SirBloody Idiot
Cricketer Of The Year
Asia XI v Rest of the World XI 2021 [ICC2008]
OK, technically not an ICC2008 game but the general games forum is dead. I'll use HODI and ITC, but it will be based on teams in my game on ICC2008. Basically, it will be the first Asia v ROW series, the idea being that each time it takes place - it occurs in a different country. The first hosts are England.
6 June 2021 - Tour Match - England 'A' v Asia XI at Sophia Gardens
8 June 2021 - Tour Match - England 'A' v Rest of World XI at Old Trafford
11 June 2021 - 1st ODI - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at The Oval
13 June 2021 - 2nd ODI - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at Trent Bridge
16 June 2021 - 3rd ODI - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at Headingley
23-27 June 2021 - Only Test - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at Lord's
Squads
Profiles
Asian XI
Deepak Reddy (India)
59 ODIs, 1640 runs @ 37.27, 1 100, 13 50s
2 wickets @ 31.50
It was a surprising move that saw Reddy thrust into the Indian captaincy following the retirement of Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the conclusion of the 2018 season; at just 23 years of age, many saw him too inexperienced and underperformed to warrant the position ahead of Wasim Bedade. Since his appointment, Reddy has proven his mettle to become one of the most enterprising captains in world cricket - under his guidance the Indians have emerged as the best test nation in world cricket. Whilst his test and one day form is some what disappointing for a man of his undoubted ability, his prowess as a captain will be needed to lead a talented, if not underachieving, Asian side to glory.
Zahid Ali (Pakistan)
123 ODIs, 4370 runs @ 37.03, 5 100s, 28 50s
A superb opening batsman with all the flair of a Saeed Anwar, Zahid Ali's career remains somewhat disappointing for the most part. After a bright start with six centuries in his first couple of years in the side, a weakness to the short ball has left Zahid with an unremarkable international record. On his day, however, he can take apart the best of bowling attacks - his high score of 145 against New Zealand testament to that fact.
Rana Saeed (Pakistan)
35 ODIs, 645 runs @ 23.04, 2 50s
24 catches, 3 stumpings
A surprising selection as wicketkeeper, the veteran has yet to really produce the goods with the bat in his three years of one day cricket. His high test score of 202* against Australia saw him storm onto the scene - and he has maintained a super average in the longer game. Despite a lack of one day form, his glovework is possibly the best on the subcontinent and he could be a difficult man to dismiss coming in at number seven.
Biswajit Ghosh (India)
71 ODIs, 1336 runs @ 27.27, 5 50s
115 wickets @ 19.35
A talented all-rounder, Ghosh has come under fire for his inability to capitalise on good starts with the bat - resulting in a somewhat disappointing record. A diminutive figure on the pitch, Ghosh has become a specialist one day bowler with his tight orthodox spin causing batsman around the world trouble. He relies on accuracy - probably the reason he bowls so few overs in the longer game where batsman happily kick him away from outside leg stump. With Farhad and Chawla also in the squad, Ghosh may find it difficult to break into the talented Asian outfit.
Devapriya Fernando (Sri Lanka)
64 ODIs, 1603 runs @ 29.15, 10 50s
A pure backup option, Fernando offers more than just his batting in this side as he is possibly the best fieldsman in world cricket. Patrolling the backward point region, Fernando hurls himself around the field to cut off opposition boundaries and is an invaluable resource for the Sri Lankans. A good domestic record is not reflected in a very disappointing international record, but the flashy 28 year old has shown glimpses of an ability to cut and pull his way to glorious innings (his effortless 127 against Pakistan an example of this).
Dinesh Ramesh (India)
56 ODIs, 1566 runs @ 30.12, 2 100s, 9 50s
The aggressive opening batsman has at times been a 'gimmie' for good opening bowlers. Ramesh has been criticised for his ability to pulverise lesser attacks at the expense of playing good cricket against the finest attacks - his tendancy to flay the bat at anything getting him into trouble more times than not.
Eashwar Mujtaba (Bangladesh)
18 ODIs, 684 runs @ 45.60, 1 100, 4 50s
A surprising selection, the young left-hander has made a bright start to his career (with a 101 against South Africa), but is unlikely to get any real game time.
Farhad Hossain (Bangladesh)
151 ODIs, 1417 runs @ 14.31, 1 50s
243 wickets @ 22.52
A better batsman than his record gives him credit for, Farhad will contest with Piyush Chawla and Biswajit Ghosh for the number one spinners spot. A tiresome worker, Farhad is constantly applauded for his ability to tie attacks down and could relish a position in a more impressive attack than Bangladesh.
Gurat Panda (India)
143 ODIs, 213 wickets @ 24.87
A surprising selection in the Asian side, Panda seems to have fallen into the trap of many Indian pacemen when it comes to playing under pressure. Whilst his record in both formats is decent enough, he has been known to go missing when the pressure is on. As such, the 32-year old needs to find confidence early in this series to be any real factor in a pretty weak Asian bowling attack.
Imran Alam (Pakistan)
170 ODIs, 5738 runs @ 37.02, 5 100s, 39 50s
At 34 years of age, Alam's simple technique has ensured he is still going stong with an average of over 40 in his last two years of cricket. Will probably bat at his usual position of four, and could be the level head the Asian side needs to succeed in this one day series.
Lalith Rohana (Sri Lanka)
135 ODIs, 4378 runs @ 37.10, 7 100s, 23 50s
A wristy and delightful player to watch, the Sri Lankan captain should, in all reality, be hitting his prime. However, an inability to capitalise on starts continues to plague his one day career which continues to falter in a dark age for the normally exciting Sri Lankan batting lineup. Whilst an average in the late-30s is by no means awful; Rohana is certainly capable of much more and maybe, with a more consistent lineup around him, he might just find that form.
Mohammad Naved (Pakistan)
123 ODIs, 202 wickets @ 23.19
At 33 years of age, Naved has entered his twilight years but finds himself in the squad as possibly the most experienced bowler on the subcontinent. A workhorse for a typically enigmatic Pakistan outfit, he will be the dark horse to chip away at the aggressive World XI outfit.
Piyush Chawla (India)
151 ODIs, 1245 runs @ 14.15, 2 50s
294 wickets @ 18.16
One of the finest limited overs bowlers of his generation - perhaps only second to former Sri Lankan anomaly Ajantha Mendis - Chawla has emerged as a lynchpin of the Indian attack late in his career. Blooded early, Chawla would only return to the side on a regular basis in his mid-twenties and would become a fine one day spinner. Averaging less than twenty is no mean feat - and his superb economy rate makes him a formidable opponent for even the finest of batsmen.
Rajitha Abeyratne (Sri Lanka)
113 ODIs, 160 wickets @ 26.61
Another experienced fast bowler, Abeyratne has worked hard throughout his years in the Sri Lankan national team. With a decent enough ODI record, and a handy test record, Abeyratne and Mohammad Naved will more than likely work well together in tandem. He won't take bags full of wickets, but on the right wicket he could be difficult for the ROW side to negotiate.
Wasim Bedade (India)
183 ODIs, 6314 runs @ 38.97, 9 100s, 39 50s
11 wickets @ 28.18
One would be forgiven for frustration after being overlooked for captaincy of his national side, but Wasim Bedade has continued to be a rock at number three for his country. With 26 test centuries under his belt, Bedade is one of the main reasons for India's rise to the top of the test world - his one day form, whilst not as good, equally as important in Indian conquests. A fine fieldsman and a handy part-time spin bowler, Bedade will be the cornerstone of the Asian batting lineup at first drop.
ROW to come later.
OK, technically not an ICC2008 game but the general games forum is dead. I'll use HODI and ITC, but it will be based on teams in my game on ICC2008. Basically, it will be the first Asia v ROW series, the idea being that each time it takes place - it occurs in a different country. The first hosts are England.
6 June 2021 - Tour Match - England 'A' v Asia XI at Sophia Gardens
8 June 2021 - Tour Match - England 'A' v Rest of World XI at Old Trafford
11 June 2021 - 1st ODI - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at The Oval
13 June 2021 - 2nd ODI - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at Trent Bridge
16 June 2021 - 3rd ODI - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at Headingley
23-27 June 2021 - Only Test - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at Lord's
Squads
Profiles
Asian XI
Deepak Reddy (India)
59 ODIs, 1640 runs @ 37.27, 1 100, 13 50s
2 wickets @ 31.50
It was a surprising move that saw Reddy thrust into the Indian captaincy following the retirement of Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the conclusion of the 2018 season; at just 23 years of age, many saw him too inexperienced and underperformed to warrant the position ahead of Wasim Bedade. Since his appointment, Reddy has proven his mettle to become one of the most enterprising captains in world cricket - under his guidance the Indians have emerged as the best test nation in world cricket. Whilst his test and one day form is some what disappointing for a man of his undoubted ability, his prowess as a captain will be needed to lead a talented, if not underachieving, Asian side to glory.
Zahid Ali (Pakistan)
123 ODIs, 4370 runs @ 37.03, 5 100s, 28 50s
A superb opening batsman with all the flair of a Saeed Anwar, Zahid Ali's career remains somewhat disappointing for the most part. After a bright start with six centuries in his first couple of years in the side, a weakness to the short ball has left Zahid with an unremarkable international record. On his day, however, he can take apart the best of bowling attacks - his high score of 145 against New Zealand testament to that fact.
Rana Saeed (Pakistan)
35 ODIs, 645 runs @ 23.04, 2 50s
24 catches, 3 stumpings
A surprising selection as wicketkeeper, the veteran has yet to really produce the goods with the bat in his three years of one day cricket. His high test score of 202* against Australia saw him storm onto the scene - and he has maintained a super average in the longer game. Despite a lack of one day form, his glovework is possibly the best on the subcontinent and he could be a difficult man to dismiss coming in at number seven.
Biswajit Ghosh (India)
71 ODIs, 1336 runs @ 27.27, 5 50s
115 wickets @ 19.35
A talented all-rounder, Ghosh has come under fire for his inability to capitalise on good starts with the bat - resulting in a somewhat disappointing record. A diminutive figure on the pitch, Ghosh has become a specialist one day bowler with his tight orthodox spin causing batsman around the world trouble. He relies on accuracy - probably the reason he bowls so few overs in the longer game where batsman happily kick him away from outside leg stump. With Farhad and Chawla also in the squad, Ghosh may find it difficult to break into the talented Asian outfit.
Devapriya Fernando (Sri Lanka)
64 ODIs, 1603 runs @ 29.15, 10 50s
A pure backup option, Fernando offers more than just his batting in this side as he is possibly the best fieldsman in world cricket. Patrolling the backward point region, Fernando hurls himself around the field to cut off opposition boundaries and is an invaluable resource for the Sri Lankans. A good domestic record is not reflected in a very disappointing international record, but the flashy 28 year old has shown glimpses of an ability to cut and pull his way to glorious innings (his effortless 127 against Pakistan an example of this).
Dinesh Ramesh (India)
56 ODIs, 1566 runs @ 30.12, 2 100s, 9 50s
The aggressive opening batsman has at times been a 'gimmie' for good opening bowlers. Ramesh has been criticised for his ability to pulverise lesser attacks at the expense of playing good cricket against the finest attacks - his tendancy to flay the bat at anything getting him into trouble more times than not.
Eashwar Mujtaba (Bangladesh)
18 ODIs, 684 runs @ 45.60, 1 100, 4 50s
A surprising selection, the young left-hander has made a bright start to his career (with a 101 against South Africa), but is unlikely to get any real game time.
Farhad Hossain (Bangladesh)
151 ODIs, 1417 runs @ 14.31, 1 50s
243 wickets @ 22.52
A better batsman than his record gives him credit for, Farhad will contest with Piyush Chawla and Biswajit Ghosh for the number one spinners spot. A tiresome worker, Farhad is constantly applauded for his ability to tie attacks down and could relish a position in a more impressive attack than Bangladesh.
Gurat Panda (India)
143 ODIs, 213 wickets @ 24.87
A surprising selection in the Asian side, Panda seems to have fallen into the trap of many Indian pacemen when it comes to playing under pressure. Whilst his record in both formats is decent enough, he has been known to go missing when the pressure is on. As such, the 32-year old needs to find confidence early in this series to be any real factor in a pretty weak Asian bowling attack.
Imran Alam (Pakistan)
170 ODIs, 5738 runs @ 37.02, 5 100s, 39 50s
At 34 years of age, Alam's simple technique has ensured he is still going stong with an average of over 40 in his last two years of cricket. Will probably bat at his usual position of four, and could be the level head the Asian side needs to succeed in this one day series.
Lalith Rohana (Sri Lanka)
135 ODIs, 4378 runs @ 37.10, 7 100s, 23 50s
A wristy and delightful player to watch, the Sri Lankan captain should, in all reality, be hitting his prime. However, an inability to capitalise on starts continues to plague his one day career which continues to falter in a dark age for the normally exciting Sri Lankan batting lineup. Whilst an average in the late-30s is by no means awful; Rohana is certainly capable of much more and maybe, with a more consistent lineup around him, he might just find that form.
Mohammad Naved (Pakistan)
123 ODIs, 202 wickets @ 23.19
At 33 years of age, Naved has entered his twilight years but finds himself in the squad as possibly the most experienced bowler on the subcontinent. A workhorse for a typically enigmatic Pakistan outfit, he will be the dark horse to chip away at the aggressive World XI outfit.
Piyush Chawla (India)
151 ODIs, 1245 runs @ 14.15, 2 50s
294 wickets @ 18.16
One of the finest limited overs bowlers of his generation - perhaps only second to former Sri Lankan anomaly Ajantha Mendis - Chawla has emerged as a lynchpin of the Indian attack late in his career. Blooded early, Chawla would only return to the side on a regular basis in his mid-twenties and would become a fine one day spinner. Averaging less than twenty is no mean feat - and his superb economy rate makes him a formidable opponent for even the finest of batsmen.
Rajitha Abeyratne (Sri Lanka)
113 ODIs, 160 wickets @ 26.61
Another experienced fast bowler, Abeyratne has worked hard throughout his years in the Sri Lankan national team. With a decent enough ODI record, and a handy test record, Abeyratne and Mohammad Naved will more than likely work well together in tandem. He won't take bags full of wickets, but on the right wicket he could be difficult for the ROW side to negotiate.
Wasim Bedade (India)
183 ODIs, 6314 runs @ 38.97, 9 100s, 39 50s
11 wickets @ 28.18
One would be forgiven for frustration after being overlooked for captaincy of his national side, but Wasim Bedade has continued to be a rock at number three for his country. With 26 test centuries under his belt, Bedade is one of the main reasons for India's rise to the top of the test world - his one day form, whilst not as good, equally as important in Indian conquests. A fine fieldsman and a handy part-time spin bowler, Bedade will be the cornerstone of the Asian batting lineup at first drop.
ROW to come later.
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