CaptainGrumpy
Banned
Younis is ahead on that score.
Why are we talking Laxman?
Dont get me wrong. Laxman was a great player.
Why are we talking Laxman?
Dont get me wrong. Laxman was a great player.
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Nah. ROW has much better bowlers.I think the Asian XI wipes the floor at this, though I suspect the ROH boys could beat the **** out of Sachin with a steel chair to gain epic heel heat for sledging purposes.
Was gonna do an ROH XI. No need now I've been beaten to the joke. Thank ****I think the Asian XI wipes the floor at this, though I suspect the ROH boys could beat the **** out of Sachin with a steel chair to gain epic heel heat for sledging purposes.
Without Sanga you'd be looking at a keeper batting 7 and I'd probably pick Mathews then, or pick another specialist bat (Younis?) and drop Anwar for Jayasuriya. But Sanga's existence makes a player who's basically a #7 bat and a fifth bowler at this level actually kind of ideal as long as he'll contribute in those roles.Is Shakib Al Hasan in there because you felt obligated to include a bangladeshi or do you genuinely consider him the best Asian all rounder of the modern age
Unless including an ATG allrounder or two, it's just about impossible to put together a side that Shakib wouldn't help to balance out as a 5th bowler. He's basically the ultimate utility player. Statistically, he's got an acceptable bowling average as a 5th bowler (particularly considering he's a spinner), a good #7/acceptable #6 batting average, a good WPI, and a pretty good RPI. Almost every other player in history fails on one or more of these accounts.Without Sanga you'd be looking at a keeper batting 7 and I'd probably pick Mathews then, or pick another specialist bat (Younis?) and drop Anwar for Jayasuriya. But Sanga's existence makes a player who's basically a #7 bat and a fifth bowler at this level actually kind of ideal as long as he'll contribute in those roles.
I know you've only made 4 posts, but they've all been quality. Post more.Unless including an ATG allrounder or two, it's just about impossible to put together a side that Shakib wouldn't help to balance out as a 5th bowler. He's basically the ultimate utility player. Statistically, he's got an acceptable bowling average as a 5th bowler (particularly considering he's a spinner), a good #7/acceptable #6 batting average, a good WPI, and a pretty good RPI. Almost every other player in history fails on one or more of these accounts.
In the traditional (impossibly demanding) definition of an allrounder as a player who can make a side on either discipline, if a player's entire career is considered, I can think of only Aubrey Faulkner who qualifies. Shakib (if considering a strongish side) would fail to qualify on both accounts, but his cumulative margin of failure would be less than anyone else's.
While I know you weren't suggesting it in this team, I'd be hesitant to play someone like Matthews or Jayasuriya as the 5th bowler if including Waqar and Shoaib in the team. Memory may be playing tricks on me, but I remember them both as being pretty injury-prone. If this is the case, and even accounting for Murali's ability to bowl 800 overs a match, we need a 5th option who can get through a number of overs and take some wickets.
In the absence of an ATG 5th bowler (which may be a dubious decision due to the balance of the team) or a top level bowling allrounder (Vaas isn't quite there IMO), Shakib is a shoe-in for me.
And would be strengthened by the addition of Boult or possibly Williamson. Not by Vettori.2000-2007 Australian team alone would beat any of the best of the world over the last 25 years
edit: unless maybe being played at 2004 mumbai pitch or equivalent
I love Vettori ha. Personal bias. As for Smith yes he's not fully proven against quality attacks but I have a lot of faith. Jayasuriya's bowling gets him over the line, he can take the load off the pacemen. Jayawardene/Younis I feel are equal IMO but sure one's as good as the other.And would be strengthened by the addition of Boult or possibly Williamson. Not by Vettori.
I rate Steve Smith, but his West Indian and Indian runs at home form a lot of his #1 status at the moment. Needs to do a bit more before making that team ahead of the likes of Hussey.
Younis Khan as 12th man behind Jayawardene and Jayasuriya? C'mon.
That team is surpsingly strong.I love Vettori ha. Personal bias. As for Smith yes he's not fully proven against quality attacks but I have a lot of faith. Jayasuriya's bowling gets him over the line, he can take the load off the pacemen. Jayawardene/Younis I feel are equal IMO but sure one's as good as the other.
Are you at least happy with the Windies/Eng choices? lol
Its debatable. I have no strong feeling either way.So often I went with the players that excited me more than the statistically better choice, Gough included... I'd be a bad coach