Best England Cricket XI - 1978 to 2020

[Deutsch Wolf]

Surely if you have three specialist quicks then they're down for 20+ a day apiece anyway? Then your spinner and unless it's ultra-green or hooping round corners, he's going to do a bit of work even on day one.

How much are you expecting from your fifth bowler?

It's a fair point that's been made whenever we (rarely) actually have picked six bowlers, if you can't trust the five that were there in the first place then at least one of them doesn't belong there.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

If you get the four bowlers right you already have pietersen and Trott as fifth back up. Then you could pick Vaughan as another bits and pieces spinner to bat at six and captain the side. I could see that potential depending on the 4 bowlers.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

If we're ever picking Michael Vaughan because he can bowl then we've got a serious issue.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

If we're ever picking Michael Vaughan because he can bowl then we've got a serious issue.

Ok. As a guess. Broad Anderson Willis and Underwood will be a hypothetical 4. That’s some foursome on any track. If it’s fast Willis gets you. If it swings Anderson gets you. If it seams Broad gets you. If it in any way spins Underwood gets you. The other bowlers are there for rest breaks !

 

[Sniffer]

Is that the Broad who as a specialist bowler has a record not quite as good as an all rounder who looks like he won’t get picked?

He’s been reasonably good for England over a number of years. It took him to eventually decide that he has to work at his game rather than rock up for a series hoping that he will come good to get there though. In the top three over the last 42 years though...

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Stuart Broad has 485 Test wickets and has defined multiple series. He's been absolutely brilliant for England.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Stuart Broad has 485 Test wickets and has defined multiple series. He's been absolutely brilliant for England.

Yep. If he isn't picked its a travesty. I can't even argue he's a homer like Jimmy as he has done some good stuff away from England too.

 

[Tony Towner]

I'd have a fit Gough over Broad every day of the week

 

[Deleted Cyber]

I'd have a fit Gough over Broad every day of the week

I wouldn't. Gough is good not great .Broad has been awesome at times. If Broad isn't picked then you lot have not been watching test cricket for the last 15 years.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Gough may make my list but he will 100% not be ahead of Broad.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Gough has 229 wickets at 29.
Broad has 485 at 28
Its a no contest.

 

[Sniffer]

Gough has 229 wickets at 29.
Broad has 485 at 28
Its a no contest.

So is it averages that will be king for you Cyber or volume of wickets?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Ed Giddins ftw

 

[Tony Towner]

Maybe, if that was true, but Gough has the slightly better average and better strike rate

 

[Deleted Cyber]

So is it averages that will be king for you Cyber or volume of wickets?

Its overall consistency. Broad has done it at the highest level for yonks. He's a shoe in. If you don't pick Broad you're nuts! The bowlers are easy. Broad Anderson Willis. No one else comes close but I am keen to see the argument for others before I tell them they are wrong :icon_cool:

 

[Deleted Cyber]

So is it averages that will be king for you Cyber or volume of wickets?

He has double the wickets at a similar average. Take that in. More than double! Broad is one of our best bowlers ever. Goughs just good.

 

[Tredman]

Broads done fantastically well for his ability level. But in the 3 best fast bowlers in the last 30 years (for me), nah.

 

[Sniffer]

He’s been lucky to be managed and protected by central contracts. Staying fit over a long period ( I accept that he’s been good enough to hold his place in the team) shouldn’t be the only standard that your judging your picks on. Botham played over 100 tests and had a better average and strike rate. Gus Frasers average is far better than both.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Gus averaged 27.32. Broad averages 28.50. I don't know if it's "far better"!

Mind you we've had Lamb serially nominated when Robin Smith averaged about 44 against the same bowlers, so what do I know.

 

[Sniffer]

I’m not saying that Gus should be in the top 3 either. Being a grumpy fecker and making Atherton give him his box back in as he came into bat with him as a night watchman in Australia goes in his favour though.