Welcome to the Test Cricket Decades Draft Round 1 match up. The two teams will be assessed based on a 3 match test series on the surfaces mentioned below. Only the test performances of the said players will be used for evaluation, no other format has any weight in the match up. The surfaces are:
1. Flat batting pitch with little help for any bowlers.
2. A greentop that aids pace bowling.
3. A slow dustbowl that aids spin bowling.
Please vote for the team that you think will prevail at the end of the series.
Team The Red Viper
THE TEAM:-
The Playing XI:-
The Batting Unit:-
Opening the batting for us, we have Bruce Mitchell and Bill Woodfull. Two of the best batsmen in their era with strong defense and great temperament which made them extremely difficult to get out. As openers, they would do the job of seeing off the new ball and ensuring we don't lose wickets at the top when the ball is still hard and shining. Hashim Amla, Denis Compton, David Gower, Garry Sobers and Adam Gilchrist form the middle-order. In Amla, Compton and Sobers, we have thre prolific run-getters who can anchor the innings. While the likes of Gower and Gilly can provide the fire power and stroke-play. After our openers have done their job of seeing off the shine off the new ball, we have a middle-order than capitalize on it and absolutely dominate bowling attacks. Peter Pollock, Johnny Wardle, Allan Donald and Colin Croft form the tail. Peter Pollock was a really handy batsman who could contribute few vital runs with the bat. Same with Wardle as well.
The Bowling Attack:-
The bowling-attack comprises of Allan Donald, Peter Pollock, Colin Croft, Garry Sobers and Johnny Wardle. Five outstanding bowlers. Donald gives us that express pace, Pollock that line and length, Croft that bounce and intimidation, Wardle that spin wizardry while Sobers that variety with his slow medium pace or left-arm orthodox spin making our bowling attack extremely versatile. If needed Bruce Mitchell and Denis Compton can chip in with few overs with the ball.
The Opposition - (prath92):-
prath92 has got a good team but I feel I have a much better bowling attack and have the edge in the batting unit. Prath has a better top-order but I have a much superior middle order and tail. But the biggest difference here is the bowling unit and thats what would win me the match imo.
Team prath92
Batting (matches; runs; 50s/100s; average)
Openers
1. Justin Langer (105; 7696; 23/30; 45.27)
2. David Warner (74; 6363; 21/29; 48.20)
Middle Order
3. Walter Hammond (85; 7249; 22/24; 58.45)
4. Lindsay Hassett (43; 3073; 10/11; 46.56)
5. VVS Laxman (134; 8781; 17/56; 45.50)
6. Andy Flower (63; 4794; 12/27; 51.53)
7. Ian Botham (102; 5200; 14/22; 33.54)
Bowling (matches; wickets; average; strike rate; 5for/10for)
1. Ian Botham (102; 383; 28.40;56.9; 27/4)
2. Graham McKenzie (60; 246; 29.78; 71.8 16/3)
3. Charlie Griffiths (28; 94; 28.54; 59.9; 5/0)
4. George Geary (14; 46; 29.41; 82.8; 4/1)
5. Subhash Gupte (36; 149; 29.55; 75.7; 12/1)
Why I’ll win
1. World class batting order.
I have a solid and dependable batting lineup able to withstand any kind of attack. Right up to Botham at #7, all were key players.
Langer and Warner are a complementary pair since warner will look to take the attack to the bowlers but at the same time also capable of timing test innings like a ‘test innings’ and Langer is a more solid reliable and consistent scorer
A middle order of Hammond, Lindsay Hassett, Laxman, Flower and Botham are a solid middle order that oozes class
2. Solid bowling lineup
I don’t claim to have a world class bowling attack but they are all players capable of taking wickets and bowling good lines and lengths. Ian Botham in his prime was a world class bowler and so was Garth McKenzie. Subhas Gupte also was a top spinner who was troubling the best teams of his time
1. Flat batting pitch with little help for any bowlers.
2. A greentop that aids pace bowling.
3. A slow dustbowl that aids spin bowling.
Please vote for the team that you think will prevail at the end of the series.
Team The Red Viper
THE TEAM:-
The Playing XI:-
- Bruce Mitchell:- Bruce Mitchell appeared in every one of South Africa's 42 Tests from 1929 to 1949 and ranks among the finest batsmen produced by his country. For most of Mitchell's career the South African batting lacked depth, and he was ever-conscious of his responsibility to lay a sound foundation. Possessor of a full range of strokes, he was seldom in a position to bat with absolute freedom. Had he played in a powerful batting side, there is no question but that he would have reached even greater heights. He stood tall at the crease, almost immovable, scrupulously correct and risk free. Cricket statistician Charles Davies estimated that Mitchell was the fourth most difficult batsman to dismiss in the history of the game. Mitchell on an average spent 152 balls between dismissals. That places him after Don Bradman and Herbert Sutcliffe (164 each) and Sid Barnes (153).
- Bill Woodfull:- Known as "The Rock" because of his imperturbable temperament, Woodfull possessed immensely strong defence and great patience. Yet, though the backlift of his bat was very short indeed, his weight and strength of wrist enabled him to score at a faster rate than many a more attractive player. A man for crisis situation and always delivered when the team needed it the most.
- Hashim Amla:- The classiest, calmest man on a cricket field, Hashim Amla's name is etched in South African cricket history. With his wristy leg-side flick and serene cover drive, Amla became the first South African to score a triple century in Test cricket. A prolific run-getter, Hash is one of the best batsman in moder-era who has thrived in all conditions vs all the teams.
- Denis Compton:- One of England's greatest ever batsmen, Denis Compton was the knight in shining armour of English cricket. Compton was not just a great cricketer but a character who transcended the game and became what would now be called a national icon. In the years after the war, when the British were still finding the joys of victory elusive, the exuberance of Compton's batting and personality became a symbol of national renewal. Almost single-handedly, he ensured that cricket returned to its pre-war place in the nation's affections. Only Ian Botham has ever come remotely close to matching this achievement. Compton was a remarkable batsman. Loose-limbed with broad shoulders and powerful forearms. He could play all the strokes, though he rarely straight-drove. What made him special was his audacity. He would take risks, standing outside the crease even to quickish bowlers, challenging them to bowl anything other than the length he wanted.
- David Gower:- David Gower did not move, he drifted. He drove through the off-side with surreal beauty, and cut with a flash — with little effort and unlimited grace. And when the ball was short and making for his body, he could hook and pull, lending to even those strokes of battle the elegance of the brush. One of the most aesthetic batsmen in the history of the game. When Gower was on song, he was a joy to behold. Spectators remained transfixed; his Gray-Nicolls willow would come down on the ball in magnificent arcs to crack unhurried drives, classical cuts and the trademark pick-up shot.
- Garry Sobers:- A cricketing genius, Garry Sobers excelled at all aspects of the game, and few would argue his claim as the finest all-rounder to have graced the game of cricket. His exceptional Test batting average tells little about the manner in which he made the runs, his elegant yet powerful style marked by all the shots, but memorably his off-side play. As a batsman he was great, as a bowler, merely superb, but would have made the West Indies side as a bowler alone. He was remarkably versatile with the ball, bowling two styles of spin - left-arm orthodox and wrist spin, but was also a fine fast-medium opening bowler. His catching close to the wicket may have been equalled but never surpassed, and he was a brilliant fielder anywhere. When he ended his career, he was the highest run-getter in Test cricket, with the highest individual score in an innings, the second highest wicket taker for West Indies and was third in world on the table of catches held by non-wicketkeepers. The GOAT All-Rounder.
- Adam Gilchrist:- The GOAT Wicket-Keeper Batsman, Adam Gilchrist was the symbolic heart of Australia's steamrolling agenda and the most exhilarating cricketer of the modern age. He was simultaneously a cheerful throwback to more innocent times, a flap-eared country boy who walked when given not out in a World Cup semi-final, and swatted his second ball for six while sitting on a Test pair. "Just hit the ball," is how he once described his philosophy on batting, and he seldom strayed from it. Employing a high-on-the-handle grip, he poked good balls into gaps and throttled most others, invariably with head straight, wrists soft and balance sublime. A great wicket-keeper, he was extremely reliable with the gloves. Its not an easy job to keep to the great Shane Warne and coming after Ian Healy who was a master glovesman, Gilly had high standards and expectations to match, but he lived up to it and did a fantastic job. Be it keeping to Warne or McGrath. A true match-winner.
- Peter Pollock:- The older Pollock brother ("Pooch" to Graeme's "Little Dog") learned his trade bowling to one of cricket's greatest batsmen in the backyard of their Port Elizabeth home. Something of a tearaway as a young bowler, Pollock never really lost his killer instinct even as age and dodgy knees began to take their toll. He formed a productive partnership with the Rhodesian swing bowler Joe Partridge in Australia in 1963-64 which enabled South Africa unexpectedly to draw the series 2-2, and another at the end of the decade with a youthful Mike Procter as Australia were beaten 3-1 and 4-0 in successive home series.
- Johnny Wardle:- Johnny Wardle was one of the most skilful left-arm spinners the game has seen. Though he usually bowled in the orthodox tradition, as preferred by Yorkshire, he sometimes bowled wrist-spinners (with a bemusing googly - the `chinaman'), especially when on overseas duty for England. Out of all the bowlers who have taken 100+ wickets, no bowler has had a better bowling average than Johnny Wardle. For a spinner to have a bowling average of 20.39, is frankly unbelievable and the fact he had an even better record away from home is even more bonkers. At the same time, Wardle remains one of the most economical bowlers of all time. Out of all the bowlers with over 100 wickets, only three bowlers have a better economy rate than Wardle. A true spin genius.
- Allan Donald:- Zinc cream on his cheeks and nose, followed by a classical action and of course the menacing pace, it was "The White Lightning" indeed. One of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Donald at his prime was simply a one-man wrecking crew. He had the that express pace, that alone would give nightmares to any batsman. Combined with his ability to swing the ball, he was just unplayable when in rhythm. His hostile spells were absolute masterclass on fast bowling. Especially the ones vs Michael Atherton and the Waugh Brothers.
- Colin Croft:- "Crofty," a West Indian team-mate once said, "would bounce his grandmother if he thought there was a wicket in it." In a relatively brief career lasting just five years, he established a reputation as one of the most chilling of fast men, with no compunction whatsoever about inflicting pain. There was little of the orthodox about him. The prancing run was straight but the batsman saw only his head bobbing behind the umpire until he veered out wide of the crease just prior to delivery, leaning back and slanting the ball awkwardly in to the right-hander. And with his 6’5″ frame, strong and muscular shoulders, chest-on action, and ruthless attitude, Croft was a menace to the batsman. Croft took 125 wickets in 27 test matches at 23.30 and a strike-rate of 49.3. To put things into perspective, out of all the West-Indian fast bowlers to have taken 100+ wickets, Croft’s Test bowling average is next to only Marshall, Garner and Curtly Ambrose and his Test bowling strike-rate is next to only Marshall’s 46.7.
The Batting Unit:-
Opening the batting for us, we have Bruce Mitchell and Bill Woodfull. Two of the best batsmen in their era with strong defense and great temperament which made them extremely difficult to get out. As openers, they would do the job of seeing off the new ball and ensuring we don't lose wickets at the top when the ball is still hard and shining. Hashim Amla, Denis Compton, David Gower, Garry Sobers and Adam Gilchrist form the middle-order. In Amla, Compton and Sobers, we have thre prolific run-getters who can anchor the innings. While the likes of Gower and Gilly can provide the fire power and stroke-play. After our openers have done their job of seeing off the shine off the new ball, we have a middle-order than capitalize on it and absolutely dominate bowling attacks. Peter Pollock, Johnny Wardle, Allan Donald and Colin Croft form the tail. Peter Pollock was a really handy batsman who could contribute few vital runs with the bat. Same with Wardle as well.
The Bowling Attack:-
The bowling-attack comprises of Allan Donald, Peter Pollock, Colin Croft, Garry Sobers and Johnny Wardle. Five outstanding bowlers. Donald gives us that express pace, Pollock that line and length, Croft that bounce and intimidation, Wardle that spin wizardry while Sobers that variety with his slow medium pace or left-arm orthodox spin making our bowling attack extremely versatile. If needed Bruce Mitchell and Denis Compton can chip in with few overs with the ball.
The Opposition - (prath92):-
prath92 has got a good team but I feel I have a much better bowling attack and have the edge in the batting unit. Prath has a better top-order but I have a much superior middle order and tail. But the biggest difference here is the bowling unit and thats what would win me the match imo.
Team prath92
Batting (matches; runs; 50s/100s; average)
Openers
1. Justin Langer (105; 7696; 23/30; 45.27)
2. David Warner (74; 6363; 21/29; 48.20)
Middle Order
3. Walter Hammond (85; 7249; 22/24; 58.45)
4. Lindsay Hassett (43; 3073; 10/11; 46.56)
5. VVS Laxman (134; 8781; 17/56; 45.50)
6. Andy Flower (63; 4794; 12/27; 51.53)
7. Ian Botham (102; 5200; 14/22; 33.54)
Bowling (matches; wickets; average; strike rate; 5for/10for)
1. Ian Botham (102; 383; 28.40;56.9; 27/4)
2. Graham McKenzie (60; 246; 29.78; 71.8 16/3)
3. Charlie Griffiths (28; 94; 28.54; 59.9; 5/0)
4. George Geary (14; 46; 29.41; 82.8; 4/1)
5. Subhash Gupte (36; 149; 29.55; 75.7; 12/1)
Why I’ll win
1. World class batting order.
I have a solid and dependable batting lineup able to withstand any kind of attack. Right up to Botham at #7, all were key players.
Langer and Warner are a complementary pair since warner will look to take the attack to the bowlers but at the same time also capable of timing test innings like a ‘test innings’ and Langer is a more solid reliable and consistent scorer
A middle order of Hammond, Lindsay Hassett, Laxman, Flower and Botham are a solid middle order that oozes class
2. Solid bowling lineup
I don’t claim to have a world class bowling attack but they are all players capable of taking wickets and bowling good lines and lengths. Ian Botham in his prime was a world class bowler and so was Garth McKenzie. Subhas Gupte also was a top spinner who was troubling the best teams of his time
