[watson]

Originally Posted by rvd619323

Sticky Wicket XI

1. Len Hutton
2. Jack Hobbs
3. George Headley
4. Neil Harvey
5. Stan McCabe
6. Monty Noble
7. George Hirst
8. Jack Blackham
9. Hedley Verity
10. Derek Underwood
11. Sydney Barnes

12. VVS Laxman

Hutton's 62* at the Gabba in the early 1950s (year escapes me) was one hell of a knock on a terrible pitch, so he gets in solely based on that. Hobbs had a fantastic technique and was described as playing well on tough pitches. Similarly, Headley's reputation on sticky wickets is well renowned.

Harvey seems like a good player to be able to adjust to poor conditions, and if in doubt McCabe is included to hit out - if he comes off, he's turned the game; if not, it's another batsman back in the shed. But McCabe always came off when he was needed. Monty Noble comes in as an all-rounder used to that style of pitch.

Hirst's "we'll get 'em in singles" knock typifies the notion that he was better on tracks affording help to bowlers, and his style of bowling not be enjoyable to face on a bad track - making use of swing and seam from the left-armer's angle.

Blackham is probably the most qualified wicketkeeper in such a position, with anecdotes suggesting he'd batted and kept with distinction on pitches featuring ridges and troughs. Then the bowling attack of Verity, Underwood and Barnes would take some facing; the former mixing his impeccable line and length with sharp bounce and turn, Underwood providing the unplayable deliveries he was so well known for, and Barnes zipping the ball around both ways off the pitch at a bit above medium. Surely unplayable.

VVS Laxman is also included, probably competing with Noble, for his modern exploits on testing pitches. Hirst-Verity-Underwood-Barnes is a competent enough attack (if extremely left-armed), especially on those pitches, so Noble's bowling may be surplus to requirements.

Yes, that Hutton innings is quite famous;

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS

No.1 Len Hutton

62 V Australia, Brisbane 1950
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62713.html

Australia batted first and scored 228. But then the wicket turned into a quagmire. England were bowled out for 68 and Australia then replied with 7/32 declared. Hutton and Compton batted at No.8 and No.9 respectively in an effort to let the wicket dry out. In the end Hutton made 62 out of a team score of 122 in what has been described as one of the greatest exhibitions of defensive batting seen.