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All-Time World XIs: Discussion Thread

Bolo.

International Captain
Marshall and McGrath managed to become the two greatest bowlers ever, and drove their teams to success without the benefit of an old ball specialist. Marshall had his variations and cutters, McGrath still relied on his consistency and a accuracy. Again, those two with the new ball are a must for me.

Even if you want a good no. 8, the notion of stacking the tail does has diminishing returns, especially against quality attacks, and especially at the risk or depleting the bowling.

And again least we forget the 3 greatest teams of all time had at no. 8, Marshall, Warne and Tallon. Want to go (to my) top 6? Walker, Laker, Murray... Next in line? Morkel. It's only as we progress that we approach names like Procter and Ashwin. (Still figuring out which English pre war team fits into the top 10)

Again, no one's saying it's not important, but it's getting to the point of overblown if it overrides the bowling.

Again, no issue if someone wants Imran at first chance for the variety and the runs, but if it's the over riding factor all the way through, it's fine too far imo.

And I'll leave it there.
Yes, we know teams can be strong without ARs. We also know that when a team has quality ARs, they get better. I'm not saying this team is weak without Imran. I'm saying it's better with him.

What do you mean by diminishing returns in this context? Runs are runs. Unless you mean something like the chance of everyone batting twice? I'm prefectly happy not having the lower order being given a chance to contribute in innings where they are not needed. I care about the innings in which runs are needed from them.
 

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