Random Country Test Draft -- DONE. Time for comments/discussion

[pcfan123]

first few Windies picks have been obvious though, so not much room for reaction. I can already predict who Dare is going to take as well.

Zorax and KPs English picks were interesting though, I learned something new

 

[shravi]

Good choice with Viv. Of course he can't not be part of an all time test team and it would have been scandalous if he hadn't been picked.

By the way, with out being a complete tosser, or possibly just half a tosser, it would be nice if people could react to the choices people make, or maybe it is just me that no one is reacting to! (I like to think that people are reading the reasons why somebody picks someone and can comment on why they think it is a good choice or not.

Sorry if that comes across in the wrong way: it is not my intention to be an arse. I suppose I am just wondering whether people read the stuff that's written. Part of the joy of writing is knowing that others are reading and enjoying it too.

I usually do so. I was just caught up with the fact that I got my man . Curtly Ambrose is a great pick. There are so many fast bowlers you could have gone with but it's not as if you've "settled" by choosing Ambrose. Height, pace, bounce, seam movement. What more could you ask for from a fast bowler? I'd be lying if I said I didn't think twice about not picking him. As a child, I often heard of that 7 for 1 spell. Very unlucky not to have played a 100 tests.

 

[Dutch]

I usually do so. I was just caught up with the fact that I got my man . Curtly Ambrose is a great pick. There are so many fast bowlers you could have gone with but it's not as if you've "settled" by choosing Ambrose. Height, pace, bounce, seam movement. What more could you ask for from a fast bowler? I'd be lying if I said I didn't think twice about not picking him. As a child, I often heard of that 7 for 1 spell. Very unlucky not to have played a 100 tests.

Fair enough, and it is also great that this thread is moving on with a good pace and that the people involved are committed to the cause as it were.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Yea, Ambrose and Viv were good picks. Quite a lot of great names left too.

Shravi's team is looking good, mainly because he has Murali and Barnes in the bowling department. Pollock and Viv make a good batting lineup so far too, but Murali and Barnes is a killer pair.

Dutchy's team seems to be a bit modern, and Smith and Jaya opening is a bit risky. Botham and Ambrose can't be argued with though.

KP's team is a bit unreliable, so to say, as Lohmann and Richards are players with more unknown quantity to them. Can't argue with Sobers, while Vaas could be a weak link in the bowling. Also, as he said himself, he already has 3 bowlers but no real pace.

Hmarka's side, so far, is modern again. Steyn and Sangakarra in an all-time XI is unusual to see, but they do deserve their spots and will end up being greats of their respective nations (Sanga already is). And picking Len Hutton over Hobbs was weird, but still a very strong pick.

And Cricketman's team is pretty safe. Pollock, Hobbs and De Silva. No unusual picks so far, but doesn't strike a lot of fear either.

 

[Cricketman]

Good but predictable picks so far. I was expecting all the mentioned names to have been picked. Hopefully my guy still remains.

 

[Cricketman]

Respond to deleted post; no shravi my my next pick is not rohit sharma.

 

[Dare]

The obvious 4 picks ahead of me. I am divided between 3 players but I have decided to go for Courtney Andrew Walsh.

Look Ma, its Walsh and Donald!

Words cant describe how much respect I have for Courtney Walsh and the way he played the game and how hard he played it. He always gave his best and never gave up and never gave in to the batsman. The first bowler ever to 500 test wickets and so far only one other pace bowler has manged to cross that mark. He played the majority of his tests against Australia (38) and England (36) who were probably the best sides around during his time, the Aussies definitely were. For me the more impressive stat is how well he has done in the subcontinent, he picked up 77 wickets from 17 tests with an average of 20.53 and strike rate of 45.2. Cuddy is a perfect fit for my team and with Richard Hadlee being my pick for the New Zealand part of the draft it will make a great pace trio.

1.
2.
3. Wally Hammond
4. Mahela Jayawardene
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Allan Donald
11. Courtney Walsh

 

[shravi]

Hmm, I would have gone for another fast bowler, but Walsh is still an excellent pick. I was lucky enough to watch him play towards the end of his career. He always gave it his all and it's incredible that he played as long as he did being as fast as he was.

 

[Dare]

Hmm, I would have gone for another fast bowler, but Walsh is still an excellent pick. I was lucky enough to watch him play towards the end of his career. He always gave it his all and it's incredible that he played as long as he did being as fast as he was.

Circinfo said it the best

A physiological phenomenon, Courtney Walsh probably bowled faster for longer than any man in history.

I am sure I know who you are thinking off but that bowler hasn't played half the tests that Walsh has. Not that I am doubting his ability and greatness with the ball because his record is excellent but Walsh adds a different style then Donald. Walsh cut down his pace and added the line and length with excellent cutters and he could get the ball to move away from the batsman of the pitch like he was a spinner.

 

[Cricketman]

Brian Lara

The Wizard. Lara is in the top bracket of batsman, in the company of the Bradman's and other modern greats. His ability to amass huge scores quickly and consistently in simply unmatched. He is calypso cricket personified; with a huge backlift and unconventional technique, Lara was the first to 10,000 test runs in the history of the game. At his retirement, he had nearly 12,000 runs to his name, with 34 hundreds (another record) at an awesome average of 52. Batting at number 3, his average shoots up beyond 60. He also holds the record for highest score - 400*.

His crashing MRF blade is the cause of nightmares to bowlers world over. Lara is an amazing batsman to have in any team.

1. Jack Hobbs
2.
3. Brian Lara
4.
5.
6. Aravinda De Silva
7.
8. Shaun Pollock
9.
10.
11.

Looking sweet

 

[pcfan123]

Rohit can you update the 1st post please, since KP is probably still fast asleep

 

[Cricketman]

Done sir

 

[pcfan123]

Everton Weekes

4455 runs @ 58.61 including 15 attacking hundreds (5 of them consecutively) from someone who was initially dropped after debut. Retired due to injuries in his early 30s.

1) Sir L Hutton
4) E Weekes
6) K Sangakarra
10) D Steyn

 

[shravi]

Dare's attack looking very good now with Walsh, Donald and Hadlee. Wonder who his spinner will be.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Dare's got strong bowling, Cricketman's going in for strong batting.

Really hoping my Kiwi pick is still around when my turn comes.