Your Best 11...

[Lightning McQueen]

BROD'S BEST----NEW ZEALAND 1978-current

Turner
Richardson
Jones
M Crowe
Fleming (only just ahead of Taylor)
C Cairns
McCullum
Vettori
Hadlee
Morrison
Martin

Cant put Bond in..hes played only 18 Test matches

I reckon it should be

J Wright
B Edgar
M Crowe
S Flemming
G Howarth
J Coney
C Cairns
D Vettori
R Hadlee
I Smith
D Morrison
12th E Chatfield

regards,

REB

Tend to agree with you Rebster.

[Lightning McQueen]

South Africa

1. Graeme Smith
2. Herschelle Gibbs
3. Jacques Kallis
4. Hashim Amla
5. AB DeVilliers
6. Ashwell Prince
7. Mark Boucher
8. Shaun Pollock
9. Dale Steyn
10. Makhaya Ntini
11. Allan Donald

Prince makes it because I can't recall seeing another batsman to really stand out in my era, JP Duminy perhaps unlucky. This also shows they've missed a handy spinner in the last decade.

Hansie Cronje (although a cheat in the end) a long way ahead of Prince and Amla and Gary Kersten should be in ahead of H Gibbs IMO.

regards,

REB

edit - sorry Parky forgot you are just a pup.

I rate Amla above Cronje even though my son seen him on the WSC replay the other day and thought it was me I have been likened to him before and Pete Sampras.

Hey MP, how long have you been watching test cricket for?

[Media Park]

Around 2000-01, so it's not exactly ground breaking players...

[Bulls forever]

Since 1975

1. M Hayden: Selects himself - Haydos just imposes himself in the minds of opening bowlers who were trying to do the reverse.
2. J Langer: At one stage I believe he was the best bat in the world. Well ahead of Tubby and Boonie for the openers gig.
3. R Ponting: Probably still the second best bat we've ever had but if he's still getting selected then he'll be back behind Greg.
4. G Chappell: Simply brilliant during an age of West Indian giants and good English teams as well.
5. A Border: More guts than I have ever seen in any Cricketer. Australian Cricket owes him so much. Stood up to the Windies in 1984. Enough said!
6. S Waugh: Waugh learnt from the master and I admire the way he always sought (and attained) improvement. A giant in Australian Cricket.
7. A Gilchrist: A batting freak who could demolish the attack and was handy with the gloves too. Australia's best ever allrounder.
8. S Warne (c): Simply the best spinner I have ever seen.
9. D Lillee: The best fast bowler I have ever seen. Nothing can compare to the mighty DK with the roar of a packed MCG behind him.
10. J Thomson: With Lillee, Warnie and McGrath in the line up you could just turn Thommo loose on the poor batsmen. Anyone who can bowl at 166 is a potent weapon.
11. G McGrath: Competitive, Consistent and Brilliant. We knew we had a gun in Glen and we are now lost without him and Warnie.
12th M Waugh: Poetry in motion is M Waugh. Not the guy I'd pick to bat for my life but certainly a guy I'd pay to watch bat..and did!

These players are selected at their peak, not Chappel during that run of outs or Thomson after his shoulder injury or the Punter we have now. There is brilliance and grit in equal measure. I made Warne captain as I believe he is one of the premier minds in Cricket and the best captain we never had. I think he would have been a brilliant captain. Players unlucky to miss out are M Waugh, I Chappell, J Gillespie and R Marsh.

If you reckon that's hard try doing a World XI..here's mine

1. G Greenidge
2. D Haynes
3. V Richards
4. S Tendulkar
5. B Lara
6. I Botham
7. R Hadlee
8. A Knott
9. W Akram
10. M Marshall
11. C Ambrose
12th I Khan

Cripes there's some absolute guns missing out in J Garner, M Holding, A Roberts, C Lloyd, A Donald, D Gower, R Dravid, K Dev, S Jayasuria, A De Silva, M Crowe and many more. I wonder who would make the safooty World XI of all time if we voted on it. I reckon some of the older guys I have in there would miss out due to the average age of our posters...which would be younger than me.

regards,

REB

REB, your Aussie line up is difficult to argue with, I would have gone with Tubby for Lang, really the rest of the batting (IMO) picks itself. Same for the bowling DK, SKW & Pidge pick themselves, Thommo at his peak - all day every day, perhaps longevity of career I would plumb for Dizzy, he would have got around 400 if not for back and broken leg.

Now the World 11 - you have had a brain fade. No spinners, where is the chucker, has almost has to be the first picked. Kallis - arguably the greatest allrounder since Sir Gary, openers well if Sonny is not a walk up start, I'm an Indian taxi driver. I understand why you have put Knott in there, but well past his best 75 onwards which is where you drew the line. Any chance there might be an Aussie or two in the World 11. Gilchrist - as the package, all day every day, Warne, Ponting. Not sure you need 5 allrounders, don't sit on the fence, pick one and go with him.

[brod]

BROD'S BEST----NEW ZEALAND 1978-current

Turner
Richardson
Jones
M Crowe
Fleming (only just ahead of Taylor)
C Cairns
McCullum
Vettori
Hadlee
Morrison
Martin

Cant put Bond in..hes played only 18 Test matches

John Wright, Martin Snedden, Geoff Howarth, Ken Rutherford? They all spring to mind immediately, they did play during the toughest era.

John Wright was close as an opener, but Richardson has the 2nd best batting average in NZ history, and Glen Turner scored 100 FC 100s and nearly 35000 runs at close to 50.
Martin Snedden wasnt even close..59 wickets at 38
Geoff Howath had a test ave of 32 and a FC average of only 31
Ken Rutherford wasnt even close...99 innings 3 hundreds 27 average

[brod]

BROD'S BEST----NEW ZEALAND 1978-current

Turner (2991 Test runs @ 44.64, 34343 FC runs @ 49.7 107 centuries)
Richardson (2776 Test runs @ 44.77
Jones (2922 Test runs @ 44.27)
M Crowe
Fleming
C Cairns
McCullum (3414 Test runs @ 36.70, 172 dismissals)
Vettori
Hadlee
Morrison
Martin (202 Test wickets @ 34.94, 61.8 sr)

Cant put Bond in..hes played only 18 Test matches

I reckon it should be

J Wright (5334 Test runs @ 37.82)
B Edgar (1958 Test runs @ 30.59)
M Crowe
S Flemming
G Howarth (2531 Test runs @ 32.44)
J Coney (2668 Test runs @ 37.57, 27 Test wickets @ 35.77, 105 sr)
C Cairns
D Vettori
R Hadlee
I Smith (1815 Test runs @ 25.56, 176 dismissals)
D Morrison
12th E Chatfield

regards,

REB

Tend to agree with you Rebster.

[wristwatcher]

EWEN CHATFIELD

[westozfalcon]

New Zealand - 1980 onwards:

J. Wright
B McCullum (wk)
J Reid
M Crowe
A Jones
J Coney (Capt)
C Cairns
D Vettori
R Hadlee
S Bond
D Morrison

12th: M Greatbatch

[GWW]

Wright and Edgar pick themselves.

What was Jeremy Coney's record like? I'd probably see him as NZ's Mike Brealey although thats probably unfair.

Blair Pocock a little unlucky to miss out.

[whufc]

My best in the 2000-present

1. M.Hayden
2. J.Langer
3. R.Ponting
4. B.Lara
5. S.Tendulkar
6. J.Kallis
7. A.Gildchrist
8. S.Pollock
9. S.Warne
10. C.Vaas
11. G.McGrath

12. D.Vettori

[Lightning McQueen]

My best in the 2000-present

1. M.Hayden
2. J.Langer
3. R.Ponting
4. B.Lara
5. S.Tendulkar
6. J.Kallis
7. A.Gildchrist
8. S.Pollock
9. S.Warne
10. C.Vaas
11. G.McGrath

12. D.Vettori

6 out of 11 mate.

[whufc]

My best in the 2000-present

1. M.Hayden
2. J.Langer
3. R.Ponting
4. B.Lara
5. S.Tendulkar
6. J.Kallis
7. A.Gildchrist
8. S.Pollock
9. S.Warne
10. C.Vaas
11. G.McGrath

Who would be the 5 you wouldnt have for my mind these blokes are undebatable

-Hayden
-Langer
-Ponting
-Lara
-Tendulkar
-Kallis
-Gilchrist
-Warne
-McGrath

12. D.Vettori

6 out of 11 mate.

[Lightning McQueen]

I meant 6 aussies, there is no right or wrong teams, Murali took a billion wickets though and should be considered, a couple of other Lankans should come into consideration aswell, maybe at the expense of Langer, I wouldn't have Pollock in there either, just my opinion.
Others to think about.

VVS Laxman
Jayawardene
Sehwag
Dravid
Sangakarra
Flintoff

I can't really think of any bowlers that stood out in this time, Steyn perhaps.

[whufc]

I meant 6 aussies, there is no right or wrong teams, Murali took a billion wickets though and should be considered, a couple of other Lankans should come into consideration aswell, maybe at the expense of Langer, I wouldn't have Pollock in there either, just my opinion.
Others to think about.

VVS Laxman
Jayawardene
Sehwag
Dravid
Sangakarra
Flintoff

I can't really think of any bowlers that stood out in this time, Steyn perhaps.

Sorry i thought you meant i only 6 players you considered right.

I dont include Murali in any considerations due to clearly throwing the ball (another debate i know)

Yeah 6 Aussies is alot BUT the Aussies absolutley smashed that period of time and out of the 6 the majority would make the ALL TIME Australian 11 imho.

Sehwag is brilliant but to me the openers is more a partnership rather than two individuals. Flintoff was very erratic his best was magnificent his worse was awful imho probably didnt peak for along enough period when comparing the others.

Sangakarra is a gun but his no Gilchrist and wouldnt make it ahead of Ponting, Lara, Tendulkar, Kallis just on his batting.

[Lightning McQueen]

Sorry i thought you meant i only 6 players you considered right.

I dont include Murali in any considerations due to clearly throwing the ball (another debate i know)

Yeah 6 Aussies is alot BUT the Aussies absolutley smashed that period of time and out of the 6 the majority would make the ALL TIME Australian 11 imho.

Sehwag is brilliant but to me the openers is more a partnership rather than two individuals. Flintoff was very erratic his best was magnificent his worse was awful imho probably didnt peak for along enough period when comparing the others.

Sangakarra is a gun but his no Gilchrist and wouldnt make it ahead of Ponting, Lara, Tendulkar, Kallis just on his batting.

Good points, if Flintoff was playing now he'd be a lot better player without the weight of expectation on his shoulders continuously.
I loved the terrier inside of him, reminds me of a mad soccer hooligan who loves his club.

[Pup]

Sorry i thought you meant i only 6 players you considered right.

I dont include Murali in any considerations due to clearly throwing the ball (another debate i know)

Yeah 6 Aussies is alot BUT the Aussies absolutley smashed that period of time and out of the 6 the majority would make the ALL TIME Australian 11 imho.

Sehwag is brilliant but to me the openers is more a partnership rather than two individuals. Flintoff was very erratic his best was magnificent his worse was awful imho probably didnt peak for along enough period when comparing the others.

Sangakarra is a gun but his no Gilchrist and wouldnt make it ahead of Ponting, Lara, Tendulkar, Kallis just on his batting.

In what regard? Keeping ability or batting or both?

Sangakkara is a wonderful player and on batting ability i would nearly say he passes Gilchrist. Averages 56.93 after 103 matches and has scored 27 centuries and he is a really really good gloveman as well. Yes i know he plays on the sub continent a lot but he is one who has proven he could do it anywhere. Averages 50+ plus against every nation exept Australia and England and still averages over 43 against us.

Wonderful player and highly underrated.

[whufc]

Sorry i thought you meant i only 6 players you considered right.

I dont include Murali in any considerations due to clearly throwing the ball (another debate i know)

Yeah 6 Aussies is alot BUT the Aussies absolutley smashed that period of time and out of the 6 the majority would make the ALL TIME Australian 11 imho.

Sehwag is brilliant but to me the openers is more a partnership rather than two individuals. Flintoff was very erratic his best was magnificent his worse was awful imho probably didnt peak for along enough period when comparing the others.

Sangakarra is a gun but his no Gilchrist and wouldnt make it ahead of Ponting, Lara, Tendulkar, Kallis just on his batting.

Good points, if Flintoff was playing now he'd be a lot better player without the weight of expectation on his shoulders continuously.
I loved the terrier inside of him, reminds me of a mad soccer hooligan who loves his club.

So true about Flintoff, no matter what club/country he played for he would always be their fan favourite. Credit to him also that he was at his best when playing against the best.

[Rik E Boy]

The older Kiwis had to play the West Indians at their peak and did better against them than most. The newer players have inflated averages. I'd rather Botham instead of Kallis anyday of the week. Kallis has a fine record that is true but I am probably leaning towards players who have given the Aussies more trouble and Botham won one series against us singlehandly and was a key factor in another Ashes contest.

As for putting in the chucker you reckon that's cricket but I don't. Richards is the spinner in my world XI.

regards,

REB

[Bulls forever]

The older Kiwis had to play the West Indians at their peak and did better against them than most. The newer players have inflated averages. I'd rather Botham instead of Kallis anyday of the week. Kallis has a fine record that is true but I am probably leaning towards players who have given the Aussies more trouble and Botham won one series against us singlehandly and was a key factor in another Ashes contest.

As for putting in the chucker you reckon that's cricket but I don't. Richards is the spinner in my world XI.

regards,

REB

REB, believe me when I say I am not a Murali fan, but unfortunately the rule changed to accomodate him and let him play. Having said that, they also changed the no ball rule and took the ability away from an umpire to call during play. Really, it was only Emerson and big bad Daryl who had the cohunas big enough to stand up - they both suffered as a result, but IMO will forever be remembered for having the balls to do what they did.

You didn't answer my question about the Aussies in World 11, from what you picked I would suggest it is anyone but.

[Rik E Boy]

The older Kiwis had to play the West Indians at their peak and did better against them than most. The newer players have inflated averages. I'd rather Botham instead of Kallis anyday of the week. Kallis has a fine record that is true but I am probably leaning towards players who have given the Aussies more trouble and Botham won one series against us singlehandly and was a key factor in another Ashes contest.

As for putting in the chucker you reckon that's cricket but I don't. Richards is the spinner in my world XI.

regards,

REB

REB, believe me when I say I am not a Murali fan, but unfortunately the rule changed to accomodate him and let him play. Having said that, they also changed the no ball rule and took the ability away from an umpire to call during play. Really, it was only Emerson and big bad Daryl who had the cohunas big enough to stand up - they both suffered as a result, but IMO will forever be remembered for having the balls to do what they did.

You didn't answer my question about the Aussies in World 11, from what you picked I would suggest it is anyone but.

If you read the whole thread then your question is answered. I named an Aussie XI and a World XI who might 'play' against them. Therefore no Aussies in the World XI. My World XI is also a team, not merely the eleven best averages. I selected an opening pair but I don't believe that Greenidge and Haynes suffer too much in comparision to Sunny. This is why I didn't select a spinner. Why would you need a tweaker in there with that fast bowling line up? Viv can roll the arm over when he's not out there peeling off blistering hundreds!

regards,

REB