In a mad moment, some cricket playing mates and I decided that we’d record a podcast.
In an even madder moment (or more accurately, 83 mad minutes) we actually did it.
It’s called Yes No Sorry and it’s proudly the cricket podcast that goes big on opinion and lets knowledge go through to the keeper.
The topic for the first episode was something that we – as two Pommies and two Aussies – could all agree on: the best combined Ashes XI since 1980.
Why 1980? Well, showing our age, the 1980s were our introduction as kids to the joys of Test cricket. And heck, it doesn’t get more iconic than the 1981 Ashes.
(Photo by Adrian Murrell/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive)
Our rules for selection were that a player’s peak had to be in the period 1980-2021.
So, as good as they were in the 1980s, Greg Chappell (average of 62.50 in the 1980s Ashes), Dennis Lillee (65 wickets at 21.41) and Jeff Thomson miss out, having peaked in the 1970s.
And today’s cricketers – notably Pat Cummins – can’t be picked on potential, only on results so far. Sorry boys.
And possibly uniquely on a podcast, we tossed a coin to determine a venue. This resulted in English conditions, with the game being held at Lord’s, rather than the Gabba.
That ruled out some bowlers who bossed it in Australian conditions and were bossed out of it in English ones: Craig McDermott (bowling average of 22 in Australian Ashes, 34 in English ones) and moustache-era Mitchell Johnson (21 and 34 respectively) being good examples.
Having got those niceties out of the way, and after a fair bit of debate, the selected XI was as follows.
1. Alastair Cook
2. Michael Slater
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Steve Smith
5. Steve Waugh (captain)
6. Ian Botham
7. Adam Gilchrist (wicketkeeper)
8. Stuart Broad
9. Shane Warne
10. Glenn McGrath
11. Terry Alderman
(Photo by Morgan Hancock/Action Plus via Getty Images)
The 12th man was Allan Border, who was incredibly unfortunate to miss out in a jam-packed middle order, as was our 13th man, David Gower, selected as much for his knowledge of post-match London venues to keep Messrs Botham and Warne entertained as for his batting.
Most debate was around the opening slots, with six openers proposed and Matthew Hayden especially unlucky to miss out, largely due to English conditions and the desire for a left hand/right hand opening combination.
Terry Alderman may surprise some but was a unanimous selection. His 100 Ashes wickets at 21 – and a bowling average of 19 in England – speaking for themselves.
There is more on the pod. Have a listen and let us know what you think and what you’d like to hear next. Having got the bug, we’re already planning discussions on the next Ashes and what makes a great cricket captain.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Not heresy to leave Botham out but rather emperor's new clothes to assume he's an automatic selection. 12th man makes sense because he could replace either a batsman or bowler who suffered a last minute injury before the exchange of team sheets.
Peter Warrington
Guest
it's gonna seem heretic but I am not convinced by Beefy. I don't think the team needs him with Alderman's swing and McGraths's seam anyway (plus Broad). Waugh adds enough nibble. But he really only had cameos after 81. Even with 81 he averaged under 30 with the bat and over 30 with the ball for the period. Maybe 12thy? Utterly magnificent slipper. Warne would be my captain. Just for the thrill. Ideally a leftie would come in but Reid doesn't qualify. Not many other options other than Mitch, whoc I would consider (his 13-14 being the equivalent of Beefy's 81). So another bat who spins it. AB averaged 58 against them in this period. Another great slipper and prowler around mid wicket. In ya come.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Joe Root’s current average is within a run of 50, and he has scored more runs than any English player other than Graham Gooch and Alistair Cook. Kevin Pietersen scored over 8000 test runs at an average of 47.3 and a strike rate of 61.7, pretty much the same strike rate as Bradman. The only other players in history to have scored anywhere near as many test runs at both a higher average and strike rate are Viv Richards, Virenda Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Lol. Not sure I’d pick tubby. Chappell.G played till 84, though not really touring but still 5/6 centuries in the 80’s. He didn’t play too long like tubby. Lange has a better ave and more 100’s then Taylor. I always thought it sad and odd England never had any batsmen end with over 50 ave for decades. Since Barrington I think in late 60’s. Not sure what’s going on there.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And that was after Fleet St had canned us. It was simply amazing to see Border get repaid for the previous 4 years of often lonely slog.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
That was my final year in boarding school. We would do shifts on radio listening around the clock and wake each other up when something meaningful happened. That 0 for 301 at stumps day 1 at Trent Bridge simply stunned me.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
That 89 tour was something else. It was such an incredible piece of history that set the stage for the longest dynasty in the Ashes.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
There will only ever be one Sir Viv!!!
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Great analysis Rowdy.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I've let fly at Robelinda. Some of his stuff is beyond satire and sarcasm. He doesn't realise how dumb his statement's are and some of his followers are Wyoming-level dumb. He's the Trump of cricket.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Michael Vaughn had those attributes too.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
O’Donnell was seen by selectors as a bowler who could bat. So he was never competing with Steve. Robelinda is a hit stirring provocateur. Someone on Facebook analysed every one of those runouts into Waugh’s fault, his partner’s fault, fault of neither, brilliant fielding and inevitables such as chasing quick runs in dying overs of limited overs innings and when with tailenders in such situations the need to get/keep Waugh on strike etc. Waugh was exonerated.
Pommygranite
Roar Rookie
Thanks Insult_2_Injury - I'll answer to most things... Too funny!
Pommygranite
Roar Rookie
Entirely fair Kanggas2. As above, post-pod, Taylor is a definite regret. He had a simply amazing Ashes record in England (1500+ runs, 53 average, 5 tons).
Pommygranite
Roar Rookie
Thanks Rellum and Dwanye - pretty close to that anyway tbh, especially if Tubby replaces the Chef.
Pommygranite
Roar Rookie
Yep those run-outs were tough to watch Rowdy. Robelinda did a great summary on YouTube. Poor Simon O'Donnell (who was competing for a ODI spot at the time) seemed to get more than his fair share too.
Pommygranite
Roar Rookie
We liked Waugh for his aggression and intent Bernie.
Pommygranite
Roar Rookie
Good guess Nudge. Minimum 10 tests since 1980: Trott (glorious while it lasted) and Vaughan (who I pitched for on the pod) 48 Gower and Thorpe 46 Pietersen 45 Ramprakash (which surprised me) 42 Root and Cook the only others over 40 (just)
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I'm thinking more that Border didn't handle Greg Matthews very well ... he admitted in his newspaper column a few years after retirement that he never had any idea how to get the best out of him.
JGK
Roar Guru
Warne would have walked through brick walls for Border so I reckon he’d be fine with KP.