was having a bit of an argument as to an all time XI on another forum, and the debate is who the better spinner is - Murali or Laker.
For mine it is Laker, this is the extract of my post with my reasonings for this decision.
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In terms of off spinners, Laker is clearly the best IMO.
Just went on to CricInfo to have a look at Murali v Laker (Laker also didn't have a great, although not a bad reord, against South Africa).
(Take out my bias againt Murali cause i believe he throws, Laker still beats him).
- Murali just wins on strike rates (58 to 62)
- Laker just wins on average (21.24 to 22.86)
- I always reckon wickets per test i believe is pretty irrelevant. Murali has no competition for wickets, and each team basically takes 20 wickets a test. Someone has to take those wickets. When his only competition for wickets is a reasonable test quickie in Vaas, of course Murali is gonna take 6 wickets a test, because he basically comes on after about 6 overs from the other opener, and bowls practically non stop to the end of an innings.
- take out 16 tests with 110 wickets at about 14 against Zim and Bangladesh, then suddenly they're practically even on strike rates, and Laker pretty much dominates him on average. Murali now has 425 wickets (5.66 wickets per test) at 24.68 with a strike rate of 60.85.
- Murali has also struggled against the best in the world Australia, and hasn't performed well at all in either Australia or New Zealand.
- Laker has only ever had two calendar years where has averaged over 30 (and another where he took 1 wicket @ 86 in 1 test).
- Murali really struggled in his first 4 to 6 years, before he really his strides.
Basically, i would just take Laker over Murali.
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Thoughts???
And just for the record, this was my all time team 1) Herb Sutcliife 2) Jack Hobbs 3) Don Bradman 4) Graeme Pollock 5) Gary Sobers 6) Adam Gilchrist 7) Keith Miller 8) Malcolm Marshall 9) Joel Garner 10) Bill O'Reilly 11) Jim Laker
But Could basically pick any two of Sutcliffe, Hobbs or Hutton to open.
Could pick any one of the about 12 or 15 players for the number 4 batting spot.
Could also easily replace Imran Khan or Richard Hadlee with Keither Miller.
Could also pick any one of the about 12 or 15 players for the number 9 spot and second opening bowling position.
I think Marshall is the best bowler of all time and has a right to be included straight into that time, but that is just my opinion, and others may differ.
For mine it is Laker, this is the extract of my post with my reasonings for this decision.
------------------------------------------------
In terms of off spinners, Laker is clearly the best IMO.
Just went on to CricInfo to have a look at Murali v Laker (Laker also didn't have a great, although not a bad reord, against South Africa).
(Take out my bias againt Murali cause i believe he throws, Laker still beats him).
- Murali just wins on strike rates (58 to 62)
- Laker just wins on average (21.24 to 22.86)
- I always reckon wickets per test i believe is pretty irrelevant. Murali has no competition for wickets, and each team basically takes 20 wickets a test. Someone has to take those wickets. When his only competition for wickets is a reasonable test quickie in Vaas, of course Murali is gonna take 6 wickets a test, because he basically comes on after about 6 overs from the other opener, and bowls practically non stop to the end of an innings.
- take out 16 tests with 110 wickets at about 14 against Zim and Bangladesh, then suddenly they're practically even on strike rates, and Laker pretty much dominates him on average. Murali now has 425 wickets (5.66 wickets per test) at 24.68 with a strike rate of 60.85.
- Murali has also struggled against the best in the world Australia, and hasn't performed well at all in either Australia or New Zealand.
- Laker has only ever had two calendar years where has averaged over 30 (and another where he took 1 wicket @ 86 in 1 test).
- Murali really struggled in his first 4 to 6 years, before he really his strides.
Basically, i would just take Laker over Murali.
------------------------------------------------
Thoughts???
And just for the record, this was my all time team 1) Herb Sutcliife 2) Jack Hobbs 3) Don Bradman 4) Graeme Pollock 5) Gary Sobers 6) Adam Gilchrist 7) Keith Miller 8) Malcolm Marshall 9) Joel Garner 10) Bill O'Reilly 11) Jim Laker
But Could basically pick any two of Sutcliffe, Hobbs or Hutton to open.
Could pick any one of the about 12 or 15 players for the number 4 batting spot.
Could also easily replace Imran Khan or Richard Hadlee with Keither Miller.
Could also pick any one of the about 12 or 15 players for the number 9 spot and second opening bowling position.
I think Marshall is the best bowler of all time and has a right to be included straight into that time, but that is just my opinion, and others may differ.