DRAFT! Ashes history...

[sifter132]

User has called for the supersub...so if any of our thread readers want to step in and take over his team, speak now!

 

[sifter132]

We haven't got a replacement for User, so I'll just mark him absent and we move on!

My 2 picks...There was 2 bowlers I really liked, but I'm only going to pick one of them: Sir Alec Bedser. My other pick is a guy I wanted from the start, but wasn't sure when to pull the trigger. He doesn't really have a lot of Ashes runs, but he's certainly worthy of recognition in my view: the tragic story of Archie Jackson.

Archie Jackson

Ashes stats
Tests: 4
Runs: 350
Average: 58.33
High Score: 164, Adelaide, 1928/29
Best Series: 1928/29 - 4 innings, 276 runs @ 69.00, 1 century, the aforementioned 164.

Archie Jackson is literally an Ashes legend, because we have no idea how good a player he could have become. Jackson was dead at just 23 years old, tuberculosis ending the life of the promising opener. He was an attacking player, a stylist who loved to play with a flourish of the wrists. He was a true crowd pleaser, playing all the shots with an easy grace, and a friendly smile that made him the favourite of many.

Jackson was a contemporary of Bradman. They were continually compared to each other, as both were young New South Wales batsmen of great talent. Bradman was one year older than Jackson, but Jackson made the NSW team first, debuting at 17 - a sign of how good Jackson was. They both debuted for Australia in the same 1928/29 Ashes series (Bradman in the 1st Test, Jackson in the 4th). In Jackson's first Test he struck a brilliant 164, riding out the storm as Australia lost 3/19 to start the innings. His innings was heavily praised, for not offering a chance, but primarily for playing his shots without fear of the situation, and playing with some elegance and style.

Sad to say, but this was the high point of Jackson's career - at a mere 19 years of age. He and Bradman continued to England on the 1930 tour, but there the careers of the two prodigies diverged. while Bradman put together the greatest batting series in cricket's history, Jackson struggled with the colder English weather, poor health and a loss of form.

Before that 1930 tour, it wasn't hard to find pundits who thought Jackson was the better player of the two, and it boggles the mind to imagine how England might have been cursed to deal with Bradman AND a player of similar quality. Sadly, it was not to be. After the 1930 tour, his cricket career moved in stops and starts as his health fluctuated. He even moved to Queensland to try and find some warmer weather, but his body wasn't destined to last.

Check out this story on Cricinfo - it contains Harold Larwood's glowing foreward to David Frith's book on Archie Jackson, and a bit of Frith's book itself that captures the legend of Archie Jackson:
The Archie Jackson story | Cricket Features | Wisden Cricket Monthly | ESPN Cricinfo

And this clip shows rare footage of Jackson's famous Adelaide innings. There's not much and it's that's hard to see, but there's also a nice discussion by Mike Coward and David Frith about Jackson. Go to about 3:25 onwards to the first mention of Jackson.

1 Archie Jackson
2 Wilfred Rhodes
3 Sir Donald Bradman (c)
4 Ken Barrington
5
6
7 Monty Noble
8
9 Jim Laker
10 Sir Alec Bedser
11

More details on Alec Bedser when I've got a bit more time!

 

[War]

Alan Davidson & Jack Gregory

Davidson, Ashes record

Only Wasim Akram can compare with his abilities as a left-arm quick bowler and certainly he has no equal from Australia. After his breakout tour to S Africa in 1957/58 along with Richie Benaud played a key role in AUS defeating ENG 4-0 in 1958/59, ending their 7 year unbeaten run in test cricket. AUS eventually would keep the Ashes until 1970/71.


Gregory's Ashes record

Easily the forgotten all-rounder of AUS cricket. Miller rightfully gets the all praise as the greatest ever, Davidson & Benuad are remembered fondly for their heroics, Monty Noble is a hall of fame member & modern day Shane Watson whether you rate him or not has been hyped for years as all-rounder of Milleresque potential.

Gregory has peculiar place in the annals of AUS all-rounders. His bowling was lethal enough to be the notable new-ball duo with Tasmanian Ted McDonald in 1920s. In a 1900-1939 period when potent fast bowling combo's were very few, this highlights how good his bowling was.

He didn't do it in Ashes cricket, but long before King Viv Richards made the fastest test hundred in 1985, Gregory held that record for his innings vs the proteas @ Jo'Burg 1921.

 

[sifter132]

^Yep Alan Davidson was the other guy I was deciding between. If I'd been worried about my lower order I would have taken him, useful batsman as well as his very good left arm stuff.

Just an update on our only rule: 3 players from before World War 2. A few drafters have 3 in their team already, the following only have 2 and need to pick 1 more in their need 4 selections:
Fenil
cricket_icon
Aalay
The_Author
Sulaiman7

 

[Samuels]

^Yep Alan Davidson was the other guy I was deciding between. If I'd been worried about my lower order I would have taken him, useful batsman as well as his very good left arm stuff.

I thought his strike-rate was a bit too high in the Ashes and there are still better bowlers available to be grabbed up.

Just an update on our only rule: 3 players from before World War 2. A few drafters have 3 in their team already, the following only have 2 and need to pick 1 more in their need 4 selections:
Fenil
cricket_icon
Aalay
The_Author
Sulaiman7

Quite sure both Wally Hammond and Johnny Briggs belonged to pre world war 2 era.

 

[Aalay]

Mark Waugh ​

Ashes Statistics: Matches: 29. Runs: 2204. Average: 50.09. Centuries: 6. Highest Ashes score: 140

Mark Waugh was one of the most elegant and and gifted stroke maker in the Ausralian team. Unlike his brother, Mark's batting was pleasing to eyes. Mark Waugh made his test debut in the ashes series of 1990/91. He made his debut in the 4th test at Adelaide Oval. Mark came to the crease when Australia were struggling at 104/4. He showed no nerves and scored his first century. This was one of the special moment for him because he scored a century in his test and ashes debut. He scored 550 runs at an average of 61 in the 1993 ashes series. His best series according to me came in his last ashes series. He made 430 runs in the 2001 ashes series at an average of 81 and helped Australia win that particular ashes series. He also scored a brilliant ton in his last ashes match.

Mark Waugh's debut century

A very interesting video I was able to find through Rob's channel

Ryan Harris ​

Ashes statistics: Matches: 7*. Wickets: 32. Best bowling figures: 7/117. Bowling average: 22.09. Five wicket hauls: 3

Another fast bowler from Australia and a very brilliant one. You guys might think it is a random pick because he made his debut in 2010 at an age of 30. He has just played 15 tests so far in his short career and 7 of it has come from the ashes series. His career has been restricted quite often due to the injury problem he has. Harris made his ashes debut in the 2011 series in the 2nd test. However, as I mentioned before, because of his injury problems, he wasn't able to make it thorough the series. He took 11 wickets in that series at an average of 25.54. He is also playing in current ashes series and surprisingly have survived since the last 4 matches without any trouble. Harris has taken 21 wickets so far in the series at an impressive average of 20.28. He is the highest wiket taker for Australia and 2nd highest wicket taker overall in the series. The eye-catching thing about him is his pace and the length at which he bowls at.

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Just an update on our only rule: 3 players from before World War 2. A few drafters have 3 in their team already, the following only have 2 and need to pick 1 more in their need 4 selections:
Fenil
cricket_icon
Aalay
The_Author
Sulaiman7

I will include the remaining one in the last round. Thanks for the heads up

 

[sifter132]

Mark Waugh Thought hard about picking him too. Continues your theme of crowd pleasing players too.

I thought his strike-rate was a bit too high in the Ashes and there are still better bowlers available to be grabbed up.



Quite sure both Wally Hammond and Johnny Briggs belonged to pre world war 2 era.

Yep you are fine Leyland gives you 3.

As for Davidson, yes his strike rate was pretty high. Most of the bowlers in the 50s and 60s were. A lot of defensive cricket in those days. That's why Fred Trueman and Wes Hall are so well regarded, they are about the only bowlers of that era with a strike rate under 60! Depends what you are looking for in your attack though as to whether you pick Davidson. Also a useful batsman and fielder.

 

[Samuels]

Aah Mark Waugh is gone. I had him in mind in the last round but went for Edrich instead because he was the man who took the blows from the very fast men of his era be it Marshall or be it Lilee and still stood there. I am love him for that. Remember what happened to Edrich's partner, Close in the famous "grovel" test? It was amazing.

Yep you are fine Leyland gives you 3.

As for Davidson, yes his strike rate was pretty high. Most of the bowlers in the 50s and 60s were. A lot of defensive cricket in those days. That's why Fred Trueman and Wes Hall are so well regarded, they are about the only bowlers of that era with a strike rate under 60! Depends what you are looking for in your attack though as to whether you pick Davidson. Also a useful batsman and fielder.

My funda is very simple. If there is a batsman, I would like him to score runs and not fall for the greats who haven't been amongst runs and for me, a bowler's job is to take wickets. Simple as that. That is why Davidson did not fit in the scheme of things for me but Alderman did.

 

[cricket_icon]

^Yep Alan Davidson was the other guy I was deciding between. If I'd been worried about my lower order I would have taken him, useful batsman as well as his very good left arm stuff.

Just an update on our only rule: 3 players from before World War 2. A few drafters have 3 in their team already, the following only have 2 and need to pick 1 more in their need 4 selections:
Fenil
cricket_icon
Aalay
The_Author
Sulaiman7

Oh I thought it was only 2, ok gotta look for another one then.

 

[Aislabie]

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Simon Jones
Fast, slingy and injury prone, Simon Jones had a love-hate relationship with the Ashes. On the one hand, his performances, and mastery of reverse swing at high speed, were almost as important as Andrew Flintoff in the '05 Ashes win. On the other hand, he sustained two chronic injuries in Ashes Tests that cut his entire career down to only eighteen Tests. Jones's Ashes wickets came at just 21 apiece, on flat tracks against the best batting side in decades.
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WG Grace
He might have been a bit of a twat, but WG Grace was a great cricketer. He was the man who turned cricket from a hobby and a pass-time into a national sport. Without WG, the Ashes would not have happened, and cricket wouldn't be what it is today. All of his Tests were against Australia, and he played two big innings, including his 170 at The Oval, where he fell with the score on only 216, which is some measure of his domination. He could also offer useful medium pace.
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MA Taylor
WG Grace
WL Murdoch
SJ McCabe
-
A Flintoff
JM Brearley
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JR Thomson
DL Underwood
SP Jones ​

 

[Fenil]

I pick Stanley Jackson and Brad Haddin.

Jackson has a conversion rate better than the likes of Hayden and he was considered the best of cricketers at his time. Haddin as a batting average of 38 in the Ashes and more than 50 dismissals in 13 test matches. Thats quite a feat.

This is how my lineup looks now. With Jackson in, I have got a good 5th bowling option in case Miller needs to be set as a specialist bowler. Not sure what to do with that extra spot. There are a couple of very very good batsmen out there but I don't want to my team to lack teeth in the attack at the same time. What is your suggestion, guys?

Herbert Sutcliffe
Bill Lawry
KS Ranji
Stanley Jackson
Steve Waugh
Keith Miller
Brad Haddin
?
Fred Trueman
Bob Willis
?

 

[Sulaiman7]

My players : Eddie Paynter & David Boon

Ashes stats :-

Matches: 7
Runs: 591
HS: 216*
Batting average: 84.42
Centuries: 1

Eddie Paynter , one of the greatest and exciting batsmen ever , he proved himself only within 7 matches (in ashes) , he could've been the leading run scorer of the ashes if he had played more matches. He was a quick footer (he liked to change the foot-works , normally) and was a brilliant player of the drives (his favorite shot most-probably). he was very strong on the leg side , always seeking to hit a boundary with power and timing.

Ashes stats:

Matches: 31
Runs: 2237
HS: 184*
Batting average: 45.65
Catches: 25

The part-time wicket keeper , David Boon is considered as a legend , legendary Aussie player , he was a magnificent captain as-well. He was a responsible and reliable player , he played aggressively when runs were needed , he was a very stylish player and could be easily distinguished by his stylish mustache.

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My team so far:

1. Geoff Boycott
2. Bob Sipmson
3. Allan Border
4. David Boon
5. Eddie Paynter
6. Bob Cowper
7.
8.
9. Sydney Barnes
10. Dennis Lillee
11. George Lohmann​

 

[Aislabie]

Balls.

I thought Paynter had already gone, or I'd've picked him before Mark Taylor.

 

[Fenil]

Stanley Jackson

Ashes Record

Francis Stanley Jackson was one of the finest cricketers of his time. An excellent batsman, Jackson was an equally good bowler with as many as 42 FC fivefers. He captained England in 5 Test matches in 1905, winning 2 and drawing 3 to retain The Ashes. Captaining England for the first time, he won all five tosses and topped the batting and bowling averages for both sides, with 492 runs at 70.28 and 13 wickets at 15.46. He also spotted the talent in Kunwar Shri Ranjitsinhji who was till then sidelined due to his unorthodox batting style and his decision to include Ranji in Cambridge First XI created quite a controversy back then. He was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1894.​

 

[Sulaiman7]

balls.

I thought paynter had already gone, or i'd've picked him before mark taylor.

*ctrl+f5....