King Pietersen
ICC Board Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Location
- Manchester
Yeah, what Zorax said. Only know the team order for the first 2 rounds too.
Random Country Test Draft -- DONE. Time for comments/discussion
- Thread starter King Pietersen
- Start date
Cricketman
ICC Chairman
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2005
- Location
- USA
This was a tough decision. Factoring in players from different countries and future picks, It was an absolute nightmare in finding the single best (available) player from a country with so many talented cricketers.
In the end, it was batsman vs bowler, and I figured that there are many more quality batters in the world than bowlers so I picked:
Shaun Pollock
Among South Africa's greatest ever cricketers, Shaun Pollock is my first round pick in this draft.
Shaun Pollock is a unique fast bowler in the sense that he is very smart and very aggressive, a deadly combination. He had the accuracy of a trained sniper and bowled with both pace and guile. He could move them in the air, off the pitch, deceive batsman with varying lengths or all-out aggression. He had immense stamina as well, a prime example being the Adelaide test in 1998 where he toiled for 41 overs under the blazing summer sun for figures of 7/87.
At his very best, Pollock's nagging off stump line, quick pace, skiddy trajectory and ability to move it both ways made him one of the best bowlers in the world. During his 108 test match career, Pollock grabbed a 421 wickets - the highest by any South African - at a stellar average of just 23.
His batting was very handy as well. He stood up whenever his team needed him and put a huge price tag on his wicket - with an average of 32 in test match cricket, 2 centuries and 16 fifties, he has positioned himself as one of South Africa's best ever allrounders.
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In the end, it was batsman vs bowler, and I figured that there are many more quality batters in the world than bowlers so I picked:
Shaun Pollock
Among South Africa's greatest ever cricketers, Shaun Pollock is my first round pick in this draft.
Shaun Pollock is a unique fast bowler in the sense that he is very smart and very aggressive, a deadly combination. He had the accuracy of a trained sniper and bowled with both pace and guile. He could move them in the air, off the pitch, deceive batsman with varying lengths or all-out aggression. He had immense stamina as well, a prime example being the Adelaide test in 1998 where he toiled for 41 overs under the blazing summer sun for figures of 7/87.
At his very best, Pollock's nagging off stump line, quick pace, skiddy trajectory and ability to move it both ways made him one of the best bowlers in the world. During his 108 test match career, Pollock grabbed a 421 wickets - the highest by any South African - at a stellar average of just 23.
His batting was very handy as well. He stood up whenever his team needed him and put a huge price tag on his wicket - with an average of 32 in test match cricket, 2 centuries and 16 fifties, he has positioned himself as one of South Africa's best ever allrounders.
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King Pietersen
ICC Board Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Location
- Manchester
Awesome. I love you guys. Was nervous I wouldn't get my player, but I have 
Barry Richards
One of the great opening batsmen of all-time. Richards was unfortunate to only play 4 Test matches, but his record in those 4 Tests and his record in FC cricket is so good, that I have no doubt he is the greatest opening batsman of all-time a certain Englishman. Seemingly had forever to get his feet into the correct position, and then hit the ball with such power and timing. He once scored a glorious 356 in the Sheffield Shield against Lillee and Lock in what has been described as one of the great innings. He was picking the bowlers apart and playing the ball in any area. An incredible batsman that was incredibly unfortunate to only play 4 Test Matches.
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Dare, you're up!
Barry Richards
One of the great opening batsmen of all-time. Richards was unfortunate to only play 4 Test matches, but his record in those 4 Tests and his record in FC cricket is so good, that I have no doubt he is the greatest opening batsman of all-time a certain Englishman. Seemingly had forever to get his feet into the correct position, and then hit the ball with such power and timing. He once scored a glorious 356 in the Sheffield Shield against Lillee and Lock in what has been described as one of the great innings. He was picking the bowlers apart and playing the ball in any area. An incredible batsman that was incredibly unfortunate to only play 4 Test Matches.
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Dare, you're up!
King Pietersen
ICC Board Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Location
- Manchester
:laugh That would have annoyed me. I actually had 2 options in my mind though, just in-case Richards was picked.
P
pcfan123
Guest
Heart pounding, fingers crossed and making a voodoo doll so that Dare does not take my guy. (my first draft if you cant tell) 
Dare
Chairman of Selectors
Some good choices before me and like many I am torn between batsman and bower but I have opted to go for the bowler and take the best bowler that South Africa ever had.
Allan "White Lightning" Donald
The best bowler out of South Africa by a long way Donald was as successful away from home as he was in South Africa. One of the great bowlers that always flies under the radar he had a beautiful action and incredible pace.
He has 330 test wickets from only 72 test matches and a incredible strike rate of 47. A great bowler to start my team.
Mark your up, hope I didn't take your guy.
Allan "White Lightning" Donald
The best bowler out of South Africa by a long way Donald was as successful away from home as he was in South Africa. One of the great bowlers that always flies under the radar he had a beautiful action and incredible pace.
He has 330 test wickets from only 72 test matches and a incredible strike rate of 47. A great bowler to start my team.
Mark your up, hope I didn't take your guy.
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pcfan123
Guest
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo
Dare
Chairman of Selectors
Sorry man.
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pcfan123
Guest
Dale Steyn
196 wickets at just a shade over 23 (in less than 40 matches) , a phenomenal SR of 39 and he is only 26 years old! Dangerous in all conditions having picked up 5fers in India, Pak, Oz, SA and SL. Probably the best fast bowler in todays era of flat pitches and monster bats. A very efficient and simple action that generates swing and raw pace. What more could a guy ask for
196 wickets at just a shade over 23 (in less than 40 matches) , a phenomenal SR of 39 and he is only 26 years old! Dangerous in all conditions having picked up 5fers in India, Pak, Oz, SA and SL. Probably the best fast bowler in todays era of flat pitches and monster bats. A very efficient and simple action that generates swing and raw pace. What more could a guy ask for
shravi
National Board President
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2005
- Profile Flag
- India
YES!!! Love you guys!!!
Graeme Pollock was classed as the finest left handed batsman in cricket by Sir Donald Bradman himself and is regarded by many as South Africa's greatest cricketer. He was South Africa's Cricketer of the 20th Century and one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1966 and the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 1967 and 1969. His test average is second only to Sir Donald Bradman. Though his career was cut short at 26, Graeme Pollock will still go down as one of the game's finest players. In 23 tests and 43 innings he scored 2256 runs with 7 centuries and 11 fifties at an average of 61.
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Graeme Pollock was classed as the finest left handed batsman in cricket by Sir Donald Bradman himself and is regarded by many as South Africa's greatest cricketer. He was South Africa's Cricketer of the 20th Century and one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1966 and the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 1967 and 1969. His test average is second only to Sir Donald Bradman. Though his career was cut short at 26, Graeme Pollock will still go down as one of the game's finest players. In 23 tests and 43 innings he scored 2256 runs with 7 centuries and 11 fifties at an average of 61.
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King Pietersen
ICC Board Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Location
- Manchester
Great pick. Pollock was my 2nd possible option if Richards had already been picked. Such a class player.
As Shravi rightly pointed out to me on VM, TGS is going to be away until Tuesday, so we're going to have to skip his picks, and he can make picks for the countries he missed when he returns; which means it's Shrav to pick.
As Shravi rightly pointed out to me on VM, TGS is going to be away until Tuesday, so we're going to have to skip his picks, and he can make picks for the countries he missed when he returns; which means it's Shrav to pick.
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Dare
Chairman of Selectors
What country is it now? Or is it still South Africa?
Dare added 1 Minutes and 14 Seconds later...
BTW great pick Shravi. That was my pick for a batsman if I had chosen to go with one.
Dare added 1 Minutes and 14 Seconds later...
BTW great pick Shravi. That was my pick for a batsman if I had chosen to go with one.
shravi
National Board President
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2005
- Profile Flag
- India
I feel sort of guilty about this. Nah, I lie. I don't feel guilty at all . Thanks TGS. I was worried about my Sri Lanka pick. You made it quite easy for me. Anyways, moving on...
Muttiah Muralitharan was rated the greatest test match bowler ever by Wisden in 2002. He is the highest wicket taker in both test and ODI matches (although the latter is irrelevant). In July 2007, Muralitharan achieved a career peak Test Bowling Rating of 920, based on the LG ICC Player Rankings. This is the highest ever rating achieved by a spin bowler in test cricket. Muralitharan has taken 10 or more wickets in a match against all other 9 Test playing nations, also taking over 50 wickets against each of them. He also also taken 7 or more wickets in an innings against 5 nations (England, India, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe). He averages 6.1 wickets per test, the highest ratio of any bowler to have taken 200 wickets or more. Muttiah Muralitharan is arguably (don't want to spark any debate so please note I said arguably) the greatest spinner cricket has ever seen, and if not, is at the very least tied for first place or falls short (second place) by very little. He has taken 792 wickets at an average of 22.71 at a stifling economy rate of 2.47 and a strike rate of 55.1. He ran through teams with ease as shown by the fact that he has 45 four-fors, 66 five-fors and has taken 10 wickets in a match on 22 occasions. Muralitharan's number of five-fors is unsurprisingly a world record.
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Pretty impressed with how fast this draft is moving. Already through 1 round! It's only been 1 day!
. Thanks TGS. I was worried about my Sri Lanka pick. You made it quite easy for me. Anyways, moving on...
Muttiah Muralitharan was rated the greatest test match bowler ever by Wisden in 2002. He is the highest wicket taker in both test and ODI matches (although the latter is irrelevant). In July 2007, Muralitharan achieved a career peak Test Bowling Rating of 920, based on the LG ICC Player Rankings. This is the highest ever rating achieved by a spin bowler in test cricket. Muralitharan has taken 10 or more wickets in a match against all other 9 Test playing nations, also taking over 50 wickets against each of them. He also also taken 7 or more wickets in an innings against 5 nations (England, India, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe). He averages 6.1 wickets per test, the highest ratio of any bowler to have taken 200 wickets or more. Muttiah Muralitharan is arguably (don't want to spark any debate so please note I said arguably) the greatest spinner cricket has ever seen, and if not, is at the very least tied for first place or falls short (second place) by very little. He has taken 792 wickets at an average of 22.71 at a stifling economy rate of 2.47 and a strike rate of 55.1. He ran through teams with ease as shown by the fact that he has 45 four-fors, 66 five-fors and has taken 10 wickets in a match on 22 occasions. Muralitharan's number of five-fors is unsurprisingly a world record.
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Pretty impressed with how fast this draft is moving. Already through 1 round! It's only been 1 day!
King Pietersen
ICC Board Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Location
- Manchester
Feel guilty my arse. Cunningly suggested skipping TGS's turn so that you could steal Murali, we all know what you were thinking Shrav 
Hmarka's up!
Hmarka's up!
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