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This draft is based on player performances in ICC World Cups and Champions Trophy only, only performances in these tournaments count, performances outside these tournaments carry no weight. Please vote according to this criteria.
TEAM 12OUNCE
1 Sachin Tendulkar
2 Brendon McCullum†
3 Ramnaresh Sarwan
4 Mohammad Mahmudullah
5 Steve Waugh*
6 Sean Williams
7 Jacob Oram
8 Brad Hogg
9 Chaminda Vaas
10 Roger Binny
11 Michael Holding
VS
TEAM NM
1. Herschelle Gibbs
2. T. Dilshan
3. Kane Williamson
4. Yuvraj Singh
5. Alec Stewart
6. Michael Bevan
7. Roger Twose
8. Imran Khan
9. Morne Morkel
10. Abdul Qadir
11. Courtney Walsh
12Ounce writeup
Batting:
1. Tendulkar - The all-time greatest WC run scorer (2,278) across 45 matches including a record six centuries. Also holds the record for most runs in a single tournament (673 in 2003, where he was also Player of the Tournament) and top scored in 1996 with 523, and has been named Player of the Match a record nine times.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 152, Average: 52.28, Strike Rate: 87.14 50s: 15, 100s: 7
World Cup Stats- High Score: 152, Average: 56.95, Strike Rate: 88.98 50s: 15, 100s: 6
2. McCullum - An all-time great keeper-batsman, particularly in the short form, Baz has the fourth best WC strike rate in history (120.85), which paired with a 30+ average ensures a lightning start for my innings. His keeping is superb, while his ability to push up to the stumps to pressurise batsmen facing medium-fast bowling, as he has done for his compatriot Oram to fine effect in ODI cricket, is a huge feather in his cap.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 101, Average: 30.23, Strike Rate: 99.03 50s: 6, 100s: 1
World Cup Stats- High Score: 101, Average: 33.73, Strike Rate: 120.85 50s: 6, 100s: 1
3. Sarwan - A top-class WC performer, with an enviable 46.19 average, Sarwan’s crowning glory in tournament cricket was the Champions Trophy of 2004, where he took away two Player of the Match awards and was named the overall Player of the Series in his side’s victorious campaign. A particular highlight was his gorgeous 56 not out in the semi final against Pakistan, where he salvaged the innings after both openers departed for a combined six runs and Brian Lara left him at the crease having retired hurt.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 92, Average: 39.28, Strike Rate: 77.19 50s: 6, 100s: 0
World Cup Stats- High Score: 92, Average: 46.19, Strike Rate: 75.00 50s: 3, 100s: 0
4. Mahmudullah - He made history in 2015 with his country’s first World Cup century in a defeat of England, then followed this up in the resulting quarter final against New Zealand with his second; a monstrous 128 off 123 balls including 15 boundaries. In the process he set the highest Bangladeshi wicket partnership in ODI history and laid a solid claim to the title of his country’s greatest ever World Cup batsman.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 128*, Average: 59.33, Strike Rate: 80.90 50s: 1, 100s: 3
World Cup Stats- High Score: 128*, Average: 56.71, Strike Rate: 77.69 50s: 1, 100s: 2
5. Waugh - A truly iconic World Cup player and captain, Waugh was formidable across four tournaments, including wins in ’87 and ’99. As impressive as he was in the earlier outing (167 runs at over 55 avg.) it was as skipper in ’99 where Waugh wrote himself into the history books. Here “Iceman” lived up to his nickname, leading by example to inspire his team back from the brink to win seven consecutive games to lift the trophy. Against South Africa Waugh near single-handedly dragged his team over the line with a stunning unbeaten 120 (ably abetted by a certain H.Gibbs!) before a key 56 in a heart-stoppingly close semi final against the same opposition.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 120*, Average: 45.81, Strike Rate: 80.38 50s: 6, 100s: 1
World Cup Stats- High Score: 120*, Average: 48.90, Strike Rate: 81.03 50s: 6, 100s: 1
6. Williams - Averaging north of 45 at just under a run a ball, Williams specialises in piling on runs for his team in the heart of the batting order. Seven of his 11 WC innings came at strikes rates above 100, including a Player of the Match-worthy outing against the UAE in 2015. Understandably Williams has never had the chance to showcase his talents at the business end of tournaments but he is a truly top-class dynamo of a batsman as proven by his fine figures.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 96, Average: 45.14, Strike Rate: 98.13 50s: 6, 100s: 0
World Cup Stats- High Score: 96, Average: 54.67, Strike Rate: 101.23 50s: 5, 100s: 0
7. Oram - An intelligent lower-middle order batsman, Oram can be an able foil for the likes of Waugh and Williams. It’s impressive that three of his best four World Cup totals were made undefeated, including a fine 63 against England in 2007 (in which he backed up Scott Styris) and a 35 against Canada in the same tournament where he partnered an irrepressible McCullum, who was letting fly at over two runs per ball.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 63*, Average: 21.77, Strike Rate: 71.66 50s: 1, 100s: 0
World Cup Stats- High Score: 63*, Average: 23.55, Strike Rate: 71.94 50s: 1, 100s: 0
8. Hogg - Hogg has shown in a couple of World Cup cameos he is capable of contributing at over a run a ball. His 40* versus Scotland in 2007 was smacked off only 15 deliveries.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 40*, Average: 16.16, Strike Rate: 103.19 50s: 0, 100s: 0
World Cup Stats- High Score: 40*, Average: 17.40, Strike Rate: 104.82 50s: 0, 100s: 0
9. Vaas - A handful of innings in the mid to high 20s and a smattering of undefeated stands attest to Vaas’s ability to stay the course in partnership with a more established colleague and make contributions himself.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 29*, Average: 21.68, Strike Rate: 78.86 50s: 0, 100s: 0
World Cup Stats- High Score: 29*, Average: 21.90, Strike Rate: 73.98 50s: 0, 100s: 0
10. Binny - A few 20+ scores and an exalted state career in the middle, including opening for Karnataka in first-class matches, suggest Binny is an able carrier of the bat. With the possible exception of Holding, to whom he succumbed for just a single run in ’83, nobody is making Binny their bunny.
World Cup Stats- High Score: 27, Average: 10.42, Strike Rate: 52.51 50s: 0, 100s: 0
11. Holding - I’m not expecting miracles from this genuine number 11 though if Mikey fancies emulating his one and only double-figure score at World Cups, a barnstorming 20 off 13 deliveries against the Aussies in ’83, he’s welcome to chip in!
World Cup Stats- High Score: 20, Average: 7.20, Strike Rate: 61.02 50s: 0, 100s: 0
Bowling:
1. Holding (R-Fast) - Holding’s blistering pace is incredibly potent, but when combined with supreme control and consistency his bowling becomes world-class. Any four wicket demolition of India is impressive, but to do so in your maiden World Cup match for just 2.75 per over is truly special. In fact, apart from one stint against the Aussies for 3.08, Holding never went for more than three an over in his World Cup career. Economical bowling of this quality is gold dust in the short form, and the addition of Holding’s legendary eye for a wicket makes him the key man in our bowling attack.
World Cup Stats- Overs: 115.5 Maidens: 16 Wickets: 20 Average: 17.05 Strike Rate: 34.75 Economy: 2.94 Best: 4/33
2. Vaas (L-Fast) - On paper one of the greatest World Cup bowlers of them all. 49 wickets (23 in 2003 making him that World Cup’s leading wicket taker) at 21.22 on average is a fine return, and his ability to swing the ball both ways at searing pace makes him a nasty proposition for any batsman. Three Player of the Match awards, including 4/22 in a six run win against West Indies in 2003 (where an embattled Sarwan scored an unbeaten 47 off 44 balls to get the Windies so close), proves Vaas’s quality at this level. His hat trick against Bangladesh with the opening three deliveries of their innings in 2003, the first and only such feat of its kind, epitomises the magic that can happen when you give this man the new cherry.
ICCCTxWC Stats- Overs: 387.2 Maidens: 58 Wickets: 67 Average: 22.89 Strike Rate: 34.60 Economy: 3.96 Best: 6/25
World Cup Stats- Overs: 261.4 Maidens: 39 Wickets: 49 Average: 21.22 Strike Rate: 32.04 Economy: 3.97 Best: 6/25
3. Oram (R-Fast-Medium) - Along with Hogg, Oram makes the 25 lowest averages and strike rates in World Cup history (min. 20 wickets taken). His relationship with McCullum behind the stumps is to his advantage and having taken scalps such as those of Gayle, Sarwan and Samuels in 2007 and Graeme Smith and Faf Du Plessis in 2011 Oram has demonstrable ability to trouble the very best opponents.
ICCCTxWC Stats- Overs: 247 Maidens: 28 Wickets: 51 Average: 20.35 Strike Rate: 29.00 Economy: 4.20 Best: 5/36
World Cup Stats- Overs: 182.2 Maidens: 21 Wickets: 36 Average: 21.33 Strike Rate: 30.39 Economy: 4.21 Best: 4/39
4. Binny (R-Fast) - Binny’s tournament was the 1983 World Cup. There he took all but one of his 19 WC wickets to make him the leading wicket-taker at the tournament and thus was an integral part in India’s triumph. He is most fondly remembered for his superb 4/29 in which he shredded Australia’s top order with the ball, contributed a fine 21 with the bat including two boundaries and picked up the Player of the Match award. With a strike rate mostly below 30 and an average always in the teens or low 20s facing Binny in 1983 was a tall order, as the likes of Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd (twice) and Allan Border (also twice) found to their cost.
World Cup Stats- Overs: 95 Maidens: 9 Wickets: 19 Average: 20.11 Strike Rate: 30.00 Economy: 4.02 Best: 4/29
5. Hogg (L-Leg Spin) - As alluded to above Hogg’s numbers put him in the top 20 best average and strike rate for any bowlers to have taken more than 20 wickets at World Cups, putting him in elite company in tournament cricket. Usually economical, having only twice gone for more than five an over out of 21 World Cup appearances, he proved his worth time and again in occupying an end. However it is his wicket-taking in Australia’s 2003 triumph (in the absence of their more celebrated leg spinner) and 2007 for which Hogg is most fondly remembered. His brand of left arm leg spin deceived many a seasoned batsman, including the likes of Younis Khan, Mahala Jayawardene (in both ’03 and ’07) and Yuvraj Singh in the ’03 final. However it was Andy Flower, on 62 and in fine touch, who famously succumbed to Hogg’s lethal flipper in a match that would see the Aussie claim a further two wickets and finish the match averaging only 16.57 with a sub-20 strike rate. As he proved during his team’s two tournament wins Hogg has the toolkit to worry any batsman, but the way in which he spun the Netherlands’ tail off the field in 2007, before doing the same to New Zealand’s lower-middle order later in the tournament, suggests he is best deployed later in the innings to rip through the lower half of his opponent’s card.
ICCCTxWC Stats- Overs: 165.3 Maidens: 11 Wickets: 35 Average: 19.48 Strike Rate: 28.30 Economy: 4.12 Best: 4/27
World Cup Stats- Overs: 158.3 Maidens: 10 Wickets: 34 Average: 19.24 Strike Rate: 27.97 Economy: 4.13 Best: 4/27
6. Waugh (R-Fast-Medium) - A steadfast support bowling option, Waugh’s controlled medium pace has troubled a slew of top class batsmen at World Cup level; such as Martin Crowe, Allan Lamb and Brian Lara. His more eye-catching tournament efforts include a 3/36 against Pakistan in ’92, with Miandad, Wasim and Imran Khan falling victim, and two wickets versus India seven years later for only eight runs.
ICCCTxWC Stats- Overs: 180.1 Maidens: 7 Wickets: 28 Average: 30.89 Strike Rate: 38.60 Economy: 4.80 Best: 3/36
World Cup Stats- Overs: 173.1 Maidens: 7 Wickets: 27 Average: 30.15 Strike Rate: 38.48 Economy: 4.70 Best: 3/36
Summary:
Batting:
We have a rock-solid top order with one of the draft’s best opening partnerships, who will build a winning platform quickly and effectively, followed by the cool-headed Sarwan and the explosive Mahmudullah. At five comes an all-time great in Waugh while at six we have Williams’s demonstrable ability to defy the minnow status of his nation to pile runs on the board against quality bowling. Oram at seven gives ballast to our lower-middle as his more exalted and acclimatised partner keeps the score ticking, while eight through ten bring contributions and staying power where needed.
Bowling:
The bowling attack is finely balanced with every member of the unit having taken valuable wickets at tournament level. Our opening pair are top class; Vaas’s southpaw swing will combine superbly with Holding’s right arm pace, which is as controlled as it is lethal. Oram’s numbers prove his brand of right arm medium-fast bowling can keep any batsman honest while Binny’s wicket taking heroics in ’83 show his right arm fast bowling also has what it takes. Our spinner is underrated by many but as his numbers, key wicket-taking and winner's medals prove Hogg has serious World Cup pedigree. If needed Waugh can call on his unrivalled big game experience to contribute quality respite bowling in the middle overs.
NM writeup
Batting:
1. Gibbs - Great opener with average of 54 and 85+ strike rate in ICC tournaments. Great fielder!
2. Dilshan - Aggressive opener. Great stats (average of near 50 at nearly 90 Strike Rate) and a useful spinner too. Will be my fifth bowler with Yuvraj
3. Williamson - Top class. Average of 48 and strike rate of 88 in ICC tournaments
4. Yuvi - ICC Tournament GOAT contender. 45 average with nearly 90 strike rate
5. Stewart - Gritty middle order player to hold things together around the stroke players around him (average 33)
6. Bevan - ODI goat and decent ICC player (Average of 40ish)
7. Twose - Decent player, but overachieved in ICC tournaments - average of 53!
8. Imran Khan - Can rebuild in times of crisis and smash it if needed at the end. Brilliant player.
9. Morkel - can wack the ball
Tail - they will try and fail to wack the ball
Bowling:
1. Walsh (Fast) - Average of 20, econ of 3.5, legendary bowler
2. Imran Khan (Fast) - Average of 19, econ of 3.8, strike rate of 29 Legend!
3. Morkel (Fast)- Average of 20, strike rate of 26. Wicket taker
4. Qadir (LS) - Average of 21, econ of 3.8 strike rate of 32. Wicket taker
5. Yuvraj (SLA)- Average of 27, and strike rate of 33
6. Dilshan (OS) - Average of 38 and strike rate of 38. Will bowl a few overs if needed
Why I win:
1. Amazing Bowlers: 4 Bowlers average 21 or less, all are wicket takers and my fifth bowler averages 27 and is a wicket taker too. I even have a 6th (Dilshan) in case my 5th has an off-day! My bowlers are legends of the game - Imran, Walsh, and Qadir. I have amazing balance - Pace, Off-spin, and Leg-spin
2. Amazing fielders: Bevan, Gibbs, Williamson, Yuvi - we will be getting some run outs, and saving 20+ runs in the field
3. Balance batting: Two aggressive openers, a great innings builder in Williamson, two GOAT finishers in Yuvi and Bevan, and the steady, experienced hands (Stewart, Imran, Twose) in case of trouble. All bases are covered. His batting is actually pretty ordinary outside of Sachin and Waugh.
One note: My stats are ICC Trophy + World Cup. If 12OunceEplilogue uses World Cup only stats, please inflate my averages for batsmen by about 5-7 runs or reduce his by the same to account to make it fair when voting. The bowling averages don't change much, other than Dilshan and Yuvi averaging 23-24 (making them even better)
Overall, I take this in a close one due to better bowling, much better fielding, and a better balanced batting.
TEAM 12OUNCE
1 Sachin Tendulkar
2 Brendon McCullum†
3 Ramnaresh Sarwan
4 Mohammad Mahmudullah
5 Steve Waugh*
6 Sean Williams
7 Jacob Oram
8 Brad Hogg
9 Chaminda Vaas
10 Roger Binny
11 Michael Holding
VS
TEAM NM
1. Herschelle Gibbs
2. T. Dilshan
3. Kane Williamson
4. Yuvraj Singh
5. Alec Stewart
6. Michael Bevan
7. Roger Twose
8. Imran Khan
9. Morne Morkel
10. Abdul Qadir
11. Courtney Walsh
12Ounce writeup
Batting:
1. Tendulkar - The all-time greatest WC run scorer (2,278) across 45 matches including a record six centuries. Also holds the record for most runs in a single tournament (673 in 2003, where he was also Player of the Tournament) and top scored in 1996 with 523, and has been named Player of the Match a record nine times.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 152, Average: 52.28, Strike Rate: 87.14 50s: 15, 100s: 7
World Cup Stats- High Score: 152, Average: 56.95, Strike Rate: 88.98 50s: 15, 100s: 6
2. McCullum - An all-time great keeper-batsman, particularly in the short form, Baz has the fourth best WC strike rate in history (120.85), which paired with a 30+ average ensures a lightning start for my innings. His keeping is superb, while his ability to push up to the stumps to pressurise batsmen facing medium-fast bowling, as he has done for his compatriot Oram to fine effect in ODI cricket, is a huge feather in his cap.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 101, Average: 30.23, Strike Rate: 99.03 50s: 6, 100s: 1
World Cup Stats- High Score: 101, Average: 33.73, Strike Rate: 120.85 50s: 6, 100s: 1
3. Sarwan - A top-class WC performer, with an enviable 46.19 average, Sarwan’s crowning glory in tournament cricket was the Champions Trophy of 2004, where he took away two Player of the Match awards and was named the overall Player of the Series in his side’s victorious campaign. A particular highlight was his gorgeous 56 not out in the semi final against Pakistan, where he salvaged the innings after both openers departed for a combined six runs and Brian Lara left him at the crease having retired hurt.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 92, Average: 39.28, Strike Rate: 77.19 50s: 6, 100s: 0
World Cup Stats- High Score: 92, Average: 46.19, Strike Rate: 75.00 50s: 3, 100s: 0
4. Mahmudullah - He made history in 2015 with his country’s first World Cup century in a defeat of England, then followed this up in the resulting quarter final against New Zealand with his second; a monstrous 128 off 123 balls including 15 boundaries. In the process he set the highest Bangladeshi wicket partnership in ODI history and laid a solid claim to the title of his country’s greatest ever World Cup batsman.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 128*, Average: 59.33, Strike Rate: 80.90 50s: 1, 100s: 3
World Cup Stats- High Score: 128*, Average: 56.71, Strike Rate: 77.69 50s: 1, 100s: 2
5. Waugh - A truly iconic World Cup player and captain, Waugh was formidable across four tournaments, including wins in ’87 and ’99. As impressive as he was in the earlier outing (167 runs at over 55 avg.) it was as skipper in ’99 where Waugh wrote himself into the history books. Here “Iceman” lived up to his nickname, leading by example to inspire his team back from the brink to win seven consecutive games to lift the trophy. Against South Africa Waugh near single-handedly dragged his team over the line with a stunning unbeaten 120 (ably abetted by a certain H.Gibbs!) before a key 56 in a heart-stoppingly close semi final against the same opposition.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 120*, Average: 45.81, Strike Rate: 80.38 50s: 6, 100s: 1
World Cup Stats- High Score: 120*, Average: 48.90, Strike Rate: 81.03 50s: 6, 100s: 1
6. Williams - Averaging north of 45 at just under a run a ball, Williams specialises in piling on runs for his team in the heart of the batting order. Seven of his 11 WC innings came at strikes rates above 100, including a Player of the Match-worthy outing against the UAE in 2015. Understandably Williams has never had the chance to showcase his talents at the business end of tournaments but he is a truly top-class dynamo of a batsman as proven by his fine figures.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 96, Average: 45.14, Strike Rate: 98.13 50s: 6, 100s: 0
World Cup Stats- High Score: 96, Average: 54.67, Strike Rate: 101.23 50s: 5, 100s: 0
7. Oram - An intelligent lower-middle order batsman, Oram can be an able foil for the likes of Waugh and Williams. It’s impressive that three of his best four World Cup totals were made undefeated, including a fine 63 against England in 2007 (in which he backed up Scott Styris) and a 35 against Canada in the same tournament where he partnered an irrepressible McCullum, who was letting fly at over two runs per ball.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 63*, Average: 21.77, Strike Rate: 71.66 50s: 1, 100s: 0
World Cup Stats- High Score: 63*, Average: 23.55, Strike Rate: 71.94 50s: 1, 100s: 0
8. Hogg - Hogg has shown in a couple of World Cup cameos he is capable of contributing at over a run a ball. His 40* versus Scotland in 2007 was smacked off only 15 deliveries.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 40*, Average: 16.16, Strike Rate: 103.19 50s: 0, 100s: 0
World Cup Stats- High Score: 40*, Average: 17.40, Strike Rate: 104.82 50s: 0, 100s: 0
9. Vaas - A handful of innings in the mid to high 20s and a smattering of undefeated stands attest to Vaas’s ability to stay the course in partnership with a more established colleague and make contributions himself.
ICCCTxWC Stats- High Score: 29*, Average: 21.68, Strike Rate: 78.86 50s: 0, 100s: 0
World Cup Stats- High Score: 29*, Average: 21.90, Strike Rate: 73.98 50s: 0, 100s: 0
10. Binny - A few 20+ scores and an exalted state career in the middle, including opening for Karnataka in first-class matches, suggest Binny is an able carrier of the bat. With the possible exception of Holding, to whom he succumbed for just a single run in ’83, nobody is making Binny their bunny.
World Cup Stats- High Score: 27, Average: 10.42, Strike Rate: 52.51 50s: 0, 100s: 0
11. Holding - I’m not expecting miracles from this genuine number 11 though if Mikey fancies emulating his one and only double-figure score at World Cups, a barnstorming 20 off 13 deliveries against the Aussies in ’83, he’s welcome to chip in!
World Cup Stats- High Score: 20, Average: 7.20, Strike Rate: 61.02 50s: 0, 100s: 0
Bowling:
1. Holding (R-Fast) - Holding’s blistering pace is incredibly potent, but when combined with supreme control and consistency his bowling becomes world-class. Any four wicket demolition of India is impressive, but to do so in your maiden World Cup match for just 2.75 per over is truly special. In fact, apart from one stint against the Aussies for 3.08, Holding never went for more than three an over in his World Cup career. Economical bowling of this quality is gold dust in the short form, and the addition of Holding’s legendary eye for a wicket makes him the key man in our bowling attack.
World Cup Stats- Overs: 115.5 Maidens: 16 Wickets: 20 Average: 17.05 Strike Rate: 34.75 Economy: 2.94 Best: 4/33
2. Vaas (L-Fast) - On paper one of the greatest World Cup bowlers of them all. 49 wickets (23 in 2003 making him that World Cup’s leading wicket taker) at 21.22 on average is a fine return, and his ability to swing the ball both ways at searing pace makes him a nasty proposition for any batsman. Three Player of the Match awards, including 4/22 in a six run win against West Indies in 2003 (where an embattled Sarwan scored an unbeaten 47 off 44 balls to get the Windies so close), proves Vaas’s quality at this level. His hat trick against Bangladesh with the opening three deliveries of their innings in 2003, the first and only such feat of its kind, epitomises the magic that can happen when you give this man the new cherry.
ICCCTxWC Stats- Overs: 387.2 Maidens: 58 Wickets: 67 Average: 22.89 Strike Rate: 34.60 Economy: 3.96 Best: 6/25
World Cup Stats- Overs: 261.4 Maidens: 39 Wickets: 49 Average: 21.22 Strike Rate: 32.04 Economy: 3.97 Best: 6/25
3. Oram (R-Fast-Medium) - Along with Hogg, Oram makes the 25 lowest averages and strike rates in World Cup history (min. 20 wickets taken). His relationship with McCullum behind the stumps is to his advantage and having taken scalps such as those of Gayle, Sarwan and Samuels in 2007 and Graeme Smith and Faf Du Plessis in 2011 Oram has demonstrable ability to trouble the very best opponents.
ICCCTxWC Stats- Overs: 247 Maidens: 28 Wickets: 51 Average: 20.35 Strike Rate: 29.00 Economy: 4.20 Best: 5/36
World Cup Stats- Overs: 182.2 Maidens: 21 Wickets: 36 Average: 21.33 Strike Rate: 30.39 Economy: 4.21 Best: 4/39
4. Binny (R-Fast) - Binny’s tournament was the 1983 World Cup. There he took all but one of his 19 WC wickets to make him the leading wicket-taker at the tournament and thus was an integral part in India’s triumph. He is most fondly remembered for his superb 4/29 in which he shredded Australia’s top order with the ball, contributed a fine 21 with the bat including two boundaries and picked up the Player of the Match award. With a strike rate mostly below 30 and an average always in the teens or low 20s facing Binny in 1983 was a tall order, as the likes of Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd (twice) and Allan Border (also twice) found to their cost.
World Cup Stats- Overs: 95 Maidens: 9 Wickets: 19 Average: 20.11 Strike Rate: 30.00 Economy: 4.02 Best: 4/29
5. Hogg (L-Leg Spin) - As alluded to above Hogg’s numbers put him in the top 20 best average and strike rate for any bowlers to have taken more than 20 wickets at World Cups, putting him in elite company in tournament cricket. Usually economical, having only twice gone for more than five an over out of 21 World Cup appearances, he proved his worth time and again in occupying an end. However it is his wicket-taking in Australia’s 2003 triumph (in the absence of their more celebrated leg spinner) and 2007 for which Hogg is most fondly remembered. His brand of left arm leg spin deceived many a seasoned batsman, including the likes of Younis Khan, Mahala Jayawardene (in both ’03 and ’07) and Yuvraj Singh in the ’03 final. However it was Andy Flower, on 62 and in fine touch, who famously succumbed to Hogg’s lethal flipper in a match that would see the Aussie claim a further two wickets and finish the match averaging only 16.57 with a sub-20 strike rate. As he proved during his team’s two tournament wins Hogg has the toolkit to worry any batsman, but the way in which he spun the Netherlands’ tail off the field in 2007, before doing the same to New Zealand’s lower-middle order later in the tournament, suggests he is best deployed later in the innings to rip through the lower half of his opponent’s card.
ICCCTxWC Stats- Overs: 165.3 Maidens: 11 Wickets: 35 Average: 19.48 Strike Rate: 28.30 Economy: 4.12 Best: 4/27
World Cup Stats- Overs: 158.3 Maidens: 10 Wickets: 34 Average: 19.24 Strike Rate: 27.97 Economy: 4.13 Best: 4/27
6. Waugh (R-Fast-Medium) - A steadfast support bowling option, Waugh’s controlled medium pace has troubled a slew of top class batsmen at World Cup level; such as Martin Crowe, Allan Lamb and Brian Lara. His more eye-catching tournament efforts include a 3/36 against Pakistan in ’92, with Miandad, Wasim and Imran Khan falling victim, and two wickets versus India seven years later for only eight runs.
ICCCTxWC Stats- Overs: 180.1 Maidens: 7 Wickets: 28 Average: 30.89 Strike Rate: 38.60 Economy: 4.80 Best: 3/36
World Cup Stats- Overs: 173.1 Maidens: 7 Wickets: 27 Average: 30.15 Strike Rate: 38.48 Economy: 4.70 Best: 3/36
Summary:
Batting:
We have a rock-solid top order with one of the draft’s best opening partnerships, who will build a winning platform quickly and effectively, followed by the cool-headed Sarwan and the explosive Mahmudullah. At five comes an all-time great in Waugh while at six we have Williams’s demonstrable ability to defy the minnow status of his nation to pile runs on the board against quality bowling. Oram at seven gives ballast to our lower-middle as his more exalted and acclimatised partner keeps the score ticking, while eight through ten bring contributions and staying power where needed.
Bowling:
The bowling attack is finely balanced with every member of the unit having taken valuable wickets at tournament level. Our opening pair are top class; Vaas’s southpaw swing will combine superbly with Holding’s right arm pace, which is as controlled as it is lethal. Oram’s numbers prove his brand of right arm medium-fast bowling can keep any batsman honest while Binny’s wicket taking heroics in ’83 show his right arm fast bowling also has what it takes. Our spinner is underrated by many but as his numbers, key wicket-taking and winner's medals prove Hogg has serious World Cup pedigree. If needed Waugh can call on his unrivalled big game experience to contribute quality respite bowling in the middle overs.
NM writeup
Batting:
1. Gibbs - Great opener with average of 54 and 85+ strike rate in ICC tournaments. Great fielder!
2. Dilshan - Aggressive opener. Great stats (average of near 50 at nearly 90 Strike Rate) and a useful spinner too. Will be my fifth bowler with Yuvraj
3. Williamson - Top class. Average of 48 and strike rate of 88 in ICC tournaments
4. Yuvi - ICC Tournament GOAT contender. 45 average with nearly 90 strike rate
5. Stewart - Gritty middle order player to hold things together around the stroke players around him (average 33)
6. Bevan - ODI goat and decent ICC player (Average of 40ish)
7. Twose - Decent player, but overachieved in ICC tournaments - average of 53!
8. Imran Khan - Can rebuild in times of crisis and smash it if needed at the end. Brilliant player.
9. Morkel - can wack the ball
Tail - they will try and fail to wack the ball
Bowling:
1. Walsh (Fast) - Average of 20, econ of 3.5, legendary bowler
2. Imran Khan (Fast) - Average of 19, econ of 3.8, strike rate of 29 Legend!
3. Morkel (Fast)- Average of 20, strike rate of 26. Wicket taker
4. Qadir (LS) - Average of 21, econ of 3.8 strike rate of 32. Wicket taker
5. Yuvraj (SLA)- Average of 27, and strike rate of 33
6. Dilshan (OS) - Average of 38 and strike rate of 38. Will bowl a few overs if needed
Why I win:
1. Amazing Bowlers: 4 Bowlers average 21 or less, all are wicket takers and my fifth bowler averages 27 and is a wicket taker too. I even have a 6th (Dilshan) in case my 5th has an off-day! My bowlers are legends of the game - Imran, Walsh, and Qadir. I have amazing balance - Pace, Off-spin, and Leg-spin
2. Amazing fielders: Bevan, Gibbs, Williamson, Yuvi - we will be getting some run outs, and saving 20+ runs in the field
3. Balance batting: Two aggressive openers, a great innings builder in Williamson, two GOAT finishers in Yuvi and Bevan, and the steady, experienced hands (Stewart, Imran, Twose) in case of trouble. All bases are covered. His batting is actually pretty ordinary outside of Sachin and Waugh.
One note: My stats are ICC Trophy + World Cup. If 12OunceEplilogue uses World Cup only stats, please inflate my averages for batsmen by about 5-7 runs or reduce his by the same to account to make it fair when voting. The bowling averages don't change much, other than Dilshan and Yuvi averaging 23-24 (making them even better)
Overall, I take this in a close one due to better bowling, much better fielding, and a better balanced batting.