Establishing the best decade for cricket: Finding the ATG XI from 12 decades of test cricket - then having a KO tourney to decide the best

[The Sean]

A tough one, this – it wasn’t the strongest period for middle-order batsmen and I am making a slightly left-field selection. Victor Trumper was nominally an opener, but was equally good (and statistically actually more successful) in the middle order. With that in mind, I am going to pick Warren Bardsley – another man who was predominantly an opening batsman but who actually spent quite a bit of time pre-WWI in the middle-order and very successfully at that.

This also gives the team options insofar as Trumper and Bardsley can alternate as needed between partnering Hobbs at the top of the order or coming in at 4/5. Very harsh on FS Jackson, and I’ve got no issue at all if it is he who ends up making this team instead.

Faulkner picks himself, and as for the spinner it’s a toss of a coin but I’ll go with Blythe just edging out Trumble.

Blythe

Bardsley
Faulkner

 

[ankitj]

Colin Blythe

Herbie Taylor
Stanley Jackson

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Wasn’t McCartney a crap batsman in this era?

yeah looked it up he made only one hundred pre 1920s compared to six hundreds post 1920s with avg over 65. Certainly a contender for 1920s

 

[ataraxia]

Noble

Ranji
Armstrong

Most of Ranji's FC career was in this time period, and he was very, very, good. Trumble and Rhodes only briefly played in their selected roles in this time period, and IMO a balanced side here doesn't need a specialist spinner. Faulkner slots in at 6 for me.

 

[mr_mister]

So far it's very close between a lot of players. Need a few more votes!

 

[Coronis]

Jackson Faulkner
Trumble

 

[Michaelf7777777]

Stanley Jackson, Warren Bardsley
Wilfred Rhodes

 

[bagapath]

Noble

Ranji
Jackson

 

[mr_mister]

For the spinner spot

Blythe 5 votes
Trumble 2 votes
Rhodes 2 votes
Noble 1 vote

For 4

Faulkner 3
Jackson 2
Taylor 2
Ranji 2
Bardsley 1

For 5

Jackson 4
Faulkner 3
Armstrong 2
Bardsley

 

[mr_mister]

Hobbs
Trumper
Hill
Faulkner
Jackson
-
-
-
Foster
Barnes
Blythe


1. Select a wicket keeper
2. Pick a third seamer
3. Pick a batsman/all-rounder to bat 6

 

[mr_mister]

I reckon Strudwick for keeper, and would probably bat him 9 and move Foster up
I'd have Cotter as third seamer, for the being arguably the quickest bowler of the era
and Noble at 6

 

[The Sean]

I reckon Strudwick for keeper, and would probably bat him 9 and move Foster up
I'd have Cotter as third seamer, for the being arguably the quickest bowler of the era
and Noble at 6

Noble and Cotter for me too, please.

But Dick Lilley for 'keeper - played much more of his career than Strudwick did during the time period in question, and has the added benefit of being a far better batsman too.

 

[Michaelf7777777]

Sammy Carter
George Hirst
Monty Noble

 

[The Sean]

Carter also a great shout for wicketkeeper. Was a toss up between him and Lilley for me.

 

[Coronis]

Dick Lilley
Tibby Cotter
Monty Noble

 

[mr_mister]

He was renowned for his cricketing knowledge, and advised "a long succession of England captains".[7] However, he once started to set the field without consulting his county skipper, Frank Foster, 23 years his junior, who told him there and then to mind his own business. Foster later advised the Warwickshire committee to drop him


Will Foster and Lilley be compatible in the same team?

 

[ataraxia]

-
Hirst
Noble

 

[bagapath]

Herbert Strudwick
Tibby Cotter
Monty Noble

 

[Teuton]

Lilley
Cotter
Noble

 

[Coronis]

He was renowned for his cricketing knowledge, and advised "a long succession of England captains".[7] However, he once started to set the field without consulting his county skipper, Frank Foster, 23 years his junior, who told him there and then to mind his own business. Foster later advised the Warwickshire committee to drop him


Will Foster and Lilley be compatible in the same team?

Just make an Aussie captain and he’ll get em both to shut up. So long as he lets Barnes do what he wants.