Okay, the definitive list has been published; Sir Don’s “dream team,” the best possible cricket team that could possibly be fielded, drawn from all countries and all eras.
My question - is there anyone Bradman left out? Is there anyone on the list who, in your opinion, doesn’t belong there? I’m just throwing out names to start discussion here, but was Bacchus a better wicket-keeper than Tallon, or should Thommo have been in there instead of Lindwall? Another question, seven of the team are Australian. Is that justified, or was Bradman a tad biased?
What’s your opinion?
In case you don’t have the Dream Team handy…
Arthur Morris (Australian left-handed batsman)
Barry Richards (South African right-handed batsman)
Don Bradman (Australian right-handed batsman)
Sachin Tendulkar (Indian right-handed batsman)
Gary Sobers (West Indian all-rounder - left-handed batsman, left-arm medium pacer)
Don Tallon (Australian wicket-keeper, handy with a bat too)
Ray Lindwall (Australian right-armed fast bowler)
Dennis Lillee (Australian right-armed fast bowler and possessor of a ferocious mo’)
Alec Bedser (English right-armed medium pace, “Mr Reliable”)
Bill O’Reilly (Australian right-armed leg spinner)
Clarrie Grimmett (Australian - or Kiwi, that’s where he was born - leg spinner)
Wally Hammond (England - 12th man. Right-armed medium pacer, more than handy with a bat and fine in slips)
Looks pretty good to me.
Wally Hammond was a competent player, but The Don might’ve also let personal affection play a part as the two were friends and Hammond disapproved of Bodyline.
Ommissions? Hmmm… I dunno… Sir Viv Richards maybe?
My understanding is that Sir Donald wants Walter Hammond to carry the *drinks tray. Hammond’s daughter has a letter in ‘The Times’ this morning complaining about this.
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*The duties of the twelfth man in cricket include taking a tray of refreshing drinks out onto the field of play on a hot day.
As a recent convert to the game - it is interesting that the only “modern” player to appear is Tendulkar. As opposed to, say, Lara…
Gp
Plenty to argue about, particularly with respect to team balance. Tallon averaged 17, there’s no way he should be coming in at 6. He was supposed to be a great 'keeper though.
Wally Hammond averaged 37. I don’t see how he could command a place above George Alphonso Headley (West Indies), who averaged nearly 61. And whilst Barry Richards (Sth Africa) looked the goods, I’m not sure that he played enough tests to warrant a place (remember Hick’s reputation prior to qualifying for England?). I’d be tempted to go with Sunil Gavaskar (India). Or we could just send the Don out to open and make room for IVA Richards.
Whilst Sobers could do everything I still think there’s a case for a left arm quick - either Wasim Akram (Pakistan) or Alan Davidson (Australia). If we stick with right armed quicks, Malcolm Marshall (West Indies) looks pretty unlucky to miss out. In addition, two leggies seems excessive - I’d get rid of Grimmett for an off-spinner, either Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) or Jim Laker (England).
I’m not saying that Bradman’s team would be beatable with that that few batsmen or an unbalanced attack - clearly any team with Sobers and Bradman and that attack would beat anyone - just that an imaginary team should be balanced.