Defensive vs Aggressive XIs

[subshakerz]

Posted this earlier. Who wins in the below contest in a 5 test series in the WI:

Defensive XI:

Hutton
Gavaskar
Dravid
Barrington
Kallis
Border
Knott
Hadlee
Garner
Murali
McGrath

Aggressive XI:

Greenidge
Hayden
Viv
Ponting
Lara
Sobers
Gilly
Warne
Steyn
Trueman
Lillee

 

[DrWolverine]

Aggressive 11 may have a higher chance to win but the defensive team is less likely to lose.

 

[subshakerz]

Aggressive 11 may have a higher chance to win but the defensive team is less likely to lose.

Unstoppable force, immovable object.

In cricket, trying not to lose will end up losing against equal or better teams.

 

[DrWolverine]

Hutton
Gavaskar
Dravid
Barrington
Kallis
Border

Dismissing this team two times is not going to be easy

 

[capt_Luffy]

Unstoppable force, immovable object.

In cricket, trying not to lose will end up losing against equal or better teams.

WI prime (top 3 of aggression XI) had a significantly higher rate of draw than Wins.

 

[DrWolverine]

Unstoppable force, immovable object.

In cricket, trying not to lose will end up losing against equal or better teams.

The defensive bowling lineup is better.
Hadlee. McGrath. Garner. Murali.

 

[capt_Luffy]

The defensive bowling lineup is better.
Hadlee. McGrath. Garner. Murali.

Better bowlers and openers vs Better middle to lower middle order.

 

[subshakerz]

WI prime (top 3 of aggression XI) had a significantly higher rate of draw than Wins.

More of a sign of the era.

 

[capt_Luffy]

More of a sign of the era.

Goes to show absolutely nothing about strong weak/strong XIs and their win rate

 

[subshakerz]

The defensive bowling lineup is better.
Hadlee. McGrath. Garner. Murali.

I don't think in reality the difference is that high. The aggressive XI on a good wicket can rip through the defense lineup easier in my opinion.

 

[subshakerz]

Goes to show absolutely nothing about strong weak/strong XIs and their win rate

Yeah win rate is a stupid measure in isolation

 

[Johan]

give aggressive Hobbs and they win

 

[shortpitched713]

Defensive just seems better due to the bowling attack. Which in and of itself isn't really all that defensive for mine but hey.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Knott wasn't defensive for his era. He scored quickly when needed. Replace him with Watling.

Perhaps Herbert Sutcliffe for Dravid and move Hutton to 3.

 

[subshakerz]

Defensive just seems better due to the bowling attack. Which in and of itself isn't really all that defensive for mine but hey.

What would be your attack?

 

[ataraxia]

Trueman and Lillee would probably be a little hopeless in dry WI conditions.

 

[subshakerz]

Trueman and LIllee would probably be a little hopeless in dry WI conditions.

Hadlee didn't have a great series there. In fact Lillee did better in the WSC.

 

[ataraxia]

Hadlee didn't have a great series there. In fact Lillee did better in the WSC.

WI pitches tend to be more spin-friendly these days.

 

[Johan]

Trueman was excellent in WI in 1960, maybe his leg cutters would work?

 

[Johan]

Trueman and Lillee fighting for the new ball to open the bowling with Steyn.