to the discussion, surely you don’t move Bradman - why the hell would you do that?

And leaving Lillee out is pretty mental.

To get both in the team.

It isn't really.

 

[ataraxia]

Simpson*
Lawry
Bradman
Smith
Border
Ponting / S Waugh
Gilchrist +
Davidson
Lindwall
O'Reilly
McGrath

Getting back on the Lillee crap bandwagon for the lolz - he doesn't seem to have a very good SC record hmm hmmmm

 

[Xix2565]

He is a bit overrated as a batsmen but his swagger and leadership tends to give him a bigger aura.

How big did he need to be though really?

 

[Burgey]

Headley, Richards, Lara, Sobers is the best middle order imo

u wot m8?

 

[Burgey]

Sehwag is as good as Hayden who is probably the best Aussie opening bat since WW1. I'm not going back since Trumper because the game is entirely different.

Bob Simpson is a better opener than Hayden batting left handed. And he’s in his 80s. Bill Lawry was brilliant too

 

[Burgey]

1 Trumper
2 Simpson
3 Bradman
4 Chappell
5 Border
6 Miller
7 Gilchrist
8 Davidson
9 Lindwall
10 Warne
11 McGrath

Ponting would probably make a second XI but Lillee and Hayden fans can cry harder about them not even making that.

I'm not going to consider Cummins or Smith until after they retire and I can let the dust settle, do some better analysis etc but I reckon they'll both end up in there. Cummins in particular would probably have Lindwall's spot even if he went wicketless for ten consecutive Tests from here and then retired in shame.

Dennis Lillee would bowl the ears off Ray Lindwall. Ffs this is terrible man. Play Ponting at six and Lillee for Lindwall unless you’re trying to give other ATG teams half a chance (they don’t have one, but still)

we don’t need an all rounder at six Ffs. We’re australia

 

[Burgey]

Ponting walks into an AT Australian side standing on his hands ffs. The bloke was an incredible player.

 

[ghazestor]

Yeah Gavaskar was easily the best non-English opener but Sehwag is a weak link. You can definitely argue it's better than whatever combination you come up with Aus but they're probably in the same league overall.

 

[_00_deathscar]

Ponting walks into an AT Australian side standing on his hands ffs. The bloke was an incredible player.

So whom does he displace then?