ATG XI 1900s-2000s

[listento_me]

Ok, so since there's a very big thread on atg test per nation, I thought I'd make one with regards to every decade from 1900-2000, so that's 11 decades (including the 2000s). So, if one had to pick a single player from each of the decades, what would these teams look like? That means there will be some tough decisions to make because it's likely you won't be able to include all the players you want but also provides us with a look at the early 20th century and to do some serious learning on those players. It's also providing opportunities to those who automatically love black and white players to say more about why they'd include a player from the 1910s for instance.

So, one player from each of those decades but you're not allowed to pick Bradman or Sobers (that gets boring). Said players have to have played at least 10 tests in that decade to be included for the test XI and at least 30 ODIs in that decade to be in the ODI side.

Also write a bit on why you picked said player. He doesn't necessarily have to be viewed as the best of the decade but could be picked due to the make up of your side and what you need there.

My Test XI:
1. Victor Trumper (1900s, Australia) - His career average of just 39, while batting in the top order is a bit misleading as this was the time of uncovered wickets, rain affected, "sticky" and by all accounts, difficult to bat on. Many claim he was indispensable on such wickets and knew how to work the ball around enough to tire the bowlers and then pick them off. His best season, wit ha combination of 53 innings across tests and 1st class cricket came in 1902. On wet, low wickets he scored over 2000 runs at an average of almost 50.

2. Jack Hobbs (1910s, England) - One of England's greatest who scored almost half of his career runs in this decade, with the vast majority of his innings and 4 of his 5 centuries coming in away tests in Australia and South Africa. He was also a titular match winner averaging over 70 in matches won. Take out his 4 test centuries and countless other batting contributions, it's fair to say England may not have won as many matches in that entire decade.

3. Ricky Ponting (2000s, Australia) - Arguably the greatest batsman of the 21st century and certainly of its first decade. His numbers are simply startling. Couple that with his captaincy and test victories and test runs in just about every corner of the cricketing globe and it's hard to pick a better, more eye catching and domineering number three...from any era.

4. Wally Hammond (1930s, England) - A batsman almost on par with the Don during the 1930s. He was that decades highest run getter and had its second highest individual score. All in all, one of the great middle order batsmen. Nuff said.

5. Denis Compton (1940s, England) - Another extremely accomplished middle order batsman. Sound technique and the ability to dissect the field which was second to none. he was also a fan of going big after getting a hundred and his back to back centuries in the same test in Australia is still remembered today. Just the type of stoic mind needed at 4 or 5.

6. Clyde Walcott wk (1950s, West Indies) - Probably a bit of a cheat by having him in as keeper but he did do the job at this level and it is difficult to not include him as a middle order batsman from the 1950s. There are only 4 batsmen who scored more runs than him and none averaged higher.

7. Imran Khan c (1980s, Pakistan) - As I have said before, there are few sportsmen who define their sport, in a particular period of time as much as Khan defined the 1980s. It helped that he was the greatest all rounder of his generation. What more needs to be said?

8. Wasim Akram (1990s, Pakistan) - Like his great idol, Wasim was more than capable with the bat but with the ball, there are few better and none as iconic as Akram in the 90s. I can't think of a better bowler, especially on drying or flat wickets, when the chips are down than a reverse swinging Akram. He's also the guy I'd want opening my bowling.

9. Maurice Tate (1920s, England) - Revered by many as one of the great bowlers of his generation, he was handy enough with the bat to get himself a test century. Handy at number 9 eh?

10. Lance Gibbs (1960s, West Indies) - Not the best spinner I could have picked but certainly one of the great ones. He was tight and accurate enough to never go for many, which is just what I'd need, especially trying to hold up an end.

11. Dennis Lillee (1970s, Australia) - THE iconic cricketer of the 1970s and the archetypal fast bowler. Aggressive and with a moustache. It's also important that along with the pace he had control and a whole repertoire of tricks.

Edit: an ODI XI to follow

 

[wpdavid]

Not bad actually.

I'd bring in Larwood for the 1930's, treat Hammond as the 1920s player due to his outstanding series in Australia in, iirc, 1928/29 and lose Maurice Tait.

Maybe Benaud instead of Gibbs from the 1960s and also to captain the side.

 

[listento_me]

I was close to having Larwood in my side and of course the same goes for Benaud.

In terms of Tate, I feel he adds so much depth, I can afford to have a decent bat all the way down at 9 and his lesser pace (more devious bowling) compliments the pace of Akram, Khan and Lillee.

 

[Zinzan]

Interesting Walcott couldn't make your ATG Windies XI the other day, but makes your greatest world XI choosing from every decade.

 

[Howe_zat]

1. Hutton 1950s
2. Sutcliffe 1920s
3. Hammond 1930s
4. Tendulkar 1990s
5. Richards 1970s
6. Miller 1940s
7. Gilchrist 2000s
8. Imran 1980s
9. Rhodes 1900s
10. Trueman 1960s
11. Barnes 1910s

 

[listento_me]

1. Hutton 1950s
2. Sutcliffe 1920s
3. Hammond 1930s
4. Tendulkar 1990s
5. Richards 1970s
6. Miller 1940s
7. Gilchrist 2000s
8. Imran 1980s
9. Rhodes 1900s
10. Trueman 1960s
11. Barnes 1910s

Very deep batting there and a solid set of bowlers.

But dont be lazy, write a bit about why you picked them

 

[Red]

Jack Hobbs (1920s) - the greatest batsman pre Bradman
Len Hutton (1940s) - in my opinion the most complete opener of all time
George Headley (1930s) - as they said, the Black Bradman
Brian Lara (1990s) - why wouldn't you want Lara in a team?
Clyde Walcott (1950s) - the most rounded of the 3 Ws and was amazing in this decade
Monty Noble (1900s) - a collossus all rounder of his era *
Adam Gilchrist (2000s) - no explanation needed +
Aubrey Faulkner (1910s) - took many wickets and made a lot of runs in a shortened decade
Richard Hadlee (1980s) - the 80s was defined by the big four all rounders, and Hadlee was as good a bowler as there's ever been
Dennis Lillee (1970s) - great bowler who pretty much epitomises Australia in the 70s
Fred Trueman (1960s) - was amazing in this decade. "T' greatest fast bowler ever to draw breath."

 

[AndrewB]

OK, here's an XI picked to avoid clashes with the original XI (there are a couple with the other XIs suggested):

1. Sunil Gavaskar (1970s): The Little Master, who entered Test cricket in style with 774 runs in his first series, and never looked back. Although most renowned for his many hundreds against the West Indies, he was able to adapt to conditions in England (221 in a famous chase at the Oval) and Australia (averaging over 50 there). The complete opener.

2. Arthur Morris (1940s): Another who made a great start in Test cricket. Picked by Bradman for his all-time XI, no doubt because in one of the all-time great sides in 1948 he comfortably outscored both team-mates and opponents, with a magnificent 182 in difficult conditions to win the series. Also makes it a left-right opening combination.

3. Ken Barrington (1960s): If Garry Sobers was the class batsman of the 1960s, one man could rival him for sheer weight of runs: Ken Barrington. With an average only a fraction under 60 for the decade, he was by far the leading scorer in the decade, able to adapt to any conditions.

4. Jacques Kallis (2000s): The anchor of the South African batting throughout the 2000s, he also chipped in with a couple of hundred wickets. If only Barrington could rival Sobers as a batsman in the 60s, only Kallis can rival him as a Test batting all-rounder in any decade.

5. Stanley Jackson (1900s): That said, if Stanley Jackson had been available for overseas tours maybe Sobers would have another rival. In a decade where only the best players could average over 40, Jackson reached the high 50s, playing only in England, where batting was not easy. The proof of this? Jackson's bowling average of 21 - not bad for a batting all-rounder.

6: Jack Gregory (1920s): Don't be fooled by his relatively modest overall figures - before injury slowed him down, Gregory had a batting average in the high 40s and a bowling average in the low 20s. A bowler of fearsome pace, who was a good enough batsman to score one of the fastest Test hundreds, and a good enough fielder to still hold the record for most catches in a Test series by a non-keeper.

7. Les Ames (1930s): The first of the great wicket-keeper batsmen, Ames's county record - more stumpings than anyone before or since - shows that he was a fine keeper; while his batting was good enough to make the England side a few times as a specialist batsman.

8. Richard Hadlee (1980s): In the decade of the all-rounder, Imran tends to get the plaudits, but he had top-class support for much of the decade in the shape of Wasim Akram. Hadlee was always the mainstay of the New Zealand attack, often with only moderate support, and yet his average in the 80s was under 20. A relentless, almost metronomic pace bowler, and another fierce batsman able to rattle up a hundred in next to no time.

9. Jim Laker (1950s): A candidate for the greatest of all off-spinners, Laker is of course most famous for his 19-90 at Old Trafford in 1956, and 46 wickets in the series. Less remembered are his efforts in England's disastrous tour of Australia a few years later, when he was again England's leading bowler in much less helpful conditions. Deadly in helpful conditions, persistent in unhelpful ones.

10. Curtly Ambrose (1990s): In a decade full of feared fast bowlers (Wasim, Waqar, McGrath, Donald, Walsh) none was more feared than Ambrose, a man who could run through a batting line-up in the blink of an eye. Having come into the West Indies side as the support act to the great Malcolm Marshall, in the 90s he showed himself a worthy heir to the great WI pace bowlers of the 80s.

11. Sydney Barnes (1910s): Still regarded by many as the greatest bowler of all time, the 1910s saw Sydney Barnes at his peak, with 122 Test wickets at an average of just 14. A bowler fast-medium leg-spin in a style that few if any have managed to imitate, so accurate a bowler was Barnes that he was still able to trouble touring batsmen in his late 50s.

 

[GirtBySea]

1. Len Hutton
2. Jack Hobbs
3. Don Bradman
4. George Headley
5. Garry Sobers
6. Jacques Kallis
7. Adam Gilchrist
8. Malcolm Marshall
9. Curtly Ambrose
10. Muttiah Muralitharan
11. Sydney Barnes

Having log in problems and my reasons did not post on here, I'll do so later.

 

[listento_me]

1. Len Hutton
2. Jack Hobbs
3. Don Bradman
4. George Headley
5. Garry Sobers
6. Jacques Kallis
7. Adam Gilchrist
8. Malcolm Marshall
9. Curtly Ambrose
10. Muttiah Muralitharan
11. Sydney Barnes

Having log in problems and my reasons did not post on here, I'll do so later.

you get zero for not even bothering to read the rules

 

[listento_me]

OK, here's an XI picked to avoid clashes with the original XI (there are a couple with the other XIs suggested):

1. Sunil Gavaskar (1970s): The Little Master, who entered Test cricket in style with 774 runs in his first series, and never looked back. Although most renowned for his many hundreds against the West Indies, he was able to adapt to conditions in England (221 in a famous chase at the Oval) and Australia (averaging over 50 there). The complete opener.

2. Arthur Morris (1940s): Another who made a great start in Test cricket. Picked by Bradman for his all-time XI, no doubt because in one of the all-time great sides in 1948 he comfortably outscored both team-mates and opponents, with a magnificent 182 in difficult conditions to win the series. Also makes it a left-right opening combination.

3. Ken Barrington (1960s): If Garry Sobers was the class batsman of the 1960s, one man could rival him for sheer weight of runs: Ken Barrington. With an average only a fraction under 60 for the decade, he was by far the leading scorer in the decade, able to adapt to any conditions.

4. Jacques Kallis (2000s): The anchor of the South African batting throughout the 2000s, he also chipped in with a couple of hundred wickets. If only Barrington could rival Sobers as a batsman in the 60s, only Kallis can rival him as a Test batting all-rounder in any decade.

5. Stanley Jackson (1900s): That said, if Stanley Jackson had been available for overseas tours maybe Sobers would have another rival. In a decade where only the best players could average over 40, Jackson reached the high 50s, playing only in England, where batting was not easy. The proof of this? Jackson's bowling average of 21 - not bad for a batting all-rounder.

6: Jack Gregory (1920s): Don't be fooled by his relatively modest overall figures - before injury slowed him down, Gregory had a batting average in the high 40s and a bowling average in the low 20s. A bowler of fearsome pace, who was a good enough batsman to score one of the fastest Test hundreds, and a good enough fielder to still hold the record for most catches in a Test series by a non-keeper.

7. Les Ames (1930s): The first of the great wicket-keeper batsmen, Ames's county record - more stumpings than anyone before or since - shows that he was a fine keeper; while his batting was good enough to make the England side a few times as a specialist batsman.

8. Richard Hadlee (1980s): In the decade of the all-rounder, Imran tends to get the plaudits, but he had top-class support for much of the decade in the shape of Wasim Akram. Hadlee was always the mainstay of the New Zealand attack, often with only moderate support, and yet his average in the 80s was under 20. A relentless, almost metronomic pace bowler, and another fierce batsman able to rattle up a hundred in next to no time.

9. Jim Laker (1950s): A candidate for the greatest of all off-spinners, Laker is of course most famous for his 19-90 at Old Trafford in 1956, and 46 wickets in the series. Less remembered are his efforts in England's disastrous tour of Australia a few years later, when he was again England's leading bowler in much less helpful conditions. Deadly in helpful conditions, persistent in unhelpful ones.

10. Curtly Ambrose (1990s): In a decade full of feared fast bowlers (Wasim, Waqar, McGrath, Donald, Walsh) none was more feared than Ambrose, a man who could run through a batting line-up in the blink of an eye. Having come into the West Indies side as the support act to the great Malcolm Marshall, in the 90s he showed himself a worthy heir to the great WI pace bowlers of the 80s.

11. Sydney Barnes (1910s): Still regarded by many as the greatest bowler of all time, the 1910s saw Sydney Barnes at his peak, with 122 Test wickets at an average of just 14. A bowler fast-medium leg-spin in a style that few if any have managed to imitate, so accurate a bowler was Barnes that he was still able to trouble touring batsmen in his late 50s.

Not sold on the Hadlee argument (Khan only had Wasim from 85 onwards and even then, Was did not peak till 19990 on wards) but a terrific team.

I'm not sold on bowlers from around pre-1940 all that much but that's a different discussion and the whole point of this exercise was to look up on past players. Great stuff!

 

[adub]

1 Jack Hobbs (20s) Could easily have been the pick for the prior decade. The best bat pre-Bradman and probably still the best opener ever. Easy pick
2. Gavaskar (70s) Sutcliffe and Hammond might be a bit unlucky for the position, and Viv and Javed for the decade, but Sunny pumped out 5647 @ 55.91 opening with 22 tons in only 60 tests in the 70s. That's freak level batting.
3. Wally Hammond. (30s) If you can't have Bradman you have Hammond. Simple. Wanted to maybe go for Grum, but I have spin covered later. Add in his leadership, slips fielding, and more than handy medium pace bowling and Wally is the complete package. Vice Captain of this side but probably making a lot of the on-field calls in conjunction with the keeper.
4 Jaques Kallis (2000s). If you can't have Sobers you have Kallis. Actually if you can have Sobers you probably still have Kallis. Can bat, can bowl, can catch. The complete package.
5. Stanley Jackson (00s). At a time when the greats averaged 30s and of players to play 10 tests in the decade only one other averaged over 40 (Ransford's 42.7) Jackson's 803 @ 57.35 stands out like a beacon. He didn't play outside of England, but it's not like it was any easier batting there. Of the players who played 10 tests in England in the decade only Rhodes joined him with an average over 40 and he needed 10 not outs in 19 innings to do it.
6. Ted Dexter. (60s) Flamboyant, athletic, graceful. Just the player you want coming in at 6 to bludgeon an attack already hurting from what's above. Also a very handy medium pacer.
7. Andy Flower (90s) Kallis knocks Gilly out of contention, but Flower's 44 average when keeping in the 90s means not much is lost and not having to carry a side almost single handedly would probably help his figures not hurt them. Good gloveman, excellent batsman, leader and tactician.
8. Imran Khan (80s). To the surprise of no one who has seen me posting lately Imran was the easiest pick. Actually had a better average in the 80s than both Marshall and Hadlee and sat between both on sr, econ, wkts/match and 10fers. As good a quick bowler as has ever been in that decade. Then you add his 2430 runs @ 44.18 and his inspiring leadership and the Lion of Lahore Captains this team. With Hammond and Flower to assist with the field placings and bowling changes Imran will be free to just inspire these greats to even greater heights.
9. Ray Lindwall (40s). Could have also picked him for the 50s. Lindy was the first great post war quick and then added more than handy batting including 2 tons to the mix and opening batsmen and bowlers to the tail are all worried.
10. Alan Davidson (50s). Trueman is desperately unlucky, but the attack simply has too much sameness about it without Davo. Possibly the greatest left arm quick ever. More than handy batsman, absolute gentleman. And anyway all great teams need a player from the Western Suburbs club to be truly great.
11. Sydney Barnes (10s). It's Syd Barnes 'nuff said.

12th man. Ravi Ashwin (2010s) Got a series on subcontinental dustbowls and think the above bowling line up needs some more spin to support Barnes? Ashwin's your man. 207 wickets in 31 tests in Asia @ 21.44 with a 45.6 sr 22 5-fers and 7 10-fers makes him amongst the best ever in helpful conditions. Then add in his 34.73 batting average in Asia with 2 tons and he's the perfect guy to come in for Lindwall when the pitch is made for spin.

 

[GirtBySea]

you get zero for not even bothering to read the rules

1. Jack Hobbs (1920s)- One of the first opening batsmen to have averaged past the 50 mark and did so in 61 Test matches; to have played 61 matches back in those days was a huge achievement. Did he also miss cricket due to WWI? If so he could have played even more to add to his then massive 61 Tests. And he did so despite retiring from Test cricket at 48 years old! And is also the oldest player to have scored a Test century at 46 years of age, which still stands today!
Whether by natural talent or learned experience, Hobbs' longevity in the game would eventually see him master in all conditions and all bowler types. He scored heavily in England, Australia and South Africa in some of the most tricky batting conditions that we don't see today.
2. Wally Hammond (1940s)- English cricketer who will be known forever as a huge run-scoring cricketer, Hammond was a big man for his time and a strongly built one at that, who amassed well over 7000 runs in 85 Test matches. Onlookers considered Hammond to be a natural stroke maker with a mixture of elegance, ease and movement in the crease, but Hammond was also considered the best slips fieldsman of his time and was a more than handy medium-fast bowler who took 83 scalps in his Test career too.
3. George Headley (1930s) - There was Bradman; then there was Headley. Largely considered in the cricket world to have been the greatest batsman alongside Bradman, That's enough said for me. Australian great Clarie Grimmett considered him the greatest player of leg-side shots alone. Headley was another cricketer who played into his 40s. Never one to have had a bad series, Headley scored heavily in a limited amount of Test matches played, just 22 of them.
4. Graeme Pollock (1960s)- Bradman thought he was the finest left-hander ever produced. Averaged over 60 in 23 Test matches and fills a left-handers' role in the team.
5. Brian Lara (2000s)- Fills another left-handed spot; but more importantly, amassed two world record scores, bet even Tendulkar in beating Allan Border's Test runs record and, as opposed to Tendulkar and Ponting, bet it without even coming close to passing Border's 156-Test matches played. Could bat anywhere, superb against the best pacemen and even better against spinners, including against Warne.
6. Clyde Walcott (1950s)- No WKs until Gilchrist's arrival matched the batting feats of Walcott and he was also surprised at times with part-time pacers and the ability to take a handful of wickets; a true all-round cricketer.
7. Aubrey Faulkner (1910s)- A true all-rounder with an average of 40 with the bat and 26 with the ball who will fill one of the spinner's role in the team. Perfect for the no. 7 position.
8. Imran Khan (1970s)- Pakistan's greatest cricketer, an all-rounder more in the bowling category but with statistics in both the batting and bowling areas that one would die for to have in their team and to see again.
9. Malcolm Marshall (1980s)- To be playing for a long time in a champion team is one thing; to have statistics that are amongst the best you will ever see is another. The Windies produced champion fast bowlers throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, but the one that stands out is Marshall. A strike rate of a stupendous 46 balls per 100 bowled and an elite average of 20; this simply does not happen through becoming a support act alone. Also included were 4 ten wicket matches with other greats around him. Marshall was about as complete for a fast bowler as you will find, argued by many as the best pace bowler of them all.
10. Shane Warne (1990s)- This was very tough, Warne or Muralitharan. I changed my mind, more on the basis I've seen more of Warne. The greatest leg spinner who stood out for his incredible accuracy, as well as his variety of deliveries in his prime, and the best of the 90s and into the 2000s batsmen look clueless!
11. Sydney Barnes (1900s)- Considered by many to be the greatest bowler of his time, Barnes averaged 7 wickets per match and was believed to be the first bowler to bowl seamers. Any wonder so many didn't know what to do!

 

[listento_me]

1 Jack Hobbs (20s) Could easily have been the pick for the prior decade. The best bat pre-Bradman and probably still the best opener ever. Easy pick
2. Gavaskar (70s) Sutcliffe and Hammond might be a bit unlucky for the position, and Viv and Javed for the decade, but Sunny pumped out 5647 @ 55.91 opening with 22 tons in only 60 tests in the 70s. That's freak level batting.
3. Wally Hammond. (30s) If you can't have Bradman you have Hammond. Simple. Wanted to maybe go for Grum, but I have spin covered later. Add in his leadership, slips fielding, and more than handy medium pace bowling and Wally is the complete package. Vice Captain of this side but probably making a lot of the on-field calls in conjunction with the keeper.
4 Jaques Kallis (2000s). If you can't have Sobers you have Kallis. Actually if you can have Sobers you probably still have Kallis. Can bat, can bowl, can catch. The complete package.
5. Stanley Jackson (00s). At a time when the greats averaged 30s and of players to play 10 tests in the decade only one other averaged over 40 (Ransford's 42.7) Jackson's 803 @ 57.35 stands out like a beacon. He didn't play outside of England, but it's not like it was any easier batting there. Of the players who played 10 tests in England in the decade only Rhodes joined him with an average over 40 and he needed 10 not outs in 19 innings to do it.
6. Ted Dexter. (60s) Flamboyant, athletic, graceful. Just the player you want coming in at 6 to bludgeon an attack already hurting from what's above. Also a very handy medium pacer.
7. Andy Flower (90s) Kallis knocks Gilly out of contention, but Flower's 44 average when keeping in the 90s means not much is lost and not having to carry a side almost single handedly would probably help his figures not hurt them. Good gloveman, excellent batsman, leader and tactician.
8. Imran Khan (80s). To the surprise of no one who has seen me posting lately Imran was the easiest pick. Actually had a better average in the 80s than both Marshall and Hadlee and sat between both on sr, econ, wkts/match and 10fers. As good a quick bowler as has ever been in that decade. Then you add his 2430 runs @ 44.18 and his inspiring leadership and the Lion of Lahore Captains this team. With Hammond and Flower to assist with the field placings and bowling changes Imran will be free to just inspire these greats to even greater heights.
9. Ray Lindwall (40s). Could have also picked him for the 50s. Lindy was the first great post war quick and then added more than handy batting including 2 tons to the mix and opening batsmen and bowlers to the tail are all worried.
10. Alan Davidson (50s). Trueman is desperately unlucky, but the attack simply has too much sameness about it without Davo. Possibly the greatest left arm quick ever. More than handy batsman, absolute gentleman. And anyway all great teams need a player from the Western Suburbs club to be truly great.
11. Sydney Barnes (10s). It's Syd Barnes 'nuff said.

12th man. Ravi Ashwin (2010s) Got a series on subcontinental dustbowls and think the above bowling line up needs some more spin to support Barnes? Ashwin's your man. 207 wickets in 31 tests in Asia @ 21.44 with a 45.6 sr 22 5-fers and 7 10-fers makes him amongst the best ever in helpful conditions. Then add in his 34.73 batting average in Asia with 2 tons and he's the perfect guy to come in for Lindwall when the pitch is made for spin.

I purposefully didn't want to include teh 2010s just because we haven't completed the decade and we really don't know how certain players will develop and deal with adversity etc

Great team and I'm glad I've seen a couple Kallis picks. Grea, great player.

1. Jack Hobbs (1920s)- One of the first opening batsmen to have averaged past the 50 mark and did so in 61 Test matches; to have played 61 matches back in those days was a huge achievement. Did he also miss cricket due to WWI? If so he could have played even more to add to his then massive 61 Tests. And he did so despite retiring from Test cricket at 48 years old! And is also the oldest player to have scored a Test century at 46 years of age, which still stands today!
Whether by natural talent or learned experience, Hobbs' longevity in the game would eventually see him master in all conditions and all bowler types. He scored heavily in England, Australia and South Africa in some of the most tricky batting conditions that we don't see today.
2. Wally Hammond (1940s)- English cricketer who will be known forever as a huge run-scoring cricketer, Hammond was a big man for his time and a strongly built one at that, who amassed well over 7000 runs in 85 Test matches. Onlookers considered Hammond to be a natural stroke maker with a mixture of elegance, ease and movement in the crease, but Hammond was also considered the best slips fieldsman of his time and was a more than handy medium-fast bowler who took 83 scalps in his Test career too.
3. George Headley (1930s) - There was Bradman; then there was Headley. Largely considered in the cricket world to have been the greatest batsman alongside Bradman, That's enough said for me. Australian great Clarie Grimmett considered him the greatest player of leg-side shots alone. Headley was another cricketer who played into his 40s. Never one to have had a bad series, Headley scored heavily in a limited amount of Test matches played, just 22 of them.
4. Graeme Pollock (1960s)- Bradman thought he was the finest left-hander ever produced. Averaged over 60 in 23 Test matches and fills a left-handers' role in the team.
5. Brian Lara (2000s)- Fills another left-handed spot; but more importantly, amassed two world record scores, bet even Tendulkar in beating Allan Border's Test runs record and, as opposed to Tendulkar and Ponting, bet it without even coming close to passing Border's 156-Test matches played. Could bat anywhere, superb against the best pacemen and even better against spinners, including against Warne.
6. Clyde Walcott (1950s)- No WKs until Gilchrist's arrival matched the batting feats of Walcott and he was also surprised at times with part-time pacers and the ability to take a handful of wickets; a true all-round cricketer.
7. Aubrey Faulkner (1910s)- A true all-rounder with an average of 40 with the bat and 26 with the ball who will fill one of the spinner's role in the team. Perfect for the no. 7 position.
8. Imran Khan (1970s)- Pakistan's greatest cricketer, an all-rounder more in the bowling category but with statistics in both the batting and bowling areas that one would die for to have in their team and to see again.
9. Malcolm Marshall (1980s)- To be playing for a long time in a champion team is one thing; to have statistics that are amongst the best you will ever see is another. The Windies produced champion fast bowlers throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, but the one that stands out is Marshall. A strike rate of a stupendous 46 balls per 100 bowled and an elite average of 20; this simply does not happen through becoming a support act alone. Also included were 4 ten wicket matches with other greats around him. Marshall was about as complete for a fast bowler as you will find, argued by many as the best pace bowler of them all.
10. Shane Warne (1990s)- This was very tough, Warne or Muralitharan. I changed my mind, more on the basis I've seen more of Warne. The greatest leg spinner who stood out for his incredible accuracy, as well as his variety of deliveries in his prime, and the best of the 90s and into the 2000s batsmen look clueless!
11. Sydney Barnes (1900s)- Considered by many to be the greatest bowler of his time, Barnes averaged 7 wickets per match and was believed to be the first bowler to bowl seamers. Any wonder so many didn't know what to do!

good! lol

I'm not sure about Khan from the 70s as he had a handful of good years towards the end of the decade but I'm not sure if that's enough, considering all the other people with superior careers in that decade. Khan of the 80s, especially early 80s, was far superior.

But it seems like Hammond, Khan, Hobbs and one of the Ws are getting a lot of picks. Deservedly so of course.

 

[mr_mister]

I'm gonna sync up chronological and batting order


Victor Trumper (00s)
Jack Hobbs (10s)
Wally Hammond (20s)
George Headley (30s)
Everton Weekes (40s)
Keith Miller (50s)
Alan Davidson (60s)
Alan Knott (70s)
Richard Hadlee (80s)
Shane Warne (90s)
Dale Steyn (00s)

 

[honestbharani]

You can select Murali for the 00s and the side would actually be the better for it.

 

[listento_me]

I'm gonna sync up chronological and batting order


Victor Trumper (00s)
Jack Hobbs (10s)
Wally Hammond (20s)
George Headley (30s)
Everton Weekes (40s)
Keith Miller (50s)
Alan Davidson (60s)
Alan Knott (70s)
Richard Hadlee (80s)
Shane Warne (90s)
Dale Steyn (00s)

That's a weird one with Hadlee for the 80s and Steyn for the 00s but I guess you were going in batting order. Still I'd have Khan for the 80s and pushed for bowlers in the 00s I'd go for McGrath, Warne or Murali and of course keep the 90s for Akram. But i like the idea of syncing it with batting order. I might do a new team like that.