Best XI's ever put out in a test match by each country?

[jimmy101]

Come to think of it Steve Waugh is a decent shout for best batsman during the years '93 - '95. Went ape**** in England in 1993 and then stood tall against the Windies in '95.

 

[mr_mister]

I was trying to find a test where Hunte-Weekes-Walcott-Worrell-Sobers-Kanhai all played

Found one with Weekes-Walcott-Worrell-Sobers-Kanhai, which is a better batting lineup than in their 80s heyday, but the bowling was pretty meh as it was slightly before Hall and Gibbs had debuted


I think from that era the best all round XI I could I find was this

5th test Port of Spain 1960

Hunte
McMorris
Alexander+
Sobers
Walcott
Worrell
Kanhai
Ramadhin
Hall
Griffith
Watson

 

[OverratedSanity]

This one from the 2004 series vs Australia is very close to SL's all time XI. Then again, most of SL's all time XI are from one generation so meh.

Atapattu
Jayasuriya
Samaraweera
Jayawardene
Sangakkara
Dilshan
Hashan Tillekeratne
Vaas
Zoysa
Herath
Muralitharan

 

[jimmy101]

This one from the 2004 series vs Australia is very close to SL's all time XI. Then again, most of SL's all time XI are from one generation so meh.

Atapattu
Jayasuriya
Samaraweera
Jayawardene
Sangakkara
Dilshan
Hashan Tillekeratne
Vaas
Zoysa
Herath
Muralitharan

Hard to beat that. Eclipses even the '96 team.

 

[Chewie]

I don't know much about older NZ teams, but from recent times, one of these two would probably be a decent shout?

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...ly-test-zimbabwe-tour-of-new-zealand-2011-12/

McCullum
Guptill
Williamson
Taylor
Brownlie
Vettori
Watling
Bracewell
Southee
Boult
Martin

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...zealand-tour-of-united-arab-emirates-2014-15/

Latham
McCullum
Williamson
Taylor
Anderson
Vettori
Watling
Craig
Southee
Sodhi
Boult

 

[jimmy101]

Very solid looking pair of teams there, I'd like to see a peak 80's NZ team for reference.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Would be interested to see a best Zimbabwe XI. Hypothetically a bowling lineup of Streak, Brandes, Olonga and Strang would be genuinely formidable, but I don't think they all ever played together.

 

[jimmy101]

Would be interested to see a best Zimbabwe XI. Hypothetically a bowling lineup of Streak, Brandes, Olonga and Strang would be genuinely formidable, but I don't think they all ever played together.

I wouldn't mind betting it was during the Houghton years. Or maybe during the short time when Murray Goodwin was part of the side.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Would be interested to see a best Zimbabwe XI. Hypothetically a bowling lineup of Streak, Brandes, Olonga and Strang would be genuinely formidable, but I don't think they all ever played together.

Really? Other than Streak those guys are barely first-class standard

 

[jimmy101]

Really? Other than Streak those guys are barely first-class standard

Then how do you explain Goodwin & Andy Flower kicking so much arse when they played domestically in Australia?

 

[TheJediBrah]

Then how do you explain Goodwin & Andy Flower kicking so much arse when they played domestically in Australia?

Because they are both international-class players

 

[jimmy101]

Because they are both international-class players

Ah ok, you were referring only to Brandes, Olonga & Strang it seems.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Really? Other than Streak those guys are barely first-class standard

Eddo the chicken farmer was genuinely world class for a little while, just couldn't stay on the park. Could swing it away at real lively pace.

 

[jimmy101]

At least Afghanistan & Ireland's teams are both open and shut cases!

 

[TheJediBrah]

Yeah never really saw Brandes tbh but I remember seeing Olonga (might even have been a replay) after hearing that he was one of Zimbabwe's premier bowlers and being shocked at how ordinary he was

 

[jimmy101]

Yeah Olonga is a bit overrated IMO. Always regarded Pommie Mbangwa to be better than him. Possibly even David Brain too. Brandes & Streak are a cut above the rest though.

Peter Rawson, who is a bit before my time, is also a decent shout for Zim's ATG pacer.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Flower only did one Shield season, he didn't really do that great but he was still one of the best in the South Australian team that season. Still a class batsman though.

EDIT: Rawson is a good call, never seen him bowl myself but have heard he was quick and hostile back in his day. Eddo Brandes was definitely a class bowler.

 

[vandem]

Very solid looking pair of teams there, I'd like to see a peak 80's NZ team for reference.

Best NZ team need to be from the mid 80s era of peak Hadlee + blossoming Martin Crowe.

83-84 vs Eng
Wright Edgar - Howarth(c) M Crowe J Crowe Coney - Smith - Boock - Hadlee Cairns Chatfield

85-86 in Aus
Wright Edgar - Reid M Crowe Coney(c) J Crowe - Smith - J Bracewell - Hadlee Cairns Chatfield

49ers were good, even better if they could have picked Tom Prichard for the tests (as per Hadlee in 90). Cowie Prichard Burtt + another would have been the (second?) best test attack in the world in 49.

 

[morgieb]

Then how do you explain Goodwin & Andy Flower kicking so much arse when they played domestically in Australia?

I wouldn't say averaging 24 was kicking arse. Still a great player though.

 

[morgieb]

I have a feeling Zimbos best sides would've come pre-Test cricket. O/c their side would've looked stronger when you add Hick and Curran (for example) to it.