Test draft Match 8 - RedTiger vs Harshad - Check updated write up

Who will win the test series?

  • RedTiger 1-0

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • RedTiger 2-0

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • RedTiger 3-0

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • RedTiger 2-1

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • Harshad 1-0

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • Harshad 2-0

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Harshad 3-0

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Harshad 2-1

    Votes: 6 66.7%
  • Total voters
    9
  • Poll closed .

Varun

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Welcome to the 8th match of the test draft!

  • Judge the players on their peaks excluding any 6-12 month purple patch.
  • Vote for the team you think will win a 3 match test series between these 2 sides based on the given nature of pitches.
  1. 1st test: Good batting pitch.
  2. 2nd test: Slow wicket which gets worse as the game goes on and will assist spinners heavily.
  3. 3rd test: Green top
Team RedTiger:

1. Graeme Smith (c)
2. Herschelle Gibbs
3. Ramnaresh Sarwan
4. Ross Taylor
5. Angelo Mathews
6. Adam Gilchrist Π
7. Andrew Symonds
8. Daniel Vettori
9. Chaminda Vaas
10.Makhaya Ntini
11.Shane Warne

12. Shakib Al-Hasan

Play Shakib on the spinning wicket instead of symonds

Team Harshad:

Glenn Turner
John Edrich
Hashim Amla
Robin Smith
Viv Richards
Darren Lehmann – (1st & 2nd Test)
B. McCullum (wk)
Anil Kumble
Jon Snow
Andy Roberts
Terry Alderman
Sarfraz Nawaz –(3rd Test)
 
RedTiger write up:

1. Graeme Smith (c)
2. Herschelle Gibbs
3. Ramnaresh Sarwan
4. Ross Taylor
5. Angelo Mathews
6. Adam Gilchrist Π
7. Andrew Symonds
8. Daniel Vettori
9. Chaminda Vaas
10.Makhaya Ntini
11.Shane Warne

12. Shakib Al-Hasan

Play Shakib on the spinning wicket instead of symonds

@RedTiger PM me your write up and I'll edit this here.
RedTiger said:
My opening pair have a partnership average of 56.28 in 56 innings, Smith and Gibbs also have averages of 49.08 and 47.23 as openers respectfully. A hard hitting pair who epitomised the resurgent Proteas side from 10 years ago, they were agressive batsmen who went after the bowlers from the 1st ball. I'll expect them to take the shine of the ball for my strokemaker at no.3 Sarwan who has an average of 43.27 at that position.

Following Sarwan at no.4 is Taylor with an average of 48.89 in that position. The current darling of Sri Lankan cricket, Angelo Mathews comes in at no.5 with an average of 46.16. Legendary wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist will bat at no.6 with an average of 49.62, i'll look to Gilchrist to carry the batting until the 11th man with a quick scoring rate especially if he gets to bat with the next batman Andrew Symonds at no.7. Symonds has an average of 40.61 but it rises to 73.20 when at no.7.

My strong tail starts with Black Caps great and one of the best bowling all-rounders in test cricket, Daniel vettori comes in at no.8 with an average of 39.77 batting at that position with a strike rate of 65. He's followed by Vaas at no.9 with an average of 28.23, Ntini with an average of 9 and Warne with an average of 17.
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RedTiger said:
My Bowling unit will be:

Pacers
Chaminda Vaas - 27.54 Avg with Economy of 4.19
Makhaya Ntini - 28.83 Avg with Economy of 3.24
Angelo Mathews - 51.13 Avg with Economy of 2.76
Andrew Symonds- 37.33 Avg with Economy of 2.57

Spinners

Shane Warne - 25.42 Avg with Economy of 2.65
Daniel Vettori - 34.37 Avg with Economy 0f 2.59
R. Sarwan - 50.57 Avg with Economy of 3.45
Shakib al Hasan- 33.31 Avg with Economy of 3.00
Click to expand...
 
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Harshad write up:

Batting:

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Bowling:

5GgNnOU.png
 
I like RT's opening combo of Smith and Gibbs, excellent partnership and SA's most prolific in terms of runs I believe. Edrich and Turner are both decent but RT has the advantage here. After that his middle order is largely unimpressive though with the obvious exception of Gilly, while Harshad has both Amla and Viv. For the first two Tests I think Harshad's batting is slightly stronger, but it's even for the third.

The second pitch favours RT heavily for me. Three spinners to one, and Warney in the mix. Vaas and Nawaz would both offer good support imo so it'll come down to the spinners.

The third pitch equally favours harshad. Warne will still be very good but two seamers means a lot of pressure on Ntini and Vaas, while Harshad has four pacemen to share the load. I don't expect Kumble to bowl a great deal here.

Comes down to the first Test for me and I can't see either team taking 20 wickets there. Probably comes down to which of Ntini-Vaas-Warne-Vettori and Roberts-Snow-Alderman-Kumble would fare better on a flat deck. Undecided at the moment.
 
Initial thoughts:

RT: class spinners, really flaky middle order, decent at best pace attack.

Harshad: Solid batting lineup, good mix in bowling. Viv playing for too low.
 
I agree with Akshay that for 2nd and 3rd test the picture is more clear and both are strong favourite in a certain condition. Who wins test one will decide the result.
 
Varun said:
Initial thoughts:

RT: class spinners, really flaky middle order, decent at best pace attack.

Harshad: Solid batting lineup, good mix in bowling. Viv playing for too low.
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Viv played about 45-50 games coming in at no. 5 with an average of around 47. Sure I would have liked to have been able to play him at no. 3 but he is still as much of a threat at No.5 as he is would have been coming in at no. 3.
 
Harshad wins this. This difference in quality of middle order is a bit too much for me. Amla-Viv-BMac would get into RT's middle order without any competition.
 
harshad said:
Viv played about 45-50 games coming in at no. 5 with an average of around 47. Sure I would have liked to have been able to play him at no. 3 but he is still as much of a threat at No.5 as he is would have been coming in at no. 3.
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He was way too good to not be class regardless of position but I'd want him at the position where he can just grab the game and dominate it while letting the others play around him. 5 is too low.
 
My initial thoughts,RT with solid openers but his MO need certain changes especially Symonds and Gilly should have played above Mathews which could have provided decent stand in the middle overs.
Harshad openers are flawless and his MO is much better comparatively, especially Viv, very good player of spin(Viv vs Warne) would be an interesting contest to watch.
 
Varun said:
Harshad: Solid batting lineup, good mix in bowling. Viv playing for too low.
Click to expand...
Agreed on Viv playing too low but the way I see it Robin Smith doesn't last long against Warne/Vettori anyway so won't make too much difference.
KM said:
Harshad wins this. This difference in quality of middle order is a bit too much for me. Amla-Viv-BMac would get into RT's middle order without any competition.
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Amla and Viv would walk into most middle orders but don't agree with BMac being a better batsman than any of RT's, and he already has a better wicket-keeper.
 
Akshay said:
Agreed on Viv playing too low but the way I see it Robin Smith doesn't last long against Warne/Vettori anyway so won't make too much difference.

Amla and Viv would walk into most middle orders but don't agree with BMac being a better batsman than any of RT's, and he already has a better wicket-keeper.
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BMac gets into the middle order just on the basis of his batting. Better than Ross Taylor and sarwan for sure.
 
Alderman is going to really struggle in the first and second test. He took a pasting when conditions didn't suit as while he had good line and length his main component was swing/seam. The flat tracks and his lack of pace don't suit. If anything Sarfraz Nawaz should have played tests 1 and 2 and Alderman comes in for the green top.

Red Tiger's 3, 4 and 5 I'm not sold on. He has the better openers and bats very deep. Gilchrist and Symonds are really explosive.

He also has a good attack but Vaas is a liabilty for the third test. He didn't do well at all in those conditions and against a stronger batting order that can cost him. In fact it will cost him since his other seam options are Ntini (excellent bowler) and Matthews (dibbly dobbly all rounder).

Truth be told I don't think either team is well balanced. Harshad to win the third test and clinch this 1-0.
 
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Boycott said:
Alderman is going to really struggle in the first and second test. He took a pasting when conditions didn't suit as while he had good line and length his main component was swing/seam. The flat tracks and his lack of pace don't suit. If anything Sarfraz Nawaz should have played tests 1 and 2 and Alderman comes in for the green top.

Red Tiger's 3, 4 and 5 I'm not sold on. He has the better openers and bats very deep. Gilchrist and Symonds are really explosive.

He also has a good attack but Vaas is a liabilty for the third test. He didn't do well at all in those conditions and against a stronger batting order that can cost him. In fact it will cost him since his other seam options are Ntini (excellent bowler) and Matthews (dibbly dobbly all rounder).

Truth be told I don't think either team is well balanced. Harshad to win the third test and clinch this 1-0.
Click to expand...

Mostly agree with what you said. As far as the bolded bit is concerned, I remember Sarfraz Nawaz as someone who depends a lot on swing bowling, so didn't think it would matter that much. And I was swayed by the number of 5 wicket haul taken by Alderman.

Whilst I don't agree that the team is unbalanced, I would have preferred a pace bowler over a bowler who relies primarily on swing.
 
Boycott said:
Vaas is a liabilty for the third test. He didn't do well at all in those conditions and against a stronger batting order that can cost him
Click to expand...

Vaas didn't do all that bad in green tops, not as well as a flat track but still alright.

His figures in Australia are 32.34 avg and econ of 2.84 in 9 tests.

His figures in England are 31.37 avg and econ of 2.72 in 7 tests.

His figures in NZ are 24.60 avg and econ of 2.72 in 7 tests.

His figures in S.Africa are 34.22 avg and econ of 2.67 in 8 tests.

His figures in the Indies are 16.60 avg and econ of 2.66 in 7 tests.
 
Keep in mind guys, I've got Warne putting alot of pressure on harshad with miserly bowling which will lead to shots being taken in pressure against my other bowlers.

Also 4 of my bowlers in Warne, Ntini, Vettori and Vaas are all in the top 20 highest wicket takers.
 
RedTiger said:
Vaas didn't do all that bad in green tops, not as well as a flat track but still alright.

His figures in Australia are 32.34 avg and econ of 2.84 in 9 tests.

His figures in England are 31.37 avg and econ of 2.72 in 7 tests.

His figures in NZ are 24.60 avg and econ of 2.72 in 7 tests.

His figures in S.Africa are 34.22 avg and econ of 2.67 in 8 tests.

His figures in the Indies are 16.60 avg and econ of 2.66 in 7 tests.
Click to expand...

Where did you get those numbers from?

Howstat has it as 11 wickets at 47 in 5 tests in South Africa, 9 wickets in 6 tests at 77 in England, 17 wickets in 6 tests at 41 in Australia, and 36 wickets in 8 tests in New Zealand and 16 wickets in 4 tests at 27 in Windies.

Great against NZ and Windies but a slog vs the rest.

EDIT: I've just checked and you've used overall figures for Eng, SA, Australia (places he struggled) and specific stats for NZ and Windies (places he did well)....
 
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Boycott said:
Where did you get those numbers from?

Howstat has it as 11 wickets at 47 in 5 tests in South Africa, 9 wickets in 6 tests at 77 in England, 17 wickets in 6 tests at 41 in Australia, and 36 wickets in 8 tests in New Zealand and 16 wickets in 4 tests at 27 in Windies.

Great against NZ and Windies but a slog vs the rest.

EDIT: I've just checked and you've used overall figures for Eng, SA, Australia (places he struggled) and specific stats for NZ and Windies (places he did well)....
Click to expand...
From howstat lol
 
RedTiger said:
Vaas didn't do all that bad in green tops, not as well as a flat track but still alright.

His figures in Australia are 32.34 avg and econ of 2.84 in 9 tests.

His figures in England are 31.37 avg and econ of 2.72 in 7 tests.

His figures in NZ are 24.60 avg and econ of 2.72 in 7 tests.

His figures in S.Africa are 34.22 avg and econ of 2.67 in 8 tests.

His figures in the Indies are 16.60 avg and econ of 2.66 in 7 tests.
Click to expand...

Where are those numbers from? I am asking because I had Vaas in the Sheep Draft and I distinctly remember Vaas having an average of high 70s in England.
 
Vaas Career summary
Grouping Span Mat Inns Overs Mdns Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 5 10
v Australia 1995-2007 12 20 432.1 93 1229 38 5/31 7/82 32.34 2.84 68.2 1 0
v Bangladesh 2001-2009 7 14 167.2 42 490 19 4/55 4/61 25.78 2.92 52.8 0 0
v England 2001-2007 15 28 564.2 118 1537 49 6/73 6/78 31.36 2.72 69.1 1 0
v India 1997-2008 14 24 468.3 109 1343 30 4/20 4/20 44.76 2.86 93.7 0 0
v New Zealand 1995-2006 10 18 363.5 86 991 42 6/87 10/90 23.59 2.72 51.9 4 1
v Pakistan 1994-2009 18 28 645.5 131 1742 47 5/99 6/100 37.06 2.69 82.4 1 0
v South Africa 1998-2006 11 20 346.3 86 924 27 6/29 7/39 34.22 2.66 77.0 1 0
v West Indies 2001-2008 9 16 343.2 79 913 55 7/71 14/191 16.60 2.65 37.4 4 1
v Zimbabwe 1994-2004 15 26 574.3 151 1332 48 4/56 7/104 27.75 2.31 71.8 0 0

in Australia 1995-2007 6 10 238.1 54 709 17 5/31 7/82 41.70 2.97 84.0 1 0
in Bangladesh 1999-2009 3 5 86.0 21 245 6 2/21 3/37 40.83 2.84 86.0 0 0
in England 2002-2006 6 10 239.1 39 699 9 2/71 2/99 77.66 2.92 159.4 0 0
in India 1997-2005 5 7 162.5 42 454 11 4/20 4/20 41.27 2.78 88.8 0 0
in New Zealand 1995-2006 8 14 290.2 62 812 36 6/87 10/90 22.55 2.79 48.3 4 1
in Pakistan 1995-2009 10 18 406.5 76 1142 39 5/99 6/147 29.28 2.80 62.5 1 0
in South Africa 1998-2002 5 8 162.3 24 522 11 3/79 4/116 47.45 3.21 88.6 0 0
in Sri Lanka 1994-2009 56 102 1823.0 453 4739 180 7/71 14/191 26.32 2.59 60.7 5 1
in West Indies 2003-2008 4 7 153.2 28 440 16 5/61 8/109 27.50 2.86 57.5 1 0
in Zimbabwe 1994-2004 8 13 344.1 96 739 30 4/56 7/104 24.63 2.14 68.8 0 0
 
Akshay said:
Cricinfo has Vaas' England average as 77.66, 9 wickets in 6 Tests.
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Yeah. Though it was around that number. I remember samid was trying his best to focus everyone's attention of Vaas' record in England in our match in the Sheep Draft and I was trying to avoid having any conversation regarding Vaas :lol:
 
RedTiger said:
Anyway, don't let my feck-up detract from the fact that I'm going to win the first 2 tests, harshad is more than welcome to the green top:D
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Nah, your bowling is not taking 20 wickets in the first match and my batsman will outscore you. In the second match, lets be honest Warney's record in India is really nothing to write home about; whereas Kumble is playing what is essentially his home conditions where he can do this:



So I wouldn't say you winning the second match also ;)
 
harshad said:
Nah, your bowling is not taking 20 wickets in the first match and my batsman will outscore you. In the second match, lets be honest Warney's record in India is really nothing to write home about; whereas Kumble is playing what is essentially his home conditions where he can do this:



So I wouldn't say you winning the second match also ;)
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I also have 2 flat track pacers in vaas and Mathew's not to mention the slow options if vettori and shakib
 
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