In the build up to the World Cup, we picked our ODI World 11. This is the final side:
(Click on a player's name to read the piece written on them in compiling the side)
Chris Gayle
Sanath Jayasuriya
Ricky Ponting (captain)
Kumar Sangakkara (wicket-keeper)
Kevin Pietersen
Michael Hussey
Yuvrag Singh
Andrew Flintoff
Shaun Pollock
Shane Bond
Muttiah Muralitharan
All players unavailable for the tournament were not considered.
Update: Only four members of the side made our World Cup Dream Team.
Many of you asked why Adam Gilchrist was not selected: the reason is he has averaged just 25 in his last 20 ODIs. Sangakkara, meanwhile, was the leading ODI run-scorer in 2006.
The contrasting pair of Shaun Pollock and Shane Bond would open the bowling; Pollock would normally bowl with the new ball, while Bond would bowl around five overs, and would return for two bursts in the middle of the innings.
Andrew Flintoff would be used as first change, while spinners Murriah Muralitharan and Chis Gayle would bowl their overs between overs 20 and 50, with Sanath Jayasuriya bowling a few overs of spin if the pitch was particularly conducive to it. Flintoff, Gayle and Muralitharan would bowl the last 10 overs between them.
Feel free leave your comments on the final side. Are the selection panel in need of P45s?
Showing posts with label 2007 ODI World 11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2007 ODI World 11. Show all posts
Monday, 12 March 2007
Sunday, 11 March 2007
Muttiah Muralitharan
As the World Cup approaches, Third Umpire will be selecting a ODI World 11, with one player featuring every day. We conclude with our number eleven, Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan.
How does one adequately describe the greatest off-spinner ever to play the game? A player who can rip through any batting line-up on any surface and who always manages to smile, despite the many accusations that have dogged his career.
With his amazing control and the ability to extract turn on any pitch, Muralitharan is a formidable opponent for even the greatest of batsmen. Add to this his experience and boundless enthusiasm and you have the ultimate spin bowler. Even if the pitches in the West Indies were the fast bowler's paradises of old he would emerge as one of the top players in the forthcoming World Cup, but given the slow, turning nature of current caribbean wickets he may well be unplayable.
A veteran of 287 ODIs, in which has amassed an unthinkable tally of 432 wickets at the incredible average of 23.07, Murali is already one of the all-time greats. If his Sri Lankan team-mates can continue their current excellent form it might just be they who claim their second World Cup. It would be fitting for the Kandy magician to hold aloft the World Cup, as he has done so much to entertain and delight cricket fans over the years and, one hopes, will continue to do so for many more.
How does one adequately describe the greatest off-spinner ever to play the game? A player who can rip through any batting line-up on any surface and who always manages to smile, despite the many accusations that have dogged his career.
With his amazing control and the ability to extract turn on any pitch, Muralitharan is a formidable opponent for even the greatest of batsmen. Add to this his experience and boundless enthusiasm and you have the ultimate spin bowler. Even if the pitches in the West Indies were the fast bowler's paradises of old he would emerge as one of the top players in the forthcoming World Cup, but given the slow, turning nature of current caribbean wickets he may well be unplayable.
A veteran of 287 ODIs, in which has amassed an unthinkable tally of 432 wickets at the incredible average of 23.07, Murali is already one of the all-time greats. If his Sri Lankan team-mates can continue their current excellent form it might just be they who claim their second World Cup. It would be fitting for the Kandy magician to hold aloft the World Cup, as he has done so much to entertain and delight cricket fans over the years and, one hopes, will continue to do so for many more.
Saturday, 10 March 2007
Shane Bond
As the World Cup approaches, Third Umpire will be selecting a ODI World 11, with one player featuring every day. We continue with our number ten, New Zealand's Shane Bond.
Like all the best fast bowlers in cricket's rich history, Shane Bond possesses the deadly combination of terrifying pace and great control. His inswinging yorker is one of the best deliveries in the game, asking serious questions of even the most technically gifted batsmen currently playing.
His average in ODIs is an astonishing 19.66, coupled with an alarming strike rate of just 27.03 - a wicket every five and a half overs. For a strike bowler, whose main purpose is to take wickets, he also has a fine economy rate of 4.36. In other words, Bond is the ultimate attacking fast bowler, a potential match-winner on any surface.
His only achilles heel is injury, to which he succumbs all too often. It is sad to note that in a career spanning over five years he has only played 59 ODIs. If he manages to keep fit for the whole of the forthcoming World Cup he could be one of the major stars and be a key factor in New Zealand progressing further than they ever have before.
Like all the best fast bowlers in cricket's rich history, Shane Bond possesses the deadly combination of terrifying pace and great control. His inswinging yorker is one of the best deliveries in the game, asking serious questions of even the most technically gifted batsmen currently playing.
His average in ODIs is an astonishing 19.66, coupled with an alarming strike rate of just 27.03 - a wicket every five and a half overs. For a strike bowler, whose main purpose is to take wickets, he also has a fine economy rate of 4.36. In other words, Bond is the ultimate attacking fast bowler, a potential match-winner on any surface.
His only achilles heel is injury, to which he succumbs all too often. It is sad to note that in a career spanning over five years he has only played 59 ODIs. If he manages to keep fit for the whole of the forthcoming World Cup he could be one of the major stars and be a key factor in New Zealand progressing further than they ever have before.
Friday, 9 March 2007
Shaun Pollock
As the World Cup approaches, Third Umpire will be selecting a ODI World 11, with one player featuring every day. We continue with our number nine, South Africa's Shaun Pollock.
It is amazing to think that Shaun Pollock has been operating at the top level of international cricket for over a decade now. In that time he has consistently been one of the best bowlers in both Tests and one-dayers. His current ODI form is outstanding, averaging 17.63 with the ball in the last year or so and 29.50 with the bat. He has been one of the key reasons for South Africa's wonderful recent run, culminating in them claiming the number one spot from Australia.
What makes Pollock such a great bowling allrounder is his incredible control of line and length, which gets him plenty of wickets as well as an astonishingly miserly economy rate - just 3.71 runs per over in 274 ODIs. He is a superb bowler with the new ball, extracting a great deal of seam movement on almost any surface. Add to this his accuracy and you have an almost perfect bowling machine.
Though he has been criticised for not making the most of his batting talent, Pollock has still managed to maintain a healthy average over the years and has made some telling contributions to South Africa's cause. His aggressive, fast-scoring style makes him an ideal number eight or nine, destroying the opposition's tiring attacks in the later overs.
His intelligence ensures that he is an astute judge of any match situation and he will be crucial to South Africa's chances in the forthcoming World Cup.
It is amazing to think that Shaun Pollock has been operating at the top level of international cricket for over a decade now. In that time he has consistently been one of the best bowlers in both Tests and one-dayers. His current ODI form is outstanding, averaging 17.63 with the ball in the last year or so and 29.50 with the bat. He has been one of the key reasons for South Africa's wonderful recent run, culminating in them claiming the number one spot from Australia.
What makes Pollock such a great bowling allrounder is his incredible control of line and length, which gets him plenty of wickets as well as an astonishingly miserly economy rate - just 3.71 runs per over in 274 ODIs. He is a superb bowler with the new ball, extracting a great deal of seam movement on almost any surface. Add to this his accuracy and you have an almost perfect bowling machine.
Though he has been criticised for not making the most of his batting talent, Pollock has still managed to maintain a healthy average over the years and has made some telling contributions to South Africa's cause. His aggressive, fast-scoring style makes him an ideal number eight or nine, destroying the opposition's tiring attacks in the later overs.
His intelligence ensures that he is an astute judge of any match situation and he will be crucial to South Africa's chances in the forthcoming World Cup.
Thursday, 8 March 2007
Andrew Flintoff
As the World Cup approaches, Third Umpire will be selecting a ODI World 11, with one player featuring every day. We continue with our number eight, England's talismanic allrounder, Andrew Flintoff.
At his best Flintoff is almost peerless amongst current one-day cricketers. He has the ability to influence the result of a match with both bat and ball and to lift the performance of his team.
Though he is a genuine allrounder he is more consistent with the ball than the bat. His aggression and accuracy enable him to both regularly take wickets and maintain a miserly economy rate. He is best employed as a first change bowler, containing the opposition in the second and third powerplays, and as a death bowler, where his control of line and length make him so hard to score off. He is also the first choice when wickets are needed, intimidating the batsmen with his pace and aggression.
In his pomp, Flintoff is a delightfully destructive batsman, launching huge sixes to all parts and crunching drives and pulls into the advertising hoardings. Sadly, the injuries that have plagued him recently seem to have dented his batting much more than his bowling, though he did make a few decent scores in the CB series. If he finds form with both bat and ball then the 2007 World Cup could mark the highpoint of an already wonderful career.
At his best Flintoff is almost peerless amongst current one-day cricketers. He has the ability to influence the result of a match with both bat and ball and to lift the performance of his team.
Though he is a genuine allrounder he is more consistent with the ball than the bat. His aggression and accuracy enable him to both regularly take wickets and maintain a miserly economy rate. He is best employed as a first change bowler, containing the opposition in the second and third powerplays, and as a death bowler, where his control of line and length make him so hard to score off. He is also the first choice when wickets are needed, intimidating the batsmen with his pace and aggression.
In his pomp, Flintoff is a delightfully destructive batsman, launching huge sixes to all parts and crunching drives and pulls into the advertising hoardings. Sadly, the injuries that have plagued him recently seem to have dented his batting much more than his bowling, though he did make a few decent scores in the CB series. If he finds form with both bat and ball then the 2007 World Cup could mark the highpoint of an already wonderful career.
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
Yuvraj Singh
As the World Cup approaches, Third Umpire will be selecting a ODI World 11, with one player featuring every day. We continue with our number seven, India's Yuvraj Singh.
One of cricket's most stylish and naturally talented batsmen, Yuvraj Singh made an immediate impact on the International scene in his debut innings, aged just 18, when he blasted 84 to help India beat the mighty Australians. Though he has had some ups and downs over the years he has been in great one-day form since the beginning of 2006, averaging 54.14. In that time he has struck two centuries and six fifties, amassing nearly 1000 runs.
His clean hitting and impressive strike rate of 85.98 make Yuvraj one of the most difficult batsmen to contain once he is going. He also has the ability to temper his innings to the match situation, aggressively pushing up the run rate or seeing his side home. Add to this his wonderful fielding and canny left-arm spin and you have one of the most dangerous one-day players in world cricket.
One of cricket's most stylish and naturally talented batsmen, Yuvraj Singh made an immediate impact on the International scene in his debut innings, aged just 18, when he blasted 84 to help India beat the mighty Australians. Though he has had some ups and downs over the years he has been in great one-day form since the beginning of 2006, averaging 54.14. In that time he has struck two centuries and six fifties, amassing nearly 1000 runs.
His clean hitting and impressive strike rate of 85.98 make Yuvraj one of the most difficult batsmen to contain once he is going. He also has the ability to temper his innings to the match situation, aggressively pushing up the run rate or seeing his side home. Add to this his wonderful fielding and canny left-arm spin and you have one of the most dangerous one-day players in world cricket.
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
Mike Hussey
As the World Cup approaches, Third Umpire will be selecting a ODI World 11, with one player featuring every day. We continue with our number six, Australia's Mr Cricket.
Mike Hussey was 30 by the time he was a regular in the Australian side but, ever since, he has been amassing runs at such a rate that it has been near impossible not to mention the word ‘Bradmanesque’. After 16 Tests, he is averaging 80 with the bat; in 61 ODIs, he is averaging 67 – no one who has played so many games has averaged within even 10 of Hussey.
Hussey is one of many high-class ‘finishers’ in the Australian side – Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds being the others – but he is patently the best. Despite generally being seen as an accumulator rather than an aggressor, Hussey has a phenomenal strike rate of 91, testament to his ability to clear the boundary during the latter stages of innings, especially on the leg-side.
Hussey has the most phlegmatic of temperaments and is extraordinarily adaptable. When his brief is to rebuild rather than attack, he is able to score off virtually every ball, such is his array of shots, ability to pick the gaps and lightning fast running between the wickets. No side has yet been able to uncover any semblance of a weakness.
Mike Hussey was 30 by the time he was a regular in the Australian side but, ever since, he has been amassing runs at such a rate that it has been near impossible not to mention the word ‘Bradmanesque’. After 16 Tests, he is averaging 80 with the bat; in 61 ODIs, he is averaging 67 – no one who has played so many games has averaged within even 10 of Hussey.
Hussey is one of many high-class ‘finishers’ in the Australian side – Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds being the others – but he is patently the best. Despite generally being seen as an accumulator rather than an aggressor, Hussey has a phenomenal strike rate of 91, testament to his ability to clear the boundary during the latter stages of innings, especially on the leg-side.
Hussey has the most phlegmatic of temperaments and is extraordinarily adaptable. When his brief is to rebuild rather than attack, he is able to score off virtually every ball, such is his array of shots, ability to pick the gaps and lightning fast running between the wickets. No side has yet been able to uncover any semblance of a weakness.
Monday, 5 March 2007
Kevin Pietersen
As the World Cup approaches, Third Umpire will be selecting a ODI World 11, with one player featuring every day. We continue with our number five, England's Kevin Pietersen.
While Andrew Flintoff’s all-round qualities are exceptional, it is surely Kevin Pietersen who holds the key to England’s World Cup hopes. Over 42 ODIs, Pietersen has averaged 56 – only Michael Hussey averages more over such a long period – at nearly a run a ball.
In South Africa two years ago, Pietersen faced the wrath of a nation as he returned to the country he had turned his back on. But he responded extraordinarily, scoring three hundreds, including the fastest ever by an Englishman. Thereafter, his ability to handle pressure or his technique has never been in doubt. Pietersen’s style is idiosyncratic, characterised by phenomenal power and an ability to flick almost any ball to the leg side, but he has thrived against all opponents, including Australia.
His self-belief, as epitomised by an impetuous reverse-hit for six off Muttiah Muralitharan, seemingly has no limits. Only he and Flintoff amongst Englishmen have the ability to pulverise attacks; Pietersen, who does this far more consistently and paces run chases to perfection, is crucial to their hopes. And, after they won the CB Series without him, expect his displays of team spirit to be extra vociferous.
While Andrew Flintoff’s all-round qualities are exceptional, it is surely Kevin Pietersen who holds the key to England’s World Cup hopes. Over 42 ODIs, Pietersen has averaged 56 – only Michael Hussey averages more over such a long period – at nearly a run a ball.
In South Africa two years ago, Pietersen faced the wrath of a nation as he returned to the country he had turned his back on. But he responded extraordinarily, scoring three hundreds, including the fastest ever by an Englishman. Thereafter, his ability to handle pressure or his technique has never been in doubt. Pietersen’s style is idiosyncratic, characterised by phenomenal power and an ability to flick almost any ball to the leg side, but he has thrived against all opponents, including Australia.
His self-belief, as epitomised by an impetuous reverse-hit for six off Muttiah Muralitharan, seemingly has no limits. Only he and Flintoff amongst Englishmen have the ability to pulverise attacks; Pietersen, who does this far more consistently and paces run chases to perfection, is crucial to their hopes. And, after they won the CB Series without him, expect his displays of team spirit to be extra vociferous.
Saturday, 3 March 2007
Kumar Sangakkara
As the World Cup approaches, Third Umpire will be selecting a ODI World 11, with one player featuring every day. We continue with our number four, Kumar Sangakkara.
Kumar Sangakkara has surely deposed Adam Gilchrist as the finest wicket-keeper batsman in the game. Where Gilchrist’s batting rarely shies from attacking , Sangakkara is a stylish and highly left-hander who excels at assessing, and adapting to, the situation. In ODIs, Sangakkara bats at four and plays according to the circumstances; he is capable of rebuilding an innings or accelerating, using his off-drive and classy flick to the legside.
His ability as an elegant strokemaker is beyond doubt. Over 64 Tests, Sangakkara has averaged a remarkable 50, proving his worth in all conditions. He is also a highly intelligent man training to be a lawyer between tours. This much is apparent from his erudite sledging. As a keeper, Sangakkara has improved immeasurably of late. His adaptable batting and keeping to Muralitharan make him absolutely invaluable to the Sri Lankan cause.
Kumar Sangakkara has surely deposed Adam Gilchrist as the finest wicket-keeper batsman in the game. Where Gilchrist’s batting rarely shies from attacking , Sangakkara is a stylish and highly left-hander who excels at assessing, and adapting to, the situation. In ODIs, Sangakkara bats at four and plays according to the circumstances; he is capable of rebuilding an innings or accelerating, using his off-drive and classy flick to the legside.
His ability as an elegant strokemaker is beyond doubt. Over 64 Tests, Sangakkara has averaged a remarkable 50, proving his worth in all conditions. He is also a highly intelligent man training to be a lawyer between tours. This much is apparent from his erudite sledging. As a keeper, Sangakkara has improved immeasurably of late. His adaptable batting and keeping to Muralitharan make him absolutely invaluable to the Sri Lankan cause.
Friday, 2 March 2007
Is Ponting the best player in the world?
As the World Cup approaches, Third Umpire will be selecting a ODI World 11, with one player featuring every day. We continue with our number three, Australia's Ricky Ponting.
Ricky Ponting’s place amongst the pantheon of the world’s greats is now beyond doubt; he has 30 Test hundreds and averages an amazing 72 over his last 54 Tests. Having regained the Ashes in spectacular fashion, Australia suffered an uncharacteristic slump in form, losing six out of seven ODIs and, perhaps crucially, Brett Lee to injury. But they rightly remain favourites: and Ponting's quite brilliant batting has a huge part to play in that.
Ponting is an enforcer with the bat, capable of playing every shot to perfection; but he is also a supreme technican able to adapt his game on the more testing tracks we may see in the Caribbean. Add in his exemplary fielding and increasingly impressive captaincy and there is a huge case for arguing that he is the world's best player. His task in the Caribbean is simple: to retain the World Cup, as his phenomenal 140* against India in the final of 2003 helped so much to do. Few would bet against him doing so.
Any thoughts on our World 11? Leave a comment.
Ricky Ponting’s place amongst the pantheon of the world’s greats is now beyond doubt; he has 30 Test hundreds and averages an amazing 72 over his last 54 Tests. Having regained the Ashes in spectacular fashion, Australia suffered an uncharacteristic slump in form, losing six out of seven ODIs and, perhaps crucially, Brett Lee to injury. But they rightly remain favourites: and Ponting's quite brilliant batting has a huge part to play in that.
Ponting is an enforcer with the bat, capable of playing every shot to perfection; but he is also a supreme technican able to adapt his game on the more testing tracks we may see in the Caribbean. Add in his exemplary fielding and increasingly impressive captaincy and there is a huge case for arguing that he is the world's best player. His task in the Caribbean is simple: to retain the World Cup, as his phenomenal 140* against India in the final of 2003 helped so much to do. Few would bet against him doing so.
Any thoughts on our World 11? Leave a comment.
Thursday, 1 March 2007
ODI World 11
As the World Cup approaches, Third Umpire will be selecting a ODI World 11, with one player featuring every day. We continue with our second opener, Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya.
Sanath Jayasuriya may be 37, but he remains one of the world’s finest exploiters of fielding restrictions. Over a gargantuan ODI career spanning 374 matches, Jayasuriya has maintained a strike rate of 90, attacking brutally regardless of circumstances.
Particularly strong when given a modicum of width outside off stump, the veteran will relish the short Caribbean outfields; expect plenty of square cuts for six.
And, despite what his age may suggest, he is not in decline: the explosive opener averaged 48 in 2006. As if to prove he is still capable of far more than mere cameos, Jayasuriya bludgeoned a phenomenal, 99-ball 152 at Headingly last summer, as Sri Lanka romped to 322 with 13 overs to spare. In partnership with the emerging Upal Tharanga, Jayasuriya forms the world’s most exhilarating ODI opening pair. Meanwhile, his canny left-arm spin should be more than useful on the slow tracks.
Sanath Jayasuriya may be 37, but he remains one of the world’s finest exploiters of fielding restrictions. Over a gargantuan ODI career spanning 374 matches, Jayasuriya has maintained a strike rate of 90, attacking brutally regardless of circumstances.
Particularly strong when given a modicum of width outside off stump, the veteran will relish the short Caribbean outfields; expect plenty of square cuts for six.
And, despite what his age may suggest, he is not in decline: the explosive opener averaged 48 in 2006. As if to prove he is still capable of far more than mere cameos, Jayasuriya bludgeoned a phenomenal, 99-ball 152 at Headingly last summer, as Sri Lanka romped to 322 with 13 overs to spare. In partnership with the emerging Upal Tharanga, Jayasuriya forms the world’s most exhilarating ODI opening pair. Meanwhile, his canny left-arm spin should be more than useful on the slow tracks.
Wednesday, 28 February 2007
ODI World 11
As the World Cup approaches, Third Umpire will be selecting a ODI World 11, with one player featuring every day. We begin with our first opener, the West Indies' explosive Chris Gayle.
Chris Gayle is learning to get the best of his talents, even if he remains something of an enigma. His stand-and-deliver style is best suited to the shorter version of the game - in the recent ICC Champions Trophy, Gayle was, by a distance, player of the tournament, scoring two belligerent hundreds, including a match-winning 133* against South Africa.
At his best, Gayle, seemingly nonchalant, crunches opening bowlers through the off-side at will and forms part of the fourth most successful ODI opening pair with Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Meanwhile, Gayle’s offspin – fast, flat and extremely hard to get away – will be an enormous asset in the Carribean. Expect him to regularly deliver 10 testing overs.
Gayle can also boast an ice-cool temperament – though he can seem almost too laid back, this should prove invaluable in pressure situations. If the West Indies are to match – or even better – their Champions Trophy performance, Gayle’s brand of Calypso cricket will be crucial.
Any thoughts on our World 11? Leave a comment.
Chris Gayle is learning to get the best of his talents, even if he remains something of an enigma. His stand-and-deliver style is best suited to the shorter version of the game - in the recent ICC Champions Trophy, Gayle was, by a distance, player of the tournament, scoring two belligerent hundreds, including a match-winning 133* against South Africa.
At his best, Gayle, seemingly nonchalant, crunches opening bowlers through the off-side at will and forms part of the fourth most successful ODI opening pair with Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Meanwhile, Gayle’s offspin – fast, flat and extremely hard to get away – will be an enormous asset in the Carribean. Expect him to regularly deliver 10 testing overs.
Gayle can also boast an ice-cool temperament – though he can seem almost too laid back, this should prove invaluable in pressure situations. If the West Indies are to match – or even better – their Champions Trophy performance, Gayle’s brand of Calypso cricket will be crucial.
Any thoughts on our World 11? Leave a comment.
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