ICCCT2006: SCMODS' assesment of every teams chances

[Sureshot]

The man who hit McGrath for 20 runs in an over all over the park isn't exciting?

Strauss hit 5 succesive fours off of McGrath in the abandoned ODI at Headingley (Somewhere up north might've been Chester-le-street).

When Afridi hit's hundred they are quick, but one every 46 ODIs (5 into 230) isn't that consistent, yes he can do it, but I don't think he will again.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

No, I'm saying nothing like that- I said that Afridi uses his "gift" or whatever you want to call it to go out there and play stupid cricket. I'm not trying to argue his talent or value as an all round cricketer, but I don't know why you're debating whether he's a slogger or not, it's pretty obvious to anyone that watches him.

Actually, you were saying that. You said that he only is good when his 'mindless slogging' comes off, and also that anyone could do it.

Afridi is Pakistan's best ODI spin bowler at the moment. Hardest hitter in the world too. And it isn't like he plays dumb shots on purpose. That is his role in the team. His job is to go out and slog. He is given that license, do what you want. I recall both Woolmer and Afridi saying that in different interviews, that he is free to go ahead and do what he does best. His spot in the team is secure as a bowler and a fielder.

 

[puddleduck]

Personally I don't even think Afridi is on his own as the hardest hitter in Cricket. I would say that Kemp, Razzaq, Symonds, and possibly even Freddie all hit the ball as hard and as far as Afridi. They just do it more judiciously.

That said, I do think Afridi has a place in the Pakistan team, certainly their Odi team. With the amount of quality batsman at their disposal, it can only benefit the team if you have someone who on average adds another 25 runs very quickly. Obviously it would be nice if he was more consistent, but if that was the case he would be one of the finest Odi all rounders the world has ever seen, instead of just a very useful one.

As an interesting question that is fairly meaningless really, I wonder how many sides around the World would pick Afridi were he eligible for them?

I would think England would happily add him to their side, South Africa would probably be fairly keen on him if only due to their lack of spinners. New Zealand could probably make use of him. I would suspect only Australia and possibly India wouldn't necessarily pick him. Your thoughts lads?

 

[brad352]

Actually, you were saying that. You said that he only is good when his 'mindless slogging' comes off, and also that anyone could do it.

"I'm sure I can't, and not many could- that's hardly the point"
No I wasn't

Afridi is Pakistan's best ODI spin bowler at the moment. Hardest hitter in the world too. And it isn't like he plays dumb shots on purpose. That is his role in the team. His job is to go out and slog. He is given that license, do what you want. I recall both Woolmer and Afridi saying that in different interviews, that he is free to go ahead and do what he does best. His spot in the team is secure as a bowler and a fielder.

I wasn't discussing roles in the team, all round ability or anything else, I just stated he was a slogger and you took it upon yourself to try and argue the point with information related to everything but what I said, and continue in that fashion. You said yourself that "His job is to go out and slog", hence you must classify him a slogger, no?

I would think England would happily add him to their side, South Africa would probably be fairly keen on him if only due to their lack of spinners. New Zealand could probably make use of him. I would suspect only Australia and possibly India wouldn't necessarily pick him. Your thoughts lads?

I wouldn't be overly unhappy with him playing, however equally I'm sure that if he'd developed under our systems that he'd have been forced to improve his technique and temprament such that he has more roles than pinch hitter and he'd potentially be a top class all rounder rather than a good bowler and handy hitter.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

India would love to have him, seeing as they are so desperate for an allrounder. But if he played, alongside Kumble, I doubt Bhajji would have made the team. Or Kartik would never play, and we might not need Dhoni....

 

[nightprowler10]

Strauss hit 5 succesive fours off of McGrath in the abandoned ODI at Headingley (Somewhere up north might've been Chester-le-street).

When Afridi hit's hundred they are quick, but one every 46 ODIs (5 into 230) isn't that consistent, yes he can do it, but I don't think he will again.

I was actually talking about Razzaq. And Strauss is exciting to watch when he is 'ON'.

 

[puddleduck]

Btw lads I'm talking about present day, as it's a meaningless hypothetical question anyway, so no point wondering about whether he would have been a different player or whether he would have made it earlier in his career.

That's why I think he would probably not make the Indian team Zorax. Bhaji is one of the finest Odi bowlers around, although I suppose he could well play ahead of Powar. In fact he probably would play ahead of Powar as he is a better batsman, and not too far behind with the ball. Better fielder too.

So I guess it only leaves Australia as a country who might not pick him, would he play ahead of Hogg? Possibly...

 

[Simbazz]

Hogg i believe would get the call up due to his ability to spin a ball. Afridi doesnt generate a great amount of spin, but his quicker balls do alot of damage

 

[Sureshot]

I was actually talking about Razzaq. And Strauss is exciting to watch when he is 'ON'.

I know you were talking about Razzaq, just saying you don't have to be reknowned world wide hitter to score 20 runs off of the best bowler in the world.

 

[Hamish]

Who would you back to score a 50 if Pakistan were suddenly to play tomorrow? Afridi or Razzaq?

For me Razzaq all the way, and he can bowl really well. Afridi is probably Pakistan's best option as a spinner, but theres no way I would want him selected as a batting allrounder.

Razzaq: Batting: Ave - 30.96 SR - 80.84
Bowling: Ave - 30.24 Econ - 4.64 SR - 39.09

Afridi: Batting: Ave - 23.1 SR - 107.66
Bowling: Ave - 35.94 Econ - 4.62 SR - 46.67

 

[ZoraxDoom]

He could be a batting allrounder, if he wanted and was asked to play that way. He slogs from ball one cause that's his job, and he is probably the only batsman who can hit the first ball he faces off any bowler for six, and make it look effortless! He isn't just a blind slogger. He has more talent, just that the Pakistan team tends to benefit more if he directs his batting ability and talent into ripping apart bowlers.
And Razzaq'a bowling has really dipped of late if you have noticed. His 4/50 was his first good haul in a long time. But he still is a pretty damn good, probably will flourish without Akhtar and Asif hogging the limelight, and might bat more without Inzy...

 

[evertonfan]

Razzaq'a bowling has really dipped of late if you have noticed.

I could say the same thing about Afridi's batting...

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Touche, but he has that magic around him. When you least expect in, BANG! Goes from bad to good form in a snap

 

[nightprowler10]

I know you were talking about Razzaq, just saying you don't have to be reknowned world wide hitter to score 20 runs off of the best bowler in the world.

True, but the comment was actually made in a different context. The debate going on was about if Razzaq is exciting to watch or not as compared to Afridi. I made that comment since I don't believe Afridi can hit McGrath for that many consecutive deliveries, McGrath is too intelligent for him.

 

[Sureshot]

Most bowlers can be if they're on form.