I'm a little disappointed. Those who drafted should be voting...
Cricket draft - Donado vs akash/nair
- Thread starter crappycraperson
- Start date
Yes. Where are likes of RI, TMM?
Also Kazi you can vote by PMing your vote to me.
Also Kazi you can vote by PMing your vote to me.
Crappy - I am putting together my write up. Does it have to be PM'd to you or posted in the thread? I won't be online at the start of the match tomorrow due to time difference.
You can do either
Hmmm... Three things based on current votes:
1. Vettori isn't as bad a bowler as people are imagining. Especially given that the opposition bowler is Mushtaq Ahmed, who tbh, wasn't the best thing since sliced bread
2. Too much importance being given for the spinner in the side. Yes, there is a venue which is spin friendly. But you need to look at the batsmen and decide whether spin willl wreck the team or not. Not to mention, that you'd be okay without spinners in Lords and SCG.
3. People are focussing too much on bowling itself. Test matches require strong batting. The great teams like West Indies, Australia all had immensely strong batting line ups including all time greats like Richards, Ponting etc.
That said, I prefer Donaldo's batting over Akash's marginally.
I think the opening pairs are about equal. Both middle orders are relatively poor.
Dravid is the only standout but by word he is so significantly better than anything else out there in those middle orders. Hence, Dravid, De Silva, Lamb and Cronje are better than Richardson, Yallop, Ranatunga and Hooper.
Botham and Kirmani and Gough are marginally better than Dujon and Vettori and Hadlee . So on paper, Akash claws back the deficit created due to Dravid's presence in the top order with Botham. BUT I do feel that Botham may be hung out to dry since the middle order may perish around him. Donaldo's batsman are a lot more solid. WHOEVER qualifies will have to sort out that middle order
Bowling:
Roberts and Hadlee looks phenomenal. Younis and Botham are great and adaptable to various conditions But are still less of a threat than the former.
Vettori is pretty much the same as Ahmed.
I wouldn't rate Bruce Reid much given his 27 matches. So Gough and Hooper are better than Reid and Cronje.
So net net Akash wins this.
Frankly, this match is almost even. Both these teams would have knocked the stuffing out any other team in the draft. I think I'm going to vote for Donaldo because I think Dravid makes the difference. Really sorry, Akash.
1. Vettori isn't as bad a bowler as people are imagining. Especially given that the opposition bowler is Mushtaq Ahmed, who tbh, wasn't the best thing since sliced bread
2. Too much importance being given for the spinner in the side. Yes, there is a venue which is spin friendly. But you need to look at the batsmen and decide whether spin willl wreck the team or not. Not to mention, that you'd be okay without spinners in Lords and SCG.
3. People are focussing too much on bowling itself. Test matches require strong batting. The great teams like West Indies, Australia all had immensely strong batting line ups including all time greats like Richards, Ponting etc.
That said, I prefer Donaldo's batting over Akash's marginally.
I think the opening pairs are about equal. Both middle orders are relatively poor.
Dravid is the only standout but by word he is so significantly better than anything else out there in those middle orders. Hence, Dravid, De Silva, Lamb and Cronje are better than Richardson, Yallop, Ranatunga and Hooper.
Botham and Kirmani and Gough are marginally better than Dujon and Vettori and Hadlee . So on paper, Akash claws back the deficit created due to Dravid's presence in the top order with Botham. BUT I do feel that Botham may be hung out to dry since the middle order may perish around him. Donaldo's batsman are a lot more solid. WHOEVER qualifies will have to sort out that middle order
Bowling:
Roberts and Hadlee looks phenomenal. Younis and Botham are great and adaptable to various conditions But are still less of a threat than the former.
Vettori is pretty much the same as Ahmed.
I wouldn't rate Bruce Reid much given his 27 matches. So Gough and Hooper are better than Reid and Cronje.
So net net Akash wins this.
Frankly, this match is almost even. Both these teams would have knocked the stuffing out any other team in the draft. I think I'm going to vote for Donaldo because I think Dravid makes the difference. Really sorry, Akash.
Sorry people. I was travelling for last 2 days and didn't get chance to even read about yesterday's matches. When I logged in, the voting was closed 
Will be voting for this match definitely. One question, do the contestants have option to chosee different XI for each ground(out of their 12), or is it same XI for each ground?
Will be voting for this match definitely. One question, do the contestants have option to chosee different XI for each ground(out of their 12), or is it same XI for each ground?
Different XI can be used. Should've mentioned in the OP but I'll be using Hashan Tillakaratne at Kolkata instead of Lamb.
Voted for Donaldo. I agree with akash that Greenidge-Haynes might be regarded as best opening pair ever but if I look at top 3, Hayden-Langer-Dravid > Greenidge-Haynes-Richardson. The middle order is not the strongest for both, for me that area is marginally towards akash due to presence of Botham. Dujon > Kirmani, Vettori < Mushi and Hadlee-Bruce-Roberts > Waqar-Gough-Botham. Overall, Donaldo nicks it for me.
Bruce Reid's average outside of Australia is a poor 37 so he's no great shakes. Compare that to Gough who had good records in both Australia and the subcontinent.
Hansie Cronje averages 22 in India with a highest score of 50. Cronje is no better than Ranatunga.
Daniel Vettori's batting average in the 3 selected counties is 16, 19 and 23. Outside of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe he's not done much outside of New Zealand.
Hashan Tillekaratne averages 27 in India so if Donaldo thinks he's going to much think again.
Hansie Cronje averages 22 in India with a highest score of 50. Cronje is no better than Ranatunga.
Daniel Vettori's batting average in the 3 selected counties is 16, 19 and 23. Outside of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe he's not done much outside of New Zealand.
Hashan Tillekaratne averages 27 in India so if Donaldo thinks he's going to much think again.
And don't forget about Yallop ffs. The guy averaged in the 40's in the 70's and 80's against some of the best bowling of all time. He's perfectly capable of handling himself against the likes of Hadlee and Roberts.
Mushtaq is a better spinner than Vettori, that's not even debatable. And given that 2 of the games are at spin friendly venues that really counts against Donaldo especially given his fifth bowler in Aravinda had 30 test wickets.
Mushtaq is a better spinner than Vettori, that's not even debatable. And given that 2 of the games are at spin friendly venues that really counts against Donaldo especially given his fifth bowler in Aravinda had 30 test wickets.
I'm driving, couldn't resist checking this. Good idea, because the Yallop and Mushi comments have improved my mood considerably, a requirement when driving in Delhi
Kazi has voted for Donado. He leads 7-5.
Can't we open up the voting to other newbies who may be interested?
To be fair, I've become more dismissive as the draft time has worn on, and that's unfair. I just feel that my batting order has more quality, cohesion and depth to actually make that difference in a Test match. My bowling unit is well balanced, and as I've stated before, I'd rate my bowlers higher.
Also, about Mushtaq being better than Vettori? That's a laughable notion, and anyone who's played or watched cricket would tell you in a heartbeat who they consider to be the better spinner. Mushtaq was a more miss than hit bag of tricks who was taken to the cleaners regularly by top batsmen, which is what my top order is.
It would help if the participants send PMs to the regulars in the cricket thread. NinjaFletch, Sultan, amol, Varun, Samsky are all who should be voting atleast
PM mehro he loves it.
And you. Where have you been? I PM'd you to participate. Vote, Deagle.
Probably pointless now but you have to start justifying your opinions rather than just throwing accusations around.
My bowling lineup has a bowler with the strike rate in the entire draft. And without looking into the stats I'd think Botham has more 5-wicket halls than a couple of your bowlers put together and he is my alrounder. Gough is a much better bowler than Reid and has done a lot lot better in subcontinent tracks. On the other hand you're main spinner has a test match strike rate of nearly 80 and his record in India is just piss poor.
73.2% of Mushtaq's wickets have been batsmen from 1-7 position.
In comparison just 66.2% of Vettori's wickets have been batsmen from 1-7.
To go even further, 33% of Mushtaq's wickets have been batsmen from 1-3 compared to just 25.6% for Vettori.
You're talking plain nonsense and if I had a working broadband instead of posting from a bleedin phone I'd have rubbished your laughable claims sooner.
Its over now. Donaldo wins this barely, i think. Tough luck, Akash. It was excruciatingly close
Can I vote now? OR is this done? Sorry was really busy yesterday.
Good game akash. fwiw, I think you have a pretty solid team. Would've been a fun series to watch.
I wanted to vote!!! Feck sake as I clicked vote you closed it urgh
Looks like Donaldo's won this. Congrats. I'd have voted for him too.
It's 6 votes each...How does Donado win it? or is there newbie voting?
Either way, I'd have voted for Donado because his side would more often than not edge this over a 3 test series at the venues mentioned. I never really rated Mustaq that highly and see him in a similar bracket to Vettori though different spinners. The pace attack of Donado is just formidable. Three genuine quicks who are all strike bowlers. It's like having 3 Dale Steyns. The batting was a even I'd say.
Bit pissed off really.
Dunno how having Dravid can make up for me having a better opening pair, a better alrounder, a better spinner and the one of the best fast bowlers in the draft.
Dunno how having Dravid can make up for me having a better opening pair, a better alrounder, a better spinner and the one of the best fast bowlers in the draft.
The newbie is ghali's replacement hence is allowed a vote.
Really really tough luck, Akash.
Really really tough luck, Akash.
Better opening pair - That's debatable plus Hadlee had the better of them more often than not so it nullifies their threat a bit.
Better All Rounder - Indeed, Botham is the better all rounder but that means little to me to be honest. It's about how that All rounder balances out your team. I see a major issue with your middle order which feel can be bundled out very quickly.
ne of the best fast bowlers - That's just the problem, you have one, he's got 3 (keep in mind I'm SAn so I love my fast bowlers
Better spinner - That's debatable. Yes, at Eden Gardens Ahmed will be the better spinner but on fast pacy, bouncy wickets or combination wickets, Vettori will come into his own and hold his end at a very economical RR which allows the 3 quicks to run riot.
Make no mistake, you were unlucky to come up against Donado whom I believe can win this as he's got one of the most balanced sides. Your team would've beaten most teams. Tough luck really.
I am not really sure what you're on about.
Not really. 9 out of 10 people with any cricketing knowledge will tell you that those two were the best opening pair in history. Hayden and Langer are the the only two that come close but they did in an easier era on easier pitches. Haynes averages 48 and Greenidge 55 against New Zealand. Hadlee got them out at times but not before they did some damage.
My middle order is better than his. Even if you take Botham as a batsmen alone I'd rather have him than Lamb or Cronje. You're not telling me that Cronje, Lamb, De Silva and Dujon are better than Yallop Hooper, Ranatunga and Botham.
Seriously? He's got Hadlee and Roberts and I've Waqar and Botham. That's very even. Bruce Red was ok at best away from home where as Gough did very well in the subcontinent and in Australia.
Do people actually read the write ups or is it completely pointless doing them?
Mushtaq has very good records in Australia, SA, England etc..There's virtually no parameter that says Vettori is better than Mushtaq.
Not really. 9 out of 10 people with any cricketing knowledge will tell you that those two were the best opening pair in history. Hayden and Langer are the the only two that come close but they did in an easier era on easier pitches. Haynes averages 48 and Greenidge 55 against New Zealand. Hadlee got them out at times but not before they did some damage.
My middle order is better than his. Even if you take Botham as a batsmen alone I'd rather have him than Lamb or Cronje. You're not telling me that Cronje, Lamb, De Silva and Dujon are better than Yallop Hooper, Ranatunga and Botham.
Seriously? He's got Hadlee and Roberts and I've Waqar and Botham. That's very even. Bruce Red was ok at best away from home where as Gough did very well in the subcontinent and in Australia.
Do people actually read the write ups or is it completely pointless doing them?
Mushtaq has very good records in Australia, SA, England etc..There's virtually no parameter that says Vettori is better than Mushtaq.
There's a round to go akash. If it helps, I lost to Darren Lehmann last time. Only Lehmann.
That's true.
. Had Watson in the team tooIt's my opinion mate. We can go back and forth on this but more people ended up agreeing with me in this poll. But like I said, just a bit unlucky. That really is. You made it seem as if I'm basing my decision on just 'Dravid' hence I gave some reasons. Cheers and better luck in the next match though.
Sorry I didn't vote or opine on this game. Didn't think it was appropriate given there are only 3 teams in the group.