All-time XI: Australia by cricinfo juries

[DomainK]

Juries 11: 1 Victor Trumper Trumper was the prototype of an expressive Australian batsmanship based on boldness, instinct and natural talent. By his modesty and courtesy, in an age that valued such qualities, he also made a hero to rally round. Gideon Haigh 2 Arthur Morris Arthur Morris was well organised and serene at the crease, and from those twin centuries he made on NSW debut when aged 18 through his prolific Test match seasons and tours, he was the epitome of self-assuredness and unflappability. Don Bradman's instant support for him never wavered, and Morris' crowning moment was probably when he topped the figures on that memorable 1948 tour of England. David Frith 3 Don Bradman Bradman's selection is axiomatic, and of course, has to refer to his stats because he dominated cricket in a way for which there is no comparison in any other sport, with the possible exception of Walter Lindrum in billiards and snooker. His cricket allowed him to become part of the fabric of Australian life - symbolised by the ABC's PO Box number of 9994 - in a way unmatched by any other individual. Warwick Franks 4 Greg Chappell The remarkable Ricky Ponting has clouded the issue, but Greg Chappell remains the supreme Australian batsman since the retirement of Neil Harvey in the 60s. Chappell was a cricketing aristocrat, tall and commanding. But whatever his stature at the crease it was his performances at the wicket that raised him to immortality. In 1979 he hit SuperTest centuries in Trinidad and Guyana and 431 runs in four internationals at 61.57 against one of the greatest fast bowling attacks ever assembled in Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Colin Croft, Joel Garner and Wayne Daniel. No batsman in half a century could equal or eclipse this achievement. Phil Wilkins 5 Allan Border He's never ever received the appropriate recognition, not only for what he achieved in Australian cricket, but for Australian cricket. It's 25 years in December since he was appointed captain and the sustained success of Australia over the past two decades or so is the direct result of his bravery, commitment and leadership. Mike Coward 6 Keith Miller This country's finest and most flamboyant allrounder, Miller is just one of three Australians, with Shane Warne and Richie Benaud, to have scored more than 2000 runs and taken over 100 wickets. He batted mostly at No. 5, where he averaged 41.98 and scored five of his seven centuries. Malcolm Conn 7 Adam Gilchrist How often in history has the most feared batsmen in a line-up come in at No. 7? Adam Gilchrist did. In a time when cricket was in danger of being routinised and industrialised, he played a hearty, heady, seemingly carefree brand that mocked convention, never looking other than excited to be out there. Gideon Haigh 8 Shane Warne The boy with the bullet-train flipper grew up and became master of bluster, capable of derailing the best-set batsmen with balls spinning a mile or a millimetre. You'd pick both Warnes if you could. Christian Ryan 9 Bill O'Reilly His fast legspin and hell-or-high-water attitude would make him the perfect companion for Shane Warne, whose coming he predicted but narrowly missed. However, the main reason for choosing Tiger is the thought of bumping into him in the afterlife. Peter Roebuck 10 Dennis Lillee Dennis Lillee is the most excitingly hostile Australian fast bowler I've seen. His combination of pace, swing and intimidation was always threatening, and the crowd's rapture for him played out with the chant of "Lilleee, Lilleee". From wild, rawboned days as a genuinely fast bowler through back injuries to a more controlled, scheming and theatrical cricketer, Lillee was a consistent wicket taker, and much-feared opponent. Jim Maxwell 11 Glenn McGrath McGrath is an automatic selection not only for his 563 Test wickets at 21.64, his inescapable line and length and his steepling bounce, but for his aura. It was fun to see him target the opposition's best batsman, get into his head, then follow a simple plan for success until the batsman succumbed. He also did a superb impression of a teapot when things weren't going well. Chloe Saltau 12th man Ricky Ponting Source: http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/414510.html

[DomainK]

Readers 11 (through voting) Matthew Hayden, Bill Ponsford, Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Keith Miller, Shane Warne, Bill O'Reilly, Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath

[rainy day]

Reader's XI is the better team, just replace S.Waugh with G.Chappel and its the perfect Australia XI in my opinion.

[Mr. Wicket]

How the **** did the readers leave out Border?

[Chorazin Reto]

Matthew Hayden, Bill Ponsford, Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, Adam Gilchrist, Keith Miller, Shane Warne, Bill O'Reilly, Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath Fixed!!

[Mamu]

How the **** did the readers leave out Border?

I wouldnt have Border, I would have Ponting over Border

[Lurker]

What a superb team! Sambit Bal is dead on suggesting how the team composition very well explains the strength of Australia as a cricketing nation over the years what with a uniform spread across the generations. Probably my only criticism would be if two leg spinners need to be played. Not many countries have done it historically. I would drop O Reilley(great as he was) and bring in either Ray Lindwall(why break Lindwall-Miller partnership?) or Alan Davidson(would give a left arm pace option). Both tremendous bowler and decent enough batsmen to rake in centuries at the highest level. That said would their batting really be needed in a team of Gilly at #7? or for that matter a team in which Don Bradman played? xxx

[Macj]

LOL Ponting as 12th man, that just made my day. Nothing but a joker posing as a pretender.

[yoshi]

lol at ricky being 12th man you can imagine his face as he carries out all those water bottles

[afridi6666]

wheres Simon katich? seriously, hussey couldve been there, his avg way sky high until he did a dravid

[Guest Hiten.]

wheres Simon katich? seriously, hussey couldve been there, his avg way sky high until he did a dravid

Let's hope he never ever does a MoYo (Country....Cash...Country...Cash....Country...Cash...) :giggle: