ESPNcricinfo World XI

[Jono]

Chappell's thrill a minute XI is pretty incredible. That batting order could easily score 400 in a day, even against a reasonably good bowling attack.

 

[Himannv]

Gidgeon Haigh made a list of the excluded players:

Wilfred Rhodes
Herbert Sutcliffe
Ricky Ponting
Neil Harvey (capt)
Everton Weekes
Rohan Kanhai
Ian Healy
Ray Lindwall
Joel Garner
Jim Laker
Ted McDonald
Bishan Bedi (12th man)

Davidson, Spofforth, Turner, Bedser, Lohmann and Steyn should all be pushing McDonald for that spot IMO. Also WG Grace should probably have a chance somewhere.

 

[kingkallis]

So my question : What is Arjuna Ranatunga doing in the nominated names ahead of Aravinda de Silva?

 

[Jono]

Haha that is a very fair question.

 

[aussie]

Ian Chappell picked:

For my all-time thrill XI I've selected players on talent, their ability to entertain, and a desire to dictate to the opposition.

1. Virender Sehwag
The most destructive batsman in world cricket. Admirably simple approach to batting.

2. Roy Fredericks
A century off 71 balls against Lillee and Thomson at the WACA. West Indies reached 200 in the 20th (eight-ball) over.

3. Viv Richards
The fastest Test century, in balls (56). An intimidating presence. When an umpire once told a fast bowler three bouncers in a row was enough, Viv said, "Don't stop him."

4. Brian Lara
Features in two of the top four entries for most runs off an over in Tests. Exceptional against spinners.

5. Doug Walters
Three times he scored a century in a session in Test cricket. Also kept the dressing room as loose as a size-eight cap.

6. Sir Garfield Sobers (capt)
The greatest cricketer of all time. As captain he claimed the final two wickets - caught at second slip and then caught at leg-slip - in the last over of a one-day match when the opposition needed six to win.

7. Adam Gilchrist (wk)
One of the cleanest strikers I've seen. Hit the second-fastest Test century (57 balls).

8. Shane Warne
Champion bowler who made every ball an event worth watching. Would have loved bowling under Sobers' captaincy.

9. Dennis Lillee
Great fast bowler who thought only of taking wickets, never of saving runs. Also bowled a "soap on a rope" in a festival match to an astonished batsman.

10. Wes Hall
Extremely fast bowler with a wonderfully, rhythmic, long run to the wicket. Great entertainer either with bat or ball and perfect man to respond to the toast at the official function.

11. Bill O'Reilly
Bradman said he was the best bowler he ever saw. Aggressive legspinner, who once responded when asked if he'd ever performed a Mankad: "I never found a batsman that keen to get to the other end."

Real thrill a minute team indeed. He probably could have dropped one of Warne/O'Reilly for an exciting quick like Wasim or Waqar.

Sehwag a bit of achillies heel in this team. But lets not get into that. Would have picked Hayden or Greenidge instead.

 

[Engle]

My World XI

01. Sir J. Hobbs
02. S. Gavaskar
03. Sir D. Bradman (c)
04. Sir V. Richards
05. Sir G. Sobers
06. Imran Khan (vc)
07. A. Knott
08. M. Marshall
09. S. Warne
10. S. Barnes
11. M. Muralitharan

SRT left out cause his style will not complement DGB as much as Viv or Gary.
BCL left out for additional bowling, though having to see DGB and BCL batting would be exhilirating

Knott in place of Gilly cause exceptional glovework will be required for bowling line-up

Biggest decision was whether to complement Marshall with Amby, however Imran wins a spot for raising his peformance under pressure and leadership

 

[JBH001]

Hmmm, my XI would be:

1. Hobbs
2. Hutton
3. Bradman
4. Chappell
5. Richards
6. Gilchrist
7. Imran
8. Hadlee
9. Warne
10. Marshall
11. Murali

 

[smash84]

Real thrill a minute team indeed. He probably could have dropped one of Warne/O'Reilly for an exciting quick like Wasim or Waqar.

Sehwag a bit of achillies heel in this team. But lets not get into that. Would have picked Hayden or Greenidge instead.

I would agree that there were few bowlers more exciting to watch than the 2 Ws at their peaks bowling with either the new ball or a reverse swinging old ball. I was not fortunate enough to watch Bill O Reilly bowl so can't really comment on him.

As far as Sehwag is concerned there is no doubt that he is a real entertainer. And especially the kind of form that he has had lately I wouldn't mind have him playing for my XI. He can take his chances while there is enough firepower to come later.

01. Sir J. Hobbs
02. S. Gavaskar
03. Sir D. Bradman (c)
04. Sir V. Richards
05. Sir G. Sobers
06. Imran Khan (vc)
07. A. Knott
08. M. Marshall
09. S. Warne
10. S. Barnes
11. M. Muralitharan

SRT left out cause his style will not complement DGB as much as Viv or Gary.
BCL left out for additional bowling, though having to see DGB and BCL batting would be exhilirating

Knott in place of Gilly cause exceptional glovework will be required for bowling line-up

Biggest decision was whether to complement Marshall with Amby, however Imran wins a spot for raising his peformance under pressure and leadership

As bagpath once pointed out that in a side where his position is not guaranteed it is difficult that he would ever lead the team. So not a great criteria to have Imran in the side on leadership ability IMO.

 

[smash84]

By the way what to do you guys think???? Who will get picked in the final XI by ESPN???

 

[smash84]

Murali could play instead of Warne.

I doubt that the panel would pick Murali instead of Warne. I think the panel would be a bit more pro-Warne than pro-Murali (for lack of a better term).

I have a hunch that Akram might get picked.

That sounds like a long shot but if that does happen then it would be quite a bit of a surprise really. Akram should only make it if they want a lot of variety in the attack with a genuine left arm quick. Although Gary Sobers can bowl left arm medium pace. Otherwise it is difficult to see how Akram can make it through in the galaxy of such great fast bowlers.

 

[ankitj]

Chappell's thrill a minute XI is pretty incredible. That batting order could easily score 400 in a day, even against a reasonably good bowling attack.

Without Murali and Waqar, there is much less thrill in bowling IMO.

 

[ankitj]

I doubt that the panel would pick Murali instead of Warne. I think the panel would be a bit more pro-Warne than pro-Murali (for lack of a better term).



That sounds like a long shot but if that does happen then it would be quite a bit of a surprise really. Akram should only make it if they want a lot of variety in the attack with a genuine left arm quick. Although Gary Sobers can bowl left arm medium pace. Otherwise it is difficult to see how Akram can make it through in the galaxy of such great fast bowlers.

I so agree with you on that. I saw Bhogle's XI on Twitter and he disappointed me by not picking Murali, Imran, Hadlee and Barnes. He had Warne, Wasim, Lillee and Marshall in his attack. I mean Wasim over Imran? Are you kidding Mr. Bhogle?

 

[Slifer]

I think this is the likely XI based on cricinfo need to be Pc and other biases:

Hobbs
Hutton/Gavaskar
Don
Sachin
Sobers
Imran
Gilchrist+
Warne
Lillee
Barnes
Murali

 

[Teja.]

I think this is the likely XI based on cricinfo need to be Pc and other biases:

Hobbs
Hutton/Gavaskar
Don
Sachin
Sobers
Imran
Gilchrist+
Warne
Lillee
Barnes
Murali

Haha, Personally I'd have Border/Headley/Chapell in that place but no way is Cricinfo gonna ignore Viv. I highly doubt they'll pick Murali too. Reckon' they'll go for Marshall, Lillee, Warne and Imran.

 

[Jono]

Viv will definitely be there Slifer, and I reckon Murali is a 50/50 at best.

 

[ankitj]

I think this is the likely XI based on cricinfo need to be Pc and other biases:

Hobbs
Hutton/Gavaskar
Don
Sachin
Sobers
Imran
Gilchrist+
Warne
Lillee
Barnes
Murali

I think they are going to ignore Imran, Barnes and Murali (hope it doesn't happen though). Think they will play one batsman more and that will be Viv Richards (though I will love to see Hammond and G Pollock). My biggest beef with the whole exercise is the limit placed on all-rounders. That has virtually shut out Hadlee.

 

[Prince EWS]

Ian Chappell picked:

For my all-time thrill XI I've selected players on talent, their ability to entertain, and a desire to dictate to the opposition.

What a surprise.

 

[Jono]

?

 

[Slifer]

Haha, Personally I'd have Border/Headley/Chapell in that place but no way is Cricinfo gonna ignore Viv. I highly doubt they'll pick Murali too. Reckon' they'll go for Marshall, Lillee, Warne and Imran.

Yes Viv is very popular with that lot but including him at who's expense?/ Doubt they'd remove Sachin (who does deserve a place.) I alos feel 2 of Imran, Sobers and Hadlee must be in the team. That leaves the bowlers and I feel Lillee and Warne are a given. Ive never seen ne on cricinfo give Marshall his due so he'd likely be out.

 

[aussie]

I would agree that there were few bowlers more exciting to watch than the 2 Ws at their peaks bowling with either the new ball or a reverse swinging old ball. I was not fortunate enough to watch Bill O Reilly bowl so can't really comment on him.

An exciting fast bowler like one of the Ws in their peak suits this XI perfectly & one fo them has to be in IMO.

As far as Sehwag is concerned there is no doubt that he is a real entertainer. And especially the kind of form that he has had lately I wouldn't mind have him playing for my XI. He can take his chances while there is enough firepower to come later.

He is an entertainer fore sure. But as i said againts a strong hypotetical opposition pace atack facing the likes of a Hadlee/Marshall/Trueman/Donald/Ambrose etc. I could see him failing againts them more often that he would last long to entertain, which would defeat the purpse of this XIs consistently.

That why i'd pick another aggressive/entertaining opener like a Greenidge would be good enough to score runs consistently againts a strong hypotetical quality attack consistently.