# 5 for the 1877-1940 Test XI

[neville cardus]

May as well have Archie Jackson in the poll if that is the logic as some thought he was the most talented of the lot.

There is absolutely nothing more wholly exasperating to my mind than having to riddle through the gross overabundance of claims to the effect that there has ever been anyone with a greater profusion of talent than Sir Donald George Bradman. Why is it that people so naturally look upon eye-pleasing "flair" cricketers as ones endowed with implausible talents - while rejecting as almost talentless those lacking in that imperceptibly perceptible quality of charisma? Tell me why sturdy application and ruthless resolve do not constitute incredible gifts, too (gifts perhaps even more valuable than flair and aesthetical value)?

In my humble opinion, friends, talent and flair are two different matters altogether. Don Bradman was easily the most gifted man ever to have played the game, for his natural gifts were the ones that truly mattered.

 

[silentstriker]

McCabe for mine, losing count of the amount of times I've said this, but many, many people say that he was more talented than Bradman, he just didn't have the application or concentration or desire to be great.

So than why would you want a batsman without application, concentration or desire in your all time side?

 

[neville cardus]

So than why would you want a batsman without application, concentration or desire in your all time side?

Precisely.

 

[archie mac]

So than why would you want a batsman without application, concentration or desire in your all time side?

Well he did play three of the greatest innings of all time

 

[silentstriker]

Well he did play three of the greatest innings of all time

Well we are comparing him to other all time greats. If he cannot be consistent, he has no place in an all time side IMO.

 

[archie mac]

Well we are comparing him to other all time greats. If he cannot be consistent, he has no place in an all time side IMO.

An average of 48 suggests he was consistent

 

[Burgey]

Late to this thread, so forgive me. Has McCartney been considered in any of the top 4 spots?

BTW - SS, loving that avatar.....

 

[bagapath]

Late to this thread, so forgive me. Has McCartney been considered in any of the top 4 spots?

yeah he was. but mccartney's best phase, which was just before he retired in the 20s, falls in the 1919 - 1939 era. with bradman, hammond and headley the middle order was too difficult for anyone to break in . btw, mccabe made it to no. 6 which i still believe should've gone to gregory.