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Picking the best combined Ashes XI in 50 years

22nd August, 2011
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22nd August, 2011
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Australian cricket commentator Richie Benaud talks to Stuart McGill (left) at the annual cricket legends lunch in Sydney on Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. AAP Image/Jenny Evans

Australian cricket commentator Richie Benaud talks to Stuart McGill (left) at the annual cricket legends lunch in Sydney on Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. AAP Image/Jenny Evans

England is ruling the roost in Test cricket this year, winning the Ashes and then the the Pataudi Trophy against India with effortless ease to claim the number one position.

In my Roar piece of August 12, I had selected an imaginary Anglo-Oz XI of 2011, which included as many as nine players from England.

Let me broaden my horizon and select the Best Combined Ashes XI of the last 50 years.

The following are the contenders for the Combined Anglo-Oz XI from 1961 to 2011.

Let’s start with Australia’s best from 1961-2011.

Openers: Bob Simpson, Bill Lawry, David Boon, Mark Taylor, Matthew Hayden.

Number three batsmen: Neil Harvey, Ian Chappell, Ricky Ponting.

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Middle order: Norman O’Neill, Doug Walters, Greg Chappell, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, Michael Clarke.

All-rounders: Richie Benaud, Alan Davidson, Shane Watson.

Wicket-keepers: Wally Grout, Rodney Marsh, Adam Gilchrist.

Quickies: [A. Davidson], Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Max Walker, Craig McDermott, Geoff Lawson, Terry Alderman, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee.

Spinners: [R. Benaud], John Gleeson, Ashley Mallett, Shane Warne.

Opener Colin McDonald is not considered as his best was before 1961.

Now to England’s squad in the same period:

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Openers: Geoff Boycott, John Edrich, Michael Vaughan, Mike Atherton, Andrew Strauss.

Number three: Tom Graveney, Ken Barrington.

Middle order: Colin Cowdrey, Ted Dexter, Mike Gatting, MJK Smith, Graham Gooch, David Gower, Kevin Pietersen.

All-rounders: Tony Greig, Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff.

Wicket-keepers: Alan Knott, Bob Taylor, Matt Prior.

Quickies: John Snow, Bob Willis, [I.Botham, A. Flintoff], Jimmy Anderson.

Spinners: Derek Underwood, Phil Tufnell, Graeme Swann.

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Peter May is not considered as his best was before 1961. Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Chris Broad have not been considered because their best came against weak Australian and Indian teams in 2010-11.

Now to the hardest part, selecting the Best Combined XI from the above players.

The certainties are Boycott, Harvey, Greg Chappell, Cowdrey, Botham, Benaud, Lillee and Warne.

So who will partner Boycott to open the innings? I would go for Hayden to have a left-hand, right-hand combination. Also Boycott’s ultra-defence would be counterbalanced by Hayden’s fireworks.

For the number three, Harvey, Barrington or Ponting? Left-handed artist, Harvey is my man.

We need two middle-order batsmen. It’s horrendously difficult as to whom to leave out from the galaxy of outstanding batsmen.

I chose Greg Chappell and Cowdrey. I know I’ll be attacked by Roar posters for leaving out Border, Dougie Walters, the Waugh twins, Gower, Dexter, Pietersen…

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Benaud and Botham have been among the best all-rounders in the game’s history. No one can challenge their inclusion.

Benaud will bowl his leggies and googlies and captain the side as well. Botham will trouble the opposing bats with his swingers and seamers. Also both are aggressive batsmen.

To select a wicket-keeper is a real dilemma as there are four outstanding candidates; Grout, Knott, Marsh and Gilchrist.

If the selection was for a one-day international, Gilly will walk in, swinging his bat. But for Test cricket I’d have Knott in my combined XI.

Many quickies in contention but there is room for only two. They are Lillee and Snow.

Sorry Thommo and McGrath. Botham will bowl as first change.

To choose a spinner is easy, Warney for sure! Maestro Benaud will spin from the other end.

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So here is my Combined Ashes XI from 1961 to 2011 in batting order:

Boycott, Hayden, Harvey, Greg Chappell, Cowdrey, Botham, Knott (wk), Benaud (captain), Warne, Lillee and Snow.

Thus there are six from Australia and five from England. Ricky Ponting will be the 12th man.

Over to you, Roarers, I have my helmet on to face your bumpers and beamers.

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