Wisden 2009

[King Cricket]

Not sure about Dhoni in the Test XI. Other than that, Harbhajan isn't good too. Maybe Swann should be in his place. And somehow fit in Chanderpaul.

I think Dhoni got selected there as a skipper, not as a keeper or batsman. Captaincy- he's the best right now, but keeping or batting in Tests, he needs to improve a lot. Ponting is a wrong pick. KP's inclusion is debatable, otherwise I more or less agree.

 

[Dare]

Why is everyone forgetting Gambhir, de Villiers and Ashwell Prince. Those 3 guys had superb 2008 seasons.

Smith
Sehwag
Gambhir
de Villiers
Chanderpaul
Prince
Dhoni +*
Johnson
Harbhajan
Steyn
Ntini

That would be my test XI for 2008. Dont know who is making the choices for Wisden but they are clearly playing favorites.

 

[shravi]

No spinner, Dare? You gotta have a spinner. It's unfortunate Mendis failed in Bangladesh and Pakistan because Harbhajan sucks. He's only in there because there was no other option.

 

[King Pietersen]

Vettori might not turn it much but that's harsh

 

[Dare]

No spinner, Dare? You gotta have a spinner. It's unfortunate Mendis failed in Bangladesh and Pakistan because Harbhajan sucks. He's only in there because there was no other option.

Vettori might not turn it much but that's harsh

come on Shravi lol.

 

[shravi]

come on Shravi lol.

Just look at his record. I think he averaged 30 in 2008. Hardly impressive.

 

[Dare]

Just look at his record. I think he averaged 30 in 2008. Hardly impressive.

averaged 26, finished 6th amongst the leading wicket takers in 08. Only one with a better record is Murali but he only played 6 tests and 13 of his wickets came against Bangladesh. Vettori played Bangladesh 4 times which I failed to notice at 1st so I will switch him with Harbhajan.

 

[usy]

DARE, your cricketing knowlege makes my soda pop.

 

[Cricketman]

Virender Sehwag
Graeme Smith
Gautam Gambhir
Sachin Tendulkar
Shiv Chanderpaul
AB De Villiers
MS Dhoni (WK&C)
Mitch Johnson
Harbhajan Singh
Zaheer Khan
Dale Steyn

That would be my XI.

 

[Jakester1288]

Amla seems a very forgotten man.

Ponting made the 3rd most runs in Tests in 2008, 1182 @ 47.28 with 4 100's and 5 50's. Everyone seems to remember him by his recent performances in 2009. He performed well in 2008 and deserves his position in the side. Bowling attack is poor, Harbhajan and Kahn wouldn't be there if I was selecting the side. Also, Gambhir would be very close to the side, as with Amla and Clarke.

Most runs between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2008:




Full list here.

 

[Dare]

he had a good year but there were guys who had better ones. His form in 08 wasn't near what we expect of ponting.

 

[usy]

Holly shyze, Pakistan need to play some tweaking cricket, desprate mofos. Not even one guy

 

[Skater]

Holly shyze, Pakistan need to play some fliping cricket, desprate mofos. Not even one guy

Pakistan didnt play a single test in 2008 so thats why theres none of their players on the list.

 

[aussie_ben91]

I think the XI is generally based on the best XI in world cricket at the moment, rather then performance, hence why Andrew Strauss & Hashim Amla don't featured.

Although, I'd have Gambhir over Sehwag.

 

[usy]

AB de Villiers is such an amazing player, I hope he becomes the best player of the next decade, I'd be really happy.

Don't know why he's not on the list.

Sehwag wont work opening with Smith, and he's a old fearsome tweak tbh too.