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Pick a team to tour South Africa

Matt79

Matt79

Global Moderator
We've done this a few times for Aussie teams going to England or vice versa, but with the Aussies leaving soon for SA, I was thinking today about what the best EDIT FOR THE OBTUSE: alltime Australian XI would be, selected on the basis of performances IN South Africa. Playing the Proteas at home is always a very tough test, so its a mark of distinction to succeed there against them. This is intended for all countries.

Will post my Australian team to tour SA in a minute, still completing it.
 
Last edited:
chaminda_00

chaminda_00

Hall of Fame Member
Micheal Vandort
Malinda Warnapura
Tharanga Paranavitana
Kumar Sangakkara (wk)
Mahela Jayawardene (c)
Angelo Mathews
Kaushal Silva (wk)
Chaminda Vaas
Ajantha Mendis
Lasith Malinga
Muthiah Muralitharan

That would my side for South Africa. Seven batsmen who imo have the technique to handle the South African pitches. I know Samaraweera and Dilshan are back in form and Kapu found his feet at FC and technically Test level. But along with Chamara Silva I don't believe they have the technquie in comparsion to above seven batsmen to get the most out of South African conditions.

Silva and Sangakkara to share keeping duties depending on Sangakkara fitness levels and Silva's confidence. Silva picked as specialist batsmen, with keeping a bonus. Though I do believe batting at four Sangakkara should have no fatigue problems.

Bowling wise Murali, Mendis and Malinga (if fit) pick themseleves. Went with Vaas for last spot as Prasad, Dilhara and Thurshara all still need more work on their bowling. With three attack minded bowlers Vaas, Maharoof and Mathews balance out the attack. Maharoof misses out cus Vaas can take wickets at this level.
 
The Sean

The Sean

Cricketer Of The Year
Athlai

Athlai

Not Terrible
The Sean said:
Wow, and here was me going to pick Michael Slater. But now I know that Jack Moroney averaged 0.08 more than him in a completely different era against a totally different bowling line up, I have to re-think some stuff.

And not just about cricket, but about life in general.
Click to expand...
Statsguru taught me that I had to eat more red meat, wear only white socks and be kinder to strangers.
 
chaminda_00

chaminda_00

Hall of Fame Member
All Time

Marvan Attapattu
Sanath Jayasuriya
Asanka Gurusinha
Aravinda De Silva
Mahela Jayawardene
Kumar Sangakkara
Roy Dias
Chaminda Vaas
Ajantha Mendis
Lasith Malinga
Muthiah Muralitharan

Attapattu, Jayasuriya and De Silva improved their records away from a fair bit by the end of their careers. Jayawardene well on his way as well. Gurusinha and Dias have always been one of our better batsmen away from home. Especally Dias probably the one batsmen in Sri Lanka's history that was better away then at home. Underated batsmen.

Ranatunga, Tillakaratne, Dilshan and Samaraweera miss out cus they are poor away from home.

Bowlers pick themselves imo.
 
Matt79

Matt79

Global Moderator
All time Aussie team:

Fingleton
Morris
Ponting
Harvey
McCabe
Gilchrist+
Davidson
Benaud
Gregory
Grimmett
Clark

The spinners were at once an easy and yet difficult choice. Grimmett's record is amazing, and once you throw in Benaud's performances with the bat, he can't be denied a place, yet Warne and O'Reilly also have amazing records there. I guess SA has a proud history of not being able to handle touring Australian leggies. Davidson and Gregory pick themselves, and I think Clark's debut series merits his inclusion. Harvey famously performed for Australia in SA and SA was the sight of one of McCabe's special innings.

I only had five specialist bats, but Gilly's performances in SA, couple with Davidson and Benaud's all-round efforts there make that workable IMO.
 
Prince EWS

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
I must admit, I nearly merged this thread when I first saw the title. I understood once I actually read the first post, though. :p
 
Jamee999

Jamee999

Hall of Fame Member
AJ Strauss
MA Atherton
L Hutton
N Hussain*
KF Barrington
LEG Ames+
A Flintoff
TE Bailey
JH Wardle
MJ Hoggard
W Voce
 
M

Michaelf7777777

International Debutant
AT New Zealand XI based on performances in South Africa


1. Mark Richardson
2. Bert Suttcliffe
3. Stephen Flemming
4. John Reid (*)
5. Geoff Rabone
6. Matthew Sinclair
7. James Franklin
8. Artie Dick (+)
9. Simon Doull
10. Gary Bartlett
11. Jack Alabaster
 
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