Who would make your team of the year?
| 12:30 UK time, Sunday, 21 December 2008
Normally when I am abroad with the England team at this time of year it is very difficult to feel particularly Christmasy especially when the sun is shining and the temperatures soar. However when I arrived at the Punjab Cricket Association on the third day it felt more like winter in Manchester than December in Mohali.
As Jonathan Agnew put it as he welcomed listeners on TMS it was "a real pea-souper". We could not even see the field at 9.00am local time when play was due to begin because of heavy fog in Chandigahr and when umpire Daryl Harper was asked when he thought he would next inspect he told the interviewer "when I can see the other side of the ground"!
However although the weather may be wintry there aren't too many signs of the festive season here in the Punjab. In the team hotel where we are also staying there is one rather sad looking Christmas tree decorated with cotton wool. It is quite difficult to see the tree as it is normally obscured by numerous armed security forces.
Literally every seat in the hotel's foyer is occupied day and night by soldiers and before you can get into your room you have to go through at least three bag and body searches.
Of course this extra security comes about because of the terrible events in Mumbai at the start of the month and we all expected to see it. However at times it can be rather excessive.
For example on the way to the ground today the car I was travelling in was stopped at a roundabout along with all the other traffic to allow the England and India team buses to go past. Nothing unusual about that of course. But I then witnessed a security man wielding a lathi stick striking a couple of locals who were waiting patiently at the roundabout, but had inched their bicycles to the edge of the road rather than staying on the kerb. We all hope that the heightened security we have experienced during this Test tour is not going to become the norm in the future.
When play finally began in the Test match we had plenty of drama with England wickets in the first two overs, plus the imaginative decision to give the third over to occasional spinner Yuvraj Singh which nearly resulted in the dismissal of his so-called bogey man Kevin Pietersen.
There was lots of interesting talking points elsewhere as well. The front page of the Indian Sunday Times had a headline "England may get slice of IPL action". The article suggesting that the Indian Pemier Twenty20 League may be split into two with five weeks being held in India and three in England.
The England and Wales Cricket Board refused to discuss the story but eventually released a statement stating that talks regarding future tours and Twenty20 cricket will continue in January.
Ravi Shastri who is working for TMS here in Mohali is on the IPL board and he told the programme that although he had not heard anything about the story he was "pleased dialogue is taking place between the ECB and BCCI. It is important players like Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen play in the IPL." However he urged caution, adding: "There are lots of newspapers in India, all looking for a story."
We then had news from Perth of South Africa's amazing run chase, the second highest in Test history, to beat Australia. That fantastic match of course follows the incredible game in Chennai where India scored more runs than any team had ever done before to win a Test in this country. These results suggest that reports of Test match cricket's demise may be premature.
It certainly has been quite a year for stories in the world of cricket.
The IPL, Michael Vaughan's resignation and the start of the KP captaincy reign, shoulder barges, switch hits, Champions League and Champions Trophy tournaments being on and off etc etc and during Monday and Tuesday's lunch intervals on Test Match Special we are going to be reviewing the last 12 months as well as looking ahead to 2009.
And as always we would like you to get involved so please e-mail us at tms@bbc.co.uk or comment here on the TMS blog.
What were your highlights of 2008? Who are your stars of the year? Maybe you would like to offer your team of 2008. For what it's worth, and to start the debate, here is the side I came up with when I couldn't sleep last night. Feel free to disagree.
Graeme Smith Automatic selection. At the time of writing the leading run-scorer of the year and, after leading the epic run chase in Perth plus a similar effort at Edgbaston, he is also my captain.
Virender Sehwag Just sneaks ahead of Indian team-mate Gautam Gambhir because of his ability to change a game.
Ricky Ponting A few troubles as captain , but still a great batsman.
Kevin Pietersen An amazing year for KP with another 1,000 runs in the calendar year.
Sachin Tendulkar Maybe an emotional choice after Chennai, but his efforts just put him ahead for me of the likes of Laxman and Hussey.
Shiv Chanderpaul ICC player of the year. May not be elegant, but so effective.
Kumar Sangakarra Wicketkeeper. Although he does not always take the gloves for Sri Lanka, he's behind the timbers in my team just ahead of MS Dhoni.
Andrew Flintoff A thrilling return from injury. Great bowling and more promise with the bat.
Zaheer Khan Very difficult to choose between Zaheer, Dale Steyn, Mitchell Johnson and others but I go for Zaheer for his intelligence and great record against Australia.
Murali World's leading wicket-taker.
Ajantha Mendis What a combination with Murali. The most exciting new spinner since Shane Warne with 26 wickets in three Tests
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~07~RS~)
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Adam i agree with your team selection barring one choice you made, Ricky Ponting has had a really poor year compared to his general high standard, he averages 42.69 having scored 982 runs. Instead of him i would have Hashim Amla the most improved test batsman at 3 who has a had brilliant year the third highest run getter with 1112 at 52.95.
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Mitchell Johnson has to make the side I think, hes the Aussies new weapon! taking wickets for fun.
other than that I would agree.
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Adam, you have only selected four bowlers?? Not sure if I agree with this
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Flintoff in a 4-man bowling attack? He will moan at the additional workload. You need to replace Ponting with Kallis to give balance to the side... 5 bowlers, 2 all-rounders...
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Isn't it great that there is only 1, soon to be fired, aussie in there.
Even if you did put Mitchell Johnson in the side (I can see the agruement for), that still makes only 2.
A few years ago it would have been full of the green baggies. Nice to see a more competitive test arena.
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Adam you call yourself a journie? This is supposed to be a team of 2008, and you leave off Dale Steyn and Amla and select Ponting and Flintoff, HA, Freddie's played what 4 tests all year.
Try again mate.
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Bit harsh to say Freddie would moan about the workload, Swarmy.
Though I agree with your selection of Kallis for balance regardless. It would be nice to see KP and Shiv in a side were they dont have to rescue their inept teammates.
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Kotters
Freddie might have only played in 4 tests but I'm sure if you asked the top batsmen in the world who the best/fearsome fast bowler is, Freddie would be the top of that list.
And he can bat a little sometimes.
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Er, I cant believe nobody has mentioned McCullen for the keeping position?
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My team would be:
Smith
Sehwag
Amla
Pietersen
Chanderpaul
Flintoff
Dhoni
Johnson
Zaheer Khan
Mendis
Vettori
I chose Vettori because I believe that every team he comes up against and on any surface he is able to change the game he is without a doubt the Kiwis best player and Mitchell Johnson is an absolute must he ran through the South Africans the other day albeit in a losing cause but a great up and coming young quick bowler.
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1. Smith (c)
2. Gayle
3. Amla
4. Chanderpaul
5. Kallis
6.Dhoni (wkt)
7.Vettori
8.Johnson
9.Swann
10.Ntini
11.Harris
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Nice blog Adam. Big fan of your writing, always slightly different to everyone else's. Not sure about your team, maybe a bit batting heavy.
Would take out a batsman myself. Sanga is more than good enough to play at 6 with an all rounder at 7. With Shiv to manage the tail would be fine. :)
1.Smith
2.Sehwag
3.Amla (For the reasons above, lots of runs etc)
4.KP-Imagine him and Sehwag going together in a TM. Would be great fun to watch.
5. Shiv Chanderpaul-Would play a man u can't get out higher than 6 but can't put him in above any of the others. Imagine shiv playing without knowing that if he gets out his team will almost certainly lose!!
6. Kumar Sangakarra-One of the best batsman, i know he isn't always the keeper but if u want the best than he would have to.
7. Freddy Flintoff- Would bat him at 11 if it meant he could bowl! He really is that good!
8. Zaheer Khan- Amazing year with the ball, top quality bowler. No one knows why he is below the turbanator in the rankings??
9. Steyn- Close between him and Johnson, purely on recent form. But 69 wickets at a shade under 22 is hard to argue with.
10.Mendis- 26 wickets at 18 in only 3 matches?? Surely they were on a good old fashioned sticky wicket?? No? Then stick him in the team!
11.Murali-Still a genius, and a true great of the game. Love watching him, hardly any other players out there who get more excited.
Merry Christmas everyone. Have a safe flight back on the conclusion of this match Adam
Sam
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1. Smith *
2. Sehwag
3. Amla
4. Pietersen
5. Chanderpaul
6. McCullum +
7. Flintoff
8. Vettori
9. Steyn
10. Khan
11. Muralitharan
(with Mitchell Johnson in reserve if the pitch isn't made for spinning)
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Sehwag
Smith
Pietersen
Kallis
Chanderpaul
Sangakarra
Flintoff
Vettori
Murali
Mendis
Sharma
3 attacking spinners with Kumar keeping, what a treat.
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Nice to see more Englismen than Aussies. Bit harsh to rule out so many Aus when their side is still (just) the best in the world. I'm not sure "most improved" equals best either like some people seem to be saying.
As most people have been saying your a bowler short, only 4 with one being an allround, and also 2 spinners? How many pitches are sutibale for 2 spinners?
I think you need to drop Tendulka and Ajantha Mendis and replace them with a couple of quicks. Who though I'm not sure.
On another note, coach of the year?
Doubt anyone would pick Moores! What a disaster!
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I agree with Amla being in, instead of Ponting (who is an all-time great but on form Amla is in).
You also need a 5th bowler so i would drop Tendulkar.
Dhoni may be a touch high at 6 but with Freddie at 7 and Vettori (who has been impressive with bat and ball this year)bringing depth in your batting that should be okay. Also we now have a 5 man attack, 3 quicks and 2 spinners.
Smith - captain
Sehwag
Amla
Pietersen
Chanderpaul
Dhoni
Flintoff
Vettori
Steyn
Khan
Murali
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Who is the clown who had swann AND Harris in the best team of 08? having a laugh son!
Well done to the guy who mentioned mccullum! he would arguably have the wicket keeper's slot Id say...
As most seem to agree on, Flintoff, (4 tests or otherwise) is without a doubt one of the top bowlers in international cricket, his spell yesterday on a flat wicket , regularly hitting 150kms/h was highly impressive, and he has been doing it all year. I remember reading a Justin Langer column on this website this summer, he wrote about him and Tres facing Flintoff in a county game, saying it was utterly fearsome!!
Agreed that team of 08 should be Amla over Ponting.
1 Smith
2 Sehwag
3 Amla
4 KP
5 Hussey (over tendulkar, hussey stil averages over 60!)
6 Chanderpaul - this guy is amazing, 2 consecutive calendar years he has averaged over 100 in tests.....
7 McCullum , very good keeper and good man coming in at 7
8 Flintoff
9 Johnson
10 Steyn
11 Mendis
Yes I know only 4 bowlers, but 3 fantastic quick bowlers, one mystery spinner and sehwag and KP to tweak it a bit. My other choice would be to leave Hussey out and put murali in there. Flintoff at 7 then, theres still enough batting in that side Id say!
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Forget national pride for a moment. How does Flintoff figure ahead of Steyn? His batting at test level has been poor for a long while, save his last knock. His bowling is accurate and testing, but he doesn't take anywhere near enough wickets and never has. Three wickets per test is the lowest amongst England's regular bowlers and England do not have a good attack. Two five wicket hauls in a test career of 71 games?
Don't misunderstand me, Flintoff is a good all rounder, of that there is no doubt, but just like Beckham and Gerrard in the football world, their reputations way outstrip their actual performances.
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How Mahendraa Singh Dhoni did not manage to make your team, Adam, is a mystery. That you would pick Kumar Sangakarra over him is even more bizarre! Sangakarra may be a better runner scorer, according to the rankings, but Dhoni is more accomplished and perhaps a little more intelligent.
I'm not particularly convinced by Ponting, either. I think Hussey would make a stronger case, than his captain, to be included.
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The reason mastervillain that Freddie doesn't take the wickets he deserves is that batsmen are scared of him and therefore do not try to take too many runs of him.
Now in an England side this is a problem as runs are normally not that hard to come from at the other end. But in a world XI with the type of players we are talking about people would have to take chances against him and the wickets would flow.
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SHARMA
what ya thinking? dont need 2 spinners murali hasn't even been anywhere neare his best.
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Graeme Smith
Virendra Sehwag
Kumar Sangakkara
Kevin Pieterson
Shervinane Chanderpaul
Mike Hussey
Jacques Kallis
Zaheer Khan
Muttiah Muralitharan
Dale Steyn
Ajanta Mendis
How is that?
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Adam, the team you have selected is spot on! I would have decided the same but you were ahead of me. Congratulations for the excellent article.
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Here is my team of the year - not everybodys cup of tea but I reckon it would beat the others mentioned so far:
Hayden
Katich
Ponting (C)
M Hussey
Clarke
Symonds
Haddin (W)
Lee
Krejza
Johnson
Siddle
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Smith
Shewag
Amla
Tendulkar
Pietersen
Chanderpaul
Dhoni (wkt & Cap)
Flintoff
Zaheer
Ishant Sharma or Steyn
Mendis
I'll go for Dhoni, as my captain, becoz of his midas touch. My first choice between Sharma and Steyn, will be Ishant, becoz he has troubled the world champions on their home soil and also in flat Indian pitches
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1. Hayden
2. Dravid
3. Ponting
4. Tendulkar
5. Lara
6. Kallis
7. Gilchrist
8. Pollock
9. Warne
10. Murali
11. McGrath
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Some of the teams people given are the laughable
Swann and Harris???
I from Sri Lanka and I give team now, without bias only my humble opinions of the best 11 team in the world.
Jayasuriya
Sehwag
Sanga
Mahela (caption)
Chunderpaul
Prasana Jaywawardene (KW)
Vaas
Mendis
Murali
Sharma
Malinga
I don't be thinking that Zaheer has good record against australia. think average about 36. I not check this I just guess.
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Smith
Sehwag
Amla
Pietersen
Chanderpaul
Prince
Haddin
Vettori
Lee
Johnson
Steyn
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NavelGazar ; except South Africa you mean?
HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHA
I think everyone on this forum should take a moment to bask in the glow of the decline of Australia! ahhh :D
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Sehwag
Smith
Pieterson
Amla
Chanderpaul
Flintoff
Haddin
Broad
Vettori
Mendis
Steyn
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Yes now I think nice battle betwen india and south africa for no. 2 position.
Sri Lanka beaten india so they now number 1 people.
In both tests
and one days
and twenty 200
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if anybody watched the SA vs Australia game they would of seen that Harris and Ntini were the best bowlers for SA much better than Morkel And Steyn and Swann has been in excellent form for england better than flintoff i would say
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What I probably should have mentioned is that I was picking a team with a test in India in mind. One that favours the spinners especially which is why I have two full time spinners and several part time ones. Having read the comments I agree that my selection is a little light on bowlers in certain conditions - but it was difficult leaving out one of those great batsman ! Perhaps I would have added Dale Steyn to make it a squad of 12 with Ricky Ponting perhaps missing out to complete a miserable day for him.
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Gambhir
Sehwag
Dravid
Tendulkar
Yuvraj
Dhoni (c)
Harbhajan
Zaheer
Mishra
I Sharma
I think that's just about right.
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*Smith
Sehwag
Gambhir
Amla
Pietersen
Chanderpaul
+McCullum
Johnson
Steyn
Ishant
Mendis
3 Ind
3 SA
1 Eng
1 NZ
1 SL
1 WI
1 Aus
My team reflects the changes in team pecking order in the last 12 months too
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I must admit i havent seen much cricket this year or anyother year but I'll attempt my XI of 2008, I'm calling them DAZ Super Whites.
1) Darren Gough (his peformances on hole in the wall are 2nd to none made me giggle)
2) Phil Tuffnell (Simular to gough a consistent high class performance on QofS orders his merit as opening batsman)
3) Devon Malcom ( A real bruiser with ball and bat)
4) Michael Parkinson ( I hear he's from Yorkshire and they're all good up there with the bat, apart from Vaughan hes seemed to have lost his touch)
5) Mark Ramperkash (World class an asset to any level of the game)
6) Darren Maddy (Tidy player...enough said)
7) Mark Wallace (Clearly best wicketkeep in the world after Gilchrist has retired)
8) Dhoni (Nice hair lad)
9) David Morris Captain (Myself... every game i was due to play was rained off... either that or the captain found a better player at the last minute.... But giving me a chance in the team of super stars I'm bound to Gel the team together)
10) Nick Hancock (PLayed well in that sports relief tour warrants a place at number 10)
11) Ottis Gibson
I've avoided the South Africans just in case of a Colpac rule reversal.
Obvious coach would be Coach Carter!
Thank you lads have a nice day!
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my test team of the year
smith( south africa)
Sewag ( India)
Amla (south africa)
Jaywawardene ( sir lanka)(captin)
Chanderpaul ( west indies)
Flintoff ( england)
Dhoni ( India)(wicket keeper)
Johnston ( australia)
Vettori ( new zealand)
Zaheer Khan ( india)
Steyn ( south Afica)
12th man:pietersen ( england)
my odi team of the year
smith( south africa)
Sewag ( India)
Pointing ( australia)
Yuvraj ( india)
Pietersen ( england)( captin)
Flintoff ( england)
Chanderpaul ( west indies)
Dhoni ( india)( wicket keeper)
Broad ( england)
Zaheer Khan ( india)
Vettori ( new zealand)
12th man:Tendulkar ( india)
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Just to add to my team Dhoni will not wicket keep as I dont trust him with the gloves
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well said dave morris darren goughs performances on hole in the wall have been a real laugh
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Or maybe, Merrymole, Freddie doesn't take so many wickets because, as a chest on bowler, he has never learnt to get the ball to moveaway or straighten on a line outside off stump to the right hander (a la Walsh). His basic movement/direction is generally angled back in to the right hander, which can be more easily negotiated and covered.
Certainly, he is a threat and I agree the 'runs against' stats lend some validity to what you have suggested. Equally though, I think he just lacks that variety, which would take him up into the next level.
Certainly Justin Langer rates him and he is probably a better judge than any of us in this forum. There again, we all have our opinions and other pros in the game have felt much the same as me.
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How on earth are people selecting Jacques Kallis? He was absolutely woeful in the England series! Sure he's made a couple of scores in this test with Australia, but that is all he's done all year. Stop picking names and pick those who actually warrant a place in the side.
For the record, my side would be:
Smith
Sehwag
Amla
Pietersen
Clarke
Chanderpaul
McCullum
Johnson
Steyn
Sharma
Mendis
With Vettori coming in for Johnson if we're on Adam's Indian pitch.
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riccey ill have you know kallis is a dear friend of mine and i wouldnt insult him again
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joshymitsu, if Kallis is a 'dear' friend of yours, why are you on a BBC Blog?
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Personally, i'd choose a similar team, however there would be some changes!
1) Gambhir
2) Smith
3) Amla
4) Pietersen
5) Chanderpull
6) McCullum
7) Johnson
8) Broad
9) Swann
10) Lee
11) Mendis
Smith as captain,
McCullum keeping
This team would offer me both a strong batting and bowling attack, with Gambhir and Smith at the top, theres a good chance you have a 100 in either of these, my number 3 was debatable, although not a big fan of Amla because of his strike rate, however chose for the realibilty, 4 & 5 bascialy chose themselves...
bowling: 7-10 could be classed as all rounders, all have the ability to bat, with 3 pace and 2 spinners, many a team should struggle!
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I think the team of the year should simply be the country that has won the most test matches, based on the number of games they will have played in 2008. That is fair.
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Hi, great blog.
If possible, can you podcast the review of the year that you'll be doing on Monday & Tuesday?
I'll be stuck in work and won't be able to hear it unfortunately.
Thanks
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46. At 3:40pm on 21 Dec 2008, frozenis wrote:
I think the team of the year should simply be the country that has won the most test matches, based on the number of games they will have played in 2008. That is fair.
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Its not really going to happen if it was Warwickshire Bears would be prime pick!
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The team is interesting.
But there should be a team against which this team would play.
Please name that team as well!
I have never seen the names of BOTH teams
-----------------------------------------
Further: Which is the best team of all times?
Which team would be playing against above team?
Where do I look for answer to my queries. Pl let me know.
Thanks and best regards.
Akbar Ahmed
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My team would be:
Graeme Smith (c) : a responsible captain than a bashing batsman. he is played extremely well under pressure. always responds to the pressure when captaining a side. remember chasing 434 in J'burg! he set the tone for the game early on.
Virender Sehwag : as many would know him a game changer. i would keep him more for his bowling than his batting. gives me an additional option. of course, if he bats, nothing can be better.
Michael Clarke : the only aussie play who has impressed in the last year or so. he is a much better fielder as well.
Kumara Sangakara (wk) : one of the better keepers. slightly edges over MS Dhoni, because he has kept to the likes of Murali and Mendis.
AB de Villiers : sheer consistency, and a good fieldsman in the covers. him in the covers, and Clarke in the backward point region, i guess these two blokes have saved me at least 50 runs.
Mike Hussey : accumulator. man he is the person who would stick in, and work it out with the tail to get the most of the situation. great outfielder as well. keep him on the sweeper cover, saves you about 20-30 runs.
MS Dhoni (vc) : Chose him for his batting more than his keeping. He bats more responsibly now. hell, Kumara and Dhoni can switch places whenever they want!!
Brett Lee : well, he is certainly one of the fastest bowlers around. he is also matured as a bowler. and he is no mug with a bat. i would open my bowling attack with this guy.
Zaheer Khan : another fine bowler. chose him for his intelligent bowling, ability to swing the ball, both old and new. he makes a fine opening pair with Brett. His resilience while batting gives the team a chance to extend the lead.
James Anderson : the only English bowler who has impressed. he can work with an older ball. can bowl long spells.
Murali : he is the best spinner around.
Paul Collingwood (12th man) : i would rather have somebody who is a better fielder as a 12th man.
Subs:
Shiv Chanderpaul, Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, Andrew Flintoff, Yuvraaj Singh.
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48. At 3:47pm on 21 Dec 2008, DaveMorehiss wrote:
46. At 3:40pm on 21 Dec 2008, frozenis wrote:
I think the team of the year should simply be the country that has won the most test matches, based on the number of games they will have played in 2008. That is fair.
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Its not really going to happen if it was Warwickshire Bears would be prime pick!
---------------------
You may notice that I did include the word "country" in my statement. Therefore, that rules Warwickshire out, sadly.
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Hy adam in my opinion the team should be
smith
sehewag
amla
pieterson
tendulkar
freddie
dhoni (c)[wk] {india has won all the tests under his capt.}
vettorie
jhonson
zaheer
mendis
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I think there needs to be a few changes to your team Adam, my team would be as follows:
1.Smith
2.Sehwag
3.Amla
4.KP
5.Chanderpaul
6.Haddin
7.Vettori
8.Broad
9.Fidel Edwards
10.Zaheer Khan
11.Mendis
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Flintoff??????
What has he exactly done this year?
Are you mad - or prejudiced?
The guy's not in form - and this is meant to be the team of 08....
Lots of Bowlers, (and Batsman) have eclipsed him this year...
Ricky Ponting is just rubbish without the comfort of his awesome, (but sadly now gone) team mates - but still a great player.
Dhoni in for Sangakkara - maybe not as good a batsman but he saves teams in tricky situations - he's also showing himself to be a great captain...
I agree with the Murali, Mendis partnership - that is very very dangerous....
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If u ask me the odi team
1.sehewag
2.sachin
3.pietersen
4.a b de villiars
5.y singh
6.hussey
7.dhoni (c) [wk]
8.flintoff
9.viettorie
10.s broad
11.z khan
12th man : mendis
i think its a balanced team in every dept. i.e bat-bowl-field
bowl dept.
1.Khan
2.broad
3.freddie
4.viettorie/mendis
5.singh-pietersen-sehewag-sachin
bat dept.
1-8
field dept.
Ab,singh,hussey,pietersen,freddie
also the experience of
sachin,sehewag,viettorie,flintoff,singh,khan
and u got the capt. Dhoni
!!!!! !!!!! !!!!!
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South Africa and G.Smith in the words of Andy Gray "Take a boow".
Now my team of 2008 would be
Redman
Chattergoon
Ryder
Ashraful (capt)
Flynn
Ramdin
Krejza
Suleman Benn
Harmison
Monty
Chris Martin
Its a result team by taking the draw out of equation!
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I know this is a blog and not an actual journalistic piece but still, make some effort in getting your place names right. It's not Chandigahr. Wikipedia is your friend in case the locals cannot help you here.
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Any "World XI" without Dhoni in the team is an
absolute non-starter.
Dhoni is THE captain for ANY World XI !
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My team would be:
Shewag
Smith
Amla
Pietersen
Hussey
Chanderpaul
Dhoni (c, wk)
Zaheer
Steyn
Johnson
Muralitharan
3 Indians, 3 South Africans, 2 Aussies, 1 Sri Lankan, 1 English and 1 West Indian.
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Nah, Smith is THE captain for ANY current World XI. Dhoni hasn't been in charge long enough. Smith is a better captain with more experience. A better player too.
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Flintoff only played 3 games didn't he?
Strangely unbalanced team. I would drop Ponting, bat Chanderpaul at 5, Sangakkara at 6, and play 5 bowlers -- Steyn, Zaheer Khan, Johnson, Murali, Mendis.
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Ill start by outlining my 11 plus 12th man:
1. Smith
2. Tendulkar
3. Chanderpaul
4. Kallis
5. Pietersen
6. Yuvraj
7. Sangakkara
8. Flintoff
9. Khan
10. Hoggard
11. Muralitharan
Yes.....some of you........most of you will be saying HOGGARD? hes barely played.....i still dont care i think its a travesty that he isnt in the team especially with the mediocrity of our bowling line up at current.
Now onto the team
I have gone for Hoggard as captain....why because i can! Plus i am not a fan of just picking the best batsman as captain as the ECB seem to do over and over again prime example pietersen, flintoff and vaughan(although vaughan was a brilliant captain)
I feel that with the batting line up your looking for that gap between power and control and with this i feel it is created you have Tendulkar, Chanderpaul and Sangakkar who are all batsman who take their time and build an innings and can attack, then you have the power hitters in Pietersen, Smith and Singh who can also play an innings but can destroy a bowling line up. Along with Kallis who can bat aggresivley and then with flintoff who can turn it on if it is his day.
I have gone for Sangakkara as the keeper a much better batsman than Dhoni and fairly equal with the gloves. A lot of people putting Dhoni in for captaincy, fair enough but Sangakkara hasnt really had much chance to prove himself as a captain so unfair to judge on that basis.
All rounders i have gone for Flintoff and Kallis, a lot of you will be thinking FLINTOFF????!!! what a joke! but i have gone with him as i wanted the bowling more than the batting to back up my seam attack. I was going to go with vettori but i am i strong believer in the 4 man pace attack. Kallis is in there as he is still one of the best batsman in the world and is very good with the ball and can win a match by himself on his day.
Finally the bowlers we have Hoggard, Khan, Flintoff, Kallis. With the control of Hoggard and Kallis then the blistering pace of Khan and Flintoff this would be a bowling attack to worrie any batting line up, not to mention the chucker himself ready to throw a few down. It would be a testing time for any team!
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Not so sure about Ponting, Tendulkar or Murali.
Sehwag
Smith*
Amla
Pietersen
Chanderpaul
Dhoni+
Flintoff
Z Khan
Johnson
Steyn
Mendis
Vettori for Khan if the pitch favours spinners.
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Sehwag
Smith
Amla
Pietersen*
Chanderpaul
Dhoni
M Clark
Johnson
Z Khan
Steyn
Mendis
Best Team In The World
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McCullum is the most overrated cricket in the world. He averages 31, he's not that great, surely not better than Sangakarra. At least if we're talking about real cricket. If it's 20/20 I guess I could see it but in that case, who cares?
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I'd make a few changes to that team, but I agree with the majority of the selections.
Smith - Remarkable innings at Edgbaston, followed up by probably an even better one in Perth this morning.
Sehwag - The most devastating batsman in world cricket, no argument.
Jayawardene (c) - Not had his best year with the bat, but so impressive as a captain, he gets in on that alone. Sri Lanka, under his captaincy, are still the last team to beat India in a test match, despite Australia's and England's best efforts.
Hussey - Probably the best batsman in the world, despite a drop of form since 2007. His average says it all.
Chanderpaul - Has had a simply remarkable 12 months. The Aussies couldn't get him out, no matter how hard they tried.
McCullum (wk) - Not as consistent with the bat as Dhoni or Sangakarra, but a better gloveman by far.
Flintoff - Inspirational, still one of the most threatening bowlers in the world, and runs down the order.
Anderson - Something of a breakthrough year, hasn't performed in India but was England's best bowler throughout the summer.
Mendis - Incredibly exciting spinner, a thrill to watch every time he bowls, could be a record breaker if he plays for long enough without the world's batsmen being able to work him out. If only Sri Lanka would tour England next summer.
Sharma - Emerging fast bowler, has troubled batsmen frequently, just gets in ahead of Zaheer.
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**** TEST SQUAD ****
Smith (South africa)
Sewag (India)
Mohamad Yousuf (Paksitan)
Jaywawardene - Captain (Sri Lanka)
Pietersen (England)
Chanderpaul (West Indies)
Sangakkara - Wicket Keeper (Sri Lanka)
Johnston (Australia)
Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Steyn (South Africa)
Murali (Sri Lanka)
12th Man: Hussey (Australia)
**** ONE-DAY SQAUD ****
Jayasuriya - Captain (Sri Lanka)
Sewag (India)
Pietersen (England)
Yuvraj (India)
Kapugedera (Sri Lanka)
Flintoff (England)
Dhoni - Wicket Keeper (India)
Morkel (South Africa)
Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Kumar (India)
Murali (Sri Lanka)
12th Man: Tendulkar (India)
There are so many names missing, but cant help.
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Graeme Smith
S. Chanderpaul
Mohammad Yousuf
K.P. Pietersen
Ricky Ponting
A. Symonds
K.C. Sangakkara
M. Muralidaran
D.L. Vettori
N.W. Bracken
Sohail Tanvir
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Re Joshymitsu
How exactly is it insulting to say that Kallis has had a poor year? If anything, its a compliment to his ability in saying that this calendar year has been so poor by his standards.
And I pick a team of the year based on how they've performed that year, not who I claim to be friends with.
There is no way, based solely on performances during 2008, that Kallis is worthy of a place in a team like this.
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Just one last point, I see you included Harris and Swann in your side, so I'll take anything else you say with a pinch of salt.
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G. Smith
V. Sehwaag
Ricky Ponting
Mohammad Yousuf
K.P. Pietersen
M.S dhonii
Sohail Tanvir
M. Muralidharan
Brett Lee
A.Mendis
Shoaib Akhtar
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dont be an idiot riccy, its obvious he is being sarcastic by including swann and harris. no way should ponting be there. tendulkar? great knock in chennai, but thats been it this year. amla deserves a place.
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I hope he was Snoopy, but post 33 suggests otherwise
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i believe Freddie should miss out due to lack of tests.
Dale Steyn's had an amazing year and should be a certainty.
Amla or prince in for ponting aswell.
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Some of these so called teams are laughable
Swann- hes played 2 matches
Hoggard- dont get me started
Dravid- he was 1 match away from being dropped, that hundred saved his career
Haddin- why is he chosen ahead of dhoni, sangakarra etc
And wats with all these teams with batsmen down to number 9 and other with about 7 bowlers
Il stop moaning
Smith*
Sehwag
Amla
Pieterson
Chanderpaul
Flintoff
Dhoni
Vettori
Khan
Steyn
Mendis
Prob include sharma or johnson if not a spinners track
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amazing that many teams dont even include an Aussie now, or have more england players - also reflects the current opinion of teams and their form this year that India and South Africa are dominating who people are choosing in their teams. On most recent form SA have played well mostly away from home wheras India have looked like world beaters, especially in the last 2 series, but both at home where they are known to be strong.
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Adam - Are you serious? You don't have Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni. In the context that this is the team for 2008 , I would have Dhoni as the wicket keeper and captain and would replace Ponting with Gautam Gambhir/A B de Villiers. I would go for Gambhir for him being a left hander and also can play at variable pace.
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to get in a team of the year uve got to play a fair few tests, sangakara, freddie, murili and mendis have played 18 between them.
the only out and out pace bowler in the team, zaheer khan avergages 37 this year whereas dale steyn averages 21 this year and has been overlooked.
ponting averages under 40 yet he has got in ahead of de villiers who averages 61.
sangakara has an average of 36, dhoni 33. haddin however averages 40.
Sidebottom averaged 20 before getting inured.
My team is:
1.Smith
2.Sehwag
3.Gambhir
4.Chanderpul
5.Pieterson
6.De Villiers
7.Haddin
8.Johnson
9.Sidebottom
10.Steyn
11.Mendis
subs include: Katitch, Prince, Murili,
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i'm not british, that must explain why i get a little baffled with the overzealousness at the mention of flintoff. don't get me wrong, he is a very exciting player, both with the bat and the ball. but in recent times flintoff's form with the bat has been patchy at best, and his role in the team really is that of a strike bowler. so i will only talk about his bowling here.
After more than 70 tests his record pales in comparison to the truly greats. freddy has a bowling average in excess of 30 and a strike rate of over 60. the best of the best are always the ones with a sub 25 average and strike rates below 55. he has a measly 2 career 5 wicket hauls, and guess what the career 10 wicket haul reads...0.
flintoff was instrumental in england's ashes triumph and in that particular period he was without doubt one of the premier strike bowlers in the world. but over a career span can he match the accomplishments of a lee or an ntini? it's hard to say yes.
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As an Australian I must agree with the comments about Ponting and his poor season so far. But how can the worlds best 'ranked' team have only one rep in the 'best XI'?
A sign of the times for Australian Cricket. World champions for now but no champions in the team!!!
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1. Smith
2. Sehwag
3. Gambhir
4. Tendulkar
5. Chanderpaul
6. De Villiers
7. Sangakarra
8. Broad
9. Zaheer Khan
10. Steyn
11. Murali
Well, if anyone says Zak's average is poor, look at the pitches he's bowled on. Flat, slow batting pitches!! And I'd take Murali's experience over a newcomer's mystery(if you think so) bowling anyday. Interesting, no Aussie in my team, 'cos they're not champs anymore. Broad is among the best swing bowlers now, along with Zak. Add Steyn to the mix, you've got batsmen hopping and dancing at the crease!
And Sanga scores over Dhoni due to his experience and batting. Yup, MSD's got to improve his Test match batting, a lot at that. On a turner, I'd take Vettori for Steyn. And on a really fast deck, I'd take Freddie for Murali. The guy can add some value with the bat to, as does Broad already. And Sachin, he may not be in the best form of his career, but can whip any bowling on any day, anywhere.
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my 2008 team would be:
1. Smith
2. Sehwag
3.Kevin p
4. Tendulkar
5. Chanderpaul
6. Sangakarra
7. Flintoff
8. Tanvir
9. Johnson
10. Steyn
11. Murali
3 experience battsman
4 allrounders
4 qulity bowlers
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For me the team is quite difficult as some of the form displayed has been patchy if brilliant from a lot of the top players in the world, so I have opted for experience, and obviously the years outstanding players (Chanderpaul, Smith etc..) I decided to play McCullum for his superior glovework, and to play McCullum is an easy choice when an extra bowler is included (Kallis) and with Flintoff below him at eight there is a destructive and long line batting line up. I had to omit Ponting because without his dependables (McGrath and Warney) his captaincy has imploded for the second time in 3 years.
Graeme Smith (C)
Virender Sehwag
Jacques Kallis
Kevin Pietersen
Mike Hussey
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Brendan McCullum (WK)
Andrew Flintoff
Daniel Vettori
Mitchell Johnson
Dale Steyn
12th Man: Stuart Broad (Real breakthrough year for the youngster)
ODI Team of the year.
(This was a lot easier!)
Brendon McCullum (WK)
Virender Sehwag
Kevin Pietersen (should bat at 3 for England)
Yuvraj Singh (Pie Chucker)
Mike Hussey (Calm after the storm!)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Andrew Flintoff
Albie Morkel
Daniel Vettori (C)
Stuart Broad
Nathan Bracken
12th Man: Graeme Smith
This is probably a 20/20-esque selection, but the calming influence of Hussey and Shiva will provide a rock in the middle of the innings. A few overs from Yuvraj and Sehwag would take the pressure off a bowler who was struggling. The line up has a strong tail, with Vettori and Broad both very capable.
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--------------TEST------------
1 - Smith (Most runs this year) (C)
2 - Sehwag (#2 on run list)
3 - Chanderpaul (highest average)
4 - Tendulkar (once a great player, always a great player)
5 - De Villiers (fantastic fieldsman)
6 - Kallis (gets in when the going is tough)
7 - Boucher (most dismisslas this year)
8 - Steyn (most wickets)
9 - Johnson (devastating on day 2 in perth)
10 - H Singh (spinner with most wickets)
11 - Sharma (most improved bowler this year)
-----------ODI----------------
1 - Gambhir
2 - Smith
3 - Chanderpaul
4 - Hussey
5 - Y Singh
6 - Kallis
7 - Dhoni (C)
8 - Broad
9 - Bracken
10 - Mendis
11 - Murali
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1. Smith
2. Sehwag
3. KP
4. Tendulkar
5. Chanderpaul
6. McCullum
7. Flintoff
8. Johnson
9. Steyn
10. Mendis
11. Murali
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Surely the highlight of the year must be South Africa's first series win in England since readmission? The way they won, too: brilliant batting, bowling and fielding. they gave us a masterclass in how to play test cricket away from home.
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Test Team of the Year
1. G Smith (captain)
2. V.Sehwag
3. Amala
4. Pieterson
5. Chanderpaul
6. Kallis
7. Dhoni (keeper)
8. Johnson.
9. Steyn
10. Zaheer Khan
11. Mendis
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2 seamers and one of those is flintoff?
what is he has batted and got 100- he has to then open the bowling-
another seamer reqired big lad
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My team would be:-
Smith
Gambhir
Chanderpaul
Pietersen
Hussey
Dhoni (Cpt)(WK)
Flintoff
Vettori
Morkel
Steyn
Mendis
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My team is as follows.
Smith (Captain)
Sehwag
Kallis
Tendulkar
Hussey
Chanderpaul
Sangakkara(Wicket keeper)
Flintoff
Murali
Johnson
Steyn
Pieterson (12th man)
I am sure that this team can beat any team in the world. I give preference to Sangakkara over Dhoni and Mccullum as wicket keeper batsman. Plz respond if any of you have comments on this.
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Towards the end, why are people putting in Tanvir and Yousuf? Pakistan have only played 1 Test series, this year.
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As it's meant to be a team of 2008, how on earth is anyone picking Kallis? He's only averaging 32 with the bat and has made only one century, as against for instance Pietersen who is averaging 51 and has made 5 centuries!
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MY TEST TEAM OF THE YEAR :
1. Graeme Smith(Captain)
2. Virender Sehwag
3. Kumara Sangakkara(WK)
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. Shivnarine Chanderpaul
6. Mike Hussey
7. Andrew Flintoff
8. Daniel Vettori
9. Brett Lee
10. Dale Steyn
11. Muttiah Muralitharan
12th Man. Gautam Gambhir
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Adam,this is not exactly a team of 11 players,but a list of 11 best cricket players in your opinion
In order to accommodate as many as possible,you have failed to account of rthe balance of the side.....
None of the 4.....Tendulkar,Ponting,KP or Shiv bat as low as number 6 for their sides and would be wasted in that position.Moreover,with the quality they possess,just 3 of them would be required in any middle order...
Similarly,Sangakarra at number 7 is a shame,he is a world class number 3.Number 7 is a position where a wicketkeeper batsman may play
Again if you consider Flintoff just a bowler,number 8 is fine for him,but he is an all rounder-----either number 6 or 7
Again,with his injury and fitness record....it is too big a risk going in with four bowlers
Zaheer on current form,is okay
Murali and Mendis are automatic selections...so are the openers
So,ideally 3 of the 5 should play from number 3 to 5(Sangakarra can be the fifth option),followed by Flintoff at number 6,Dhoni at number 7(if Sangakarra does not play that is,if he does and so does Flintoff,then Kallis/a fast bowler needs to fit in as well to provide cover to Flintoff )
1.Sehwag 1.Sehwag/Gayle
2.Smith 2.Smith
3.Sangakarra 3.Ponting/Dravid
4.Tendulkar 4.Kallis
5.KP 5.Jayewardane
6.Shiv 6.Laxman
7.Flintoff 7.Dhoni
8.Zaheer 8.Vettori
9.Lee 9.Johnson
10.Murali 10.Steyn
11.Mendis 11.Harbhajan
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Adam is this a 'Best 11 players in the world right now to play a test in India' team or is it (as the title of your piece suggests it is) a 'Team of the Year'. Because if it is a team of the year then surely it should be based on performances during 2008.
Ponting hasn't done enough. Flintoff, Murali and Sanga have only played 5 games each. The logic behind picking them is presumably their career records. By that logic people like Hayden and Dravid come into consideration.
Mendis, despite making a huge impact, has only played 3 games. Surely you need more evidence than that before you make a hasty judgement. Many a new player has been declared exceptional only to never quite live up to it as they bed in and the opposition figure them out more.
Zaher is bowling really well at the moment but the fact that he and Freddie between them have taken less wickets in more attempts than some of the people up the top of the leading wicket takers has to be taken ino consdieration.
Johnson (not actually in Adam's team but emntioned by a lot of posters) had a cracking game in Perth but throughout the year his results and some of his performances have been distinctly average. Take out cheap wickets against a poor NZ batting line up and your left with a handful of wickets at mid 30's in the Windies and a performance in India that left the world thinking that this is the worst Aussie bowling line up in living memory.
Nothing personal for or against any of these players of course.
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At 2:11pm on 21 Dec 2008, dannybadhan wrote:
1. Hayden
2. Dravid
3. Ponting
4. Tendulkar
5. Lara
6. Kallis
7. Gilchrist
8. Pollock
9. Warne
10. Murali
11. McGrath
You seem to have slipped through a portal im time from about 5 years ago lol.
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1. Smith *
2. Sehwag
3. Kallis
4. Chanderpaul
5. Hussey
6. Sangakarra
7. McCullum +
8. Zaheer
9. Lee
10. Steyn
11. Mendis
12. Vettori
Pick from 12 to allow for either 2 spinners or 4 seamers.
Unlucky to miss out:
Muralitheran, Gayle, Michael Clarke, Pietersen, Gambhir, Dhoni, Johnson.
No Pakistanis or Flintoff as they haven't played much Test cricket this year
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This is my team of the year:-
1. Smith (capt)
2. Gambhir
3. Kallis
4. Pietersen
5. Chanderpaul
6. Sangakarra (wk )
7. Flintoff
8. Vettori
9.Zaheer Khan
10.Steyn
11.Muralitharan
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OK the team of 2008 definately has to be;
1 Graeme Smith(most runs and hundreds)
2 Vehrinder Sehwag (next most runs)
3 Shivnerine Chanderpaul (immovable)
4 Sachin Tendulkar (class act)
5 Kevin Pietersen (great year 5 hundreds)
6 AB De Villiers (runs + fieling capabilities)
7 Brendon McCullum + (keeper + runs)
8 Harbhajan Singh (lots of wkts)
9 Brett Lee 1 (good wkts avg.)
10 Mitchell Johnson (lots of wkts)
11 Dale Steyn 2 (most wickets)
there you go
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Smith (c)
Sehwag
Tendulkar
Pietersen
Sangrakarra (wk)
Chanderpaul
Flintoff
Z. Khan
Steyn
Murali
Mendis
This would be a ridiculously good test team.
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Smith (c)
Sehwag
Pietersen
Hussey
Chanderpaul
Sangakarra (wk)
Flintoff
Z Khan
Johnston
Steyn
Mendis
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I would like to make few changes in your team. I have cosidered various things, like overall class of the player, stats for 2008, positions they are comfortable in and most importantly their ability to perform in various conditions, before coming up with my final 11.
My Team for the year 2008 is:
1. Smith(Captain)
He has played consistently well all over the world for past couple of years and under his leadership SA hasn't lost a series in last 2 years or so.
2. Sehwag
Easly the most destructive batsman irrespective of the pitch or game situation. Can turn any match on its head when in form.
3. Sangakara(WK)
Best batsman wicket-keeper after gilly and very good record at number 3.
4. Petersen
Class act and can score centuries anywhere in the world. 15 centuries in 45 odd games is quite remarkable.
5. Michael Hussey
Most consistent batsman of modern era. Can really rebuild the innings whenever required.
6. Chanderpaul
Not very elegant but effective. cricketer of the year and a very consistent performer.
7. Flintoff
Very good player with all round skills...good with the bat and excellent bowler.
8. Zaheer
I think at this moment, best swing bowler in the world. really unplayable these days once he starts getting his reverse swing. Ask england and australia:)
9. Steyn/Mitchell Johnson
This is a difficult choice. Steyn is good at removing tail and mitchell johnson has lots of potential and can bowl lot of wicket taking balls. I think you can pick anyone of these two.
10. Murlitharan
A legend.
11. Mendis
A great prospect. Best players of spin in the world i.e. Indian batsmen really struggled against him. I think its bit early to judge but I still think he deserves this place.
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Ok Lets do this.
1. Gayle In place of Sehwag
2. Chaderpaul In place of Tendulkar
3. Dale Steyn In place of Zaheer
4. Mitchell Johnson in place of Flintoff(Englands best two players does not necessarily need to make the World XI)
5. Hashim Amla in place of Ponting.
Then let World XI face India XI
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My Best 11 Test Team
G. Smith – SA - A v. good year and did well against the Ausies
Gambhir – IND – A v. good year and played with control against the Ausies
Amla – SA – A very reliable player and doesn’t give his wicket away
Chanderpaul – WI - very gritty and attacking. Great ability to change a match
Pietersen –ENG- a fine and attacking player and very determined
Dhoni – IND - In my opinion, the best keeper around at the moment
Zaheer – IND - clever fast bowler
Steyn – SA – very good consistent bowler
Johnson – AUS – attacking, good fast bowler and good with the bat
Murali – SLA - what can I say ? – brilliant !!
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i dont agree with this team even though it is a good selection of players , the world team 11 should be the whole indian team.
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i wouldnt include flintoff i put steyn ahead of flintoff and i wouldnt include mendis as he is fairly inexperienced i would include harbhajan ahead of him and i would also include gambhir as he has had a great year but where would he fit in with smith and sehwag having such a brilliant 2008.
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1. Smith (c)
2. Gayle
3. Amla
4. Chanderpaul
5. Kallis
6.de villiers
7.boucher (wk)
8.morne morkel (how could you forget him?!)
9.murali
10.paul adams (for the lols)
11.steyn
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obviously no one watched the west indies in new zealand...
Chris Gayle to open and definitely McCullum at keeper
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