Best Cricket XI of recent times

[frankc]

On the cricket theme, what would be you best XI of recent times (say the last 25 years). Mine would be as follows;

1. Greenidge (WI)
2. Hayden (Aust)
3. Ponting (Aust - Capt)
4. Tendullar (IND - VC)
5. Lara (WI)
6. Gilchrist (Aust - WK)
7. Imran Khan (pak)
8. Wasim Akram (Pak)
9. Warne (Aust)
10. Marshall (WI)
11. Muralitharan (SL)

Now this would be a great side - particularly the bowling. Imagine, Marshall and Akram starting off, left and right express speed combination, just when the batsman have seen them off, in comes Imran Khan, and then to top that off, Warne and Muralitharan, two of the best spin bowlers, not only of recent times, but of all time - one a ripping leg spinner and the other an off spinner who spins the ball both ways.

Hughe depth in the batting as well.

[Gary Shadforth]

I go along with you with that team, frankc.

Interesting you have not chosen a Pom.

I am more interested in cricket when the West Indies are touring, in up or down eras, they play the game with great spirit.

Observing the English fellas is, to my mind, like watching paint dry or grass growing.

[frankc]

Interesting you have not chosen a Pom.

Tossed up between Gooch and Hayden, went with Hayden for the left-right hand opening combination.

Have the greatest respect for Gooch as a batsman, the 154 he scored against the Windies in the early nineties is one the best innings ever (I think it is the highest scoring innings under the ICC's ranking system of all time). The only innings I put above this is Border's 98* and 100* against the Windies in the mid eighties.

[kolchak]

Marshall was terrific!!!

[frankc]

Marshall was terrific!!!

He was outstanding. Better when he pitched it up. The way he'd trap players on the back foot, dead in front, was uncanny.

Also a very handy batsman with a test best in the 90s.

[kolchak]

He was outstanding. Better when he pitched it up. The way he'd trap players on the back foot, dead in front, was uncanny.

Also a very handy batsman with a test best in the 90s.


He is my favourite WI bowler, I loved the skidding "angle-ing" deliveries. That's a pretty good 11. Notice how you have an extra bowler and Gily at 6, Australia should in the past have done the same.

[frankc]

He is my favourite WI bowler, I loved the skidding "angle-ing" deliveries. That's a pretty good 11. Notice how you have an extra bowler and Gily at 6, Australia should in the past have done the same.

Bowlers win matches. Also the extra bowler reduces over workload in individual bowlers potentially reducing injuries. With a first six like that, why wouldn't you throw in an extra specialist bowler.

[Roddy]

McGrath ahead of Akram or Khan, any day of the week......

[frankc]

McGrath ahead of Akram or Khan, any day of the week......

As a cricketer Khan is streets ahead of McGrath. Great bowler and a batsman - the allrounder of the side. Akram only fractionally behind McGrath as a bowler, but as a cricketer he is better due to his batting talents.

Balance of the side more important then indivdiuals.

Marshall - explosive fast bowler and a decent batsman to boot.
Akram - explosive left armer, difficult to read and a perfect compliment to Marshall who, for mine, is the best fast bowler of the modern age. Akram also a good batsmen with a 250 to his name.
Khan - fast medium right armer - perfect compliment to opening combination of Marhall and Akram.
Warne and Muralithran as a combination could bambozle any side.

Only bunny is Murali, but would prefer him to McGrath.

[PatientHawk]

On the cricket theme, what would be you best XI of recent times (say the last 25 years). Mine would be as follows;

1. Greenidge (WI)
2. Hayden (Aust)
3. Ponting (Aust - Capt)
4. Tendullar (IND - VC)
5. Lara (WI)
6. Gilchrist (Aust - WK)
7. Imran Khan (pak)
8. Wasim Akram (Pak)
9. Warne (Aust)
10. Marshall (WI)
11. Muralitharan (SL)

Now this would be a great side - particularly the bowling. Imagine, Marshall and Akram starting off, left and right express speed combination, just when the batsman have seen them off, in comes Imran Khan, and then to top that off, Warne and Muralitharan, two of the best spin bowlers, not only of recent times, but of all time - one a ripping leg spinner and the other an off spinner who spins the ball both ways.

Hughe depth in the batting as well.

I would have Lillee before Marshall and Akram
I would have Gavaskar instead of Hayden
I would throw the keeping gloves on Viv Richards, just to get him in the team
Mcgrath before Akram also

[frankc]

I would have Lillee before Marshall and Akram
I would have Gavaskar instead of Hayden
I would throw the keeping gloves on Viv Richards, just to get him in the team
Mcgrath before Akram also

I didn't include Lillee becuase he was before my time. I never saw him play. Also Richards may have been an entertainer but no better than the other batsman in the side.

As a cricketer, Akram is better than McGrath. Also like to have a express left armer in there.

[PatientHawk]

I didn't include Lillee becuase he was before my time. I never saw him play. Also Richards may have been an entertainer but no better than the other batsman in the side.

As a cricketer, Akram is better than McGrath. Also like to have a express left armer in there.

I think Richie Benaud had Richards in his best of all time test team, due to the fact that he can tear a side apart (quickly), also because he is one of the greats.