ESPNcricinfo World XI

[smash84]

From an Australian perspective, I'm pretty disappointed that Miller flew under the radar

And from a Pakistani perspective I am disappointed that Imran Khan missed out. I think its the stupid all rounder policy

 

[vcs]

Ambrose's average with Marshall in the team is worse than without him.

Probably earlier in his career and hadn't reached his prime then. Anyway, there must have been a lot of intangible benefits bowling alongside Marshall as well.. picking up tricks of the trade etc. Obviously that's a credit to him though.

I guess I'm remembering too much of the latter half of his career where Walsh was often the main man carrying the WI attack, experimenting a bit more, pushing the boundaries etc. while Ambrose seemed more content to wheel away at 2 RPO and pick up wickets as and when they came along. Could be more perception than anything else.

 

[Ruckus]

Sehwag said he's probably quit when he gets to 100 tests.

Sehwag is very much the personality who will retire on top if he loses the hunger. He's hardly the typical passionate cricketer who cares about records and stamping himself into history.

Still thats around 20 more tests, which is enough to see a big drop in performance (thats a little less than 2 years worth of tests I think?). Its not about his passion though, just his ability. He might be still have a burning desire to play but his reflexes simply don't match.

I think for someone who plays like him it would be very wise to retire when they are on top.

 

[Prince EWS]

Sehwag said he's probably quit when he gets to 100 tests.

Sehwag is very much the personality who will retire on top if he loses the hunger. He's hardly the typical passionate cricketer who cares about records and stamping himself into history.

Well how would you view Sehwag in comparison to Ponting or Lara if he continued his current ways onto the 100 Test barrier including averaging 70 in series in South Africa? I know it's hypothetical at this point but it's something I definitely didn't think I'd have to consider the last time Sehwag got dropped. It's been a truly amazing recovery.

 

[vcs]

Well how would you view Sehwag in comparison to Ponting or Lara if he continued his current ways onto the 100 Test barrier including averaging 70 in series in South Africa? I know it's hypothetical at this point but it's something I definitely didn't think I'd have to consider the last time Sehwag got dropped. It's been a truly amazing recovery.

Aussie will probably self-combust.

Or find a way for it not to count.

 

[Jono]

Still thats around 20 more tests, which is enough to see a big drop in performance (thats a little less than 2 years worth of tests I think?). Its not about his passion though, just his ability. He might be still have a burning desire to play but his reflexes simply don't match.

I think for someone who plays like him it would be very wise to retire when they are on top.

No mate I agree with you that his reflexes will go.

I'm arguing that he may quit before that happens. Even if he doesn't, he won't go on for much longer. He's just not that type of guy.

 

[GotSpin]

Probably earlier in his career and hadn't reached his prime then. Anyway, there must have been a lot of intangible benefits bowling alongside Marshall as well.. picking up tricks of the trade etc. Obviously that's a credit to him though.

I guess I'm remembering too much of the latter half of his career where Walsh was often the main man carrying the WI attack, experimenting a bit more, pushing the boundaries etc. while Ambrose seemed more content to wheel away at 2 RPO and pick up wickets as and when they came along. Could be more perception than anything else.

There's no way the raging bull is overrated. Come on

 

[Jono]

Well how would you view Sehwag in comparison to Ponting or Lara if he continued his current ways onto the 100 Test barrier including averaging 70 in series in South Africa? I know it's hypothetical at this point but it's something I definitely didn't think I'd have to consider the last time Sehwag got dropped. It's been a truly amazing recovery.

I'd view him as an all-time great.

And yeah it's gotta be the greatest come back. I remember strongly arguing with my mate at Boxing Day 2007/08 India vs. Australia. He was adamant that Sehwag should be playing, and I said that he shouldn't, and we won in England without him etc.

I even remember an interview with Sehwag about the England series, despite him not playing it it. It was weird because I was thinking "this guy is not even in our best XI anymore"

How things can change.

 

[GotSpin]

No mate I agree with you that his reflexes will go.

I'm arguing that he may quit before that happens. Even if he doesn't, he won't go on for much longer. He's just not that type of guy.

What's his plan. Just to play ODIs and 20/20?

 

[vcs]

OK, let me put it this way. Ambrose was an awesome bowler (one of my childhood idols, so I don't know why I'm giving the impression of talking him down). But I do believe Walsh was a lot closer to him than you'd think from reading this site.

 

[Jono]

What's his plan. Just to play ODIs and 20/20?

I reckon he'll quit cricket altogether. Might play IPL for the cash, but even then I'm not sure.

He's such a weird personality, who knows.

 

[Prince EWS]

I'd view him as an all-time great.

Well I think he's one anyway TBH.

Would you view him in the Ponting league, or a rung below that? I'd be tempted to put him right up there. It's seems so odd though.

 

[Jono]

OK, let me put it this way. Ambrose was an awesome bowler (one of my childhood idols, so I don't know why I'm giving the impression of talking him down). But I do believe Walsh was a lot closer to him than you'd think from reading this site.

Walsh near the end of his career got better.

But weigh up their whole career and it's a no contest.

Stats show that. Watching them both shows that. Contemporary opinions show that.

It's really undisputed.

 

[Ruckus]

There's no way the raging bull is overrated. Come on

Gordon Tallis?

 

[Ruckus]

Well I think he's one anyway TBH.

Would you view him in the Ponting league, or a rung below that? I'd be tempted to put him right up there. It's seems so odd though.

No way, Sehwag is definately a rung below Ponting imo...

 

[GotSpin]

I reckon he'll quit cricket altogether. Might play IPL for the cash, but even then I'm not sure.

He's such a weird personality, who knows.

Weird. Just looked him up and he has a vegetarian restaurant with the dishes named after his cricketing feats

 

[GotSpin]

Walsh near the end of his career got better.

But weigh up their whole career and it's a no contest.

Stats show that. Watching them both shows that. Contemporary opinions show that.

It's really undisputed.

Loved Walsh when I was a kid - Always running in. Just never stopped.

 

[Prince EWS]

No way, Sehwag is definately a rung below Ponting imo...

Well yeah he obviously is now. Add another 20 Tests in which he averages 70 and fixes up the gap in his record against South Africa, though, and it becomes a lot closer. Ponting would only really have longevity over him.

 

[smash84]

No way, Sehwag is definately a rung below Ponting imo...

I would concur

 

[Ruckus]

Well yeah he obviously is now. Add another 20 Tests in which he averages 70 and fixes up the gap in his record against South Africa, though, and it becomes a lot closer. Ponting would only really have longevity over him.

Even if that happened and he ended up finishing his career with an average of around 55, I'd still put Ponting above him. Ponting is just a way more versatile batsmen to have with better technique.

But anyway thats just hypothetical. Seeing as though Sewag is still pretty much on a peak right now, I think there is only way to go - down.

Plus, you also have to consider what Ponting might do. Who knows maybe he will have a rebirth like Tendulkar.