Best England Cricket XI - 1978 to 2020

[Deleted Cyber]

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.

As Dan says he has 177 wkts at less than a run better than Broads 485. Gus isn’t worthy of a mention in this team. He is about as relevant as Richard Ellison

 

[Sniffer]

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.

Sorry not far better I meant that Botham/Broad are about the same at 28.4/28.5 whereas Frasers is in the low 27’s.

 

[Tony Towner]

As Dan says he has 177 wkts at less than a run better than Broads 485. Gus isn’t worthy of a mention in this team. He is about as relevant as Richard Ellison

If it's about volume why did you pick Shearer over Rooney when the latter scored 77% more goals for England and played twice as many games?

 

[Deleted Cyber]

If it's about volume why did you pick Shearer over Rooney when the latter scored 77% more goals for England and played twice as many games?

Different sport. Different rules [emoji23]

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Besides Rooney is a bit of a twat

 

[Deleted Cyber]

He cheats on a beautiful wife with hookers allegedly. He may be our record holder but to me he is a selfish prick

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

He cheats on a beautiful wife with hookers allegedly. He may be our record holder but to me he is a selfish prick

His prick is obviously not selfish. He's willing to share it with anyone!

 

[Tony Towner]

He cheats on a beautiful wife with hookers allegedly. He may be our record holder but to me he is a selfish prick

You picked Botham a man who's not exactly famed for monogamy

 

[Deleted Cyber]

You picked Botham a man who's not exactly famed for monogamy

Rooney allegedly shagged a hooker while his wife was pregnant. I can't see past that. Ever.

 

[Tredman]

Rooney allegedly shagged a hooker while his wife was pregnant. I can't see past that. Ever.

There’s plenty who can’t see past Botham’s photo on twitter either.

 

[Sniffer]

All rounders result....

Ben Stokes 25
Ian Botham 18
Andrew Flintoff 17
Moeen Ali 4
Brigadier Block 1

 

[Sniffer]

Team so far...

1. Cook
2. Gooch
3. Trott
4. Gower
5. Pietersen
6. Stokes
7. Stewart


Spinner Next

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Graeme Swann
Phil Tufnell
Ashley Giles

 

[Tony Towner]

Swann
Emburey
Giles

Tufnell would be in there for talent, but not having the attitude

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Thought about Monty but he actually just annoyed me. How can you not learn to field off your own bowling, how can you never learn any lessons in a 50 Test career.

Tuffers had more ability (badly treated, like a lot of 90s players) and Gilo made the absolute best of what he had.

Swann is of course a country mile above anyone else. Just don't let him bant away.

Anyone picking that bastard Emburey should take a long hard look at themselves...

 

[Tony Towner]

All rounders result....

Ben Stokes 25
Ian Botham 18
Andrew Flintoff 17
Moeen Ali 4
Brigadier Block 1

Botham will have to be one of my fast bowlers then.

 

[Sniffer]

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.

Jimmy Anderson has a better record in 6 of the 8 countries that both he and Broad have played in. Steve Harmison has a better record than Broad in 4 out of the 7 away countries that they have both played in. Fraser has a better away record than Broad in 2 out of the three away countries, Gough in 3 out of the 4.

Broad is better than all of them bar Jimmy at home. I'd say that Broad was more of a homer!

 

[Sniffer]

Graeme Swann
Phil Tuffnell
Moeen Ali

Tuffnell didn't help himself either. Alec Stewart was scathing about him in his book and tales of Tuffnell on tour in his own book were more like a bloke on an extended stag do rather than a professional sportsman. In terms of talent and that is what this thread is about then he is second to Swann. If you want Giles or Emburey to play it is more to hold up an end than take wickets.

This is wear my argument about Broad continues and I'm not dismissing his record. If you are looking for someone to take a wicket do you throw the ball to Broad or would you look elsewhere? I'd sooner throw it to Flintoff or Gough in their prime rather than Broad.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Emburey was the only cricketer to go on both the England rebel tours to South Africa in 1981/2 and 1989/90; the rebels were banned from Test match cricket because of the apartheid régime. According to Graham Gooch's published tour diary, Emburey had dressed up as a member of the Ku Klux Klan at a fancy dress party on tour just before the news of the first rebel tour broke.

Politically, Emburey is a Conservative, and once appeared on stage at a Conservative Party conference in the 1980s alongside England teammate Bill Athey.

Even if he weren't rubbish (and he was), absolutely fuck that guy.

 

[Sniffer]

Politically, Emburey is a Conservative, and once appeared on stage at a Conservative Party conference in the 1980s alongside England teammate Bill Athey..

...

Taken out as I couldn't find any link.