The Alphabet Game

[Arthur Crabtree]

1. Barry Richards
2. Chris Rogers
3. Viv Richards
4. Richie Richardson
5. Joe Root
6. Clive Rice
7. Jack Russell
8. Wilfred Rhodes
9. Sonny Ramadhin
10. Andy Roberts
11. Bruce Reid

Venkatapathy Raju, Ajinkhya Rahane, Dave Richardson

Mushfiqur Rahim of BD and Denesh Ramdin of WI are batter-keeper option.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looking through the stats. Mark Richardson (45) and Ian Redpath (43.5) average more than Rogers (43)

Pace bowlers not in the team averaging under 30 with 100 wickets. Reiffel 27. Then Kemar Roach, 30.2.

Rhodes and Sonny R are the only spinners under 30 with 100 wickets.

Richie Richardson and Rahane have similar averages so maybe a case of one v the other.

[DiligentDefence]

I think Rogers was past his best when finally selected so I'd keep him.

[Dr Cricket]

If you can't find a keeper Rahim is a good shout.

[Dr Cricket]

Also thought you had to play a test for this.
So not sure on Clive rice place.
Only asking since then picking a team for the tough letters are easier if it covers first class cricket.

[rich1uk]

Also thought you had to play a test for this.
So not sure on Clive rice place.
Only asking since then picking a team for the tough letters are easier if it covers first class cricket.

it only covers first class cricket when there is a valid argument for doing so imo

rice only didn't play tests because of the boycott, not because he wasn't selected and anyone who averages 40+ with the bat and 22 with the ball over the number of first class games he did is a valid contender, whereas Ramprakash for example wouldn't be a contender based purely on his first class stats as he had ample opportunity at test level and failed to impress. can we say Rice would have been successful at test level, not with any certainty, but there is enough of a case to suggest he would.

there are a few very good or great south african cricketers that had their careers affected by the boycott and Rice is one of them imo

[Dr Cricket]

Ok just wanted to make sure since when wi or aus were strong some of they first class players would be strong test players for other teams.
Should make it easier to pick a team for y now.
Surely loads of Pakistani/ Asian players available.

[rich1uk]

Ok just wanted to make sure since when wi or aus were strong some of they first class players would be strong test players for other teams.
Should make it easier to pick a team for y now.
Surely loads of Pakistani/ Asian players available.

there is a difference between not being selected and not being allowed to play because of a political boycott ...

[Arthur Crabtree]

The keeper in the QU team hadn't played Tests. But that was a difficult team to fill. Both Barry Richards (a handful of Tests) and Rice don't qualify on Test performances but have great fc records. Obviously no correct way of doing it.

If we drop Rice we need a third seamer and have to drop one of the spinners.

Certainly suggest fc players. I've been trying to think of some.

[Arthur Crabtree]

If we drop Rice we need a third seamer and have to drop one of the spinners.

The best seam options on stats are Reiffel and Roach, so not that tempting. It would allow for both Richardson and Rahane though. For me, RR gets the nod between these two, if choosing, but AR is still a good pick.

Any thoughts on Rahim v Russell?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nightmare for me to say these names, having a slight mannerism of rolling my Rs.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Rabada could come back into it if looking for a paceman.

[Dr Cricket]

I am ok with rice in the team, just wanted to clear it up since I thought we might have missed some players in other team if it was based on first class record.
Especially the players based on wisden reports that no one seen live before.
In keepers if Russell was a poor keeer than maybe rahim but in keeping terms he is *modded* as well but a better batsman.

[Dr Cricket]

Stats have Rahim winning easily and probably on ability as well.
I vote for rahim.

[rich1uk]

I am ok with rice in the team, just wanted to clear it up since I thought we might have missed some players in other team if it was based on first class record.
Especially the players based on wisden reports that no one seen live before.
In keepers if Russell was a poor keeer than maybe rahim but in keeping terms he is *modded* as well but a better batsman.

*sigh*

i'll repeat it again

afaik we have only considered players based on a first class record if there was a clear context to do so and we have considered or included WI bowlers or Aussie batsmen who had limited test careers because of the sheer depth in their respective teams at the time they played