The Alphabet Game

[braveneutral]

It surely has to be Sehwag. Didn't he storm into our all-time team on here?

[rich1uk]

sehwag and spofforth for me too

[Arthur Crabtree]

with sobers in the top 6 that empty spot is probably a batsman

bobbie simpson ?

That gives a good slip cordon. Bob Simpson and Graeme Smith. Swann can be added as well.

Is that a vote for Smith over Sehwag?

[ianp1970]

How about this top 7:

Smith G.
Sehwag
Sutcliffe
Smith S.
Sangakarra (WK)
Sobers
Simpson

Kumar kept in nearly 50 tests and averaged considerably more than Alec Stewart when doing so.

[rich1uk]

that would work, only thought is sanga's batting record as keeper is way below how he did as a batsman only

[meninblue]

with sobers in the top 6 that empty spot is probably a batsman

bobbie simpson ?

That gives a good slip cordon. Bob Simpson and Graeme Smith. Swann can be added as well.

Is that a vote for Smith over Sehwag?

There is good option of slip cordon with Bob Simpson and Steven Smith as the top 2 slip fielders. Swann will be another. So Smiths slip fielding will not be missed.

If the match is outside Asia i would definitely drop Sehwag because Smith has a better technique and temperament although there was tendency to shift to off and get in a position before playing the ball. Smith is without any doubt a better fielder in any position than Sehwag. Also if the team wanted a draw he would cut off the strokes. Sehwag on the other hand would not adjust as per match situation. The advantage Sehwag offers over Smith is he plays spin much better than Smith and scores at a very good rate.

To cut it short Smith is the one i would play if the match is in SA, NZL,England or Australia. In subcontinent Sehwag will be in my team.

[Arthur Crabtree]

How about this top 7:

Smith G.
Sehwag
Sutcliffe
Smith S.
Sangakarra (WK)
Sobers
Simpson

Kumar kept in nearly 50 tests and averaged considerably more than Alec Stewart when doing so.

Any backers?

Sanga was a much better batter when not keeper, which is a reason to keep Stewart in, plus Sanga is a three... but happy to go along with this.

Not sure about Simpson at seven, as a specialist bat.

[Arthur Crabtree]

To cut it short Smith is the one i would play if the match is in SA, NZL,England or Australia. In subcontinent Sehwag will be in my team.

Hmm....

[ianp1970]

Not sure about Simpson at seven, as a specialist bat.

Averaging over a wicket per game suggests a bit more than specialist batsman to me.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Fair enough.

[Arthur Crabtree]

1. Virender Sehwag
2. Graeme Smith
3. Herbert Sutcliffe
4. Steve Smith
5. Kumar Sangakkara
6. Gary Sobers
7. Bob Simpson
8. Graeme Swann
9. Dale Steyn
10. Brian Statham
11. Fred Spofforth

John Snow

Spofforth and Steyn opening the bowling would be a great spectacle.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looking through the stats, Samaraweera averages 48. Starc, Heath Streak, Siddle average under 30. Srinath and Southee just over. Yasir Shah averages slightly better than Swann.

Then there's tracer bullet.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Only quibble is an opener at three who always opened. Good side though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

1.
2.
3.
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Fred Trueman
11.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Then there's tracer bullet.

Ravi Shastri.