Who should be in the Trans-Tasman XI?
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By Jason Cave, 1 Feb 2010 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Australia, Cricket, New Zealand, trans-tasman
Australia's Mitchell Johnson (right), Ricky Ponting (2nd right) and Matthew Hayden (left) successfully appeal for the dismissal of Daniel Flynn (2nd left) of New Zealand for nine runs in their second innings during day four of their second test match between at Adelaide Oval, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. AAP Image/Rob Hutchison
Australia and New Zealand first played Test cricket against each other in 1946. The two trans-Tasman neighbours have met on a regular basis since 1973.
New Zealand had some great results against Australia in the mid 80s, although it would be fair to say that Australia was demoralised by the rebel tours of South Africa during this period.
Both countries have produced some great players over the years: Chappell, Lillee, Hadlee, Crowe, Border, Vettori, Smith, McGrath, Warne….the list goes on.
But what if the two nations combined to form a ‘Trans-Tasman XI?’
This team is made up of players that dominated Trans-Tasman cricket since 1973.
THE TRANS TASMAN XI:
1. Matthew Hayden (Aust)
2. John Wright (NZ)
3. Martin Crowe (NZ)
4. Allan Border (Aus)
5. Greg Chappell (Aus)
6. Sir Richard Hadlee (NZ)
7. Adam Gilchrist (Aus)
8. Shane Warne (Aus)
9. Dennis Lillee (Aus)
10. Ewan Chatfield (NZ)
11. Glenn McGrath (Aus)
12th man: Ricky Ponting (Aus)
What would your Trans-Tasman XI look like?
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sheek said | February 1st 2010 @ 6:33am | Report comment
Jason,
Surely you’re not serious?
Chatfield!!! Chatfield was an honest toiler, but a champion paceman he wasn’t…..
Glenn Turner was a much superior opener to Wright, so if it’s about sharing the opening spot, then Turner partners Hayden. Turner engineered the Kiwis first win against the Aussies in 1974 with twin tons.
Crowe & Hadlee are the only other two Kiwis possibilities in this team. Otherwise, the Aussies dominate the positions.
Spiro Zavos said | February 1st 2010 @ 7:39am | Report comment
Sheek, you are right. Glen Turner, the first NZ batsman to score a hundred hundreds in first class cricket i the obvious opening partner to Hayden. I’ve always admired Martin Crowe’s play and would have him, probably in the side, but there has to be room for Ricky Ponting the best Australian batsman, in my view, since Bradman. Steve Waugh, surely would be in the side too. I’d leave out Allan Border (I know, I know ‘captain courageous’) but his average was inflated in my view, like that of Waugh by a lot of not outs.
formeropenside said | February 1st 2010 @ 8:40am | Report comment
Hadlee at 6 is a few spots too high – there is probably room to drop Chatfield and add Punter in the top 6 somewhere. With Hadlee and Lillee opening up, followed by McGrath and Warne, thats a useful attack (and not forgetting that Crowe was a useful medium pacer, as was Chappell).
Vettori 12th man, but I cant see him getting a run too often, unless McGrath stands on a ball five minutes before start of play.
sheek said | February 1st 2010 @ 8:56am | Report comment
Jason/Spiro/FOS,
Here’s my combined XI:
Hayden (AU), Turner (NZ), Ponting (AU), G.Chappell (AU), Crowe (NZ), S.Waugh (c-AU), Gilchrist (k-AU), R.Hadlee (NZ), Warne (AU), Lillee (AU), McGrath (AU).
Much better balanced with Hadlee dropping down to no.8. Only 3 Kiwis good enough to cut the top team. Vettori (NZ) would be number two spinner behind Warne. Border (AU) probably 12th man.
Wright (NZ) could be back-up opener, although several Aussies are more deserving. Healy (AU) back-up keeper. J.Thomson (AU) back-up paceman, & C.Cairns (NZ) completing tour squad as all-rounder.
In the 17 man tour squad, that’s 11 Aussies & 6 Kiwis.
Robbo said | February 1st 2010 @ 9:14am | Report comment
John Wright – Test average 37. There would have to be 50 players more qualified for that position.
If you are really trying to pick an ANZ side that represents reality (rather than including an acceptable amount of token Kiwis) it would be Australia + Hadlee.
If you were picking a present day ANZ side it would look a lot like this:
Katich, Hughes, Ponting, Hussey, Clarke, Watson, Haddin, Vettori (we have to include one, even if Hauritz has a better average), Johnson, Bollinger, Clark.
Hammer said | February 1st 2010 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
“New Zealand had some great results against Australia in the mid 80s, although it would be fair to say that Australia was demoralised by the rebel tours of South Africa during this period” … whilst it’s fair to point out that the Aussie were poor during the ’80′s – world cricket was strong … the kiwis were unbeaten at home during that decade – which was no mean accomplishment … Turner, Crowe and Hadlee would most definitely make a combined best of side dating from the 1970′s ….
Whiteline said | February 1st 2010 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
Spiro
i agree that Tricky Ricky needs to go into such a side but I find your comment about Border strange. All he did was not get out. You can look at that many ways.
On the flip side, if Adam Gilchrist had played averages he would be in the mid to high 50s at least. The amount of times he went out for under 10 having a slog and then Ponting closed the innings immediately would be close to double figures.
sportphobia said | February 1st 2010 @ 7:54pm | Report comment
Robbo,
If find your comment incredible arrogant and blatently wrong. Ross Taylor is a class batsman who will become of the top 5 batsman in the world over the next few years, in my opinion Brendom McCullum edges out Haddin, hes a superior keeper and at least and equal batsman. Your comment on Vettori – hes light years ahead of Hauritz in every facet of spin bowling, now to mention him being the worlds best 7-11 batsman last year and his leadership skills.
Anyway, my combined team:
Turner
Hayden
Ponting
Crowe
Border
S. Waugh
Gilchrist
Hadlee
Warne
Lillee
McGrath
Justin said | February 1st 2010 @ 8:07pm | Report comment
A good side but I cant have both Border and Waugh in front of G Chappell, he was superior to both of them and Crowe
Hansie said | February 1st 2010 @ 8:27pm | Report comment
Only Sir Richard and Martin Crowe would make the combined team, and even then a lot of classy Australian batsmen have to be left out to include Crowe. I know Turner scored 100 100s, but he did so by playing county cricket to the exclusion of test cricket – his test average was only 44. Sadly, I can’t find room in the squad for Ewen Chatfield.
Brian said | February 1st 2010 @ 10:29pm | Report comment
Like most its hard to get Kiwis in there. I think given NZ history a combined ODI side would be much more appropriate
M Waugh
Gilchrist
Ponting
Crowe
S Waugh
Bevan
Cairns
Hadlee
Vettori
Warne
McGrath