Hello and welcome to Group C round robin match of test cricket draft.
Please keep in mind that The voters are being asked to choose a team that will prevail over a three match series on these respective grounds.
Please keep in mind that The voters are being asked to choose a team that will prevail over a three match series on these respective grounds.
- Eden Gardens, Kolkatta
- Lords, London
- SCG, Sydney
Sunil Gavaskar: One of the greatest opening batsmen of all time and someone who possessed immaculate technique, an impregnable defence and amazing concentration levels. Plied his trade in the fearsome era of the 70s and the 80s and racked up the numbers. 34 centuries, 45 half centuries and an average of 50+ in that era. Comfortably the best opening batsman in the draft.
Kepler Wessels: Completing my solid opening partnership is the left handed Kepler Wessels. Another solid opener who was capable of holding his own vs the best of attacks and scored a superb 162 on debut. An average of 41 in the 80s with 6 centuries and 15 half centuries. Was among the few batsmen at the time who could stand up and score vs the fearsome West Indian attack.
David Gower: One of the classiest and most elegant batsmen to have graced the game, David Gower completes a very strong top 3 for my side. Someone of his quality cannot be judged by numbers alone, he was simply beautiful to watch and very effective. Scored 18 centuries, 39 half centuries and had an average of 44+.
Larry Gomes: Coming in at number 4 is the solid Larry Gomes. Wisden Cricketer of the year 1985, Gomes was a unique West Indian. Classy, elegant and great to watch as most left handers are, he was unique in his approach to batting. He lent that fearsome West Indian batting line up much needed solidity in the middle. One of the toughest batsmen to get out in his time. An average of close to 40 to go with 9 centuries and 15 half centuries.
VVS Laxman: Very very special Laxman. Elegant, classy and just a treat to watch, VVS is one of the best middle order test batsmen the game has seen. A superb strokemaker who was equally strong defensively, Laxman was someone who scored big runs and was equally adept at playing with the top order as he was with the tail enders. Average of close to 46 with 17 centuries and 56 half centuries, he’s an impeccable test player.
Damien Martyn: Another batsman who made batting look very simple, Damien Martyn was one of the classiest, elegant and attractive batsmen of modern times. An average of over 46 and 13 centuries to go with 23 half centuries, Martyn completes my superb top 6.
Rod Marsh: 355 test dismissals tell their own story. Marsh remains one of the most respected wicket keepers of all time. He combined his near flawless glove work with a dogged approach to batting. An average of 26+ along with 3 centuries and 16 half tons, Marsh was no mug with the bat. He’ll be the much needed class behind the wickets to keep to the likes of Thomson and Murali.
Paul Reiffel: My 3rd seamer is the Australian Paul Reiffel. A very good seam bowler who had impeccable accuracy, Reiffel was very hard to get away and troubled batsmen with his seam movement. Reiffel was also a very handy bat and someone bowlers found very hard to get rid of. A batting average of 26+, he can hold his own late on and give support to other batsmen around him. A bowling average of 26, he acted as the perfect foil to his much more illustrious bowling partners when all he had was to feed off scraps left behind for him.
Jason Gillespie: A career destroyed by injuries, Gillespie is still remembered for the way he swung the ball and made it talk at his best. Over 250 wickets at an average of 26, he forged one of the most formidable opening bowling partnerships alongside Glenn Mcgrath. If Mcgrath was remembered for getting the ball to do just enough to get a nick, Gillespie was remembered for getting it to do too much and miss the edge. Also a solid defensive batsman who has a double century to his name, he was a tough nut to crack.
Jeff Thomson: My strike fast bowler is one of the fastest and most fearsome pacers to have graced the game. With speeds exceeding 160 kmph at times, he struck fear into the hearts of opposition batsmen. The likes of Clive Llyod have commented on how fearsome and fast Thomson was. He didn’t just have great pace but matched that with accurate seam and spin bowling and a bouncer that could rip heads off. He was a terror to face. His aggressive, fast bowling struck fear into opposition batsmen and was known to hit their bodies before he hit their stumps.
Murali: 800 test wickets at a miserly average of 22, this man could spin the ball in space. The nature of the pitch had no effect on Murali, he spun the ball at will. Known for bowling marathon spells, he picked wickets by the truckloads. An astonishing 112 4 wicket + halls in test cricket, the man was a machine and will be my go to man along with Jeff Thomson whenever I need a wicket.
Key points in the match up:
Aldo’s openers: Every test team needs a solid set of openers to set the platform for the middle order. Aldo’s pair of Jayasuriya and Gibbs is far too attacking for test cricket in a draft of such quality. When up against someone like Thomson, you need hard workers who are willing to graft, won’t happen here and Aldo’s middle order will be exposed very early.
Ponting’s importance: Aldo’s batting is heavily dependent on Ponting and Crowe to a slightly lesser extent. Given his opening pair, both will be in the crease far too early for their liking and with Thomson and Gillespie operating, these 2 are the most important wickets before i reach his not so good lower middle order.
His bowling vs my batting: I admit to him having the better pace bowlers. But if there’s anyone you want in your team to counter it, it’s my batting order led by Gavaskar at the top. 6 absolutely top batsmen, 4 of which played in the era dominated by quicks and still have stellar records.
Crowe’s record on turning tracks: 24 innings. 729 runs. Avg: 30.4. Considering he’s up against Murali here, that’s a very mediocre record for the 2nd best batsman in the team. Also interesting that Ponting has an average of just over 26 in India.
Overall, I do agree he has the better pacers but my batting unit can deal with it very well as proven by their records and the era they played in. On the other hand, he has a batting attack very dependent on 2 players. Their wickets are very important and I have 2 great wicket takers in murali and Thomson. My other 2 bowlers, especially Gillespie will provide great support. You don’t pick over 250 wickets playing alongside mcgrath and warne at an average of 26 just like that.
