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Test Cricket Draft

LFD

School Boy/Girl Captain
Hello all,

I have done a cricket draft on another forum and was wondering if you guys would give your opinions on the teams we have selected.

The rules were as follows:

1) The draft selection will go in the following order:

Selection 1) Team 1, then Team 2, Team 3...etc to Team 12

Selection 2) Team 12, then Team 11, Team 10... etc to Team 1

Selection 3) Team 1, then Team 2, Team 3...etc to Team 12

Selection 4) Team 12, then Team 11, Team 10... etc to Team 1

etc etc...

2) There will be a time limit on selcetions. When it is your turn you have 24 hours from when the previous Team have made their selection. If you miss you turn you can go at the end of the round, if you are still not available then you just make an extra selection on your next turn.

3) When you have made your pick, please PM the next team in the draft order to let them know it's their turn.

4) Each team will have 11 players and you must have a wicket-keeper and captain.

The balance of the side is up to yourselves, but during the voting process balance should be important (having specialist opening batsmen etc. should be important).

5) You can pick any player who has played in a Test Match for any International Test Country from 1st January 1970 to the present day. So they might have played the majority of their career before 1970, but as long as they have played one game in 1970 or after they are available for selection.
We have 18 teams in three groups:

Group 1

Ian Sea
Lifetime Fan
Navman
Stu Monty
Jairzinho
Red Banjo

Group 2

Roadendsmig
King Emlyn
Fowlers God
Remmie
LFD
RobbieOR

Group 3

Lee909
Pistonbroke
VladimirIlyich
Aussie Scouser
Yozzer
Thebitch

The top two from each group go into two other groups of three and the top two go into the final.

The voting for Group 1 is currently taking place and here are there teams:

Teams:

Ian Sea

Michael Vaughan (c)
Michael Slater
Ian Chappell
Javed Miandad
Younis Khan
Andrew Flintoff
MS Dhoni (wkt)
Shane Warne
Brett Lee
Morne Morkel
Angus Fraser

I'm delighted with my team, I did think that it may tail off towards the end but it didn't; all 11 players are genuine quality and I managed to balance my side perfectly.

My openers are two of my favourite batsman ever, Michael Vaughan and Michael Slater. Vaughan was a classy stroke maker who was comfortable opening or coming in at 3. In 82 Tests he averaged 41.44 and he scored a total of 5,719 runs. Once rated as the word's best batsman, he scored a total of 18 Test match centuries. Slater would provide the perfect foil for Vaughan at the top of the innings, a dogged and determined batsman who, in 74 Tests, scored 5,312 (average 42.80) including 14 tons. I'm confident these two players would give me a solid start in any conditions.

At 3 I opted for Aussie legend Ian Chappell. A strong leader who scored 5,345 runs (at 42.42) including 14 centuries. An aggressive batsman, Chappell was a strong contender to be captain of my side. He lead Australia between 1971 and 1975 and never lost a series.

At 4 and 5 I've got guaranteed runs in the form of Javed Miandad and Younis Khan. Miandad is the greatest of all Pakistani batsman, scoring 8,832 runs in 124 Tests, at an average of 52.57, including 23 hundreds. Another captain of his country, Miandad's average never dropped below 50 throughout his career. Following his countryman at number 5 is Younis Khan. A modern great, Khan has scored 6,565 runs at 52.75 in 79 Tests to date. He has scored 20 centuries with a top score of 313 and along with Chappell and Miandad would be part of a formidable middle order.

Coming in at 6 I've got Andrew Flintoff. This is a key position in my side, I wanted an all rounder who could score runs and take wickets, allowing me to select 4 other bowlers while not weakening my batting line up. The beauty of Flintoff in this team would be that he's not expected to be the main man. The batsmen above him would mean he could come in and express himself, adding impetus to an innings if necessary. The strongest part of his game was his bowling and Freddie could be used to support the other bowlers in the side. He can keep things tight while building pressure and could also be used as a strike bowler if needed, bowling at 90 mph plus.

Keeping wicket for me is MS Dhoni. Another experienced leader, Dhoni's keeping is sound and he offers runs coming in at 7. He can score heavily if required, can chase down totals well in the 4th innings and can also accelerate an innings when needed.

At 8 I've got the greatest bowler in the history of the game. Shane Keith Warne took 708 wickets in 145 Test matches and is an bona fide match winner. Warne is the leader of my side, my first pick and the whole team was selected around him. With 4 fast bowlers to work around him, Warne can be used as much as necessary. He also adds valuable runs down the order, his record of 3,154 runs at 17.32 (top score of 99) adds greatly to the balance of my team.

My main body of my pace attack is Brett Lee, Morne Morkel and Angus Fraser. Lee provides absolute pace, bowling up to 100mph, and was able to swing the ball both ways. Taking 310 Test wickets, Lee is Australia's 4th most successful bowler. He was also handy with the bat, averaging 20.15 (highest score of 64) which is more than useful for a number 9.

Morne Morkel is an out and out quick bowler with the pace and height to trouble any batsman. He has taken 150 wickets in 42 Tests and could be used to open the bowling or as fist change. Angus Fraser adds control to the attack, a traditional English seam bowler who could exploit uneven bounce as well as anybody. Fraser would bowl all day if asked and was the type of guy who would run through a brick wall for his captain. These 3, complemented by Flintoff, would form a fearsome attack without weakness. Add Warne to the mix and the taking of 20 wickets would be a formality.

In the end I opted for Vaughan as captain but in reality I could have chosen any one of about 6 players to lead the side. Vaughan gets the nod due to his inventive and attacking captaincy, not to mention the fact that he was the guy that wrestled the Ashes back from the Aussies for the first time in almost two decades.

Overall I'm delighted with my team. It has a great balance, runs in abundance and wickets aplenty; I'd be confident of victory against any team.
Lifetime Fan:

Dennis Amiss
Trevor Goddard
Dean Jones
Viv Richards
Sourav Ganguly (Capt)
Tony Greig
Chris Gayle
Jack Russell (Wkt)
Sarfraz Nawaz
Joel Garner
Colin Croft


I thought I'd just give you all a précis of the players I've chosen, the partnerships running through the side and highlight the devastating quality of my players.

My first two batsmen are Amiss & Goddard who provide the perfect left hand, right hand opening combination. Amiss the brilliant attacking right hand to Goddard's classical left hand technique. Amiss relishing the pace attack (he scored 2 double hundreds against the Windies in the 70's) and Goddard one of the greatest South African all rounder’s ever. He averaged nearly 35 opening the batting and took his wickets at 26.22.

At Number 3 is Dean Jones, player of the greatest ever innings by an Australian (Bob Simpson). In India in 86-87 to save the test match Jones made 210 and put himself in hospital in the process. All because he hated the thought of losing so much. The perfect determined Aussie to come in at No3.

At 4 is Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards. I need say no more.

My captain and 5th batsman is Sourav Ganguly. India's most successful Test captain. Ganguly forged a winning unit from a group of highly talented individuals for India and he does so again here for me. He also does this whilst averaging over 42.

6. Tony Greig. Say what you want, he's heard it all before and some. And he still produced the goods. Greig averaged over 40 with the bat and took his wickets at 32.20 whilst bowling both medium pace and right arm off break. He was a brilliant fielder taking over 85 catches just to show off too.

7. Chris Gayle. As if this side needed more hitting power, more dynamism or more acceleration to the scoring rate. Well it just got it and some. Gayle averages over 42 with the bat in double quick time as well as offering his under rated off break bowling.

8. Jack Russell. Legend. The first job of a wicketkeeper is to be a bloody good wicketkeeper, and Russell was one of the very best. Able to stand up to the stumps to medium pace Russell would cajole his bowlers and never give the batsman a seconds peace. Top scoring with 128 and averaging 27.10 Russell adds depth to an already very long batting order.

And now we come to my quicks.

9. Sarfraz Nawaz. A pioneer of reverse-swing Nawaz was unerringly accurate and equally capable of making the ball swing both ways. The heart of a lion Nawaz would enjoy bouncing other fast bowlers such as Jeff Thompson and Joel Garner. Nawaz took over 175 wickets at 32.75 and still scored an average of nearly 18.

10. Big Bird. Batsmen would say that the overriding feeling when first confronted by the Big Bird was that he would trample on them such was the foreshortening effect of his 6ft 8 inches, Joel Garner would have the ball rear alarmingly from barely short of a length. Allied to that was the most devastating toe crunching yorker the game has seen. 259 wickets at 20.97.

11. Colin Croft. "Crofty," a West Indian team-mate once said, "would bounce his grandmother if he thought there was a wicket in it." He established a reputation as one of the most chilling of fast men, with no compunction whatsoever about inflicting pain. Croft was a skilled bowler too though as his best ever figures for a Windies quick of 8-29 demonstrate. Croft took 125 wickets in 27 tests at 23.30.


So Ladies and Gents there you have it. A side full of power, aggression, pace, dynamic batting, partnerships, intimidating men (four over 6' 5") and a bloody determination to win.

The batting is long, aggressive, talented, loves to make runs and alternate between left hand, right hand as far down as 7 (coincidence? I think not).

We have a variety of spin and medium pace bowling from Ganguly, Greig, Gayle and Richards.

Brilliant slips and fielders with hands the size of dustbin lids who snap up every chance that comes there way.

And quicks that would enjoy putting you in hospital. As they're skittling you out cheaply yet again of course.

Thank you for reading. And thank you for your vote.

lifetime fan
Navman:

Eldrich
Turner
Smith
Lara
Yousef
AB (wkt)
Proctor ( c )
Ajmal
Bond
Donald
Gibbs

I set-up my team simply – to take twenty wickets
Shane Bond – 2nd to Murali in bowling averages (22) and strike rate 4th in all test cricket (18 matches 87 wickets)
Allan Donald - 330 test wickets in 72 matches at 22 average
Mike Proctor (Captain) – 41 wickets at in tests with 1417 first class (FC) wickets at 19 (apartheid period)
Ajmal – worlds top spinner – 122 wickets in only 22 games (27 average)
Lance Gibbs – world best ever left arm spinner - 309 wickets at 29 average

The reason my attack would work well is would not need conditions to perform. The brute pace and aggression would be seen from Donald, Bond and Proctor, but they were excellent exponents of the bouncers, slower ball and reverse swing.
Lance Gibbs is a tall left arm spinner, creating footholes for the fast bowlers – he would squeeze the life out of the opposition (average 1.99 run per over) and strangle wickets as he did in his career
Ajmal dorsa (best seen in test cricket) makes him unplayable and he does not require a surface that is spin friendly to be a menace
So after 20 wickets you need someone to score the runs. Averages are important for test cricket analysis but I think bravery is important. That is why I picked my particular top 3
Glenn Turner (NZ) – an opener who scored nearly 3000 runs at almost 45 averages played in the fearsome 1970’s with four double centuries away from home in the West Indies. His FC career carried him to almost 35000 at 50.
John Edrich – part of an England team that went 27 tests without defeat in the 1960’s and a test career of over 7000 runs with an average of 43.54. His FC career amassed almost 40000 runs. A brave opener who batted over 33 hours during an Ashes series in 1970/71
Robin Smith – my favourite. Couldn't play Shane Warne (not alone in that) – A test average of 43 didn't do him justice. He was fearless against any fast bowling attack – including the West Indies (Walsh and Ambrose et al) at their height

After the top three you need some run machines – step forward Mohammed Yousef. A Pakistan batsmen who scored over 7500 test runs at an average of over 52, with 24 test hundred and 33 fifties – a true run machine, good in all conditions. Good fielder too
Wicketkeeper – AB Devillers – my first all-rounder - a wicketkeeper, who is an aggressive batmen good against spin – averaging just under 49 in the 5 and half thousand test runs so far
All-rounder 2 – Mike Proctor – Captain – In tests he managed just 226 runs at 25 but using FC as an indicator he scored almost 22000 at 36 playing as a hard hitting batmen.
Final player – Brian Charles Lara – the best batsmen of all time – 11953 run at almost 53. No bowler (apart from McGrath for a time) got close to controlling him
Stu Monty:

Mike Hussey
Andy Flower (Wk) (C)
Jonathan Trott
Thilan Samaraweera
Damien Martyn
Paul Collingwood
Andrew Symonds
Wasim Akram
Graeme Swann
Ian Bishop
Bob Willis

A side with arguably the strongest bowling attack in the competition. Three devastating quicks (one of which is arguably the greatest ever) and a spinner that's bettered by very few. Two additional all-rounders that can take wickets and change up the attack if needed.

It's a batting order that bats so deep it'll damn near put your ass to sleep, with Swann coming in at nine! You have to get through to five in the order before you get a batsman that averages less than 50 and there's a perfect balance to the middle order. The ability to stay in for long periods but also accumulate runs quickly is vital. I'd venture that few teams have so much firepower to change a game with six wickets down and Symonds, Akram and Swann can take a game away from you or rescue one if required.

The skipper, Flower, did the same job of captaining and keeping wicket for Zimbabwe and managed to keep a 50+ test average in a side regularly destroyed. He's shown his cricket brain by moving into coaching and would manage the tools at his disposal well. He's also got the bonus of a couple of the greatest fielders to ever play the game in Symmonds and Collingwood (and Martyn was no slouch).

Basically, I'm very happy with this strong side and think there's few sides in this that could take 20 wickets or could post big scores against it.
Jairzinho:

Batting average on the left, bowling average on the right.

S.Anwar - 46
R.Fredericks - 42 - 78 (Slow left arm)
G.Pollock - 61 - 51 (Leg break)
S.Tendulkar - 55 - 54 (Leg spin, Off spin, Medium pace)
S.Fleming – 40 (c)
V.Kohli - 41
J.Dujon – 32 (wkt)
P.Pollock - 22 - 24 (Right arm fast)
M.Holding - 14 - 24 (Right arm fast)
S.Clark - 13 - 24 (Right arm medium fast)
B.Bedi - 9 - 29 (Slow left arm)

Openers -

Fredericks, Greenidge's opening partner before Haynes, was an excellent batsman capable of explosive attacking batting (most notably against Australia), or playing a more sedate, responsible innings.

Anwar, one of Pakistan's greatest ever openers, has destroyed almost every single test nation at some point, in just 55 tests. Unlike a lot of other batsman from the sub continent, he had no problem scoring runs away from home.

Middle order -

G.Pollock was once described by Bradman as, along with Sobers, the best left handed batsman he'd ever seen play cricket. An elegant batsman, talented occasional bowler ("but bowler mainly for enjoyment and with a light heart" - Teammate, Jackie McGlew), and great fielder. He was the ultimate cricketer, whose career was sadly cut short due to apartheid.

Tendulkar needs little said about him. Only Bradman was, arguably, better. The Little Master.

Fleming has been picked as a good (Over 7000 runs at over 40), but not great, batsman, but predominantly as an exceptional captain. Described by Shane Warne as the best.

Kohli is the pick of India's new generation of batsman. A very intelligent and composed cricketer at such a relatively young age. Despite having only played a small amount of tests, he's quite clearly on a big upward curve.

Keeper -

Dujon was West Indies keeper of their all conquering side of the 80s. His average of 32 is also very good considering the era in which he played, and his batting position.

The Bowlers -

Peter Pollock, the brother of Graeme, was a brilliant bowling all rounder. Rapid pace, and unerring line and length, made his one of the best bowlers of the 60s. He was also a very useful lower order batsman.

Michael Holding, was clearly one of the finest fast bowlers of all time. His beautifully rhythmic run up led to his nickname, "the whispering death". Looking forward to facing Tony Greig.

Stuart Clark has been selected as an alternative to the express pace of Pollock and Holding. Brilliant control and the ability to move the ball off the seam consistently gives the bowling attack balance on all surfaces.

Bedi was an extremely intelligent spin bowler. Possibly the finest exponent of flighting the ball to have played the game. Subtle variations were the key to his success. His level of control allowed him to bowl long spells, and take the pressure off other bowlers.

In conclusion, the team is ace. A good mixture of left and right handed batsman, with the ability to dig in or cut loose. A nice balance to the bowling attack with raw pace, control, and variation. Captained by one of the finest tacticians to play test cricket, who finally has a team to match his ability.
Red Banjo:

Line-up

Virender Sehwag – Career Avg - 50.64. Batting in Pos (1) – 54.47. Runs 8,306. 100’s – 22
When the greatest opening batsmen debate is talked about in future India’s current opener is sure to be mentioned. Masterful, punishing, devastating. 6 Double centuries and one of only 4 players to hit 2 triple centuries mean when he gets going, it can be a long, hard day for the opposition bowlers.

Colin Cowdrey – Career Avg – 44.06. Batting in Pos (2) – 46.81. Runs 7,624. 100’s – 22
Englands joint record century maker and the first player to play in 100 test matches. Cowdrey’s legacy stretches far beyond him being the first English cricketer to be given peerage. A career spanning 2 decades shows just how important he was for his country.

Ricky Ponting – Career Avg – 52.75. Batting in Pos (3) – 56.27. Runs 13,346. 100’s – 41 (c)
The most uncompromising player of his generation. The only debate about Ponting as a batsman is where to rank him among the all time greats. As England fans its easy for us to overlook his achievements, as we take such delight in beating him and his team. However – the facts are he is the most successful captain ever and the only player in history to be involved in 100 test victories. Debates will always be drawn between him and Steve Waugh but Ponting has nearly 2,500 more runs and its taken him 3 less matches to accumulate them. Ricky Ponting has amassed 104 scores of 50+ in his 165 matches meaning he is as brilliantly consistent as he is ruthless.

Daryll Cullinan – Career Avg – 44.21. Batting in Pos (4) – 46.13. Runs 4,554. 100’s – 14
Boardroom disputes meant South Africa got to use Daryll Cullinan far less than they should have. Only 7 players have scored more runs for SA than him, with only 4 scoring more centuries. Few players will have such effortless timing as part of their arsenal. If you need a ship steadying – here is your captain. You don’t get the tag of “The new Graeme Pollock” without being a wonderfully gifted batsman.


Doug Walters – Career Avg – 48.26. Batting in Pos (5) – 47.42. Runs 5,357. 100’s – 14
The history books will list him as the first batsman to record a century and a double century in the same match, yet beyond this his career rarely gets the accolades it deserves. Walters was quicker to 5000 runs than countrymen Langer, Border and Gilchrist but will fall short of receiving the same adulation. A superb middle order batsman who’s career average is just shy of 50, and a very handy occasional bowler who yielded 49 wickets at an average of just 29.08.

Ian Healy (Wkt/k) – Career Avg – 27.39. Batting in Pos – 31.12. Runs 4,356. 100’s – 4
When Ian Healy retired he held the record for most catches(366) and was the pulse of his Australian team. Known best for his steely concentration and un-nerving vocal attempts to unsettle the batsman stood just infront of him. A highly dependable batsman, Healy played 114 times for his beloved Australia scoring an impressive 22 half centuries in the process.

Lance Klusener – Career Avg – 32.08. Batting in Pos (7) – 51.9. Runs 1,906. 100’s – 4
Bowling Avg – 37.91. Wickets – 80. 5 Wicket Hauls - 1
Explosive but erratic is probably a fair assessment of Lance Klusener. An all rounder who really can do the lot. As a batsman he was one of the most skilful in the game – which meant he was one of the most adaptable, but also a punishing slogger if you needed quick, big scores. As a bowler – a serious injury meant he had to drop his pace and develop other skills, but still retired with an impressive 80 test dismissals.

Anil Kumble – Career Avg – 17.77. Batting in Pos ( – 19.46. Runs 2,506. 100’s – 1
Bowling Avg – 29.65. Wickets – 619. 5 Wicket Hauls – 35.
The 3rd highest wicket taker in test match history with 619 wickets. For some reason Kumble’s achievements are always downplayed but the spinner has claimed almost every record going – including the only player since Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in an innings. A master finger spinner who more than one modern-day batsman remarked that there was no more difficult challenge in cricket than handling Kumble on a wearing surface.

Heath Streak – Career Avg – 22.35. Batting in Pos (9) – 25.73. Runs 1,990. 100’s – 1
Bowling Avg – 28.14 Wickets – 216. 5 Wicket Hauls – 7
The greatest Zimbabwean bowler ever. Not the greatest claim admittedly but Heath Streak shone in what was a very poor team over all. Politics and boardroom stand off’s meant he failed to maximise his career, but when he took to the pitch – few would argue his talent. Streak is also an extremely capable batsman who loves to give the ball a whack over the infield, and a magnificent outfielder with a howitzer-like throw.

Graham McKenzie – Career Avg – 12.27. Batting in Pos (10) – 11.14 . Runs 945.
Bowling Avg – 29.78. Wickets – 246. 5 Wicket Hauls – 16
The 8th highest Australian wicket taker, however, McKenzie turned his back on test cricket at the age of just 29 – depriving him of achieving a far greater standing in Australian folklore. In his 60 tests he managed a mighty impressive 246 victims with his 200th scalp coming in just his 46th match – only 1 more than Glenn McGrath, Imran Khan and Curtly Ambrose took.

Makhaya Ntini – Career Avg – 9.84. Batting in Pos (11) – 9.05. Runs 699
Bowling Avg – 28.82. Wickets – 390. 5 Wicket Hauls – 18
Only Shaun Pollock has been more successful in test match cricket for South Africa than Makhaya Ntini. 390 wickets puts him ahead of the likes of Ian Botham, Malcolm Marshall and Dennis Lillee, heady company indeed. In fact only 11 players in history have had more success with the ball – which surely would have seen him climb higher if not for 20 months spent in the wilderness at the start of his career.

This team has amassed a breathtaking total of 51,589 Runs. Which includes 124 Centuries.

A total of 1,640 Wickets have been claimed. With 674 catches from the field, and a further more 366 from the wicket keeper.

If a better team exists – I’d like to see it!

RedBanjo
I won't post the link, as I don't want you to think I am advertising the site.

Just interested to see your views on which team is best.

If you enjoy it I will post the other teams and groups.

Thanks LFD
 

Hurricane

Hall of Fame Member
Hello all,

I have done a cricket draft on another forum and was wondering if you guys would give your opinions on the teams we have selected.

The rules were as follows:



We have 18 teams in three groups:

Group 1

Ian Sea
Lifetime Fan
Navman
Stu Monty
Jairzinho
Red Banjo

Group 2

Roadendsmig
King Emlyn
Fowlers God
Remmie
LFD
RobbieOR

Group 3

Lee909
Pistonbroke
VladimirIlyich
Aussie Scouser
Yozzer
Thebitch

The top two from each group go into two other groups of three and the top two go into the final.

The voting for Group 1 is currently taking place and here are there teams:

Teams:

Ian Sea



Lifetime Fan:



Navman:



Stu Monty:



Jairzinho:



Red Banjo:



I won't post the link, as I don't want you to think I am advertising the site.

Just interested to see your views on which team is best.

If you enjoy it I will post the other teams and groups.

Thanks LFD
Yes please post the other teams and groups.
 

AldoRaine18

State Vice-Captain
Thanks any reason?

Anyone else have an opinion?
I find those two being really well balanced, while also having quality with both bat and ball, and not relying on one individual. Pollock and Sachin is an orgasmic middle order to have with excellent support from Anwar, Fleming and others. And Lara, Smith, Yousuf and AB is similarly a classy batting order. And neither teams compromised much on their bowling, with having balance and variety.
 

Daemon

Request Your Custom Title Now!
Yeah, I know there are 12 teams, but surely MSD isn't in the best 12 keeper batsmen since 1970?
 

Red

The normal awards that everyone else has
Yeah, I know there are 12 teams, but surely MSD isn't in the best 12 keeper batsmen since 1970?
He'd be close.

Others I can think of off the top of my head...


Gilchrist
Healy
Marsh
Knott
Stewart
Kirmani
Engineer
Dujon
 

Himannv

International Coach
He'd be close.

Others I can think of off the top of my head...


Gilchrist
Healy
Marsh
Knott
Stewart
Kirmani
Engineer
Dujon
Also Prior, Smith, Russell and I'd probably pick Sanga and Flower ahead of him as well for their batting.
 

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
All the teams have some players I wouldn't draft.
Yep. I was basically trying to find a team that didn't have what I'd consider a pretty absurd pick in it, and I couldn't do so. I'm probably just being overly harsh though because I've never been involved in a "1970 and beyond" draft as such and I'm probably holding it all too close to all-time standards.
 

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
Because I'm feeling like a particularly cruel bastard I'll pick these teams apart with what I just instinctively feel are 'weird' picks.



Ian Sea - Dhoni? GTFO. Morkel and even Vaughan also seem a bit dicey to me. I'm probably harsh on Vaughan because of the whole "not used to only drafting since 1970" thing though so I'm willing to give that one a pass; he was a world class batsman for at least part of his career.

Lifetime Fan - I really like most of this team, but Gayle at seven puts me off. He'd probably do a decent job there in reality but it's just so, so far out of position that it just doesn't seem like a proper draft pick to me. Really stands out. Probably the least flawed team though; my favourite.

Navman - De Villiers keeping wicket is an instant turn off; he's only just barely good enough to do it at Test level, let alone in a compilation of the last 40+ years. Also has a tail like a rat and a very unproven even if talented bowling attack.

Stu Monty - Symonds getting a run ensured I wouldn't give this team a second look anyway, but making Andy Flower keep wicket and open the batting alongside Michael Hussey just takes the piss. Hussey did it at times, yes, but rarely, and Flower never even score a Test hundred batting above five, plus his workload would end up ridiculous if he had to do it long term. He was also a poor glovemen. What are you doing with your life, Stu?

Jairzinho - Virat Kohli. Enough said.

Red Banjo - I don't mind this team too much, but we have another long tail here (Healy is listed at 6..) and Klusener shouldn't be getting anywhere near a Test draft. That middle section of the team really lets it down.
 
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Prince EWS

Global Moderator
Actually, upon further investigation, it appears that all eighteen teams participated in the same draft. Eighteen teams and no players pre-1970 would make it really tough, so I was definitely a bit harsh with some of those. Stand by most of those criticisms regardless tbh but I'm happy enough to let Vaughan, Morkel and Gayle at 7 go through without complaint now. :p
 
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Howe_zat

Audio File
Yeah Lifetime Sea has this. Don't know why he'd put Gayle at #7 though, especially seeing as Amiss played around a quarter of his Tests in the middle order and ought to go at #3. You could probably make a case to have Gayle in the top 10 openers since 1970 so one of the top 36 is a gimme.

So I'll go for him on the basis that Gayle would have a strop unless he opened and so the batting order would sort itself out.
 

LFD

School Boy/Girl Captain
Yep. I was basically trying to find a team that didn't have what I'd consider a pretty absurd pick in it, and I couldn't do so. I'm probably just being overly harsh though because I've never been involved in a "1970 and beyond" draft as such and I'm probably holding it all too close to all-time standards.
Because I'm feeling like a particularly cruel bastard I'll pick these teams apart with what I just instinctively feel are 'weird' picks.

Ian Sea - Dhoni? GTFO. Morkel and even Vaughan also seem a bit dicey to me. I'm probably harsh on Vaughan because of the whole "not used to only drafting since 1970" thing though so I'm willing to give that one a pass; he was a world class batsman for at least part of his career.

Lifetime Fan - I really like most of this team, but Gayle at seven puts me off. He'd probably do a decent job there in reality but it's just so, so far out of position that it just doesn't seem like a proper draft pick to me. Really stands out. Probably the least flawed team though; my favourite.

Navman - De Villiers keeping wicket is an instant turn off; he's only just barely good enough to do it at Test level, let alone in a compilation of the last 40+ years. Also has a tail like a rat and a very unproven even if talented bowling attack.

Stu Monty - Symonds getting a run ensured I wouldn't give this team a second look anyway, but making Andy Flower keep wicket and open the batting alongside Michael Hussey just takes the piss. Both did it at times, yes, but rarely, and Flower's workload would end up ridiculous if he had to do it long term. He was also a poor glovemen. What are you doing with your life, Stu?

Jairzinho - Virat Kohli. Enough said.

Red Banjo - I don't mind this team too much, but we have another long tail here (Healy is listed at 6..) and Klusener shouldn't be getting anywhere near a Test draft. That middle section of the team really lets it down.
Actually, upon further investigation, it appears that all eighteen teams participated in the same draft. Eighteen teams and no players pre-1970 would make it really tough, so I was definitely a bit harsh with some of those. Stand by most of those criticisms regardless tbh but I'm happy enough to let Vaughan, Morkel and Gayle at 7 go through without complaint now. :p
Thanks for your opinion.

I think you are being harsh as 18 teams in a draft is a lot. That is 198 players that need to be picked. Add to that it is only from 1970 till present, that makes it tougher as well.

Can you think of 18 keepers better than Dhoni for example?
 

LFD

School Boy/Girl Captain
Yeah Lifetime Sea has this. Don't know why he'd put Gayle at #7 though, especially seeing as Amiss played around a quarter of his Tests in the middle order and ought to go at #3. You could probably make a case to have Gayle in the top 10 openers since 1970 so one of the top 36 is a gimme.

So I'll go for him on the basis that Gayle would have a strop unless he opened and so the batting order would sort itself out.
Given the great all rounders in some of the teams. Some teams felt they could have a luxury player who could accelerate the innings if needed, which is important to win test matches, losing days to weather.

The top six or seven getting the bulk of the runs and then Gayle just having a license to have a bash and take the game away from the opposition.

I have done it myself (which you will see in the next round of teams) with Shahid Afridi coming in at 8. He is a luxury, if you have 400+ on the board already and he comes in for an hour or two it can make a massive difference in terms of time.

I think that is the reasoning for Gayle.
 

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
Thanks for your opinion.

I think you are being harsh as 18 teams in a draft is a lot. That is 198 players that need to be picked. Add to that it is only from 1970 till present, that makes it tougher as well.

Can you think of 18 keepers better than Dhoni for example?
I was initially under the impression that the three groups all had separate drafts. I saw someone in here erroneously mention twelve teams though so I was going by that when I made that post - and in the end there were 18.

I'm a pretty experienced drafter, but I usually go in drafts of 10-15 with the whole history of cricket to select from. 18 teams with only players since 1970 considered is something I'm not too familiar with. Dhoni's not a great example though because I doubt there's anyone in the world who rates Dhoni less than I do. He's dire.
 

LFD

School Boy/Girl Captain
I was initially under the impression that the three groups all had separate drafts. I saw someone in here erroneously mention twelve teams though so I was going by that when I made that post - and in the end there were 18.

I'm a pretty experienced drafter, but I usually go in drafts of 10-15 with the whole history of cricket to select from. 18 teams with only players since 1970 considered is something I'm not too familiar with. Dhoni's not a great example though because I doubt there's anyone in the world who rates Dhoni less than I do. He's dire.
Yeah fair enough (on both points).

The last pick was tough, but that's good.
 

Howe_zat

Audio File
Given the great all rounders in some of the teams. Some teams felt they could have a luxury player who could accelerate the innings if needed, which is important to win test matches, losing days to weather.

The top six or seven getting the bulk of the runs and then Gayle just having a license to have a bash and take the game away from the opposition.

I have done it myself (which you will see in the next round of teams) with Shahid Afridi coming in at 8. He is a luxury, if you have 400+ on the board already and he comes in for an hour or two it can make a massive difference in terms of time.

I think that is the reasoning for Gayle.
Gayle has one game plan and will stick to it - and the assumption that you can always play that at the fall of the 5th wicket is no way to pick a side. What if you're 80/5 rather than 400/5? What you actually want in that role is adaptability. Often you get fairly one-dimensional allrounders that come in there, but this is just because they aren't good enough to bat in the top six.

Then there's the fact that in any match situation, the runs from 400 to 600 matter vastly less the runs that get you from 0 to 200 anyway. Deploying one of your top bats in that role is a waste.

The one and only time you can be sure of the match situation is before a ball is bowled. Gayle in that team should play his game right from the word go. If he fails, you have another opener to come in at #3 to fix things, if he comes off, not a problem.
 

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