Richie Benauds All Time Team

[royGilchrist]

Swervy: "I personally would have had Botham in ahead of Imran...butI see your point, the batting is already very strong so it wouldnt have harmed anyone to have had a Hadlee or Marshall in there (probably would have had Hadlee in there)...but I dont really have any quibbles with Benauds team"

That is contradicting yourself. First you would go for Botham instead of Imran, but then you agree with the fact that batting is too strong. So are you trying to tell me that Botham was a better bowler than Imran? Or is it an English bias.

Secondly guys have you even seen Imran bowl in his prime. He was express fast, with enormous inswing (lacking in out-swing like Waqar in his prime), and better control than Waqar (comparing control with Hadlee is not applicable since Hadlee is much slower). He got injured (like 90% of the express bowlers) and ended up missing what would have been his most glorious time as a bowler (I think 400 would have been well within reach). Still, he bags more than 350, excellent average around 21 (I think?).

I think if we compare purely on bowling, Hadlee and Imran are very close indeed, Imran has the edge in speed, and in prime he was more dangerous. Hadlee has longevity going for him as well as more variation. Maybe slight edge to Hadlee. But when selecting for a team (even if the team happens to be loaded with batsmen), why would you not pick Imran who is way better in batting.

On another note, if batting is already loaded, Gilchrist should be the first one to go, replaced by someone better in keeping, Marsh or Knott or similar.

Overall I like Benaud's team, have a lot of respect for him as an expert, but only question the exclusion of Marshall. Also, Murali's omission is I feel purely based on the illegal action controversy.

 

[Swervy]

Swervy: "I personally would have had Botham in ahead of Imran...butI see your point, the batting is already very strong so it wouldnt have harmed anyone to have had a Hadlee or Marshall in there (probably would have had Hadlee in there)...but I dont really have any quibbles with Benauds team"

That is contradicting yourself. First you would go for Botham instead of Imran, but then you agree with the fact that batting is too strong. So are you trying to tell me that Botham was a better bowler than Imran? Or is it an English bias.

Erm..no its not English bias...if i was biased I would be choosing an Aussie..but I think Bothams is the greatest all-round cricketer I have ever seen. At his peak Botham was probably more effective a bowler than Imran Khan was(if not, certainly his equal)..and in my opinion Botham was a better batsman , he probably won more games for his team than any player of the last 30 years,and was one of the all time reat slip catchers...and lets not forget he was in my opinion the most exciting cricketer I have ever seen..thats why I would have him in there...but I acknowledge that Imran was a great bowler and a good batsman who could put together a good innings.

I guess I could throw the question back at you and say 'Why Imran..is it just Pakistani bias???'

 

[marc71178]

Yes, but I'm not sure about Larwood's 96 mph. The technology with which they measured the speeds was not great, remember.

They're not that brilliant now IMO.

 

[JBH001]

Erm..no its not English bias...if i was biased I would be choosing an Aussie..but I think Bothams is the greatest all-round cricketer I have ever seen. At his peak Botham was probably more effective a bowler than Imran Khan was(if not, certainly his equal)..and in my opinion Botham was a better batsman , he probably won more games for his team than any player of the last 30 years,and was one of the all time reat slip catchers...and lets not forget he was in my opinion the most exciting cricketer I have ever seen..thats why I would have him in there...but I acknowledge that Imran was a great bowler and a good batsman who could put together a good innings.

Only in fielding would I contend that Botham had the edge.
Ian Botham must be one of the great unfulfilled talents in Cricket history. A good portion of the dedication and discipline that Hadlee and Imran showed in their careers would have ensured that he did not waste as much of his prodigious talent as he did.

 

[Swervy]

Only in fielding would I contend that Botham had the edge.
Ian Botham must be one of the great unfulfilled talents in Cricket history. A good portion of the dedication and discipline that Hadlee and Imran showed in their careers would have ensured that he did not waste as much of his prodigious talent as he did.

I dont like using figures to prove stuff because cricket isnt as black and white as all that...but Botham scored 14 test hundreds to Imrans 6....of course that doesnt prove anything, but it does suggest that Botham had the ability to carry an innings through

Botham was unfortunate to be carrying a major back problem which was not dealt with properly quite early in his career, which dealt a heavy blow to his bowling in that it effectively altered his bowling action and reduced his speed...most of Imrans injury problems were not as serious and came later in his career and didnt alter in any great way his bowling action or for that matter his pace (of which when he was on song, was seering)

To say Bothams talent was unfulfilled is a bit harsh I think.

rememberchoosing these kind of teams all boils down to personal choice...I would have no problems in someone choosing Imran ahead of Botham...its a case of whatever floats your boat (!!!!..not literally of cause)...for me Botham did enough when I saw him play for me to choose him in my team

 

[royGilchrist]

"Pakistani bias"....maybe but most people that have seen Imran in his prime would agree with me.

I agree with the opinion that Botham only has the edge in fielding, which is ofcourse a no-contest, since Imran was one of the worst fielders I have ever seen.

As far as batting is concerned, Botham might have had more talent like people say (whatever it means, I have no idea) but Imran's performance was arguably better. He does not have many hundreads becasue he played a lot less tests than botham and in the early part of his career he was coming in around 9-11 in the order. In the latter part of his career, he was the second most dependable batsman in the team, and no less an authority than ian chappel once said, that he is the best middle order batsman in the world. An average of 38 is damn good for an all rounder, and anotehr interesting fact is for the last ten years of his career he averaged 50! Becasue he was coming so late in the order in the early part of his career, his talent was vastly unknown, but for the last decade of his career he played like a specialist batsman.

One thing I do give you, Botham looked to me the most fluent batsman in the english team (when gower was not present ofcourse).

As far as injuries are concerned, I am not sure if you are aware of Imran's stress fracture which almost ended his career, and he was half the bowler after the injury.

 

[Swervy]

"Pakistani bias"....maybe but most people that have seen Imran in his prime would agree with me.

I agree with the opinion that Botham only has the edge in fielding, which is ofcourse a no-contest, since Imran was one of the worst fielders I have ever seen.

As far as batting is concerned, Botham might have had more talent like people say (whatever it means, I have no idea) but Imran's performance was arguably better. He does not have many hundreads becasue he played a lot less tests than botham and in the early part of his career he was coming in around 9-11 in the order. In the latter part of his career, he was the second most dependable batsman in the team, and no less an authority than ian chappel once said, that he is the best middle order batsman in the world. An average of 38 is damn good for an all rounder, and anotehr interesting fact is for the last ten years of his career he averaged 50! Becasue he was coming so late in the order in the early part of his career, his talent was vastly unknown, but for the last decade of his career he played like a specialist batsman.

One thing I do give you, Botham looked to me the most fluent batsman in the english team (when gower was not present ofcourse).

As far as injuries are concerned, I am not sure if you are aware of Imran's stress fracture which almost ended his career, and he was half the bowler after the injury.

well as i say it personal opinion..i prefered Botham as a player..i doubt you got to see botham much at his peak, so i dont expect you to agree with me..thats your choice and my choice..no right or wrong in this one

PS you said Imrans batting performances were arguably better...arguably is the key word.