Best South African batsman ever

[jimmy101]

Surprised Bruce Mitchell didn't make the top 20.

 

[Zinzan]

Schultz wouldn't be the worst option with the added left-arm variety, but he was only around for 5 mins.

Boucher's inclusion feels superfluous since AB was so capable with the gloves, & unlike Sangakkara, it didn't appear to effect his batting.

 

[SeamUp]

Steyn, Donald, Pollock & Philander would be the most depressing attack to face... two magnificent menacing fast attacking speedsters & two accurate miserly surgeons. Captaining would be such an easy job.

Smith*
Kirsten
Amla
Kallis
ABdV
Cullinan
Boucher +
Pollock
Steyn
Schultz
Donald

I suppose if playing on SA wickets - the bottom team would probably be better balanced with a proper keeper, extra batsman and a left-arm strike-bowling option.

Eventhough it would be nice having two surgeons like Pollock and Philander they probably would never go woth both of them.

 

[harsh.ag]

Schultz wouldn't be the worst option with the added left-arm variety, but he was only around for 5 mins.

Schultz another bowler who hates batsmen. Can't have enough of them.

 

[SeamUp]

Surprised Bruce Mitchell didn't make the top 20.

Definitely another one that slipped my mind & should be there.

 

[Black_Warrior]

Greatest in terms of career - Kallis
Best - Probably Richards based on what I have read others say about him

 

[mr_mister]

Cronje deserves to captain the side

 

[indiaholic]

Lol, you are pushing the 'match fixing is not a real crime' thing too far.

 

[marc71178]

Cronje deserves to captain the side

Leaving aside the fact he's nowhere near good enough to even make the XI?

 

[smash84]

Cronje deserves to captain the side

kind of like how Mike Brearly deserves to captain an AT English XI

 

[listento_me]

How can we compare them as Richards and Pollock played too little test cricket and no odi or t20 cricket?

Agreed. Even if we're only looking at test cricket, those 2 played too few matches to hold any real understanding of how good they were.

It has to be Kallis, with AB and Amla bring up the rest of the top 3. Add in Smith too.

 

[Coronis]

Agreed. Even if we're only looking at test cricket, those 2 played too few matches to hold any real understanding of how good they were.

It has to be Kallis, with AB and Amla bring up the rest of the top 3. Add in Smith too.

I don't think Pollock played too few matches tbh. 20 is a fairly reasonable amount.

 

[jimmy101]

I don't think Pollock played too few matches tbh. 20 is a fairly reasonable amount.

I agree. Those 20 Tests came against very strong Australian & English teams too.

 

[mr_mister]

kind of like how Mike Brearly deserves to captain an AT English XI

exactly, except he contributed slightly more with bat and ball. but my point was still he was close to a specialist captain

 

[mr_mister]

i guess the debate is whether an ATG XI needs one tho


and lol indiaholic maybe i am haha w/e tho


#justice4hansie

 

[Daemon]

So do we cheat and let AB keep in all ATXI?

I'm thinking

Smith
Richards
Kallis
Pollock
Nourse
AB+
Faulkner
Pollock
Tayfield
Steyn
Donald

If not Faulkner sits out for Waite or Boucher. I also really want Amla to be in there so bad.

 

[Coronis]

So do we cheat and let AB keep in all ATXI?

I'm thinking

Smith
Richards
Kallis
Pollock
Nourse
AB+
Faulkner
Pollock
Tayfield
Steyn
Donald

If not Faulkner sits out for Waite or Boucher. I also really want Amla to be in there so bad.

Maybe drop Nourse and switch Kallis to 5, chuck Amla in at 3. AB can keep fine. Also put Procter in for Pollock.

 

[StephenZA]

So do we cheat and let AB keep in all ATXI?

I'm thinking

Smith
Richards
Kallis
Pollock
Nourse
AB+
Faulkner
Pollock
Tayfield
Steyn
Donald

If not Faulkner sits out for Waite or Boucher. I also really want Amla to be in there so bad.

I would drop AB and Pollock the younger. Amla in at 3, Waite in at 8, Proctor/Faulkner (Rice?) in at 7, as required...

 

[Daemon]

I would drop AB and Pollock the younger. Amla in at 3, Waite in at 8, Proctor/Faulkner (Rice?) in at 7, as required...

If you pick Procter that makes sense, adds a bit of variety to the pace attack although I'd argue so does Pollock. Definitely not Faulkner though as that would mean just the two specialist quicks in Steyn and Donald.

 

[harsh.ag]

I mean picking AB as keeper and having Kallis as the only all-rounder in the top 7 gives a batting line-up that would choke the **** out of a choke.

Richards
Mitchell
Amla
Pollock
Kallis
Nourse
AB +