Neal Thomsen’s best Test side since 1970
Even more difficult to pick from those players, as several on the list I have only seen on highlight reels (I’m an ’83 model). It’s easy to think of a player as exceptional when all you’ve seen are their highlight packages – but I have no idea how Thommo or Lillee bowled throughout a struggling day in the field when the captain and team needed him to stand up. I’ve only ever seen images and footage of their 5-fors and wicket-taking deliveries. Lillee approaching the wicket so fluently and bare-chested, with the big chain dangling, and putting the ball in an almost unplayable spot to deliver an edge through to Marsh. Or Thommo firing down at Tony Greig and other Poms, obviously striking terror into most opposition batsmen.
Anyway, based on my cricket viewing (probably since the late ‘80s), my first early memories are the ’89 Ashes victory in England – Border, Boon, Jones, Healy, Hughes, McDermott…
- J Langer – Grit and fighting nature, and his fantastic and bountiful partnership with Hayden. Every team also needs a good in-close fielder.
- M Hayden – Ability to dominate opposition attacks and almost set up a Test on the first morning… Plus, anyone averaging over 50 at the top of the order should be in any “best team”.
- R Ponting – At his best, Punter seemed able to score centuries at will. Great ability in the field also.
- G Chappell – Fantastic record, and played in an era when the opposition bowling was fierce and highly talented. Bowls good medium pacers too.
- S Waugh (vc) – Grit and determination, he simply willed himself to succeed. Handy vice-captain in this side too.
- A Border (c) – “All punch, no grace” – Border got the job done in the middle order time and time again. Handy partnership-breaking spinner also. Great captain, always a team player.
- A Gilchrist – Could really push home the advantage batting at 7, scoring several centuries while the tail hung around. Could take the game away from the opposition in a single session.
- S Warne – Legendary bowler who could win Test matches off his own back. Very good slips fielder, and has a great cricket brain – would’ve made a fantastic captain, if not for his off-field antics.
- B Lee – X factor and dark horse of the team, his bowling speed and energy is invaluable as a first change bowler. Handy batting down the tail also.
- D Lillee – One of the all-time great fast bowlers, his record speaks for itself. Would take the new ball and devastate the opposition top order.
- G McGrath – Amazing accuracy and perfect line and length. Not only took plenty of wickets himself, but created many more at the other end by frustrating batsmen.
- D Walters – Great batsmen who could slot into the middle order anywhere from 3 down to 6. Handy part-time bowler with a knack for breaking partnerships, the “Golden Arm”.
Comments
