Why does no one seem to consider fielding when picking ATG teams?

[Jager]

Despite the undeniable brilliance of many players frequently chosen in ATG test squads, no one seems to consider that half of the teams they choose have maybe 3-4 excellent fielders. Bowlers can't take wickets as frequently and as economically if the field doesn't support them. Here comes the controversy... to me, that rules players such as Tendulkar out. Generally, half of the game will be spent in the field, and I'd want players with excellent slipping and ground fielding, for example Richards or Ponting. Just a thought I wanted to bring up. So, it raises the question... which great batsmen and bowlers were also excellent in the field?

 

[Agent Nationaux]

Cribb to the rescue.

 

[bagapath]

many of the usual suspects in ATG teams were indeed outstanding fieldsmen. hobbs, hammond, sobers, richards, warne and murali were all capable of a match turning catch or a lightning quick razor sharp throw that could turn a certain run into a runout. gavaskar was a very good slipsman. malcolm marshall's athletic ground fielding in the deep was supplemented by his ability to take well judged skiers.

bradman and tendulkar were probably never as brilliant as the rest but they were always such reliable figures in the playing arena and that a superhuman catch or a runout from them wont look out of the ordinary. only lillee, hadlee, imran and barnes were ****all fielders; but again, there are not too many bowlers who could bowl better than them.

so, to answer your question, fielding ability is a factor taken into consideration in dream team selections. but no one wants to have a team of 6 jonty rhodeses + 4 bowlers + 1 wicket keeper

 

[The Sean]

"But, in a country of great fieldsmen, he stood out pre-eminent. His gathering and throwing approached perfection."

RC Robertson-Glasgow, writing about Bradman. He was a brilliant fieldsman.

 

[Eds]

It's only a matter of time before evidence comes out that proves that Bradman was in fact an extra-terrestrial.

 

[Prince EWS]

It's only a matter of time before evidence comes out that proves that Bradman was in fact an extra-terrestrial.

 

[kyear2]

many of the usual suspects in ATG teams were indeed outstanding fieldsmen. hobbs, hammond, sobers, richards, warne and murali were all capable of a match turning catch or a lightning quick razor sharp throw that could turn a certain run into a runout. gavaskar was a very good slipsman. malcolm marshall's athletic ground fielding in the deep was supplemented by his ability to take well judged skiers.

bradman and tendulkar were probably never as brilliant as the rest but they were always such reliable figures in the playing arena and that a superhuman catch or a runout from them wont look out of the ordinary. only lillee, hadlee, imran and barnes were ****all fielders; but again, there are not too many bowlers who could bowl better than them.

so, to answer your question, fielding ability is a factor taken into consideration in dream team selections. but no one wants to have a team of 6 jonty rhodeses + 4 bowlers + 1 wicket keeper

+1.
Mostly agree. When I select teams I normally try to ensure that I have at least 3 good slip fielders and some good ground fielders. Also all things being equal if I have two players competing for one spot, I would normally select the player who brings something additional to the table, Slip fielding or captaincy in that order. For example that was the added deciding factor for both Warne and Imran in my first 11, even though Warne would probably have made it regardless.
So yes fielding and especially slip catching is important one it adds to the player and not the only skill on offer.

 

[Flametree]

many of the usual suspects in ATG teams were indeed only lillee, hadlee, imran and barnes were ****all fielders; but again, there are not too many bowlers who could bowl better than them.

Hadlee was a **** fielder? Really? He was a regular at gully for NZ, and took a couple of absolute screamers there. I think one year the "sports photo of the year" was a great shot of him catching Gower, full length horizontal airborne, one-handed.... I've googled it but can't find anything, unfortunately.

On the general topic, I would say that most great batsmen have tended to be good to great fielders as well. Good eyesight and reactions, I assume.

 

[bagapath]

Hadlee was a **** fielder? Really? He was a regular at gully for NZ, and took a couple of absolute screamers there. I think one year the "sports photo of the year" was a great shot of him catching Gower, full length horizontal airborne, one-handed.... I've googled it but can't find anything, unfortunately.

I don't remember hadlee as a great fielder but, obviously, that doesn't make you wrong. may be he indeed was a good fielder and that adds more credence to my main point that most dream teams are full of good fielders

 

[SteveNZ]

many of the usual suspects in ATG teams were indeed outstanding fieldsmen. hobbs, hammond, sobers, richards, warne and murali were all capable of a match turning catch or a lightning quick razor sharp throw that could turn a certain run into a runout. gavaskar was a very good slipsman. malcolm marshall's athletic ground fielding in the deep was supplemented by his ability to take well judged skiers.

bradman and tendulkar were probably never as brilliant as the rest but they were always such reliable figures in the playing arena and that a superhuman catch or a runout from them wont look out of the ordinary. only lillee, hadlee, imran and barnes were ****all fielders; but again, there are not too many bowlers who could bowl better than them.

so, to answer your question, fielding ability is a factor taken into consideration in dream team selections. but no one wants to have a team of 6 jonty rhodeses + 4 bowlers + 1 wicket keeper

Murali? Murali is a terrible fielder. His throwing arm is weak, which is ironic. Especially early in his career he was absolutely atrocious under any sort of catch. And he's been slow as a wet week around the outfield for a while now.

And Hadlee? Hadlee was a magnificent gully fielder, never dropped a thing that came his way. Barnes I doubt you even know about fielding wise and while Lillee wasn't Rhodes, he didn't need to be hidden.

 

[Jono]

Murali was definitely not a terrible fielder. He was not an all-time great fielder, but he was far from terrible.

 

[Shri]

Yeah.

 

[Debris]

The difference to the result between a good and great fielder is not enough to overcome other factors. Particularly in test cricket, which most of the ATG threads seem to concentrate on.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

I'm keen to have a middle order of Colin Bland, Jonty Rhodes, Paul Collingwood and Trevor Penney represent my All Time team.

 

[Debris]

I'm keen to have a middle order of Colin Bland, Jonty Rhodes, Paul Collingwood and Trevor Penney represent my All Time team.

I am keen for you to have that middle order, too.

 

[bagapath]

i would like to go with a team comprising of

hobbs, gavaskar, bradman (c), v. richards, lara, sobers, gilchrist (wk), botham, marshall, warne, garner. all bonafide ATGs and superb fielders too.

 

[smash84]

I'm keen to have a middle order of Colin Bland, Jonty Rhodes, Paul Collingwood and Trevor Penney represent my All Time team.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Murali? Murali is a terrible fielder. His throwing arm is weak, which is ironic. Especially early in his career he was absolutely atrocious under any sort of catch. And he's been slow as a wet week around the outfield for a while now.

The young Murali I remember was electric in the outfield. I don't know which one you're referring to.

Also, Sachin has been a very solid, if unspectacular, presence in the field. Can't think of too many outrageous muck ups from him unless he was gathering wool in the middle of a boring game.

 

[JBMAC]

I'm keen to have a middle order of Colin Bland, Jonty Rhodes, Paul Collingwood and Trevor Penney represent my All Time team.

Pleased to see Bland mentioned there.Another middle order could include ANY Test player from 60/61 WI side that toured OZ and Derek Randall plus Symonds, O'Neill.Harvey and the list goes on