The ATG Teams General arguing/discussing thread

[stephen]

Actually, Pujara is averaging nearly 60 in India against all comers. His exploits against an Australian attack of Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon have convinced me that he's behind only Tendulkar and Kohli as an Indian batsman. He's like Dravid but better.

 

[jimmy101]

As much of a fan as I am of The Wall, I too believe Pujara is a slight cut above. Both have really similar team roles.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Team of the decade 2010-19

Seemed like a good idea but can't be bothered. So Steve Smith and a bunch of others.

 

[jimmy101]

My stab at a Test XI (2010s)

Cook
Amla
Smith
Kohli*
Williamson
ABdV+
Shakib
Ashwin
Philander
Starc
Cummins

Insanely deep batting. Root, Pujara, Jaddu, Herath & Harris all really unlucky to miss out. Misbah-ul-Haq's contributions can't be forgotten either.

 

[ankitj]

Anderson, Steyn, Herath?

 

[jimmy101]

Omg Steyn! How on Earth did I forget him?

Sub him in for Cummins.

 

[Spark]

Yeah you're not getting away with leaving out Anderson either.

 

[trundler]

Cook
Amla
Sanga
Smith
Younis
Kohli
Watling
Cummins
Steyn
Anderson
Herath

 

[jimmy101]

Yeah you're not getting away with leaving out Anderson either.

Massive oversight indeed. I also shamefully didn't give Ross the Boss an honourable mention either!

 

[ankitj]

Cummins didn't play enough tests through the decade. I would have Philander above him.

 

[jimmy101]

ODI XI

Rohit
Warner
Kohli*
ABdV
Sangakkara
Stokes
MSD+
Starc
Steyn
Boult
Ajmal

 

[silentstriker]

Devil’s Advocate here

Is Glen McGrath the greatest or even Top 3 bowler?.

Yes he is.

 

[silentstriker]

Actually, Pujara is averaging nearly 60 in India against all comers. His exploits against an Australian attack of Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon have convinced me that he's behind only Tendulkar and Kohli as an Indian batsman. He's like Dravid but better.

As much of a fan as I am of The Wall, I too believe Pujara is a slight cut above. Both have really similar team roles.

This is insanity. Pure insanity. As much as I want to root for a fellow Gujarati, this is a crazy comparison. It's not particularly close.

 

[stephen]

This is insanity. Pure insanity. As much as I want to root for a fellow Gujarati, this is a crazy comparison. It's not particularly close.

Maybe, it's a very losely held belief. Looking over his stats in places other than Australia and the subcontinent a very strong case could be made that Pujara isn't as good as Dravid.

 

[jimmy101]

Pujara is getting there.

 

[trundler]

If by strong, you mean crystal clear then yes. Dravid has 10 centuries outside Asia.

 

[aussie tragic]

So a quick count over last 20 pages or so.

Sobers, Lillee, McGrath and Dravid not worthy of ATG XI mention.

Who's next, maybe Ponting who played on 2 years too long?

 

[jimmy101]

I actually wouldn't mind seeing a few player/team of the decade threads pop up. MM is usually good at running those type of things. Voting for best pace bowler could be fun. Heaps of candidates.

 

[kyear2]

Seriously, if we're going down the revisionist history path here of "McGrath and Lillee weren't as good at all their contemporaries and the people who watched them know they were" because there are 100 rabid Indians on the forum wanting to re-write cricket history in absurd and ridiculous ways, let me know and I'll just go on espncricinfo's Facebook page instead of logging in here to read absolute drivel.

To be fair Red, think it's only one poster who went after McGrath, I can be wrong, but think the others were more saying Donald was under rated. I have been on record as saying in my opinion McGrath is absolute top tier and that's based on watching him play and his complete record.

With regards to Lillee, there was a lot of hype surrounding him during his career, partly due to his bravado and aura, not unlike IVA. I believe when I first joined the chat, the argument was who was the greatest Lillee or Marshall and I believe a natural correction has taken place. He was an undoubtedly great bowler, just not absolute top tier. There were holes in his record, but he was genuine ATG bowler.

 

[jimmy101]

I think the bravado Lillee brought with him on field actually enhances his claim to greatness, as cricket itself is a huge psychological battle. Kind of like this forum really.