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Australia’s best post-WWII Test XIs

29th January, 2014
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Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh (left), and Vice Captain Shane Warne (right) display the World Cup Cricket trophy. Australia's 1 Day Cricket World Cup winning team drove in a motorcade down Sydney's main street to celebrate in a ticket tape parade with over 100,000 well wishers attending. AAP Photo/ Pablo Ramire
Expert
29th January, 2014
51
1687 Reads

I thought that selecting South Africa’s Post WW II Test XI was difficult until I started my research on Australia’s post-WW II Test XI.

The talent, the performances, the stats, the class of the Australian Test greats from 1947 until now!

Simply stupendous, an embarrassment of riches!

Ali Baba and forty thieves would gladly exchange their gold and diamonds for the Aussie icons of the last 66 years. If cricket was played in their era, that is.

Let’s have a peek at the panorama of greatness.

Opening batsmen
Arthur Morris, Sidney Barnes, Colin McDonald, Bob Simpson, Bill Lawry, Keith Stackpole, David Boon, Mark Taylor, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Michael Slater.

No.3
Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting.

Middle order batsmen
Lindsay Hassett, Neil Harvey, Norm O’Neill, Ken Mackay, Doug Walters, Ian Chappell, Greg Chappell, Ian Redpath, Allan Border, Kim Hughes, Rick McCosker, Dean Jones, Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, [Ponting], Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke.

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All-rounders
Keith Miller, Richie Benaud, Alan Davidson, Greg Matthews.

Wicket-keepers
Don Tallon, Wally Grout, Brian Taber, Rod Marsh, Ian Healy, Adam Gilchrist, Brad Haddin.

Fast to fast-medium bowlers
Ray Lindwall, Bill Johnston, [Miller, Davidson], Graham McKenzie, Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Lennie Pascoe, Merv Hughes, Max Walker, Craig McDermott, Geoff Lawson, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson.

Spinners
[Benaud], Ian Johnson, Ashley Mallett, Johnny Gleeson, [Greg Matthews], Shane Warne, Stuart MacGill.

Do you see my conundrum? How to select 11 from a field of 60?

So I have taken an easy way out. No, I am not selecting a Best XI and a Second XI.

It will be the Best XI from 1947 to 1980 and the Best XI from 1980 to 2013.

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There will be overlaps in late 1970s and early 1980s.

It is a personal choice without going in statistics and Roarers are requested to roast me for my choices or exclusions.

Why no stats? Bradman, Hassett, Morris et al played before 1947 as well.

Also Ian Chappell, Border among others played before and after 1980s.

So there is a touch of grey among those who represented Australia in late 1970s and in early 1980. It should provide a platform for a healthy debate among Roarers.

Here is my Best 1947 to 1980 XI in batting order
Arthur Morris, Bob Simpson, Don Bradman (vice-captain), Lindsay Hassett, Neil Harvey, Keith Miller, Richie Benaud (captain), Alan Davidson, Rodney Marsh (wk), Ray Lindwall and Dennis Lillee.

Extras: Norm O’Neill, Doug Walters, Sidney Barnes, Bill Lawry.

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Lillee and Lindwall will open the attack then Miller and Davidson will be used as first change. Skipper Benaud and Simpson will be the spinners.

Will The Don be happy to take orders from Richie?

Don Tallon or Wally Grout will keep wickets in case Miller beheads Marsh.

And below is my 1980 to 2013 XI in batting order
Matthew Hayden, David Boon, Ricky Ponting, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell (captain), Michael Clarke, Steve Waugh (vice-captain), Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Jeff Thomson and Glenn McGrath.

Extras: Dean Jones, Mark Taylor, Mark Waugh, Mike Hussey and Brett Lee.

‘Pup’ Clarke is the only one selected from the current side.

Thomson and McGrath will be the opening bowlers. Steve Waugh and Greg Chappell will take over for some reverse swing.

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Then it will be all Warne, the leggie-maestro.

Warney bowling Bradman for 99 could be the headline of the summer!

I’ll put my money on the 1947-1980 XI. What do you say?

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