Test Team of the decade
Oh well, my turn to pick my best test eleven of this decade.
Openers:
Contenders: Hayden, Smith, Sehwag.
Haydos is an automatic choice, but difficult to choose between Viru and Smith. Viru scored 6248 runs @ 52.50 and Smith 6451 runs @ 49.62. But Viru’s ability to turn a match on its head(his strike rate is 80.44) gets him my vote.
Picks: Hayden & Sehwag.
Middle-order: (3, 4 and 5)
Contenders: Ponting, Dravid, Tendulkar, Lara, Jayawardene and Yousuf.
Number 4 is an automatic choice. Sachin takes it.
Now, the all important 3, and it is between Dravid and Ponting. Dravid scored 8558 runs @ 55, and Ponting 9458 @ 58. But, Dravid averages 56.03 abroad, compared to Ponting’s 49.77. And, Ponting had the luxury of a great opening pair, whereas Dravid was in at India 1 down for nothing (for most part of the decade). So, I would go in with Dravid at 3. Perfect player to follow Haydos/Viru.
Ah, the tough bit now. Number 5. For me, Mahela and Yousuf never proved their worth outside the sub-continent. That leaves with Lara. Lara scored an impressive 6380 runs this decade. But he retired in 2006. Lara would surely make it to my all-time test eleven, but this decade, it is really hard to ignore Ponting. For my convenience, I will play Punter at 5.
Picks: Dravid, Tendulkar and Ponting.
All-rounder: (6)
Contenders: Flintoff, Kallis and Pollock.
Both Flintoff and Pollock are less reliable as batsmen for number 6. In fact, Pollock’s batting blossomed only towards the end of his career. Flintoff has the charisma, but amazing consistency (and thereby his unbelievable stats of 8630 runs and 205 wickets) of Kallis gives him the all-rounder spot.
Pick: Kallis
Wicket-keeper Batsman: (7)
Contenders: Gilchrist and Sangakkara.
Sanga has an astonishing 7549 runs @ 55.10, and Gilly 5130 runs @ 46.63. But, Sangakkara for me is in the Dravid-Kallis mould and this team doesn’t need a third batsman in the same type. Even though Sanga is a better keeper against spinners, Gilly was rarely at fault for most part of his keeping career. So, Gilly is my pick.
Pick: Gilchrist
Bowlers: (8, 9, 10 and 11)
Contenders: McGrath, Muralitharan, Warney, Ntini, Pollock, Lee, Pollock and Kumble.
Well, Warney and Murali for sure. Now, for the two pacers. McGrath has 2197 at a superb average of 20.53 (best of the decade). Surely he would be part of my team. Tempted to have a real speedster in Lee, but Pollock’s consistency would make him my number 8.
Yes, there is a disappointment in having no real fast bowler, but Pidge, Polly, Warney and Murali (with Kallis to support) is not a bad bet to get 20 wickets.
Picks: Pollock, Warne, McGrath and Murali.
Final Eleven:
Hayden, Sehwag, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ponting, Kallis, Gilchrist, Pollock, Warne, Muralitharan and McGrath.
Captain: Oh well, Warney? I wish. But, his lack of experience as an international captain, and lack of no other real contender, I will choose Ponting.
Openers:
Contenders: Hayden, Smith, Sehwag.
Haydos is an automatic choice, but difficult to choose between Viru and Smith. Viru scored 6248 runs @ 52.50 and Smith 6451 runs @ 49.62. But Viru’s ability to turn a match on its head(his strike rate is 80.44) gets him my vote.
Picks: Hayden & Sehwag.
Middle-order: (3, 4 and 5)
Contenders: Ponting, Dravid, Tendulkar, Lara, Jayawardene and Yousuf.
Number 4 is an automatic choice. Sachin takes it.
Now, the all important 3, and it is between Dravid and Ponting. Dravid scored 8558 runs @ 55, and Ponting 9458 @ 58. But, Dravid averages 56.03 abroad, compared to Ponting’s 49.77. And, Ponting had the luxury of a great opening pair, whereas Dravid was in at India 1 down for nothing (for most part of the decade). So, I would go in with Dravid at 3. Perfect player to follow Haydos/Viru.
Ah, the tough bit now. Number 5. For me, Mahela and Yousuf never proved their worth outside the sub-continent. That leaves with Lara. Lara scored an impressive 6380 runs this decade. But he retired in 2006. Lara would surely make it to my all-time test eleven, but this decade, it is really hard to ignore Ponting. For my convenience, I will play Punter at 5.
Picks: Dravid, Tendulkar and Ponting.
All-rounder: (6)
Contenders: Flintoff, Kallis and Pollock.
Both Flintoff and Pollock are less reliable as batsmen for number 6. In fact, Pollock’s batting blossomed only towards the end of his career. Flintoff has the charisma, but amazing consistency (and thereby his unbelievable stats of 8630 runs and 205 wickets) of Kallis gives him the all-rounder spot.
Pick: Kallis
Wicket-keeper Batsman: (7)
Contenders: Gilchrist and Sangakkara.
Sanga has an astonishing 7549 runs @ 55.10, and Gilly 5130 runs @ 46.63. But, Sangakkara for me is in the Dravid-Kallis mould and this team doesn’t need a third batsman in the same type. Even though Sanga is a better keeper against spinners, Gilly was rarely at fault for most part of his keeping career. So, Gilly is my pick.
Pick: Gilchrist
Bowlers: (8, 9, 10 and 11)
Contenders: McGrath, Muralitharan, Warney, Ntini, Pollock, Lee, Pollock and Kumble.
Well, Warney and Murali for sure. Now, for the two pacers. McGrath has 2197 at a superb average of 20.53 (best of the decade). Surely he would be part of my team. Tempted to have a real speedster in Lee, but Pollock’s consistency would make him my number 8.
Yes, there is a disappointment in having no real fast bowler, but Pidge, Polly, Warney and Murali (with Kallis to support) is not a bad bet to get 20 wickets.
Picks: Pollock, Warne, McGrath and Murali.
Final Eleven:
Hayden, Sehwag, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ponting, Kallis, Gilchrist, Pollock, Warne, Muralitharan and McGrath.
Captain: Oh well, Warney? I wish. But, his lack of experience as an international captain, and lack of no other real contender, I will choose Ponting.
posted by Sreekar at
5:46 AM
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