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All-time XI: Australia
Gilchrist, Warne and McGrath in all-time Australia team
Cricinfo staff
July 20, 2009
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Players/Officials:
Arthur Morris
| Victor Trumper
| Sir Donald Bradman
| Greg Chappell
| Allan Border
| Keith Miller
| Adam Gilchrist
| Shane Warne
| Bill O'Reilly
| Dennis Lillee
| Glenn McGrath
Teams:
Australia
Other links:
All-time XIs - Australia
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Three members of Australia's all-powerful side of this decade, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist, have been voted into an all-time Australian XI by a Cricinfo jury, but there is no room for Ricky Ponting.
In June, Cricinfo announced the definitive search for the all-time greatest teams from all the Test-playing countries, starting with Australia. The Australia jury, which comprises cricket historians and print and radio journalists - among them Peter Roebuck, Gideon Haigh, David Frith, Warwick Franks and Jim Maxwell - were faced with the task of picking 11 from a shortlist created by Cricinfo's editors from the 410 wearers of the baggy green.
Australia's all-time opening pair was agreed to be Victor Trumper, whose average of 39.04 from 48 Tests belies his art, and Arthur Morris, part of Don Bradman's Invincibles on the 1948 tour of England. "[Victor] Trumper was the prototype of an expressive Australian batsmanship based on boldness, instinct and natural talent," said Haigh. Honourable mention was made of Matthew Hayden, arguably the most aggressive opener of the modern era, who averaged over 50 in Tests, but failed to make the XI.
At No. 3 is Bradman himself, whose selection Franks called "axiomatic". The middle order is bolstered by Greg Chappell and Allan Border. The Waughs, Steve and Mark, were strong contenders but missed out. Jury member Mike Coward's reasoning for the inclusion of Border was that "the sustained success of Australia over the past two decades or so is the direct result of his bravery, commitment and leadership".
Keith Miller and Adam Gilchrist were unanimous picks for the allrounder and wicketkeeper slots, while contrasting legspinners Shane Warne and Bill O'Reilly both found a place, edging out Clarrie Grimmett and Bert "Dainty" Ironmonger.
The fast-bowling spots went to Dennis Lillee and Glenn McGrath, takers of 355 and 563 Test wickets respectively, who beat out the likes of the legendary Alan Davidson (186 wickets at 20.53), Ray Lindwall (228 at 23.03) and Garth McKenzie (246 at 29.78). This was the most difficult part of selecting an all-time Australian XI, because this group had the longest list, indicative of the massive depth in that department for Australia.
"In many ways, this team tells you why Australia have been such a dominant force in cricket over the years," explained Sambit Bal, Cricinfo's editor. "They have had great players through the ages, and you have them all here: Victor Trumper from the 1900s, Bradman and O'Reilly from the 30s and 40s, Arthur Morris and Keith Miller from the 40s and 50s, Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee from the 70s and the 80s, Allan Border from the 80s, and McGrath, Warne and Gilchrist from the last two decades. That's a wonderful spread."
Cricinfo also asked readers to vote for their own favourites. Many did so, and in their view, Hayden, Ponsford, Ponting and Steve Waugh were chosen over Trumper, Morris, Greg Chappell and Border. The bottom half, however, remained the same.
More details here.
The nominees
Openers: Arthur Morris, Mark Taylor, Bill Woodfull, Bill Ponsford, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Bill Lawry, Bob Simpson, Victor Trumper.
Middle order: David Boon, Allan Border, Donald Bradman, Greg Chappell, Neil Harvey, Charles Macartney, Stan McCabe, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh.
Allrounders: Warwick Armstrong, Richie Benaud, Jack Gregory, Keith Miller and Monty Noble.
Wicketkeepers: Jack Blackham, Adam Gilchrist, Ian Healy, Rod Marsh, Bert Oldfield and Don Tallon.
Spinners: Clarrie Grimmett, Bert Ironmonger, Bill O'Reilly, Hugh Trumble and Shane Warne.
Fast bowlers: Ray Lindwall, Charlie Turner, Fred Spofforth, Dennis Lillee, Garth McKenzie, Alan Davidson, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Ted McDonald, Craig McDermott.
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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The biggest problem with this team is the selection rules - why insist on two spinners and an allrounder? The wicketkeeper-batsman is an allrounder anyway. My team would be Morris, Taylor, Bradman(c), Ponting, G. Chappell (almost an allrounder with his medium pacers), Harvey, Gilchrist, Warne, Lindwall, Lillee and McGrath. I doubt if the four bowlers would get to bat much because I have never heard of an attack which could run through this top seven twice in 5 days. Conversely if you were an opposition opener how you would look forward to going out to face Lindwall and then "escaping" to the other end and encountering Dennis Lillee! And then the greatest seam-spin combination of all time waiting in the wings McGrath and Warne. Peter Roebuck and Jim Maxwell are experts for whom I have the greatest of respect - but I'll give their team a 100 run start against my team and bet serious money on mine. Neil
Posted by neilgorman on (July 22 2009, 13:45 PM GMT)The problem with this team - amongst many difficulties - is that it started out with rigid rules as to the make up of the team and clear prejudices from the selectors. Sure Trumper was a great player in his time, but Johnny Weissmuller would be battling to make the semi-finals at the Olympics now, athletes are simply better and you can't simply say outstanding in 1909 is outstanding in 2009. Morris much more recent and deserves his spot alongside another leftie, a great captain, a great slipper and a man who led Australia when they toppled the West Indies - Mark Taylor. My next four pick themselves - Bradman, Ponting, G. Chappell and Neil Harvey. Note no all-rounder unless you call Chappell an all-rounder. Gilchrist at seven and wicketkeeper. Warne at 8 the only spinner (you don't need two) and then Lindwall, Lillee and McGrath. I couldn't imagine any bowling attack in history getting that team out twice in five days and if I was an opposition opener I could think of nothing worse than
Posted by shramiac1 on (July 22 2009, 08:11 AM GMT)Vorny_g, Gilchrist didn't have that great an end to his career either! Apart from his fantastic 100 in Perth against England, his test batting had peaked 3 or 4 years earlier and was on a sharp decline! As I said, Healy DID NOT drop a catch for 2 years! 2 years! With the amazing batting talent on show in this team, the better keeper is the best option!
Posted by vorny_g on (July 22 2009, 00:44 AM GMT)Why do people to consider Healy to be a considerable length in front of Gilchrist as a wicket-keeper? Healy was undeniably brilliant but Gilchrist could more than hold his own and suggestions that he was short of world class is insulting to his talents. Think of stunning leg side takes to dismiss Ganguly and Yousuf on his entry to test cricket, as well as excellent keeping to the universe's best spinner and a stumping off mcgrath. Since he is still vivid in our memories it is easy to recall his struggles behind the stumps towards the end of his career but Healy had a very poor end to his career, which is why Gilchrist replaced him in the first place. And with such a cloce call on wicketkeeping ability, runs become an important factor, therefore it's Gilchrist - comfortably - in the all time team.
Posted by shramiac1 on (July 21 2009, 08:21 AM GMT)Gilchrist insread of Healy??? As someone said "with the batsmen this team has why would you need Gilchrist's batting?" Healy, BY A LONG MARGIN, is the greatest wicket keeper ever! I don't recall any other keeper NOT missing a catch for 2 years! Now all keepers seem to miss at least one catch every test!
Posted by Foxton249 on (July 21 2009, 07:11 AM GMT)Jeff Thompson should definitely be in there, he and dennis lillee was proably the best fast bowling partnership ever.
Posted by BASHGANG on (July 21 2009, 06:52 AM GMT)WHAT ABOUT MATTHEW HAYDEN? HE IS A WONDERFUL PLAYER. I THINK THE OPENING PAIR SHOULD BE HAYDEN AND GILCHRIST.
Posted by Niaz_uow on (July 21 2009, 05:42 AM GMT)Ponting is very susceptible against quality spin bowling. He often had serious problems in spinning track. Yes, he did play few great innings against spin but in general he always looked unsettle against spinners. I think Border is selected simply because during his time Australian team was not good and West Indies, Pakistan had great fast bowlers. He did really well against them. It is always easy to play well when you are part of a great team. Ponting is caught on this point. Thanks Niaz Showket
Posted by narenvs on (July 21 2009, 05:02 AM GMT)it's a well chosen team. i say so although i disagreed on four picks - ponsford over trumper, ponting over border, healy over gilchrist, and lindwall over mcgrath. of these, i feel more strongly about the latter two choices. i'd rather have a much better keeper who averaged in the high 20's (healy or marsh) than a less-than world class keeper who averaged much more runs (gilchrist). lindwall had greater variety and bite, and could bat much better than mcgrath. if trumper had such class & style, it's fine to go with him despite his low averages, especially as cricket was less professionalized in his time. and although i picked ponting, i think he had many weak spots which would have been that much more evident if he'd played when non-australian bowling was better. i'm glad they picked two spinners as australia had so many great ones. but it's odd that the greatest fast bowler of the 19th century (spofforth) and the best pre-WWI australian batsman (hill) were not among the choices.
Posted by fairdinkum on (July 21 2009, 03:46 AM GMT)I say that Ricky Ponting is the most accomplished Australian batsman since WWII, wiil overtake all Test run getters with more centuries and superior average than Sachin Tendulkar before he is finished. His close in fielding has been without peer for over 15 years. It doesn't matter if he is not the best captain. He should be included.