QF 1: Samie vs ElzarVenue: Basin Reserve, Wellington, NZNestled beneath Mount Victoria and Mount Cook, the Basin Reserve is an island of cricket in inner city Wellington. Spectators are accommodated on a grass bank on the eastern side of the ground, a natural sun trap which also provides shelter from the notorious southerly winds. The ground is protected by Act of Parliament and is New Zealand's only sport ground on the National Heritage list. Local enthusiasts had to wait until 1968-69 for New Zealand's first Test victory on the ground, against West Indies. It was also the scene of a then-world record for all Test wickets when, in 1990-91, Martin Crowe (299) and Andrew Jones (186) posted 467 runs in their third-wicket stand against Sri Lanka.
Sir Richard Hadlee took his 300th Test wicket here, when he removed the Australian captain Allan Border. This was one of 53 wickets Hadlee picked up at the Basin Reserve, at an average of 20.3.Samie
Saeed Anwar
Hanif Mohammad
Virat Kohli
Greg Chappell (C)
Ramnaresh Sarwan
VVS Laxman
Jeffrey Dujon (WK)
Malcolm Marshall
Dennis Lillee
Shoaib Akhtar
Saqlain Mushtaq
Saeed AnwarMatches- 55
Runs scored- 4,052
Batting average- 45.53
100s/50s - 11/25
Top score -188*
Saeed Anwar is an opening batsman and occasional slow left arm orthodox bowler,.He played 55 Test matches, scoring 4052 runs with eleven centuries, average 45.52. An opening batsman capable of annihilating any bowling attack on his day, Anwar was an attacking batsman in ODI matches and once settled in Test matches, scored quickly and all over the field. His success came from good timing. Anwar became famous for his trademark flick. He was able to lift a ball that had pitched outside off stump for six over midwicket. Anwar's timing and ability to score quick runs made him a crowd favourite.
Hanif MohammadMatches- 55
Runs scored- 3,915
Batting average- 43.98
100s/50s - 12/15
Top score - 337
Hanif Mohammad and averaged 43.98 scoring twelve centuries. At his peak, he was considered one of the best batsmen in the world despite playing at a time when Pakistan played very little Test cricket; In his obituary by ESPNcricinfo, he was honoured as the original Little Master. He was the first Pakistani to score a triple hundred in a test match.
Virat KohliMatches- 50
Runs scored- 3,891
Batting average- 48.03
100s/50s - 14/13
Top score - 211
Kohli is a naturally aggressive batsman with strong technical skills.[ He usually bats in the middle-order, but, on many occasions, has opened the innings as well. He is known for his wide range of shots, ability to pace an innings and batting under pressure. Kohli is often compared to Tendulkar, due to their similar styles of batting, and is referred to as Tendulkar's "successor". Many former cricketers expect Kohli to break Tendulkar's batting records.
Greg Chappell (C)Matches- 87
Runs scored- 7110
Batting average- 53.86
100s/50s - 24/31
Top score - 247*
Wickets- 47
Bowling average -40.70
Best bowling -5/61
The second of three brothers to play Test cricket, Chappell was the pre-eminent Australian batsman of his time who allied elegant stroke making to fierce concentration. An exceptional all round player who bowled medium pace and, at his retirement, held the world record for the most catches in Test cricket.
Ramnaresh SarwanMatches- 87
Runs scored- 5,842
Batting average- 40.01
100s/50s - 15/31
Top score - 291
Wickets- 23
Bowling average - 50.46
Best bowling - 4/37
A nimble, Chaplinesque right-hander, Ramnaresh Sarwan was brought up in the South American rainforest around the Essequibo River. His footwork, which seemed to require no early trigger movements, was strikingly confident and precise.
V. V. S. LaxmanMatches- 134
Runs scored- 8,781
Batting average- 45.98
100s/50s - 17/56
Top score - 281
Laxman bats right-handed and occasionally bowls off-spin. He is noted for his superb timing and the ability to hit against the spin, reminiscent of his role model Mohammed Azharuddin. Laxman is particularly noted for the skilful use of his supple wrists, which allow him to flick the ball to various places, but usually through the leg side. This also helps in his catching, and he typically fields in the slips or in a bat pad position.VVS Laxman is one of the batsman in the "Great Indian Batting Quartet". VVS Laxman's knock of 281 against Australia in Eden Gardens in 2001 has been rated as the greatest Test performance of the last 50 years.
Jeffrey Dujon (WK)Matches- 81
Runs scored- 3,322
Batting average- 31.95
100s/50s - 5/16
Top score - 139
Catches/stumpings 267/5
He was the wicketkeeper for the West Indian cricket team of the 1980s, an athletic presence behind the stumps as well as a competent lower-order batsman. Dujon made his first-class debut in 1974, going on to play 200 first-class matches for Jamaica and the West Indies in a career that lasted nineteen years. He scored nearly 10,000 runs at an average approaching 40 runs per innings, an impressive statistic when compared to other specialist wicket-keepers over time, as well as completing 447 catches and 22 stumpings.
Dujon was one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1989.
Malcolm Marshall100s/50s- 0/10
Top score -92
Matches- 81
Wickets- 376
Bowling average- 20.94
5 wickets in innings - 22
10 wickets in match - 5
Best bowling- 7/22
Malcolm Marshall is regarded as one of the finest and fastest pacemen ever to have played Test cricket. His Test bowling average of 20.94 is the best of anyone who has taken 200 or more wickets.[5He achieved his bowling success despite being, by the standards of other fast bowlers, a short man – he stood at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m), while most of the great quicks have been well above 6 feet (1.8 m) and many great West Indian fast bowlers. He generated fearsome pace from his bowling action, with a dangerous bouncer. Marshall was also a very dangerous lower middle-order batsman with ten Test fifties and seven first-class centuries.
Dennis LilleeMatches- 70
Wickets- 355
Bowling average- 23.92
5 wickets in innings - 23
10 wickets in match - 7
Best bowling- 7/83
Dennis Keith Lillee is rated as the "outstanding fast bowler of his generation". Lillee was known for his fiery temperament, 'never-say-die' attitude and popularity with the fans.Lillee was an extremely quick bowler, but a number of stress fractures in his back almost ended his career. Taking on a strict fitness regime, he fought his way back to full fitness, eventually returning to international cricket. By the time of his retirement from international cricket in 1984 he had become the then world record holder for most Test wickets (355), and had firmly established himself as one of the most recognisable and renowned Australian sportsmen of all time.
Shoaib AkhtarMatches- 46
Wickets- 178
Bowling average- 25.59
5 wickets in innings - 12
10 wickets in match - 2
Best bowling- 6/11
Shoaib Akhtar is known as the fastest bowler ever in the history of cricket and has bowled the fastest delivery officially recorded at a top speed of 161.3km/h (101mph). Akhtar was nicknamed the "Rawalpindi Express", as a tribute to his hometown and fast bowling. His effective use of slower deliveries proved to be unplayable by batsmen.
Saqlain MushtaqMatches- 49
Wickets- 208
Bowling average- 28.83
5 wickets in innings - 13
10 wickets in match - 3
Best bowling- 8/64
Saqlain Mushtaq is best known for pioneering the "doosra", a leg break delivery bowled with an off break action. A right-arm off break bowler. Saqlain is credited with the invention of the "doosra", an off-spinner's delivery which is bowled with an action very similar to that of an off-break.However, it spins in the opposite direction (i.e. from the leg side to the off side), easily confusing batsmen, making it a very effective weapon.
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Elzar
Although not statistically the strongest team, I have a well formed partnership leading my batting, followed by Bell who is great at pacing his innings and building scores and partnerships in the process. Viswanath was a cricketer of great style, once described as "a cricket connoisseur's dream to watch", a batsman that could take on pace or spin with equal ability. Martyn then follows who makes batting look easiest than most of his era. The batsmen that follow in Flintoff and Dhoni have the ability to stick in and build high scores quickly and hitting some seriously high scores themselves in the process. Philander and Broad being more than capable with the bat.
The bowling standout is spinner Anil Kumble who was a match winner for his whole career, 3rd only to Warne and Muralitharan in the all time wickets taken stats, he can cause any batsman a problem. He is surrounded by plenty of options. Flintoff may not have great averages, but his inspirtational bowling saw him almost singlehandedly winning games, and indeed an Ashes series. Broad is a bowler able to change any game when at his top form, as his 8/15 against Australia shows, while Philander's ability to move the ball off the pitch for long spells causes all kinds of problems. Nawaz meanwhile had it all in his locker, and was one of the original bowlers to use reverse swing in cricket, something the older batsmen would never have faced. The opposition can only hope he doesn't produce another 'spell from hell'.
Ms Dhoni at wicket is a player that has deservedly made a huge name for himself in cricket, and is commonly talked about amongst the best to have played the game.
If none of that rings your bell, Freddie Flintoff will knock you out (in a suspciously set up and easy boxing match)
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QF 2: Nicolls1986 vs Klippity KloppVenue: The Wanderers, Johannesburg, SAKnown as the 'Bullring' because of its intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams the Wanderers has a rich history. It was the third Test ground in Johannesburg following the Old Wanderers Stadium and Ellis Park. For more than 74 years, it has provided the focal point of Johannesburg's sporting aspirations, whether they be cricket or golf - which between them dominate the district of Illovo, where the club is based - or tennis, squash and bowls, which can also be found tucked away in the back streets. In October 2003 the clubhouse itself was entirely gutted by a fire, which began in the kitchens and spread through the ventilation ducts, leaving little that could rescue three-quarters of a century of tradition. Among the trophies, photographs and cricketana lost forever was the bat with which Graeme Pollock scored 274 against Australia in 1966-67. The first Test at the ground was in 1956 when England won by 131 runs and it has gone on to witness numerous memorable moments. These include South Africa's penultimate Test before being banned from international cricket in 1970, when they crushed Australia by 307 runs. Following readmission, the ground became a lasting memory for many England fans when Mike Atherton batted for over 10 hours to save the Test in 1995. In 2003 it hosted the World Cup final, as Australia waltzed to victory over India, and in March 2006, it was the scene of the most extraordinary one-day match in history, when South Africa successfully chased Australia's world-record total of 434 for 4.Nicolls1986
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Klippity Klopp
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QF 3: Vishwa Atma vs Kovai RedVenue: Sabina Park, Kingston, JamaicaSabina Park, the home of the Kingston Cricket Club, is situated in the driest part of Kingston and for many years the pitch was one of the hardest and fastest in the Caribbean. But in recent years the surface slowed, despite attempts to restore life by relaying it on more than one occasion.
In terms of size, Sabina Park was relatively small, but like other major grounds in the region it underwent a major renovation ahead of the 2007 World Cup, a process that was fraught with headaches and delays. The capacity was raised from 15,000 to 20,000, still 5,000 less than the Trelawny Stadium down the coast.
Locals were worried that the unique atmosphere of the old ground would be lost amid the mass of new concrete, and the acid test will come during the tournament.
The spectacular Blue Mountains, (home of the world famous Blue Mountain coffee) form a picturesque and spectacular backdrop to the north facing the George Headley Stand, with Kingston Harbour to the south.
Sabina Park's greatest moment in Test cricket was the 365 not out made by Garry Sobers against the Pakistanis that stood for many years as the highest individual test score. Conversely its worst moment was when the England - West Indies Test in 1998 was abandoned on the opening day due to an appalling pitch endangering the players.Vishwa Atma
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Kovai Red
My team has arguably the most depth in batting as well as bowling and with good variety as well. My top-5 batsmen all have averages over 57 bar one who is just 0.06 behind the mark. Arguably my top-2 are the best opening batsmen/partners of all time. And the fact that they both played together is another big plus for my team. Hobbs and Sutcliffe amassed 3249 runs in only 38 innings at a whopping average of 87.81. People may argue that they didn't played much outside of England and Australia, but the fact remains that they have excelled in their positions at the best challenges of that time, not to mention both have toured South Africa, India and Ceylon(now SL) and played well there too. Though the tour to sub continent is not classified as first class by Wisden(controversial or not), fact remains that they have fared better in sub continent conditions too.
At no3 comes one of the prolific run scorers Sir Everton Weekes who still holds the record for most consecutive centuries in test cricket. He would've had 6 on the trot, if not for a controversial run out when he was on 90. He has scored runs everywhere he went and him being at no.3, we can be very assured that top order of my batting is a notch above every team out there. After that comes the elegant Sangakkara who will keep the wickets and lead the team.
Then comes the current Australian captain Steven Smith. With an average of over 57 and a great appetite for runs, he makes into my team as no5. After him comes in Ravi Shastri at no6, who averages a modest 35.79 and have took 151 wickets at 40.96 which is not bad for my 6th choice bowler and a lower middle order batsman. He is a stonewaller if needed be and can be a good partner when the batsman at the other end keeps piling on the runs.
After that comes in my strike bowler, one of the greatest of all time Sir Richard Hadlee - the crown jewel of my team, who will open the bowling. Adept at batting with an average of 27.16, he can also pile on the runs when the team needs it. And then comes Alan Davidson, one of the greatest left arm seamers who will partner Hadlee in the opening spell. With a miserly economy rate under 2 and average below 21, he can be a nightmare to any batsman out there. As a hard hitter in the lower middle, he has also scored more than 1000 runs at an average of 24.59 which is not bad for no.8 in this team.
And then there is the rising star Starc who with his bouncers and swing, can terrorise batsmen of any calibre. He is not a mug with bat either with an average of 22.45, a much better option at no.9 among all the teams in here. On the spin department, the greatest off spinner India has ever produced adds the spin flavor to the side. With Doosra being his main weapon, he can really be the match winner in the turning tracks against any batting attack in the world. A fact that he has taken more than 400 wickets stands as a proof to his outstanding talent. Not only that, he has scored more than 2000 runs at 18.22 with 2 centuries and 9 fifties which makes him an excellent tail ender. And finally comes the ever reliable and relentless Mkhaya Ntini who has taken close to 400 wickets.
The balance this side has is the best in this league. With over 43000 runs and 1715 wickets in just 787 matches, this team has both runs and wickets spread all over the team. It doesn't end there, this team also possess great variety with 2 right arm seamers, 2 left arm seamers, an off spinner as well as a slow left arm which in some ways can be seen as leg spin to the right handers. And a part timer in the name of Smith is also there who can do a bit of leg spin if this team ever needs to use 7th bowler. With 1715 wickets, 21 10-wicket hauls and 102 5-wicket hauls, all my 6 bowlers are wicket takers. On the batting front, out of the 11, 6 right and 5 left hand batsmen makes my team more tricky for the opposition in field than any of them could hope to do to others. With 43023 runs, 114 centuries and 186 fifties in just 787 appearances, this team can score runs at will. Stats are so spread that no one in my team will be under pressure. To put it in simple words, this team is the battering ram of this league.
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QF 4: Gerrvindh vs Cock and Bollocks NicolasVenue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, PakistanLocated in the historical city of Lahore, the Gaddafi Stadium, named after the Libyan leader, was completely renovated during 1995-96 ready for the 1996 World Cup. Designed by the famous architect Nayyar Ali Dada who modelled it on the Mughal School of red hand-laid brickwork and arches, the new stadium is completely covered with plastic seating rather than concrete benches. The lower portion under the stands has been enclosed and converted to shops for boutiques and offices. This was the first stadium in Pakistan to be equipped with modern floodlights which have their own standby power generators. Modern facilities for the media are also provided.
Pakistan have enjoyed some memorable moments on the ground, including a fifth-wicket stand of 281 between Javed Miandad and Asif Iqbal against New Zealand in 1976 and an innings and 324 run win against New Zealand in 2002 The stadium hosted the final of the 1996 World Cup, which was watched by over 60,000 spectators. However, despite the impressive capacity, the ground is often sparsely attended for Test matches, with sometimes as few as 1000 fans turning up. One-day internationals, as with the whole of the subcontinent, are more popular; crowds in excess of 20,000 are common.Gerrvindh
OPENERS
BOB SIMPSON AND DESMOND HAYNESOne half of Australia's most productive test opening partnerships, Simpson was a fine all rounder as well as being a reliable slip fielder. He was also the captain of Australia in 32 tests. Not to forget a world cup winning coach. Haynes was technically gifted as an opener capable of measured play as well as Greenidge style destruction. In these two players, my side has a steady opening pair that has been part of 25 century partnerships as openers in eras that were the most bowler friendly in test cricket history.
MIDDLE ORDER
ZAHEER ABBAS, ALLAN BORDER, MOHD AZHARUDDINAbbas was arguably the most stylish batsman of the 70s, with a penchant for making runs with ease. He provides a very solid, technical pair of hands on the bat to come in at 3 and keep the scoring going in case of a good start, or to steady the ship in times of losing an early wicket.
Allan Border, at the time of his retirement, had appeared in more Tests, more consecutive Tests, more Tests as captain, most runs scored and more catches than any other player - all at a batting average of over 50. With 27 hundreds and a whopping 63 fifties, Border turned up more often than not with a big score in the middle. Imagine having managed to get through Simpon, Haynes and Abbas, only to see Border saunter in!
Azhar was my favourite Indian batsman in the era of Sachin Tendulkar. Shame he chose money over sport but either way I win with him in the team. His trademark leg glace was a sight to behold, only Mark Waugh and VVS Laxman could get close to the finesse of the stroke. A masterful player of spin bowling, Azhar had an incredible rate of converting 50s to 100s - making 22 hundreds and 21 fifties while captaining India in its most dominant period since the early 80s.
WICKET KEEPER
ADAM GILCHRISTGilly is THE greatest wicket keeper batsman ever. Period. There is a case for Sangakkara to be made, but Gilchrist was a better keeper while being an equally good batsman and hence why he makes my cut as foremost gloveman in Test cricket history. With a strike rate over 80, I have him coming in at 6 and scoring some quickfire runs, or play a pivotal role if wicket have tumbled ahead of him.
ALL ROUNDERS
CHRIS CAIRNS AND HEATH STREAKFor a period of time in the late 90s/early 2000s, Cairns was my favourite all rounder in cricket. He was such a joy to watch being equally effective wielding the willow while also bowling some very decent swing bowling. Streak on the other hand was a bowling all rounder, punching way above his weight in a decidedly poor Zimbabwe side apart from senior Flower. What might have been if Streak had played for a better nation, we could only wonder because he captured over 200 Test wickets at a superb average of 28. Cairns was no slouch either, with 216 wickets at 29, having also scored 5 hundreds and 22 fifties.
BOWLERS
BRETT LEE, ALLAN DONALD, DEREK UNDERWOODThere needs no introduction to Donald and Lee. Fearsome, quick and highly effective, they terrorized batting line ups, running through them in short spells of a few lethal overs at a time. With Cairns and Streak to provide reliable swing options as well, Donald and Lee are not required in my side to bowl long spells tiring them out. They have 640 wickets between them.
My spinner is "Deadly" Derek, who had the ability of running through line ups in no time for a traditional left arm orthodox spinner. 297 wickets playing for a combative English side, Under took a special liking to Australia, capturing 55 wickets at an average of 21.
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Cock and Bollocks Nicolas
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