The Leftorium World XI

I love lefties. Batsmen and bowlers, that is. There’s just something about a cover drive played by a left-handed batsman.

Or the way a left arm quick curves the ball in to trap a batsman LBW, as demonstrated by Mitchell Starc at Manuka Oval on Wednesday night.

Following my article last week outlining an Australian left handed XI from the last 30 years, I decided to give them some competition, in the form of a World Leftorium XI.

I must give a quick shout out to my Kiwi friend Rhys, who helped shape the squad through robust debate and a small amount of sledging.

As per my Australian team, this side is made up of players who played at Test level in the last 30 years, hence the absence of Gary Sobers in the all-rounder position, along with many other left-handed cricketing greats of the past.

The competition for my side was fierce, and this group certainly have the goods to challenge my Australian side, especially in the batting department.

Alastair Cook 8423 runs @ 46
Captain Cook is relegated to vice captain here, mostly due to the presence of his opening partner. With the memories of his seemingly neverending innings on Australian shores a few years back still fresh in the minds of most local fans, Cook has continued the recent phenomenon of English sides performing well away from home.

This is demonstrated by his average jumping from 42 at home to the mid-fifties abroad.

A big scorer once he gets settled, my Australian Leftorium bowlers will want to strike early to avoid disappointment.

Graeme Smith (c) 9265 runs @ 48
Despite taking on the South African captaincy at a ridiculously young age, Smith still managed to be an extremely consistent performer at Test level, as demonstrated by his average over 100 plus Tests.

While his attempts at taunting Australia’s bowlers through the media proved a source of comedy gold, Smith’s ability to rack up big scores and bat all day were no laughing matter. If these two get settled, you may want to change the channel.

Kumar Sangakkara 11988 runs @ 58
One of two men in my team capable of donning the gloves, Sanga is an underrated beast of a batsman. With the best average in my side, the smiling assassin is still racking up the runs in his late 30s.

Brian Lara 11953 runs @ 52
World record holder. Princely. Fan of young English blondes. Brian Lara was called many things throughout his career, some of which are unlikely to be published in The Roar.

One description sums up Lara – bloody good batsman. When he was on song, which was more often than not, Lara was more or less indestructible – except by his own hand. If my Aussie Leftorium bowlers have managed to dismiss Cook or Smith early, they’ll want to knock over Lara in a hurry as well to avoid humiliation.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul 11684 runs @ 53
Another dominant lefty proving that age shall not weary him, Chanderpaul continues to anchor the West Indian Test line-up while pushing in to his forties. I’m quietly hoping he leaves the anti-glare face strips at home for this series.

Graham Thorpe 6744 runs @ 44
This place was a tough call, with my choice being between Thorpe and David Gower, who both averaged 44 throughout strong Test careers. Thorpe got the nod based on his average against the strongest side of his era. Gower’s average dropped to 32 against fearsome West Indian attack of the 1980s. Meanwhile, Thorpe’s increased slightly from 44 to 45 against Australia, earning him the number six spot.

Andy Flower 4794 runs @ 51
While more recently renowned for tormenting KP, Flower made a career humiliating international bowlers in the strongest side Zimbabwe managed to field before Mugabe made himself chairman of selectors.

The second gloveman in my World Leftorium team, Andy Flower could really bat anywhere from 1 to 7. A ferocious batsman at a time of strong bowling line-ups, Flower assumes the Gilchrist-role in my team, piling on the pain after his teammates have put a big score on the board.

Daniel Vettori 360 wickets @ 34, 4516 runs @ 30
The all-rounder and sole spinner in my XI, Vettori ties up an end with the ball, while also providing valuable lower order runs at number eight.

Wasim Akram 414 wickets @ 23
The leader of my looping lefty attack, Akram was a consistent wicket taker and constant threat to batsmen throughout his career. Perhaps a little more wiley than the brute force of Johnson in my Australian attack, Wasim was no less menacing in his own, quiet way.

One of my favourite bowlers, I have mixed feelings about wanting him to succeed against my fictional Aussie side, as I did whenever he played our real team here or abroad.

Zaheer Khan 311 wickets @ 32
The second in my trifecta of subcontinental left arm quicks, Zaheer will take the new ball with Akram and most likely continue his habit of obtaining early breakthroughs, as demonstrated throughout his career.

Chaminda Vaas 355 wickets @ 29
The final bowler and member of my side, Vaas is another attacking quick who may find himself making way for his countryman Rangana Herath in spin friendly conditions.

So there it is, Roarers. My World Leftorium XI. In a five Test series against my Aussie side, they would put up a good fight, before going down 3-1.