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[Blwe_torch]

Sachin, Sehwag nominated for ICC's all-time greatest Test team
PTI | Jul 11, 2011, 07.51pm IST

DUBAI: Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and opener Virender Sehwag are among the list of players nominated for an online poll to select the greatest team of all-time on the occasion of Test cricket's 2,000th match.

The historic match will take place between India and England at Lord's from July 21 to 25, and the ICC has called on supporters from across the globe to select the greatest team of all-time.

While Sehwag has found a place in the list of openers, which also has the likes of former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar, Tendulkar has been short-listed for the middle-order batsman's slot.

However, no Indian player has found a place in the shortlist for the slot of wicketkeepers and fast bowlers, while the 1983 World Cup winning Indian team captain Kapil Dev is in the reckoning as an all-rounder.

Legendary Bishan Singh Bedi and Anil Kumble have been shortlisted for the spinner's role in the dream team.

Sir Donald Bradman and West Indian great Viv Richards are in the fray for the middle-order's slot, while attacking wicketkeeper batsman Adam Gilchrist is pitted against South Africa's Mark Boucher for the stumper's position.

Legendary West Indian pacers Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding and Pakistani great Wasim Akram have been shortlisted in the bowler's category along side champion spinner Shane Warne.

The ICC's website is seeking votes from the fans and cricket lovers across the world to pick the dream Test team from a shortlist of 60 players split into five categories.

The fans will be asked to pick two opening batsmen, three middle-order batsmen, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and one spinner.

The public vote on ICC's website closes in two days' time with results set to be announced the week before the 2,000th Test.

"With the 2,000th Test coming up it is appropriate to remember some of the great players through the ages that have thrilled audiences and inspired us all," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement.

"With so many legends of the game to choose from, it is a very difficult task and I'm sure one that will lead to plenty of fond recollection and great debate.

"Test cricket is the pinnacle format of our great sport and it is important we continue to protect and promote it so that it grows even stronger over the next 2,000 matches."

The shortlist for Dream Team:

Opening batsmen: Geoffrey Boycott, Sunil Gavaskar, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Jack Hobbs, Len Hutton, Hanif Mohammad, Virender Sehwag, Herbert Sutcliffe, Victor Trumper.

Middle-order batsmen: Don Bradman, Greg Chappell, Wally Hammond, George Headley, Brian Lara, Javed Miandad, Graeme Pollock, Ricky Ponting, Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar.

All-rounder: Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Aubrey Faulkner, Richard Hadlee, Jacques Kallis, Imran Khan, Keith Miller, Wilfred Rhodes, Gary Sobers, Frank Worrell.

Wicketkeepers: Les Ames, Mark Boucher, Jeff Dujon, Godfrey Evans, Andy Flower, Adam Gilchrist, Alan Knott, Rod Marsh, Clyde Walcott, Wasim Bari.

Fast bowlers: Curtley Ambrose, Sydney Barnes, Michael Holding, Dennis Lillee, Ray Lindwall, Malcolm Marshall, Glenn McGrath, Fred Trueman, Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram.

Spinners: Bishen Bedi, Richie Benaud, Lance Gibbs, Clarrie Grimmett, Jim Laker, Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan, Bill O'Reilly, Derek Underwood, Shane Warne.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-in-england/top-stories/Sachin-Sehwag-nominated-for-ICCs-all-time-greatest-Test-team/articleshow/9187600.cms

[Blwe_torch]

Another of those 'Greatest' teams from ICC!

Poor Dravid and VVS............they don't even get a shy at the nominations
Atleast SG was part of the nominated ones for the ODIs...

[akincisor]

Another of those 'Greatest' teams from ICC!

Poor Dravid and VVS............they don't even get a shy at the nominations
Atleast SG was part of the nominated ones for the ODIs...

I don't think Dravid or VVS could replace anyone from that shortlist. Sad, but true. They may seem like gods in our time, but there have been good players in the past.

My Team (15):
Openers: Sehwag, Hutton, Greenidge
Middle order: Bradman, Tendulkar, Richards
All arounders: Sobers, Kallis
Keepers: Gilchrist, Walcott
Pace: Holding, Trueman, Akram
Spin: Murali, Warne

Actual 11 will depend on conditions, pitch, opposition etc.

[ramshorns]

Another of those 'Greatest' teams from ICC!

Poor Dravid and VVS............they don't even get a shy at the nominations
Atleast SG was part of the nominated ones for the ODIs...

Hey no one mistakes a Ganguly fanboy for knowing much about cricket for they would never be thinking of Ganguly so highly as a batsman if they really knew about the game in the first place.  But atleast one would expect them to be a little bit more greatfull given the two of the biggest wins that occurred under Ganguly - Kolkata 2001 and Adelaide 2003 can directly be attributed to VVS and RD's contributions without which Indian cricket history as it exists today would have been a lot poorer.  But then again this is the miserable Ganguly fanboys we are talking about which is atypical of them putting down the very people that made Ganguly look good as a skipper in the first place.  Oh well.

[Blwe_torch]

Another of those 'Greatest' teams from ICC!

Poor Dravid and VVS............they don't even get a shy at the nominations
Atleast SG was part of the nominated ones for the ODIs...

Hey no one mistakes a Ganguly fanboy for knowing much about cricket for they would never be thinking of Ganguly so highly as a batsman if they really knew about the game in the first place.  But atleast one would expect them to be a little bit more greatfull given the two of the biggest wins that occurred under Ganguly - Kolkata 2001 and Adelaide 2003 can directly be attributed to VVS and RD's contributions without which Indian cricket history as it exists today would have been a lot poorer.  But then again this is the miserable Ganguly fanboys we are talking about which is atypical of them putting down the very people that made Ganguly look good as a skipper in the first place.  Oh well.

plz don't take the trouble of writing so much..........you can use the copy-paste feature......tools just tailor-made for u!

[dextrous]

geez, let me guess, with young indians voting who all will make the team

[LosingNow]

The fans will be asked to pick two opening batsmen, three middle-order batsmen, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and one spinner.

Ha ha.. the sentence shows the decline of TOI.. who is proof-reading the articles these days.

That is only 10 players and they missed on the all rounder to complete the 11
--
My XI :
Openers : Gavaskar, Greenidge
Middle order :  Sachin, Bradman, Lara
Allrounder : Sobers
WK : Marsh
Fast bowlers (not in order): McGrath, Akram and Holding (just ekes out Marshall by a whisker)
Spinner : Murali - if you think he doesnt chuck, otherwise Bedi
--
Incredibly, no Englishman made my list and I tried hard .. the closest would be Boycott (I think Greenidge and Haynes were better), Knott (it really is a toss up between him and Marsh) and Botham (tough when you have Sobers - he is miles ahead of everyone in this category)

[dextrous]

The shortlist for Dream Team:

Opening batsmen: Sunil Gavaskar, Len Hutton

Middle-order batsmen: Don Bradman, Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar.

All-rounder: Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Gary Sobers

Wicketkeepers: Andy Flower

Fast bowlers: Malcolm Marshall

Spinners: Shane Warne

Hutton
Gavaskar
Bradman*
Sachin
Viv Richards
Andy Flower+
Gary Sobers
Imran Khan
Kapil Dev
Warne
Malcolm Marshall

[cricinfo]

Another of those 'Greatest' teams from ICC!

Poor Dravid and VVS............they don't even get a shy at the nominations
Atleast SG was part of the nominated ones for the ODIs...

Hey no one mistakes a Ganguly fanboy for knowing much about cricket for they would never be thinking of Ganguly so highly as a batsman if they really knew about the game in the first place.  But atleast one would expect them to be a little bit more greatfull given the two of the biggest wins that occurred under Ganguly - Kolkata 2001 and Adelaide 2003 can directly be attributed to VVS and RD's contributions without which Indian cricket history as it exists today would have been a lot poorer.  But then again this is the miserable Ganguly fanboys we are talking about which is atypical of them putting down the very people that made Ganguly look good as a skipper in the first place.  Oh well.

plz don't take the trouble of writing so much..........you can use the copy-paste feature......tools just tailor-made for u!

make sure you provide a link to the "copy-paste for dummies" as well

[LosingNow]

BTW, I dont see a poll on this link.

http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/events_and_awards/greatest_test_team/index.php

Do i have to enable something on my browser to see it?

[LosingNow]

The shortlist for Dream Team:

Opening batsmen: Sunil Gavaskar, Len Hutton

Middle-order batsmen: Don Bradman, Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar.

All-rounder: Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Gary Sobers

Wicketkeepers: Andy Flower

Fast bowlers: Malcolm Marshall

Spinners: Shane Warne

Hutton
Gavaskar
Bradman*
Sachin
Viv Richards
Andy Flower+
Gary Sobers
Imran Khan
Kapil Dev
Warne
Malcolm Marshall

Nah.. the ICC wants you to pick the team in a certain manner

[vijay]

Dravid, VVS should beat out Miandad, Pollock

[Blwe_torch]

Dravid, VVS should beat out Miandad, Pollock

yeah...atleast in this DG..

[vijay]

Pollock at any rate, should not even figure in that list. The guy has played only 23 tests almost all vs Aus and Eng. Compared to that Dravid has a longer more varied career, scoring 100s in all test playing nations etc. Heck the sum of those 100s probably exceed Pollock's career total. Zero comparison. Dravid wins hands down.

Miandad has a greater claim for greatness. He is known for being a fighter who can steer Pakistan from difficult situations. But has Miandad done anything that comes close to the 281- the greatest innings in test history? I don't think so. I would argue that VVS has done more on crappy wickets and difficult situations than Miandad (who among other things was a major beneficiary of Pak wkts and umpiring). Besides, qualitatively I would take an upfront skilled guy over Dawood's relative any day. 

So- either way no contest. BTW you could do a reverse comparison i.e. VVS vs Pollock or Dravid vs Miandad and still comfortably come away with the same result. VVS, Dravid any day over Miandad, Pollock.

[Blwe_torch]

I am not very sure of Geoffrey Boycott too being on that list.

[dave_dj]

The fans will be asked to pick two opening batsmen, three middle-order batsmen, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and one spinner.

Ha ha.. the sentence shows the decline of TOI.. who is proof-reading the articles these days.

That is only 10 players and they missed on the all rounder to complete the 11
--
My XI :
Openers : Gavaskar, Greenidge
Middle order :  Sachin, Bradman, Lara
Allrounder : Sobers
WK : Marsh
Fast bowlers (not in order): McGrath, Akram and Holding (just ekes out Marshall by a whisker)
Spinner : Murali - if you think he doesnt chuck, otherwise Bedi
--
Incredibly, no Englishman made my list and I tried hard .. the closest would be Boycott (I think Greenidge and Haynes were better), Knott (it really is a toss up between him and Marsh) and Botham (tough when you have Sobers - he is miles ahead of everyone in this category)

I like your team mostly.  Not sure between Lara or possibly Viv, and Murali/Warnie.  Why did you have Bedi over Warne?  Would love to know your thoughts on this.

[ramshorns]

Pollock at any rate, should not even figure in that list. The guy has played only 23 tests almost all vs Aus and Eng. Compared to that Dravid has a longer more varied career, scoring 100s in all test playing nations etc. Heck the sum of those 100s probably exceed Pollock's career total. Zero comparison. Dravid wins hands down.

Miandad has a greater claim for greatness. He is known for being a fighter who can steer Pakistan from difficult situations. But has Miandad done anything that comes close to the 281- the greatest innings in test history? I don't think so. I would argue that VVS has done more on crappy wickets and difficult situations than Miandad (who among other things was a major beneficiary of Pak wkts and umpiring). Besides, qualitatively I would take an upfront skilled guy over Dawood's relative any day. 

So- either way no contest. BTW you could do a reverse comparison i.e. VVS vs Pollock or Dravid vs Miandad and still comfortably come away with the same result. VVS, Dravid any day over Miandad, Pollock.

Miandad a quota candidate that ICC has to satisfy?  No Allan Border either in the list of nominees.

[k-slice]

Pollock at any rate, should not even figure in that list. The guy has played only 23 tests almost all vs Aus and Eng. Compared to that Dravid has a longer more varied career, scoring 100s in all test playing nations etc. Heck the sum of those 100s probably exceed Pollock's career total. Zero comparison. Dravid wins hands down.

Miandad has a greater claim for greatness. He is known for being a fighter who can steer Pakistan from difficult situations. But has Miandad done anything that comes close to the 281- the greatest innings in test history? I don't think so. I would argue that VVS has done more on crappy wickets and difficult situations than Miandad (who among other things was a major beneficiary of Pak wkts and umpiring). Besides, qualitatively I would take an upfront skilled guy over Dawood's relative any day. 

So- either way no contest. BTW you could do a reverse comparison i.e. VVS vs Pollock or Dravid vs Miandad and still comfortably come away with the same result. VVS, Dravid any day over Miandad, Pollock.

Miandad a quota candidate that ICC has to satisfy?  No Allan Border either in the list of nominees.

Dude jave miandad was one of the best middle order batsmen from pakistan. If you think he doesnt deserve to be here i believe it Would be thanks to your bias against pakistanis more than anything else.

[ruchir]

The fans will be asked to pick two opening batsmen, three middle-order batsmen, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and one spinner.

Ha ha.. the sentence shows the decline of TOI.. who is proof-reading the articles these days.

That is only 10 players and they missed on the all rounder to complete the 11

TOI made an error. They forgot to mention that you would have to pick an 11th player, who would be the non-performing captain (I said non-performing, not non-playing). That would be SG in my list.

[ramshorns]

Pollock at any rate, should not even figure in that list. The guy has played only 23 tests almost all vs Aus and Eng. Compared to that Dravid has a longer more varied career, scoring 100s in all test playing nations etc. Heck the sum of those 100s probably exceed Pollock's career total. Zero comparison. Dravid wins hands down.

Miandad has a greater claim for greatness. He is known for being a fighter who can steer Pakistan from difficult situations. But has Miandad done anything that comes close to the 281- the greatest innings in test history? I don't think so. I would argue that VVS has done more on crappy wickets and difficult situations than Miandad (who among other things was a major beneficiary of Pak wkts and umpiring). Besides, qualitatively I would take an upfront skilled guy over Dawood's relative any day. 

So- either way no contest. BTW you could do a reverse comparison i.e. VVS vs Pollock or Dravid vs Miandad and still comfortably come away with the same result. VVS, Dravid any day over Miandad, Pollock.

Miandad a quota candidate that ICC has to satisfy?  No Allan Border either in the list of nominees.

Dude jave miandad was one of the best middle order batsmen from pakistan. If you think he doesnt deserve to be here i believe it Would be thanks to your bias against pakistanis more than anything else.

I like Javed a lot if you know the history of my posts over the years on this DG and he is akin to what Shiv Chaderpaul is today though Chanders over the last couple of years with those painstaking knocks has surged ahead of Javed IMO as well.  It was more a tongue in the cheek remark on my part when I suggested it could be a case of a quota candidate.  However as Vijay observed having followed the careers of RD, Javed, VVS and Border like a glove on the hand based on their entire careers and the quality of the knocks I would have the other three ahead of Javed as well which necessarily is not a slight but how blessed the game is to witness so many champion middle order batsman.

[k-slice]

Pollock at any rate, should not even figure in that list. The guy has played only 23 tests almost all vs Aus and Eng. Compared to that Dravid has a longer more varied career, scoring 100s in all test playing nations etc. Heck the sum of those 100s probably exceed Pollock's career total. Zero comparison. Dravid wins hands down.

Miandad has a greater claim for greatness. He is known for being a fighter who can steer Pakistan from difficult situations. But has Miandad done anything that comes close to the 281- the greatest innings in test history? I don't think so. I would argue that VVS has done more on crappy wickets and difficult situations than Miandad (who among other things was a major beneficiary of Pak wkts and umpiring). Besides, qualitatively I would take an upfront skilled guy over Dawood's relative any day. 

So- either way no contest. BTW you could do a reverse comparison i.e. VVS vs Pollock or Dravid vs Miandad and still comfortably come away with the same result. VVS, Dravid any day over Miandad, Pollock.

Miandad a quota candidate that ICC has to satisfy?  No Allan Border either in the list of nominees.

Dude jave miandad was one of the best middle order batsmen from pakistan. If you think he doesnt deserve to be here i believe it Would be thanks to your bias against pakistanis more than anything else.

I like Javed a lot if you know the history of my posts over the years on this DG and he is akin to what Shiv Chaderpaul is today though Chanders over the last couple of years with those painstaking knocks has surged ahead of Javed IMO as well.  It was more a tongue in the cheek remark on my part when I suggested it could be a case of a quota candidate.  However as Vijay observed having followed the careers of RD, Javed, VVS and Border like a glove on the hand based on their entire careers and the quality of the knocks I would have the other three ahead of Javed as well which necessarily is not a slight but how blessed the game is to witness so many champion middle order batsman.

Fair enough

[RicePlateReddy]

Some relevant threads on our DG which make for very good reading. Note that some of these date to before Sehwag's supreme phase.

I'm amused how I casually extrapolated for both Ponting and Dravid. Some smart folks called that out, aptly!

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,23497.0.html

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,2414.0.html

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,8624.0.html

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,8712.0.html

[pieterSAN]

Openers: Gavaskar, Greenidge
Middle Order: Bradman, Tendulkar, Richards
All-rounder: Sobers
Keeper: Knott
Fast Bowlers: Marshall, Akram and McGrath (I would have preferred Hadlee)
Spinner: Warne

[ganavk]

Some relevant threads on our DG which make for very good reading. Note that some of these date to before Sehwag's supreme phase.

I'm amused how I casually extrapolated for both Ponting and Dravid. Some smart folks called that out, aptly!

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,23497.0.html

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,2414.0.html

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,8624.0.html

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,8712.0.html

well..at this point Dravid has played more crucial innings for India compared to Ponting for Australia especially often batting after a weak openers

[RicePlateReddy]

well..at this point Dravid has played more crucial innings for India compared to Ponting for Australia especially often batting after a weak openers

But neither belong in all time XI ahead of Richards, Lara, Tendulkar and Bradman, no?

[ramshorns]

well..at this point Dravid has played more crucial innings for India compared to Ponting for Australia especially often batting after a weak openers

But neither belong in all time XI ahead of Richards, Lara, Tendulkar and Bradman, no?

I would not pick RD or RP over any four of these unique batsman though head to head over a period of time starting 2002-2006 and there after I know there were folks that perhaps wanted RD over SRT only to have that roles reversed and after the last 3 years(when SRT was stupendous) and reflecting on the entire careers SRT clearly surged ahead of everyone perhaps with the exception of Bradman.  Personally I would slot Bradman and SRT as automatic choices to pick one between Lara/Richards/Pollock (with due respect to Hammond and Headley).

[RicePlateReddy]

well..at this point Dravid has played more crucial innings for India compared to Ponting for Australia especially often batting after a weak openers

But neither belong in all time XI ahead of Richards, Lara, Tendulkar and Bradman, no?

I would not pick RD or RP over any four of these unique batsman though head to head over a period of time starting 2002-2006 and there after I know there were folks that perhaps wanted RD over SRT only to have that roles reversed and after the last 3 years(when SRT was stupendous) and reflecting on the entire careers SRT clearly surged ahead of everyone perhaps with the exception of Bradman.  Personally I would slot Bradman and SRT as automatic choices to pick one between Lara/Richards/Pollock (with due respect to Hammond and Headley).

We are mostly on the same page. The rich vein of form that RP and RD showed between '03 and '06 was not to last.

The problem we all face with Hammond and Headley and others of that age is that we are predominantly left with only reporters' accounts to read and there is no reason to believe that they were any more insightful, or less flawed and biased than current reporters. That is why I feel that making an argument that Hutton or Hobbs is better than a Gavaskar (or vice versa) is a major challenge for any of us.

(I remember CLR mentioning in one of those threads that he put Pollock there as the weight of his peer adulations was too great to ignore).

Personally, even discounting for the higher 'awe factor' I had as a kid compared to an adult, I put Richards higher than Lara. Though I can fully accept someone arguing the reverse. It is like comparing musical genius - Is a Bhimsen Joshi greater than a Balamuralikrishna or vice versa?

[Cover Point]

well..at this point Dravid has played more crucial innings for India compared to Ponting for Australia especially often batting after a weak openers

But neither belong in all time XI ahead of Richards, Lara, Tendulkar and Bradman, no?

I would not pick RD or RP over any four of these unique batsman though head to head over a period of time starting 2002-2006 and there after I know there were folks that perhaps wanted RD over SRT only to have that roles reversed and after the last 3 years(when SRT was stupendous) and reflecting on the entire careers SRT clearly surged ahead of everyone perhaps with the exception of Bradman.  Personally I would slot Bradman and SRT as automatic choices to pick one between Lara/Richards/Pollock (with due respect to Hammond and Headley).

We are mostly on the same page. The rich vein of form that RP and RD showed between '03 and '06 was not to last.

The problem we all face with Hammond and Headley and others of that age is that we are predominantly left with only reporters' accounts to read and there is no reason to believe that they were any more insightful, or less flawed and biased than current reporters. That is why I feel that making an argument that Hutton or Hobbs is better than a Gavaskar (or vice versa) is a major challenge for any of us.

(I remember CLR mentioning in one of those threads that he put Pollock there as the weight of his peer adulations was too great to ignore).

Personally, even discounting for the higher 'awe factor' I had as a kid compared to an adult, I put Richards higher than Lara. Though I can fully accept someone arguing the reverse. It is like comparing musical genius - Is a Bhimsen Joshi greater than a Balamuralikrishna or vice versa?

how dare you!

How can you even compare Bhimsen Joshi and Balamuralikrishna!!! This is not even funny! This is like comparing Ganguly with Dravid!!!! Its like counting Blwe as a knowledgeable fan!!!! Its like arguing Fever is a genuine Capitalist!!!

Take that back right now!!!

[RicePlateReddy]

How can you even compare Bhimsen Joshi and Balamuralikrishna!!! This is not even funny! This is like comparing Ganguly with Dravid!!!! Its like counting Blwe as a knowledgeable fan!!!! Its like arguing Fever is a genuine Capitalist!!!

Take that back right now!!!

It depends on who you would liken to Ganguly. Bhimsen or Balamurali?

[feverpitch]

Janki Bai would surely know THAT!

[LosingNow]

The fans will be asked to pick two opening batsmen, three middle-order batsmen, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and one spinner.

Ha ha.. the sentence shows the decline of TOI.. who is proof-reading the articles these days.

That is only 10 players and they missed on the all rounder to complete the 11
--
My XI :
Openers : Gavaskar, Greenidge
Middle order :  Sachin, Bradman, Lara
Allrounder : Sobers
WK : Marsh
Fast bowlers (not in order): McGrath, Akram and Holding (just ekes out Marshall by a whisker)
Spinner : Murali - if you think he doesnt chuck, otherwise Bedi
--
Incredibly, no Englishman made my list and I tried hard .. the closest would be Boycott (I think Greenidge and Haynes were better), Knott (it really is a toss up between him and Marsh) and Botham (tough when you have Sobers - he is miles ahead of everyone in this category)

I like your team mostly.  Not sure between Lara or possibly Viv, and Murali/Warnie.  Why did you have Bedi over Warne?  Would love to know your thoughts on this.

IMO, Warne's spin resume is padded with English, WI and SA wickets.

I think after Murali, any one of the famous trio - Bedi, Pras, Chandra - would make the XI. I would ideally take Pras over Bedi but he is not in the list of candidates provided.

[dhruvdeepak]

The fans will be asked to pick two opening batsmen, three middle-order batsmen, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and one spinner.

Ha ha.. the sentence shows the decline of TOI.. who is proof-reading the articles these days.

That is only 10 players and they missed on the all rounder to complete the 11
--
My XI :
Openers : Gavaskar, Greenidge
Middle order :  Sachin, Bradman, Lara
Allrounder : Sobers
WK : Marsh
Fast bowlers (not in order): McGrath, Akram and Holding (just ekes out Marshall by a whisker)
Spinner : Murali - if you think he doesnt chuck, otherwise Bedi
--
Incredibly, no Englishman made my list and I tried hard .. the closest would be Boycott (I think Greenidge and Haynes were better), Knott (it really is a toss up between him and Marsh) and Botham (tough when you have Sobers - he is miles ahead of everyone in this category)

I like your team mostly.  Not sure between Lara or possibly Viv, and Murali/Warnie.  Why did you have Bedi over Warne?  Would love to know your thoughts on this.

IMO, Warne's spin resume is padded with English, WI and SA wickets.

I think after Murali, any one of the famous trio - Bedi, Pras, Chandra - would make the XI. I would ideally take Pras over Bedi but he is not in the list of candidates provided.

huh? what?

What about Murali - who has 89 wickets in 11 Tests vs BD and 87 wickets in 14 Tests vs Zim? This isnt padding or what?

[Cover Point]

How can you even compare Bhimsen Joshi and Balamuralikrishna!!! This is not even funny! This is like comparing Ganguly with Dravid!!!! Its like counting Blwe as a knowledgeable fan!!!! Its like arguing Fever is a genuine Capitalist!!!

Take that back right now!!!

It depends on who you would liken to Ganguly. Bhimsen or Balamurali?

More to the local Dholaki waala who comes to most weddings etc.

[LosingNow]

The fans will be asked to pick two opening batsmen, three middle-order batsmen, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and one spinner.

Ha ha.. the sentence shows the decline of TOI.. who is proof-reading the articles these days.

That is only 10 players and they missed on the all rounder to complete the 11
--
My XI :
Openers : Gavaskar, Greenidge
Middle order :  Sachin, Bradman, Lara
Allrounder : Sobers
WK : Marsh
Fast bowlers (not in order): McGrath, Akram and Holding (just ekes out Marshall by a whisker)
Spinner : Murali - if you think he doesnt chuck, otherwise Bedi
--
Incredibly, no Englishman made my list and I tried hard .. the closest would be Boycott (I think Greenidge and Haynes were better), Knott (it really is a toss up between him and Marsh) and Botham (tough when you have Sobers - he is miles ahead of everyone in this category)

I like your team mostly.  Not sure between Lara or possibly Viv, and Murali/Warnie.  Why did you have Bedi over Warne?  Would love to know your thoughts on this.

IMO, Warne's spin resume is padded with English, WI and SA wickets.

I think after Murali, any one of the famous trio - Bedi, Pras, Chandra - would make the XI. I would ideally take Pras over Bedi but he is not in the list of candidates provided.

huh? what?

What about Murali - who has 89 wickets in 11 Tests vs BD and 87 wickets in 14 Tests vs Zim? This isnt padding or what?

Murali vs Warne # of wickets and avgs against common opponents (first #s are Murali's)

Ban 89 @13.37 vs 11 @27.27
Eng 112 @20.06 vs 195 @23.25
Ind 105 @32.61 vs 43 @47.18
Nzl 82 @21.53 vs 103 @24.37
Pak 80 @25.46 vs 90 @20.17
SAF 104 @22.22 vs 130 @24.16
WI 82 @19.62 vs 65 @29.95
Zim 87 @16.86 vs 6 @ 22.83

Against each common opponent, except Pakistan, Murali's avg is better than Warne's. The difference is particulary dramatic vs India - the best players of spin in the world.

I rest my case.

[RicePlateReddy]

What about Murali - who has 89 wickets in 11 Tests vs BD and 87 wickets in 14 Tests vs Zim? This isnt padding or what?

Murali vs each country:

Australia 13 tests 59 wickets runouts wickets = 4.5 wickets / test
Bangladesh 11 tests 89  wickets runouts wickets = 8.1 wickets / test
England 16 tests 112  wickets runouts wickets = 7 wickets / test
India 22 tests 105  wickets runouts wickets  = 4.7 wickets / test
NZ 14 tests 82  wickets runouts wickets = 5.85 wickets / test
Pakistan 16 tests 80  wickets runouts wickets  = 5 wickets / test
South Africa 15 tests 104  wickets runouts wickets  = 6.9 wickets / test
WI 12 tests 82  wickets runouts wickets  = 6.8 wickets / test
Zimbabwe 14 tests 87  wickets runouts wickets  = 6.21 wickets / test

Overall 6.01 wickets / test

He padded against England and SA far more than Zim 

[ramshorns]

Murali anyday over Warne.

[k-slice]

Murali anyday over Warne.

Warne any day over murali. his batting tilts it in his favor for me. but then again if this top and middle order cant do much then dont know how much warney would do!!

[pieterSAN]

Murali anyday over Warne.

Warne any day over murali. his batting tilts it in his favor for me. but then again if this top and middle order cant do much then dont know how much warney would do!!

Pretty good at first slip too.

[LosingNow]

Picking a spinner in all time XI because of his batting?

This is CP logic applied

[Cover Point]

Picking a spinner in all time XI because of his batting?

This is CP logic applied

hey Hey ..... Jadeja was just unlucky and out of form that time. Ab to saal ho gaya .... ab to bechare ko maaf kar do