stephen
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I'm sure that this topic has been done before, but what would a WIndies all time XI look like, and what would an Aus all time XI look like, and who would win?
WI:
Greenidge
Haynes
Headley
Lara
Richards (c)
Sobers
Dujon
Marshall
Garner
Holding
Ambrose
12th Lance Gibbs
The best opening batting combination from the WI sticks together, followed by the black Bradman, the all time highest run scorer, Viv Richards and rounding out the batting Sobers, who also provides a spin option. Dujon gets the gloves. The four bowlers picked are Marshall, Garner, Holding and Ambrose, who are the probably the best four WI quicks. 12th man is Lance Gibbs, who comes in for Holding on turning decks.
Aus:
Hayden
Trumper
Bradman
G Chappell
Miller (c)
Ponting
Gilchrist
Warne
Davidson
Lillee
McGrath
12th Waugh
Hayden and Trumper are arguably Australia's two finest openers, both excelling in different conditions. Bradman in at #3, followed by the class of Chappell, the all round talents of Miller with possibly Australia's second best batsman ever coming in at 6 in the form of Ponting. Gilchrist comes in to keep and score runs, while Warne, Davidson, Lillee and McGrath make up the bowlers. I went with Davidson as my 3rd quick due to both his exceptional record and variety. Waugh is 12th man, coming in for any batsman who doesn't perform.
Of the two sides, I would certainly say that the WI side is more intimidating to face, though would certainly be weaker on spinning tracks. Australia's openers are marginally better in my opinion. The middle order is harder to split. While Bradman is the best of the batsmen by far, Sobers, Lara, Richards and Headley are better than the rest of the Aussie batsmen. However, you would also need to account for the fact that Gilchrist was far better than Dujon as a batsman. Ultimately I would give this to the WI. Taking the openers into account, I would give it marginally to the WI batting lineup.
The keepers are both among the best ever (as pure keepers), though Dujon was marginally better.
The bowling lineup is a difficult one to separate. Warne certainly provides Australia with more of an ability to take wickets in the third and forth innings and provides better balance to the attack than Sobers does to the WI attack. Marshall is probably the best of the quicks, followed by McGrath. Ambrose, Garner, Lillee are all inseperable, with Miller and Davidson being ever so slightly behind this pack. One would imagine that the WI attack would be better in the first innings, while Australia's would be better in the second.
Ultimately I would say that the difference between these two teams would ultimately be a combination of the toss and the wicket. I think the WI would be ever so slightly ahead, though in a five match series I think Australia would definately win some games.
3-2 WI in a five match series IMO.
What do you all think?
WI:
Greenidge
Haynes
Headley
Lara
Richards (c)
Sobers
Dujon
Marshall
Garner
Holding
Ambrose
12th Lance Gibbs
The best opening batting combination from the WI sticks together, followed by the black Bradman, the all time highest run scorer, Viv Richards and rounding out the batting Sobers, who also provides a spin option. Dujon gets the gloves. The four bowlers picked are Marshall, Garner, Holding and Ambrose, who are the probably the best four WI quicks. 12th man is Lance Gibbs, who comes in for Holding on turning decks.
Aus:
Hayden
Trumper
Bradman
G Chappell
Miller (c)
Ponting
Gilchrist
Warne
Davidson
Lillee
McGrath
12th Waugh
Hayden and Trumper are arguably Australia's two finest openers, both excelling in different conditions. Bradman in at #3, followed by the class of Chappell, the all round talents of Miller with possibly Australia's second best batsman ever coming in at 6 in the form of Ponting. Gilchrist comes in to keep and score runs, while Warne, Davidson, Lillee and McGrath make up the bowlers. I went with Davidson as my 3rd quick due to both his exceptional record and variety. Waugh is 12th man, coming in for any batsman who doesn't perform.
Of the two sides, I would certainly say that the WI side is more intimidating to face, though would certainly be weaker on spinning tracks. Australia's openers are marginally better in my opinion. The middle order is harder to split. While Bradman is the best of the batsmen by far, Sobers, Lara, Richards and Headley are better than the rest of the Aussie batsmen. However, you would also need to account for the fact that Gilchrist was far better than Dujon as a batsman. Ultimately I would give this to the WI. Taking the openers into account, I would give it marginally to the WI batting lineup.
The keepers are both among the best ever (as pure keepers), though Dujon was marginally better.
The bowling lineup is a difficult one to separate. Warne certainly provides Australia with more of an ability to take wickets in the third and forth innings and provides better balance to the attack than Sobers does to the WI attack. Marshall is probably the best of the quicks, followed by McGrath. Ambrose, Garner, Lillee are all inseperable, with Miller and Davidson being ever so slightly behind this pack. One would imagine that the WI attack would be better in the first innings, while Australia's would be better in the second.
Ultimately I would say that the difference between these two teams would ultimately be a combination of the toss and the wicket. I think the WI would be ever so slightly ahead, though in a five match series I think Australia would definately win some games.
3-2 WI in a five match series IMO.
What do you all think?
