After the boring world cup ruined my interest in cricket for a short period, the competitive series between England and India has rekindled it...
BEST THREE TEAMS FOR EACH COUNTRY EVER!
I'll start with Australia since it's the easiest...
1. 1948 Invincibles
Pretty easy really. Any team with Bradman has a chance to be the best team ever, but add the likes of Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall and Niel Harvey, who proved themselves greats without Bradman and who carried Australia after Bradman and the team gets stronger. Of course there are others like Morris, Hassett and Johnson. Freakish side.
2. 1974/75-1975/76 Australia
Growing up I'd heard things about Lillee and Thompson, but after seeing a documentary with them in it, I'd never realised how true it was. Because Younis and Akram were, statistically, the best bowling partnership ever I figured it was all hype about Lillee and Thompson. It's odd I should think that because I hate stats to no end. But of course Thompson hurt his shoulder after 1976 and was never the same. Their partnership was no hype... you'd see batsmen face Thompson and they'd react as if they couldn't see the ball. Tony Cozier said Thompson was the difference back then and I think he was right. It's all true, Thompson scared the living hell out of batsmen and Lillee got them out with his accuracy and skill. It was absolutely the cringiest thing I'd ever seen on a cricket field, seeing the injuries those Englishmen endured. I admire Colin Cowdrey to no ends.
Truth be told, I don't think there was any cricket side in history who could do much against Lillee and Thompson... they're no hype. Add to this the best batsman of the 70s, Greg Chappell and you have a side that flogged an extremely strong West Indian side led by Clive Lloyd 5-1, and a side that flogged a very good English side 5-1. That was excellent competition they faced.
Australia 1999-2000
Steve Waugh's side that went 16 Tests undefeated. It'll always be a regret for someone like Steve Waugh that their streak wasn't just beaten, but that India pulled off the greatest modern day comeback to actually beat them in a series. That said, they were a very good side. McGrath was great, but underrated was Gillespie, who on his day, complemented McGrath quite nicely. Lee was pretty good when he first came onto the scene. Warne was a little hit and miss during those injury plagued days, but still a match winner. And then of course the dominance of their batting.
Mighty England is next...
BEST THREE TEAMS FOR EACH COUNTRY EVER!
I'll start with Australia since it's the easiest...
1. 1948 Invincibles
Pretty easy really. Any team with Bradman has a chance to be the best team ever, but add the likes of Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall and Niel Harvey, who proved themselves greats without Bradman and who carried Australia after Bradman and the team gets stronger. Of course there are others like Morris, Hassett and Johnson. Freakish side.
2. 1974/75-1975/76 Australia
Growing up I'd heard things about Lillee and Thompson, but after seeing a documentary with them in it, I'd never realised how true it was. Because Younis and Akram were, statistically, the best bowling partnership ever I figured it was all hype about Lillee and Thompson. It's odd I should think that because I hate stats to no end. But of course Thompson hurt his shoulder after 1976 and was never the same. Their partnership was no hype... you'd see batsmen face Thompson and they'd react as if they couldn't see the ball. Tony Cozier said Thompson was the difference back then and I think he was right. It's all true, Thompson scared the living hell out of batsmen and Lillee got them out with his accuracy and skill. It was absolutely the cringiest thing I'd ever seen on a cricket field, seeing the injuries those Englishmen endured. I admire Colin Cowdrey to no ends.
Truth be told, I don't think there was any cricket side in history who could do much against Lillee and Thompson... they're no hype. Add to this the best batsman of the 70s, Greg Chappell and you have a side that flogged an extremely strong West Indian side led by Clive Lloyd 5-1, and a side that flogged a very good English side 5-1. That was excellent competition they faced.
Australia 1999-2000
Steve Waugh's side that went 16 Tests undefeated. It'll always be a regret for someone like Steve Waugh that their streak wasn't just beaten, but that India pulled off the greatest modern day comeback to actually beat them in a series. That said, they were a very good side. McGrath was great, but underrated was Gillespie, who on his day, complemented McGrath quite nicely. Lee was pretty good when he first came onto the scene. Warne was a little hit and miss during those injury plagued days, but still a match winner. And then of course the dominance of their batting.
Mighty England is next...