Can't believe I managed to get this guy. I was originally planning on picking someone else, but you don't let the opportunity of grabbing The Sultan of Swing go.
Most of you know about this guy already, but Akram for me has to be the most talented bowler to have graced the game. He had it all - pace, in-swing, out-swing, reverse swing, yorker, bouncer, slower ball....you name it, he could do it. All from a short run-up. As a tribute to his abilities, he's only one of 3 bowlers to take more than one Test-Hatrick.
He could even swing the ball both ways in one delivery! Just check out this delivery to Croft (uploaded by our very own Robelinda):
Was no mug with the bat either. While he did under-achieve in this aspect, he did have the potential to change matches. The best example of this is probably his first series in Australia, when he made his maiden ton after Pak were 90/5. He even has a score of 257* to his name, albeit against pathetic Zim attack.
For being arguably the greatest left-arm bowler to play the game, Wasim Akram makes my XI with final stats of:
Matches: 104
Runs: 2898
Average: 22.64
Wickets: 414
Average: 23.62
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Wally Hammond. What a legend! He broke almost every world record of batting at the time. 3rd fastest to 6000 runs after Sobers and Bradman, and fastest to reach 7000. Has a triple century under his name, and averaged close to 60. Yet, his finest innings was just 32 runs. On a sticky wicket which was deemed unplayable, with 13 wickets falling for under 100 runs, Hammond made his stand.
He could bowl as well. While primarily a medium pacer, many observers comment he could bowl fast if he wanted to. Many considered if he wasn't so focused on his batting, he could open the bowling for England. And they're not kidding - he managed to dismiss The Don 3 times!! Not a bad man at the slips either. At at a time when fielding wasn't considered that important, Hammond managed over a 100 catches at slips.
Of being arguably the greatest batsman England has ever produced, Wally Hammond makes my XI with final stats of:
Matches: 85
Runs: 7249
Average: 58.45
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Just look at that moustache! Fear ye mortals!
One of the most brilliant captains of his time, Darling won of 7 of his 21 Tests as captain, and lost only 4. He opened the innings for less than half of his career, yet managed to score more than half of his runs in that position, at a much higher average. All of his 3 Test centuries also came in that position.
The only downside is that his moustache was the only thing worth looking at. He wasn't a stroke-player, and defended the ball with a passion. Might not have been pretty, but he certainly was reliable. And that's not a bad quality in an opener. You need someone to bore and tire the new-ball bowlers out. And besides, Hammond and Weekes more than make up for his snooze-fest.
For being a resolute opener, and as Wisden put it, "one of the very best captains that ever took a team into the field", Joe Darling makes my XI with final stats of:
Matches: 34
Runs: 1657
Average: 28.56
(Note: His average would have been higher if he opened a lot more).
The Papa XI:
1)
2) J Darling (*)
3) W Hammond
4) E Weekes
5)
6)
7)
8) W Rhodes
9) W Akram
10) D Lillee
11) C Turner
Nice. Very nice. Terror and Lillee to wreck havoc with the new ball, and Wasim to shatter stumps with the old. And just look at the middle order pair - Hammond and Weekes.
Think I just had an orgasam.
That's because there are quite a few pacers to chose from in this round and in the coming rounds but getting a great spinner in your side is a little harder when compared to getting great pacers.
Also, agree very much on Gilly's keeping. I think he was always one of the best keepers in world cricket, if not the best.
