Peter Burge
Test stats - 2,290 runs @ 38.16 (4 centuries, best 181) in 42 matches
First-class stats - 14,640 runs @ 47.53 (38 centuries, best 283) in 233 matches
Batting VARP (middle order) - 36.30%
Okay, so for the entire draft I'd been planning to pick
Bob Catterall for my number five batsman, owing to his freakishly good record at five and six. Unfortunately, he also managed to take seven wickets at 23 apiece. Still, selecting Peter Burge at five allows me to keep my team balanced, as he was a player well known for being prepared to grind out long innings when necessary, curbing his instincts for beefy stroke-play. All of his best performances came in Ashes Tests, the yardstick by which Australian batsmen are rightly or wrongly judged. After retiring from cricket, he crafted the role of Match Referee through sheer force of personality. Honestly not the best cricketer I could have picked here, but I'm too busy being sad about the statistical marvel that is Bob Catterall
@Aislabie's XI so far:
1.
Keith Stackpole
2.
Alec Stewart
3.
Billy Murdoch
4.
5.
Peter Burge
6.
Brendon McCullum
7.
Colin de Grandhomme
8.
David Allen
9.
Sarfraz Nawaz
10.
Corey Collymore
11.
Dilip Doshi
@Parth D is next
@CerealKiller has a late pick