All time Test XI's

[andy]

As a bit of fun thought we could go through all the test sides and come up with an all time XI for each side...if there's any intrest i will kick things off?!

[Gingerfinch]

I’ll try a few

[sussexpob]

As a bit of fun thought we could go through all the test sides and come up with an all time XI for each side...if there's any intrest i will kick things off?!

Why not...

[bigfluffylemon]

Always fun to debate, although comparison across eras is never going to be resolvable.

[Gingerfinch]

England - From players I have seen. I saw Beefy but we was way past his best, especially in the bowing department

Gooch (C)
Cook
Root
KP
Thorpe
Stewart (WK)
Flintoff
Swann
Gough
Broad
Anderson

[sussexpob]

England - From players I have seen. I saw Beefy but we was way past his best, especially in the bowing department

Gooch (C)
Cook
Root
KP
Thorpe
Stewart (WK)
Flintoff
Swann
Gough
Broad
Anderson

Hard to argue with much of that, although I would put Tescothick in over Gooch, simply because Gooch was slightly before my time.

[sussexpob]

The bowlers is where it gets tougher in some aspects. Its hard to argue with the 4 in your list, but aside from Anderson, a lot of the seperation between certain players is made on length of career, staying fit and luck.

On pure skill without injury ruining careers, Chris Tremlett is a real standout imo. Shame he was made of glass. Same can be said of Dean Headley and Simon Jones... all three are in my opinion better natural talents than Broad. Even Andy Caddick at his very best was better than Broad.

[Gingerfinch]

Broad’s longevity is a major reason why he’s in my team, he has though ripped through top orders, Australia’s being the most famous.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Gooch (C)
Boycott in for Cook
Root
KP
Thorpe
Stewart (WK)
Flintoff
Swann
Gough
Willis in for Broad
Anderson

Pretty close to mine. Underwood for Willis depending on circumstances. Cook for Gooch in Asia.

Plus other reserves: Knott, Panesar, Broad, Trott.

What might have been but for injuries- Vaughan and S.Jones.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Chris Tremlett is a real standout imo. Shame he was made of glass.

Forgot about him. Add to my 'what might have been' list.

[Gingerfinch]

No Botham, Arthur?

[Gingerfinch]

Aussie - 1985 onwards

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Smith
Border
S Waugh
Gilchrist
Warne
Johnson
Cummins
McGrath

[Arthur Crabtree]

No Botham, Arthur?

Should have been, but quickly got fat and resisted the change needed to make the team more professional. A great all round talent though, and a fine fielder.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Aussie - 1985 onwards

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Smith
Border
S Waugh
Gilchrist
Warne
Harris in forJohnson
Lillee in for Cummins
McGrath

Again, more or less the same.

Johnson is a bit unpredictable. Yes to the 2014 version. Not so much the 2010 one. Might have Thommo for the early-mid 70s too. Not so good after the injuries.

Squad: Hussey, Taylor, Lyon, Healy, Cummins, MacGill.

Though Clarke was unstoppable for a while.

[Gingerfinch]

West Indies

1984 onwards

Greenidge
Haynes
Viv
Lara
Chanderpaul
Hooper (ok spinner)
Dujon
Marshall
Ambrose
Walsh
Garner