As much as I love Boon and M.Waugh, can't see Boon either opening or batting at 3 here, and M.Waugh is very unlikely to be voted for ahead of anyone from the list, but as I said, feel free to suggest/add to the list.Seems a shame that Boon and M.Waugh aren't included even if they are no chance.
The other day I made my teams and had:
4. Greg Chappell
5. Allan Border
6. Keith Miller
Australia have the best batsman and best keeper batsman, so I don't mind sacrificing a few runs due to Miller to ensure Australia has the best 5 man bowling attack in the world.
I'm surprised that picking Miller seems to be going a bit out of fashion. I got the impression he was a staple pick.
Miller seems to cause the most controversy in Aus XI selections. Having a genuine fifth bowler is a magnificent luxury, but is it necessary? If you already have an attack of...Greg Chappell as a fifth bowler in an all-time XI? Hm.
I think it's incredible anyone can leave Miller out tbh. Particularly in a side containing Don Bradman. If any team in history can go light on batting, it's a side that contains the Don. Then there's the fact that a fifth bowler really isn't just a luxury. You've cited an example of a successful four-man attack, who have performed admirably at Test level. However, we're attempting to create a side that will play at a level above Tests, so to speak. I wouldn't trust an attack of any four [and four only] Australian bowlers to regularly bowl out batting lineups of ATG sides from England, WIs, South Africa et al.Miller seems to cause the most controversy in Aus XI selections. Having a genuine fifth bowler is a magnificent luxury, but is it necessary? If you already have an attack of...
-Lillee
-McGrath
-Lindwall/Davo/Spofforth etc
and Warne/O'Reilly/Grimmett
...do you really need a fifth option?
I think if you play three quicks plus a spinner, that's enough for me. Australia did this very successful with the combo of McGrath, Gillespie, Lee/Bichel/Kaspa and Warne/MacGill. I reckon the best bet for including Miller is if you want to select both Warne and O'Reilly.
But ****, it's MILLER! Just the thought of walking out with him would be awesome I reckon. High quality batsman, high quality bowler, gun slipper etc etc. Shagger extraordinaire. Fighter pilot.
Most of the great sides through history have four mainline front bowlers, and MAYBE one other adequate bowler to bowl a few overs here and there.I think it's incredible anyone can leave Miller out tbh. Particularly in a side containing Don Bradman. If any team in history can go light on batting, it's a side that contains the Don. Then there's the fact that a fifth bowler really isn't just a luxury. You've cited an example of a successful four-man attack, who have performed admirably at Test level. However, we're attempting to create a side that will play at a level above Tests, so to speak. I wouldn't trust an attack of any four [and four only] Australian bowlers to regularly bowl out batting lineups of ATG sides from England, WIs, South Africa et al.
The first point is the main one, though. In my mind, there'd still arguably be a case for Miller to be in the side if he was nothing more than a handy number 8 batsman, with Lindwall at 7 and Gilchrist at 6. Stacking the batting of a lineup that already boasts Don Bradman is just a massive waste. Stack the bowling ffs.
Yep. Realistically Miller probably isn't good enough to bat six in an on-paper league against all the other all-time national sides, but Bradman and Gilchrist ensure Australia's batting is already very stacked, so it's a luxury one can definitely afford.It is a no brainer for me. If I can have 2 spinners in a 5-man bowling attack with a solid lower middle order then I will go for that composition every time. With don at 3 and gilly at 7, Miller's 3 wkts + 36 bat avg is more valuable than a 50 avg with no test standard bowling contribution from mccabe/harvey/ s.waugh/walters.
Even this may not be quite the issue it's made out to be as other sides won't necessarily have better number 6 batsmen. The Windies will probably have Sobers at 6 who certainly is a better batsman, but other countries' xi's may probably include the likes of Botham, Faulkner, Mankad or Kapil Dev, Imran Khan or Mushtaq Mohammed, Reid or Cairns. Miller is better than many of those, comparable with all.Yep. Realistically Miller probably isn't good enough to bat six in an on-paper league against all the other all-time national sides, but Bradman and Gilchrist ensure Australia's batting is already very stacked, so it's a luxury one can definitely afford.
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'twas Napper's party trick - he played at least three other innings that were as impressive as that oneI just wanted mccabe in my line up for scoring one of the most famous centuries ever in the face of adversity so he got the nod ahead of miller.
Which one are you talking about? He played several - WAG.I just wanted mccabe in my line up for scoring one of the most famous centuries ever in the face of adversity so he got the nod ahead of miller.
The one that is legendary for me is - is 180 odd against bodyline that is described as a fierce display of hooking against incalculable odds as there were fielders everywhere waiting for it.Which one are you talking about? He played several - WAG.