Which batsman would you select for an all-time World test XI on a bad or untrue wicket?

[Harsh Thakor]

This is my choice of batsman for a pitch untrue for test cricket with inconsistent bounce.



1.Victor Trumper


Proved his prowess on wet sticklers scoring at a mythical run rate.Average of 0ver 39 not impressive but if you consider nature of wickets and domination you would have to regard Trumper as mythical.





2.Jack Hobbs


Scored half of his 197 centuries on bad pitches and around 30,000 runs before the War.Even Bradman could not match his craftsmanship on a pitch with cracks or soaked with rain.His hundreds agaisnt Australia at the Oval in 1926 and at Melbourne in1928-29 for sheer virtuosity in conditions of adversity,may never be surpassed.





3.George Headley


Outscored Bradman on wet pitches and played the role of a lone crusader more than anyone.Principally a backfoot player but still posessed an amazing range of strokes.I doubt Lara or Viv could have surpassed Headley on tearing pitch.Averaged 60+ which was remarkable.
Provoked fans to term Bradman as the 'White Headley.'Considering his era tok batting to untraversed heights.





4.Ian Chappell

Whn the chips were down or when a side was n the depths of despair Ian could be more handy than even Viv Richards or Greg Chappell.I can never forget his dancing down the spinners to combat vicious turn or fending of or hooking to confront short-pitched deliveries at express pace.Averaged over 50 at one down as well as scored 12 centuries.Better player of a bouncing ball or spin than brother Greg or Steve Waugh.





5.Alan Border/Neil Harvey


The ultimate champion in losing causes but still won important games or series for Australia.No left hander was as combative on bad wickets as Border who resembled a surgeon performing an operation.At his best when scoring 2 150's in a single test at Lahore on a turning pitch in 1980 ,100and 98.n.o at Trinidad in 1984 and 79 n.o at Melbourne v England in 1982-83.

Harvey could bat like a magician when the situation demanded like when sculpting a famous win in run chase of 336 runs against South Africa in 1951.Instrumental in shaping Australia into aside of world beaters revealing skill of mythical heights in adverse conditions in England.





6.Javed Miandad

Although not as agressive as Viv Richards or as correct as Gavaskar morally more combative than anyone on his day.Border may have been a whisker ahead to bat for your life ,bit not as effective in niggling opponents to the limit.Whether on a wet English pitch or a final day Australian wicket with inconsistent bounce Javed was the ultimate battler.Miandad wast he ultimate catalyst as an improviser.Chosen over Drvaid or Steve Waugh because of the weight of his sheer character.




7.Gary Sobers /WG Grace


Not only could he take opposing bowling attacks to complete submission Sobers also was master in conquering bad wickets.A perfect illustration was his 1113 against England at Kingston i 1968-69 when he all but won the game from the depths of despair.His 254 at Melbourne in 1972 was not far behind nor his 132 in the tied test in terms of sheer prowess.Sobers would also played a role as a bowler and all-rounder overall.

Grace registered scores of 344 and 400 on wicket of uncut grass and in such conditions amassed 54896 runs , scored 126 centuries and scored over 1000 run sin 28 English seasons.For sheer domination ,presence or impact Grace had no equal.Grace also captured 2876 wickets and took 100 wickets in a season 8 times.




The likes of Bradman,Lara,Tendulkar,Gavaskar,Pollock ,Barry or Viv just miss out as they were at their best on genuine wickets.Rahul Dravid came closest to missing out here or even Steve Waugh as bad wicket specialists.

Edited September 15, 2020 by Harsh Thakor

[Straight Drive]

As the likes of Bradman , Lara, Tendulkar, Gavaskar, Pollock, Barry and Viv .Miss out, I think Chandra or Chris Martin will be the best two options.

[Ankit_sharma03]

Sehwag simple, he had a simple theory see the ball hit the ball.....he never complicated things

Bad wkts half the time plays with ur head mostly, sehwag had a very uncluttered mind 

[speedheat]

Steve smith, remember Pune test match?

Edited September 15, 2020 by speedheat

[rkt.india]

35 minutes ago, speedheat said:

Steve smith, remember Pune test match?

Was dropped half a dozen times.

[rkt.india]

Majid Khan for sure.

[Harsh Thakor]

5 hours ago, Straight Drive said:

As the likes of Bradman , Lara, Tendulkar, Gavaskar, Pollock, Barry and Viv .Miss out, I think Chandra or Chris Martin will be the best two options.

Remember how Headley,Hobbs and Trumper were champions on bad wickets or even Vishy.On bad wickets with cracks Steve Waugh or Dravid could overshadow Tendulkar or Lara.Similar compassion of Ian Chappell Border and Miandad with Pollock  and Viv.

 

https://www.cricketweb.net/the-curious-case-of-the-don-and-the-sticky-wicket/

[Rightarmfast]

Majid Khan

[mancalledsting]

VVS: his knock on a horrible batting wicket whilst injured in Mohali 2010 and Durban 2010. One of the best match winners in tests India or the world ever had. He was tall and had exceptionally strong wrists so I think this gave him unique advantages. Excellent also vs both pace and spin. 

[R!TTER]

Probably SMG from India, the issue with the obvious hocus pocus debate is that there's at least 2 or 3 eras in which we had little to no TV coverage & there's no way to know how good or bad the "uncovered wickets" were. Also two thumps up to Majid Mia