South African All Time XI (Tests)

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South African All Time XI (Tests)

Cricinfo have been running their all time XI's for a while now and have just announced the team for South Africa.

Barry Richards
Graeme Smith
Jacques Kallis
Graeme Pollock
Dudley Nourse
Aubrey Faulkner
Mike Procter
Shaun Pollock
John Waite
Hugh Tayfield
Allan Donald

I didn't really think that much about it before, but when you look at the team chosen, I reckon they'd have given most teams a run for their money. They bat deep (to 9 I reckon) with players who could all bat. The bowling options have bases covered and that is without even considering Kallis!

Just for comparison the Aus and Eng teams:

Victor Trumper
Arthur Morris
Don Bradman
Greg Chappell
Allan Border
Keith Miller
Adam Gilchrist
Shane Warne
Bill O'Reilly
Dennis Lillee
Glenn McGrath

and

Jack Hobbs
Len Hutton
Wally Hammond
Ken Barrington
Kevin Pietersen
Ian Botham
Alan Knott
Harold Larwood
Derek Underwood
Fred Trueman
Sydney Barnes

Both are obviously immense but there is some gut feeling that says that the SA team would come out on top, more often than not. Not sure why but if those games could be played they'd be pretty amazing to watch.
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

I take it they haven't done the Windies side yet, but that will be incredibly formidable as well. IMO the Australian and English teams edge out the other two, but they're definitely four amazing sides that are well ahead of the others.

I will be interested to see the Indian and Pakistani teams - the Indians will probably be a little weaker in the bowling, and the Pakistanis in the batting.

The other sides will be pretty boring - aside from the New Zealanders they don't have the history to give a really diverse side.
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

Yip, the South African side is a belter and would be very competitive. One interesting note is that there are more all rounders than what I would consider normal.

Tayfield would be handy on any wicket, turn he would definitely.
I would definitely like to see the West Indies side - imagine playing that potential side on a lively green wicket.. life threatening I would think.
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

Obviously you South Africans would be in a much better position to comment: has Graeme Smith done enough to warrant all-time selection? Kallis would have, but perhaps once his career is almost over, we'd be able to make a more informed judgement of Smith's greatness. Gary Kirsten put in to a high standard over a long period, and of course Eddie Barlow was an outstanding cricketer for around 15 years.
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

@SoberSymonds - The issue that you raise is a valid one and one that I have been thinking about. The selection of Smith was a bit of a shock as he is still playing and there are some serious candidates that could have been selected.

My thoughts are one on the factors that played into his selection is the fact that he has played match winning innings more than once, and has gotten himself into a position very quickly as a all time great by some serious special innings. Just ask England :)

Kallis is a no brainer for me, just through his records but Smith is a selection that could become a debatable selection.
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

Smith may have been thought of due to his leadership and captaincy. Any ones thoughts on cronje? Worthy of a spot? A decent number 5 if I remember. Aside from his off-field issues.
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

Cronje was a decent Test bat but I don't think he's alltime material.

Bruce Mitchell is a contender to beat out Smith as Richards' partner. Personally I prefer him. I'm also surprised Herbie Taylor missed out - I suppose the Cricinfo team thought he was overrated because he played most of his best cricket at home on matting pitches.

Mind you, I'm rather a historical buff when it comes to choosing players, so I'm biased. I tend to hold players from the Golden Age through to the '50s/'60s in higher regard than a lot of people.
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

hattrick;381349 said:
@SoberSymonds - The issue that you raise is a valid one and one that I have been thinking about. The selection of Smith was a bit of a shock as he is still playing and there are some serious candidates that could have been selected.

My thoughts are one on the factors that played into his selection is the fact that he has played match winning innings more than once, and has gotten himself into a position very quickly as a all time great by some serious special innings. Just ask England :)

Kallis is a no brainer for me, just through his records but Smith is a selection that could become a debatable selection.
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Points taken. I was interested in a SAf'er point of view on the matter. I'm sure Smith will round out his career well enough to put himself up there. There's always the worry though that a call might be made too early on someone for such a huge honour.
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

@ABDeVilliers Cronje could get into the debate due to his leadership ability when on performance he is a no show.. his record is not that special if compared to the current crop of players. Also he will be remember for all the off field stuff at the end of his career and not being the founder of the slog sweep - Warney will vouch for that ..

@Caesar - Any others of the Golden Age that you think should be there? The history is a bit rusty and have not had the change to do some research on it.. how about Ali Bacher, Peter Pollock and Neil Adcock ..
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

What disgusted me most of the selecting was that AB De Villiers was in contention for a spot as a middle-order batsman. What was cricinfo's argument on having KP in the England squad?
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

Caesar;381354 said:
Cronje was a decent Test bat but I don't think he's alltime material.

Bruce Mitchell is a contender to beat out Smith as Richards' partner. Personally I prefer him. I'm also surprised Herbie Taylor missed out - I suppose the Cricinfo team thought he was overrated because he played most of his best cricket at home on matting pitches.

Mind you, I'm rather a historical buff when it comes to choosing players, so I'm biased. I tend to hold players from the Golden Age through to the '50s/'60s in higher regard than a lot of people.
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Cronje was a decent ................he must grab a seat among world's best 50, I think.:D
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

What do you think the WIs side will look like?

Greenidge
Haynes
Headley
Richards
Weekes
Sobers
Dujon
Marshall
Gibbs
Ambrose
Garner

I cant squeeze Lara and Holding into this team! Absurd!
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

Cricinfo are running their all time XI now as well.

I just looked at their fast bowlers there and, like they say, you can't fit all the deserved ones into a team of 11, let alone 3-4 bowling spots.
 
Re: South African All Time XI (Tests)

Boris;403314 said:
Cricinfo are running their all time XI now as well.

I just looked at their fast bowlers there and, like they say, you can't fit all the deserved ones into a team of 11, let alone 3-4 bowling spots.
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I guess you'd try and pick a balanced attack. Maybe only one of Garner and Ambrose seeing they were fairly similar. I think you'd have to have Marshall, and maybe Holding?

Garner/Ambrose
Marshall
Holding

The WIs must have produced more great paceman in the last 40 years than Australia have produced ever!
 
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