Archive for October 25th, 2010
Cricinfo All Time World XI
The Cricinfo all time world 11 is now out. Unsurprisingly there are a few differences (though I was expecting more). Hutton ahead of Greenidge is on pure style terms pretty straightforward. Similarly Wasim would make a great replacement for Freddie Trueman.
I personally don’t subscribe to the view that an all-rounder is needed in a world XI – if you are going to pick one then there is indeed only one choice. This point is perhaps best expressed by Rob Steen here. Talking about Gilchrist he suggests that picking him is overly cautious given the batting talent available. I’d suggest the same argument applies to Gary Sobers.
One decision, though, sticks out as strategically unsound. With a top six as superlative as this on tap, nominating Gilchrist seems excessively cautious. Those to whom glovemanship is first, last and everything – i.e. the bowlers – would surely have preferred Alan Knott or Ian Healy