Favourites team

Ok the rules are simple. Choose a team of your favourite cricketers, past and present. You can only have a maximum of 3 players from one particular nation. They don´t have to be the best players although often we are drawn to a player by their brilliance. But try to choose players who you have genuinely enjoyed watching over the years.

David Boon - Any guy that can knock back so many beers on a long-haul flight is a legend. But this guy was not your typical looking cricketer. Almost as wide as he was tall, with a moustache as big as a set of chopper handlebars, this guy knew how to score runs. Fielded often at silly mid-off because he would be otherwise swallowed up by the field further out. A real character.

Gordon Greenidge - A vital cog in the West Indies team. Such a composed player with a wide array of shots. His off-breaks could be useful on the low and slow pitches as well.

Virender Sehwag - Another opener that was able to lift his side by creating a reliable opening partnership. Capable of getting the side off to a flying start as well as a reliable start made him great to watch for me.

Martin Crowe - Not many NZ greats but this was a guy who looked comfortable batting and made it look simple. Such an elegant driver of the ball but capable of the big shots when needed.

Inzaman ul Haq - Not in the greatest physical shape but such a timer of the ball. Capable of devastating power hitting and preferred hitting boundaries because he didn´t have to run.

Adam Gilchrist - A wicketkeeper batsman or a batsman who could keep. It doesn´t matter. I just loved watching this guy bat.

Shahid Afridi - Give him the ball and he could do some damage with his spin. But give him the bat and he could win you the game all by himself. I always have a soft spot for the guys with a high strike rate as when they were on song you got a highlights package delivered to you whilst watching them live.

Viv Richards - He was the personification of cool. He was the Marvin Gaye of cricket. He just oozed class and he didn´t mind letting you know about it. No helmet for this guy. He was too cool for school for such naff things. My favourite player of all time.

Richard Hadlee - Paddles wasn´t exactly the best all-rounder because his batting was more a useful tail-ender who could get you a few more important runs unlike genuine all-rounders like Flintoff who opened the bowling and batted high up. But watching this guy bowl and that sily smooth action was a beautiful thing.

Wasim Akram Could´ve gone for the West Indies greats like Garner, Holding and later on Walsh and Ambrose. Watching them in the outfield was pure comedy as they let countless runs slip through their half-token efforts to field. It was like putting giraffes in the outfield. But get them bowling and the ball pitching on a good length but coming up at your throat with pace and they were a beauty. Could´ve gone for characters like Merv Hughes or Shane Warne that were cult figures. But as you can see I like my all-rounders. This guy could bowl at pretty much the same pace off a short run up as he could a long one.

Ewen Chatfield This guy had no natural talent. He worked hard for his money. He was a grafter. He put the ball on a spot because he couldn´t do anything special with it. He couldn´t bat and watching him bat was usually through my fingers. I didn´t want to look. But he was a firm favourite of mine simply because he was completely lacking in natural talent but he always gave his all and did his country proud.

So a team that would probably get hammered by a more even side but I´d certainly love to watch them. Sorry for the lack of representation from England or SA or Sri Lanka. Could easily make another with Murali, Flintoff, Jacques Kallis for instance. But only 11 players and I just loved watching the guys in my list.

Good article mate, let me have a think. Good to see you contributing to this section too, keep it up

Shall post mine later.

test or one day?

Don't suppose it really matters, as it is favourites as opposed to best. Just make a team of players you love watching, in any format.

Cheers. I posted a similar one on rugby. Living in Madrid I get no cricket news. I did see the one-day World Cup in an Irish bar (the SA vs NZ match was a particular highlight) and I do miss the sport. Have been following the fortunes of Australia in SA but generally don´t hear too much about cricket here.

I like the favourites team concept because it´s interesting to see which players were liked by others. Sometimes you can be a very successful player but not well liked. Ponting springs to my mind. Ol´gingerbread man with his currant eyes just never sat well with me I have to say. Great batsman though.

As for test or one day, as Fists of Fury says, it´s not important. If you enjoyed watching them, then by all means go for it. I must say I like one-day cricket but somehow never got into 20 20.

1.Gordon Greenidge: Class opening batsman, full of flair and always good to watch

2.Graham Gooch: Another class player, full of runs, and never let the team down

3.Virender Sehwag: Very good player, can change the course of a game, over a short period of time

4.Martin Crowe: Solid if unspectualr. Never let the side, down, and was full of runs

5.Ian Botham: One of the best all-rounders ever. Could change the course of a game in a short period of time, and he could get into a side purely just on his bowling

6.Brian Lara: one his day, one of the best batsman ever to play the game. Extremely quick hands, very powerful player, and very good to watch

7.Mark Boucher: Can change the course of a game very quickly, and very reiliable behind the stumps

8.Graeme Swann: Always like watching swanny bowl. Always full of emotion and enthuasiam, and alwyas gives 100% for the side.

9.Zaheer Khan: One of the best swing bowlers in the world. Oddly more effective with the old ball on flat pitches, can reverse it, and when at his best, a delight to watch him bowl.

10.Waqar Younis: Fast, swings the ball, and class

11.Allan Donald: Pure speed, pure aggression and fantastic to watch

Before anyone moans about the side, its not a best of side, its who i like to watch!

Shewag - Great to watch and scores big.

M Waugh - There's never been a more elegant Cricketer.

Ponting - A great player who was good to watch and played for the team.

Lara - Had the X factor as well as being a true great.

M Crowe - A classical player.

V Richards - Loved the way he strode to the wicket, chewing his gum and with an expression that said "lets be having ya".

Botham - never a dull moment when he batted or bowled.

Dujon - Classy and acrobatic keeper.

Marshall - Loved his run up and whippy action.

Warne - There was always something happening when Warnie bowled.

Waqar - The most exciting quickie of his era.

Trescothick - My favourite player growing up. That swishing blade outside off stump with no foot movement was awesome.

Sehwag - Him and Tres opening in a Test? Enough said.

James Taylor - Will be a great player, and is a great outfielder to have in my side! And adds some sensibility to the carnage going on around him.

Sir Viv - The Master Blaster himself, no further explanation required bar "You know what it looks like, you go get it".

AB De Villiers - Love watching him bat. Combines excitement with weight of runs, great stuff.

Botham - I refuse to pick a negative batsmen in this side and Beefy offers a decent bowling option aswell!

Gilly - When my side are 400-5 off 85 overs, Adam strides to the crease to compound the misery.

Warne - Something was always happening when he bowled and wasn't afraid of a batting cameo either.

Dale Steyn - 90mph swing bowling and is great to watch when in full flow (which is most of the time), and another big hitting lower order player!

Joel Garner - Combine the skiddy pace of Steyn with the brutal pace and bounce of Garner, plus those yorkers, and you will have batsmen reaching for another set of trousers.

Xavier Doherty - Because I really enjoyed watching him bowl.* If he had any bowling to do in this side, which is unlikely.

















*Especially when KP, Cook and Trott were launching him everywhere at the Gabba and Adelaide. I loved seeing him get chucked the ball.

Matthew Hayden
Sanath Jayasuriya
Richie Richardson
Kevin Pietersen
Viv Richards
Ian Botham
Adam Gilchrist
Andrew Flintoff
Shane Warne
Malcolm Marshall
Wasim Akram

I could make several lists of players i have enjoyed to watch since i started to do so in 1981.
But the above i would certainly pay to watch.

Right, here we go.

1. Marcus Trescothick - Loved watching Banger bat when on form. By no means your classical opener, with a complete lack of foot movement at times, but my God he could dominate a new ball attack. Edgbaston 2005 was one such occasion, where he flayed the Aussies to all parts of the ground.

2. Matthew Hayden - Another renowned for his pure dominance. Hayden's brute force was almost primeval and I found it fascinating to watch as he dismissed the ball to all parts. A nightmare when he did so against England, though, and I hated him for it then!

3. Rahul Dravid - was going to go for Ponting here, but given the 3 per country restriction I am going to go with a completely different type of number 3 in Dravid. Whilst not being the most exciting batsman by any stretch, I have always loved watching people bat that really are a 'Wall', absolutely rock solid in their obdurate defence, and sending a clear message to the fielding side that they are going nowhere. Dravid has this in bundles, and when you add to that the incredible poise he shows when making attacking shots he walks into this slot, for me.

4. Sachin Tendulkar - who else? The Little Master is right up there alongside The Don as the greatest batsman of all time, and in full flow is an absolute joy to behold. Incredibly fluid, with every single shot in the book in his arsenal, he is a run machine that does it in style.

5. Brian Lara - along with Sachin, one of the greatest of his generation. Typified that West Indian flamboyance and often blazed away in style.

6. AB DeVilliers - again, due to the 3 players per nation rule, AB just edges out my preferred choice of Kevin Pietersen. KP is as dismissive and destructive as they come when on his day and I personally love to watch him when he begins to accelerate, and the subsequent look of bewilderment on the bowlers face. However, rules are rules, and AB is a player of immense poise and class, with a wide range of shots that are a joy to watch. A very smooth and aesthetic batsman.

7. Adam Gilchrist - Has to be, doesn't it? Always found him entertaining behind the stumps with his chirping at Warnie and his exaggerated expressions, but when he had the willow in hand he was one of the most destructive hitters we have ever seen. Hit some immense maximums.

8. Andrew Flintoff - Number 8 seems harsh but had to squeeze the big man in. A real impact player with the ball in hand and could give any batsman a real going over. His one over in the 2005 Ashes where he removed Langer at the beginning before giving Ponting all kinds of trouble then removing him at the end of it was probably the best over I have ever seen. The sight of a monstrous frame steaming in and sending 90+ mph missiles down in anger has to excite anyone. Freddie had that x-factor, and with the bat provided many fireworks which we will never forget. A player I loved to watch.

9. Shane Warne - one of the great characters of the game, not to mention the greatest bowler that has ever lived. I loved watching Warnie not only for his prodigious skill and immense turn he extracted, but for the theatrics. Appealing like his life depended on it, and then looking disbelieving when a ball that pitched a foot outside leg was given not out, it was all part of the gamesmanship. Getting in to the head of the batsman and making him think he was a whisker away from getting out. Along with Gilly, they formed some partnership. Also good value for money with the bat, unafraid to express himself and play his shots.

10. Dale Steyn - express pace, a snarling look on his face, excellent accuracy and that late movement through the air. Steyn is what fast bowling is all about. Great to watch when he is running in at full pelt, and is a nightmare for any batsman on almost any surface. Another with the potential to entertain with the bat, hitting some lusty blows.

11. James Anderson - the king of swing, Jimmy makes up my 11. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone display such prodigious skill and mastery of their art when the ball is swinging, Jimmy moves it both ways at will, and moves it big. I love watching him set up a batsman where he will bowl say 4 outswingers with unerring accuracy, before unleashing a booming inswinger that catches the batsman at unawares and pins him lbw. That is the perfect wicket, for me.


As you'll notice, I've only picked people that I've seen play myself. Having watched videos of Richards et al they're certainly deserving of a place, but I will allow others to do them that honour. So, more of a modern team, but one thats members have rarely failed to thrill me when they've taken centre stage.

cricketfan90 wrote:1.Gordon Greenidge: Class opening batsman, full of flair and always good to watch

2.Graham Gooch: Another class player, full of runs, and never let the team down

3.Virender Sehwag: Very good player, can change the course of a game, over a short period of time

4.Martin Crowe: Solid if unspectualr. Never let the side, down, and was full of runs

5.Ian Botham: One of the best all-rounders ever. Could change the course of a game in a short period of time, and he could get into a side purely just on his bowling

6.Brian Lara: one his day, one of the best batsman ever to play the game. Extremely quick hands, very powerful player, and very good to watch

7.Mark Boucher: Can change the course of a game very quickly, and very reiliable behind the stumps

8.Graeme Swann: Always like watching swanny bowl. Always full of emotion and enthuasiam, and alwyas gives 100% for the side.

9.Zaheer Khan: One of the best swing bowlers in the world. Oddly more effective with the old ball on flat pitches, can reverse it, and when at his best, a delight to watch him bowl.

10.Waqar Younis: Fast, swings the ball, and class

11.Allan Donald: Pure speed, pure aggression and fantastic to watch

Before anyone moans about the side, its not a best of side, its who i like to watch!

Boucher?

M. Waugh: sheer poetry watching him bat when on form, my favourite ever batsman to watch. Could hit the ball miles (against spin in particular) without looking like he was trying. His back-foot ease (to call it a drive would be an injustice) through cover usually just made me go "wow". My bro was once watching an Aus Boxing Day test overnight live (Aus vs West Indies, around 2004? Bichel was playing), and woke me up with the words "Mike you're going to want to watch this, Mark Waugh's in and looks in good touch". I think he made 80 odd. I didn't regret the lost sleep.

AB De Villiers: not only a classy classy batsman to watch, plays shots all around the ground. On top of that, IMHO the best groundfielder to have ever played the game. Watching him field is almost worth the entry money on its own.

O. Shah: slightly unusual one this, but with grandparents being middlesex members I've been to Lords a few times to watch county games. Whilst he was at Middlesex, Shah shone out as a talent. Not always orthodox, not always the prettiest player to watch, but boy could he hit a cricket ball. Played several match-winning innings for Middlesex with me in the stands. A lasting memory was a game against Warwickshire which I think was during the 2nd test at Edgbaston in '05: Ntini was playing for warwickshire and had taken a wicket, Shah strode out to the crease and about his 3rd ball he absolutely creamed a pull-shot through mid-wicket. The ball thumped into the advertising boards before anyone had moved (I remember thinking Square-leg was lucky the ball hadn't been hit straight at him, as he would surely have just been hit). To this day I haven't seen anyone hit a ball quite so hard.

D. Martyn: another beauty of a batsman to watch, pure grace and style. His knock in the WC final in '03 was overshadowed by Ponting's big hundred, but it was actually Martyn who got the partnership going in the early stages (Ponting's first 50 took 70 balls or so, Martyn batted at a run-a-ball throughout). In fact, Martyn throughout his career has seemingly played second-fiddle to more illustrious and spectacular team-mates. It's time to put this right.

K. Pietersen: Love him or hate him, but there's no denying the entertainment Pietersen brings to the party. If I found out he was batting I would usually stop whatever I was doing and find a stream/pub to watch. And that's before we mention the left-handed 6s over long-on off Scott Styris. Few players currently active are as talented.

Brian Lara: how could I not? Flamboyant, spectacular, unorthodox. What a hand-eye coordination! Remember him dismantling Pakistan in an ODI once. Simply awesome.

Alan Knott: Only seen highlights. If we have to restrict this to players we've seen live I'd have to do without a keeper. Maybe M Waugh could make a stab at it. Knott was worth the entry fee for his wicket-keeping. Not to mention his unconventional but effective batting. But really a genius with the gloves. His keeping to Underwood for both club and country is probably the best that's ever been. And people say Taylor was better! I'm only sorry I haven't seen much of Taylor.

Wasim Akram: a genius with the ball. His spells in the the WC final in 1992 are surely amongst the greatest ever produced. His ball to dismiss Lamb swung both ways! Not just angled in and seamed, but swung in from the hand and the swung away as it pitched. Impossible! Except that he repeated it when bowling to Croft (which obviously so confused the umpire he gave it not out) in a test match around 95. A truly once in a lifetime bowler.

S. Warne: who else? Just mesmerising to watch as he worked over a batsman. A glint in his eye as he realised he'd got the batsman just where he wanted him and then went in for the kill. You couldn't take your eyes off the game whilst he was bowling. Plus I was at the G for his 700th. What a moment that was. Oh and the guy's batting could be quite entertaining too.

A. Donald: the ultimate fast-bowler's action. Pace, Swing, Seam, Aggression, grace, poise, you name it, Donald had it. Listened to his battle with Atherton at Trent Bridge in 97 and you could almost picture the struggle.

Waqar Younis: at his absolute best, I doubt there's ever been a better fast bowler. Everyone knew what he was going to bowl, everyone knew how to play it in principle, everyone got cleaned up as Waqar proved too quick and too skilful.

There you have it. Not the most balanced side. No openers, I guess M. Waugh and AB would open (they've both done it, Waugh albeit in one-dayers). Pietersen at 3 (his natural position IMO), Lara 4, Shah 5 and Martyn 6. Or something.

Mark Waugh is a good shout Stella. I always thought he was the lookey likey of Bono and had a bit of the cool image associated with rock n roll.

Forgot to put that Jonty Rhodes would be the substitute fielder.

of players I have watched (since 96):

Michael Vaughan (capt) - beautiful, classical player to watch. At his best, the best in the world, I was lucky enough to see him make a hundred at the MCG in 02, and it remains for me the best innings I have seen live. Cover-drives, pull shots, cut shots, wristy flicks, it was lovely to watch.

Mark Waugh - cheating a bit by having him open the batting, but hey he did it in ODIs. Elegance personified with a bat in hand, so pleasing on the eye, and also had the ability to make tough slip catches look ridiculously easy.

Brian Lara - such an exciting batsman. At his best made it all look so easy, and like he was toying with the bowlers and captain of the opposition. Wonderful player.

Mohammed Azharuddin - now disgraced after match-fixing scandal, but again was a sublime batsman to watch. Typical Asian style, his ability to hit dispatch perfectly decent deliveries outside off-stump through mid-wicket with a flick of those supple wrists was remarkable.

Kevin Pietersen - at his dominating best there is no more exciting sight in cricket today. Has the ability to get on top of the world's best bowlers, and make them look average with some outrageous strokes. I'll never forget the ODI where he switched hands and hit Scott Styris over long-on (what used to be long-off) for six.

Andrew Flintoff - the most exciting all-rounder I've seen play the game. Could turn a match with bat or ball in the space of a few overs. The over he delivered at Edgbaston in 05 was the best I've seen, and turned the series on its head.

Adam Gilchrist (wk) - well there can really be no other choice. A good keeper, but it's his ability to take the game away from the opposition in half an hour of batting which makes him so remarkable, and he's the main reason keepers have to be competent batsmen nowadays. That hundred at Perth against England in 06 was astonishing.

Wasim Akram - a magician with the ball, could swing it both ways, conventionally or reverse, he had everything. Also highly entertaining with the bat.

Shane Warne - can there be any other choice? His bowling was unbelievable, but it was his ability to work a batsman over which makes him a real favourite of mine. Entertaining batsman too.

Brett Lee - sheer pace when he started, though he mellowed somewhat after that. Always gave his all, and had the ability to produce truly special spells of bowling. Again, I was lucky enough to see him bowl 5 or 6 overs at the speed of light in Melbourne 02, and it remains one of my favourite moments.

Alan Donald - a mesmerising sight when in full flow. Bowled fast without seeming to put that much effort into it, so smooth was his action, and though I didn't watch his classic duel with Atherton at TB in 98 I remember listening on the radio and thinking "wow".

Good call on Azza

Those tons in 1990 were two of the best I've seen.

Just watched highlights of KP's batting on youtube...crikey what a selection. Really imperious batting, some outrageous strokes, and to echo Mike undoubtedly one of the most talented batsmen currently playing the game.

Stella wrote:

cricketfan90 wrote:1.Gordon Greenidge: Class opening batsman, full of flair and always good to watch

2.Graham Gooch: Another class player, full of runs, and never let the team down

3.Virender Sehwag: Very good player, can change the course of a game, over a short period of time

4.Martin Crowe: Solid if unspectualr. Never let the side, down, and was full of runs

5.Ian Botham: One of the best all-rounders ever. Could change the course of a game in a short period of time, and he could get into a side purely just on his bowling

6.Brian Lara: one his day, one of the best batsman ever to play the game. Extremely quick hands, very powerful player, and very good to watch

7.Mark Boucher: Can change the course of a game very quickly, and very reiliable behind the stumps

8.Graeme Swann: Always like watching swanny bowl. Always full of emotion and enthuasiam, and alwyas gives 100% for the side.

9.Zaheer Khan: One of the best swing bowlers in the world. Oddly more effective with the old ball on flat pitches, can reverse it, and when at his best, a delight to watch him bowl.

10.Waqar Younis: Fast, swings the ball, and class

11.Allan Donald: Pure speed, pure aggression and fantastic to watch

Before anyone moans about the side, its not a best of side, its who i like to watch!

Boucher?

its not a best of team, its players that i like watching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chill cf, he offered you the bait and you have taken it like a great white shark that has been starving for two weeks. He was joking

I hope! Haha.

Fists of Fury wrote:Chill cf, he offered you the bait and you have taken it like a great white shark that has been starving for two weeks. He was joking

I knew he's bite

To me Dravid is an interesting choice. In NZ we had John Wright or Mark Richardson (watching him run in the outfield for a ball was one of the most hilarious sights I´ve seen on a cricket field. The commentator made a quip saying is this a slow motion replay or is this live?) who were collectors but could anchor an innings. I respected those players and I could see how they could be seen as your favourites for their value to the team. But my favourites tend to be players who could take a match away from the opposition with their bowling or their batting (apart from Chats bless him).

In NZ we had Chris Cairns, Ross Taylor, Craig McMillan. Rubbish averages but when on song capable of doing serious damage as they were prodigious hitters of the ball. Slow and steady probably wins more often than not in cricket but the thing that stands out in my mind is the lightning quick impact.

kia
I swapped Ponting for Hick.
how could I forget Punter.

Oh me too, Kia, as can be seen from the other 10 selections of mine. Dravid however I felt was a bit of a left field choice, who I enjoy watching (sparingly) for an entirely different reason. The defiant defence is impressive in its own right.

Kia Kaha - just quickly looking in from work.

A great article and very savvy. As it's each poster's personal favourites, nothing and no one can be wrong! Makes a change, eh guys?

Your call on Chatfield and related comments about him are wonderful. That is what watching and enjoying cricket should be all about - pure joy mixed with fear and trepidation.

The ''Chatfield place'' in my team will go to Tim Linley, a model professional who struck gold last season for Surrey after years and years of being on summer contracts and playing second eleven cricket. He is not a test player or even normally a best player but he is every Surrey fan's favourite.

Must go now. Full team to follow tonight in which I'll certainly include and pay tribute to one of your own countrymen from yesteryear (I'm as old as time apparently!).

Hope you'll stick around on the cricket boards. Best, Guildford

Fair enough Stella. To me Punter was something I wanted to do to the guy. A long way. He rubbed me the wrong way. Like his acceptance of a Champions trophy. Class batsman but by no means a class person. Threw all his toys out of the cot. I´d rather take the more affable, gum chewing Tubby Taylor. Not as good a batsman but a decent guy.

Captains are a strange one. Martin Crowe wasn´t well liked off the field but Stephen Fleming could do no wrong except often when he was batting and about to make a big score.

I certainly admire the players with concentration powers large enough to endure countless hours at the crease without falling for the mind tricks or tactic from the opposition. I guess Chatfield is an equivalent for the bowlers. Nothing flashy without the swing skills of McGrath who could also put it on a penny each time. But the underdog is often championed when your team is so poor. No way I´d vote for a guy like that for the All Blacks!

kia
Ponting though is a fierce winner and that's one of the things I like about him.

Spot on, Stella. Always adhered Ricky to me did that, along with his obvious class with the bat and as a fielder.

Yep no arguments from me there. Like McEnroe in tennis though, when things didn´t go his way, it got ugly.

Like I said, huge respect for him as a player. Hate to see him failing with the bat now in SA. His record doesn´t deserve a limping off into retirement. I can certainly see why you would have him as a favourite. If he were a Kiwi he´d be a God worshipped at summer time. More likeable fighters for me though from an Aussie perspective were Brett Lee and Shane Warne. I lived in London with the 2005 Ashes. A phenomenal series but those guys stood out for me as people who refused to let defeat enter their minds. But I fully concede once you get in your head you don´t like a player, it´s very difficult to get rid of that feeling despite the mounting evidence in opposition to that dislike.

Cheers for your comments guilfordbat. Look forward to seeing your team. It´s true my brief dabbles with the cricket boards have often been brief caused by the squabbling particularly with our friends from the Continent who seem to be outspoken on many things. I dig their passion but very difficult to enter debate with them. But the main reason why I don´t comment on here is I just don´t see enough cricket or play any. I would dearly love to tape up a tennis ball on one side and introduce cricket to the Spanish. Some ex pats obviously play here but a game of backyard or beach cricket simply doesn´t happen unfortunately. No backyards or beaches in Madrid.

I forgot Border as well.
Like Punter, a great fighter and a damn good bat.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Yep no arguments from me there. Like McEnroe in tennis though, when things didn´t go his way, it got ugly.

Like I said, huge respect for him as a player. Hate to see him failing with the bat now in SA. His record doesn´t deserve a limping off into retirement. I can certainly see why you would have him as a favourite. If he were a Kiwi he´d be a God worshipped at summer time. More likeable fighters for me though from an Aussie perspective were Brett Lee and Shane Warne. I lived in London with the 2005 Ashes. A phenomenal series but those guys stood out for me as people who refused to let defeat enter their minds. But I fully concede once you get in your head you don´t like a player, it´s very difficult to get rid of that feeling despite the mounting evidence in opposition to that dislike.

Cheers for your comments guilfordbat. Look forward to seeing your team. It´s true my brief dabbles with the cricket boards have often been brief caused by the squabbling particularly with our friends from the Continent who seem to be outspoken on many things. I dig their passion but very difficult to enter debate with them. But the main reason why I don´t comment on here is I just don´t see enough cricket or play any. I would dearly love to tape up a tennis ball on one side and introduce cricket to the Spanish. Some ex pats obviously play here but a game of backyard or beach cricket simply doesn´t happen unfortunately. No backyards or beaches in Madrid.

Thankfully debate with our friends from the continent is nice and civil these days. Those obviously causing trouble were removed, and the board is better off for it. Don't worry about not being up to date, mate, we are all happy to talk about old timers whenever the oppotunity arises!

Dennis Amiss-The side-on stance, the aura of solidity and stoicism, almost nonchalance. The feeling that, but for Lillee and Thompson, he'd have been classed as an all-time great but wasn't, quite. A Warks legend.

Marcus Trescothick-England's left-handed Sehwag (sort of), only not quite as good. Watching him attack the Aussies in 05 was one of the best things I've watched.

David Gower-Classical, silky batsman, but infuriatingly fallible. Also a bit of a wit, a character, Sopwith Camel and all that.

Viv Richards-The 'Master-blaster'. Used to hate the fact that he was taking England apart. Again. But used to love watching him do it

Derek Randall-Did he ever stay still? Cap doffing live-wire who is STILL one of the greatest fielders I've ever seen.

Ian Botham-'81. '85. 86-7. 'Who writes your scripts'. 'Nuff said.

Imran Khan-Exocet inswinging yorkers. Tavare and Gower brought to their knees before him. Loved watching him bowl.

Alan Knott-Quirky wicket-keeping genious. Never missed a chance and could improvise with the best of them with the bat.

Malcolm Marshall-The pitter patter approach, the deadly release, the beaming smile when he got the wicket he wanted, the ability to do almost what he liked with the ball.

Richard Hadlee-The classical fast bowlers action? Bowled swing and seam with a gunslingers understatement.

Derek Underwood-Something about the way he bowled. He was like a cross between an accountant and an assassin. Businesslike, thourough, inconspicuous, deadly.

Border needed to be though with the bat as he didn´t have the natural talent of Punter. Mark Waugh and Damien Martyn are possibly the ones with the most natural talent but it´s very rare to have a fighter and have lots of natural talent. Punter is a rare breed on that front.

Fleming was one of the sweetest timers of the ball. I remember his debut for 98, most of the boundaries looked like blocks. But if he had not thrown his wicket away countlessly with Harry Potter swishes outside off stump and shown more fighting qualities and valued his wicket more, he would´ve been a great.

As much as my favourites tend also to be big hitting batsmen, my favourite shots are more in the V or in front of the wicket. A big six is a fine sight but a beautifully timed cover drive with perfect technique is to me a wondrous sight. I admire the wristy players who can turn a good ball into runs but the front foot classic plays just seem to get my blood pumping.

That old kiwi John Wright was a good straight driver.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Border needed to be though with the bat as he didn´t have the natural talent of Punter. Mark Waugh and Damien Martyn are possibly the ones with the most natural talent but it´s very rare to have a fighter and have lots of natural talent. Punter is a rare breed on that front.

Fleming was one of the sweetest timers of the ball. I remember his debut for 98, most of the boundaries looked like blocks. But if he had not thrown his wicket away countlessly with Harry Potter swishes outside off stump and shown more fighting qualities and valued his wicket more, he would´ve been a great.

As much as my favourites tend also to be big hitting batsmen, my favourite shots are more in the V or in front of the wicket. A big six is a fine sight but a beautifully timed cover drive with perfect technique is to me a wondrous sight. I admire the wristy players who can turn a good ball into runs but the front foot classic plays just seem to get my blood pumping.

Exactly the same as my own view, mate.

Not too many have gone for Tendulkar.
A great player and in the 90's, great to watch. For me he has turned into a run machine who plays to his strengths (no hooks) rather than somebody who takes risks.

Never a drunk driver conviction certainly Stella. The way he held the bat though before the ball was bowled certainly limited his options.

Take a player like KP. Capable of outrageous shots. The reverse sweep, the agricultural flick over the wicket keeper. All fascinating and compelling to watch. But the conventional shots with the still frame poise after the shot has been made, give me that in a highlights package any day over the silly stuff.

Fists of Fury wrote: 1. Marcus Trescothick - Loved watching Banger bat when on form. By no means your classical opener, with a complete lack of foot movement at times, but my God he could dominate a new ball attack. Edgbaston 2005 was one such occasion, where he flayed the Aussies to all parts of the ground.

Hoggy_Bear wrote: Marcus Trescothick-England's left-handed Sehwag (sort of), only not quite as good. Watching him attack the Aussies in 05 was one of the best things I've watched.

Good to see it isn't just me! He was always a joy to watch, still is, when in full flow. Those punches down the ground and through the covers were sublime to see. It is sometimes forgotten that he started the counter attack at Edgbaston in '05 with so much of our memories going towards Flintoff, KP, Jones etc. but that innings, it could be argued, was the most important of the series as it showed everyone that the Aussies were only human. Regardless of this, it was certainly my favourite of that summer!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xchvjgq8IV0 - Here is his 219 against SA at The Oval in 2003, when he was on the verge of being dropped. A beautiful innnings to watch!

I think that is why I like watching KP play so much, Kia.

He is a rare breed in that he can mix the most innovative, unorthodox shots imaginable with absolutely scorching orthodox cover and straight drives. His 'flamingo' shot is one he has made his own, and whilst not the orthodox shot through midwicket it is mightily effective, and pretty much prevents bowlers bowling a wide of off stump line to him.

What an innings that was, jdizzle.

Every bit as good as Sehwag for me, when on form. Very similar players actually, in fact Marcus is probably the slightly more technically skilled of the two, with Sehwag perhaps possessing the slightly better eye.

His counter-attack against the Aussies really was what got us up for that series, and as you say, showed they could be beaten.

Good to hear Fists of Fury.

Nice vid. Some gems on the front foot there.

Tendulkar it seems has been around forever. Certainly a class batsman. But to me he doesn´t stand out as a favourite, as like you say he was more an accumulator through his best scoring areas rather than someone capable of getting on top by forcing changes from the bowler or field settings.

I included Sachin purely for his style in the 90's, which was when I grew up watching cricket. Not sure there has ever been such a sublime batsman.

He still is my favourite player to watch in world cricket in general. If given he choice of watching anyone bat it would be him. Such a shame his career was cut short, or he could be another player closing in on the English record for Test centuries and scoring 10 centuries in the 5 years since his retirement, against some of the attacks that are around now and the form Tres has been in would be childs play to him.

Not to mention he still is the record English ODI century maker! 4 clear of anyone. Great, great player.

Fists of Fury wrote:I included Sachin purely for his style in the 90's, which was when I grew up watching cricket. Not sure there has ever been such a sublime batsman.

He was IMO a better player to watch in the 90's. He once scored a double ton in Australia in 2004(ish) which was tbh pretty boring.
I admire the man and he is one of the greats but I wish he batted now like he use to.

I think the pressure of a billion people almost dictates that he can't play in such a way, which is a massive shame.

Fists of Fury wrote:I think the pressure of a billion people almost dictates that he can't play in such a way, which is a massive shame.

Maybe?
Like I say, he use to.
I always hoped he would play the odd Sehwag esq innings during his career. Possibly not quite as gung ho but an innings that made you get up in the morning to watch.

The pressure on him wasn't anywhere near as much back then, but nowadays with his God like status and the hopes of a billion resting on his shoulders it can't be easy and there must be that slight fear of failure.

His ODI 200 showcased exactly what he is capable of. Masterful.

Yes, his ODI batting has stayed pretty much the same.

back to the article.

My Ewen Chatfield pick would have to be Angus Fraser. Big Gus use to run in looking like he was on his last legs but he was a great work horse and like Chatfield would put the ball on the spot more times than not.

Some fantastic picks there, Hoggy has picked a whole team of them!

Trescothick's 90 at Edgbaston was crucial in the regaining of the ashes, as has been pointed out.

From what I saw of him Gower was the left-handed (english) version of Mark Waugh. Or I guess vice-versa given Gower came first.

Great shout on Randall as well, before my time, but by all accounts one of the great entertainers.

I agree with Stella on Tendulkar, he has essentially become an accumulator (albeit a very good one!), for me going back to that double century against the Ausies when he not only cut out the hook, he also cut out the cover-drive which had got him out a few times in that series previously. I think after that innings he realised he could make more runs by reigning himself in slightly. That in itself is a remarkable thing to do, but has unfortunately made him less exciting to watch.

Another few names to throw out there:

Slater: pre-Shewag! Coming down the wicket to cream bowlers over cover within the first 5 overs of a test match was unheard of, but then Slater arrived. I remember a few innings of his quite clearly:
- the 167 (or 169?) against England in the first test in 94. famously hit the first ball of the ashes series (back of a length outside off, the perfect ball to leave alone to judge the pace and bounce of the wicket) for 4 through point.
- in 98 at the SCG he scored 123 out of Aus's 2nd innings of 180 or so. On a tough wicket to bat Slater played with absolute abandon and smashed 3 huge sixes off the unfortunate Peter Such. Aus went on to win by 100 runs.
- in 01, first test, England had just made a below-par 291 but had all the momentum after an extraordinary last wicket stand of 103 in something like 12 overs between Stewart and Caddick. Hayden and Slater strode out to bat, England eventually made the breakthrough after 15 or so overs. Australia had already scored 98. Slater had already passed 50.

Michael Atherton: for the opposite reason, but I always liked watching Athers guts it out against the world's best. For a long time in his career England's best batsman by a mile.

Darren Gough: big hearted player who always gave his all, and had a cheeky smile.

Fraser is a good shout as well.

Nathan Astle was a favourite of mine as a pinch hitter. His performance against England was a stand out.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Nathan Astle was a favourite of mine as a pinch hitter. His performance against England was a stand out.

I remember watching that famous Astle innings (truely breathtaking), England were worried for a while.