Test team of the year designed for Victory - Peter Roebuck

[vvvslaxman]

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/a-test-team-of-the-year-as-designed-for-victory-20091223-ldhk.html A Test team of the year as designed for victory PETER ROEBUCK December 24, 2009 Mitchell Johnson's 57 wickets in 12 Tests in 2009 was enough to secure him a place in Peter Roebuck's Test team of the year. CHOOSING a Test team of the year can be hazardous. So far no lives have been lost, though it was a close run thing last year after Sachin Tendulkar was omitted. No amount of sweet words could convince offended parties that selection had been based on 12 months and not a career. In hindsight the criteria may have become too cut and dried, allowing the inclusion of one-year wonders. Accordingly an adjustment has been made. Only those performing well in 2009 have been considered but thereafter heed has been taken of records. Alas, that has meant the exclusion of Thilan Samaraweera, the most productive batsman of the year (1234 runs at 72.6) and a miracle worker. Not long ago he was almost killed when terrorists attacked the Sri Lankans' bus. As usual the side has been selected to win matches not as a slap on the back. More than ever it is necessary to look beyond the statistics. Averages have been distorted this year by the free-scoring Sri Lanka-India series. Four of the five highest scorers of the campaign are Sri Lankan. The Indian top order averaged variously 90, 70, 87, 67, 67 and 92. They cannot all play. To concentrate on them means forgetting about Ross Taylor, Graeme Smith, Younus Khan, Chris Gayle, Michael Clarke, Jacques Kallis and so forth. As it happens, none of them made the cut, but all deserved consideration. Anyhow here goes! 1. Virender Sehwag Impossible to omit provided he has a presentable season. His ability to dismantle attacks and to sustain domination sets him apart. Sehwag is a great batsman and among the most devastating openers the game has known. His defence is immaculate and mostly mothballed as he plays his full range of shots. Impudent but rarely imprudent, his madness conceals a shrewd cricketing brain. In 2009: six Tests, 631 runs at 70.11, two centuries 2. Andrew Strauss Pipped higher scorers such as Gautam Gambhir and Tillerkaratne Dilshan due to his part in winning the Ashes. Simply, he was the most influential batsman in a tight series. Twice he revived his team's fortunes, with a hundred at Lord's and after the Leeds debacle. A pragmatic, durable opener, he has earned his place in the team. In 2009: 13 Tests, 1131 runs at 53.24, four centuries 3. Kumar Sangakkara Not even Rahul Dravid's restoration could could stop the Lankan captain taking the first drop position. When he is able to focus on his batting, Sanga emerges as an illuminating and gritty stroke player. Moreover, he tends to make important runs. In 2009: 11 Tests, 1083 runs at 57.00, four centuries 4. Sachin Tendulkar Returned to form in 2009 and so cannot be left out. Brilliant at the top of the order in the ODIs, he was consistent in the Test arena as well. A masterful technique, an agile brain and an unchanging yearning for runs puts him in a class of his own. In 2009: six Tests, 541 runs at 67.83, two centuries 5. A.B. De Villiers His inspired fielding and adaptable batting secure him the third-wicket-down spot. South Africa has not played much Test cricket in 2009 but De Villiers seized his opportunities. Ambitious and bold, quick scoring and canny, he fears no man nor any situation. He is a match changer. In 2009: five Tests, 520 runs at 65.00, two centuries 6. Mahendra Dhoni Competition for the gloves has been hot. Several superb keeper/batsmen have emerged, not least in Australia and Pakistan. Dhoni has an authority that brooks no argument. He plays by his own lights and with victory in mind. He belongs in the thick of the action and will captain the team. In 2009: five Tests, 369 runs at 92.25, two centuries; 22 dismissals 7. Daniel Vettori An extraordinary cricketer who seems to improve every year. Although his returns were modest this year, his bowling skills have long been recognised. His batting was exceptional. Once regarded as a hack, he has risen to six in the Kiwi order and scored 779 runs in 2009 at 59.9, Accordingly five front-line bowlers can be included without unduly weakening the batting. In 2009: eight Tests, 779 runs at 59.92, three centuries; 27 wickets at 39.07 8. Mitchell Johnson A hundred reasons can be found for omitting the tentative lefty: poor form in the Ashes, the possibility that he is not even the best left-armer in his own country and so on. Facts and figures tell another tale. No one has taken more Test wickets in 2009 than Johnson. He is the top-placed bowler in the official rankings, was chosen as international cricketer of the year and averaged 34 with the bat. Impossible to ignore. In 2009: 12 Tests, 57 wickets at 28.88; 478 runs at 34.14, one century. 9. Graeme Swann Swann took a stack of wickets in 2009, contributed some handy runs and managed to get under numerous noses, all of them belonging to opponents. Along the way he has saved and helped to win matches. Adds variety and character to the team. England is starting to produce some bright sparks. Anonymous cricketers are to be avoided. In 2009: 11 Tests, 45 wickets at 29.87. 10. Mohammed Asif Nowadays all three leading subcontinent cricketing nations have competitive pace attacks. Pakistan is strongest and its hard to choose between a talented group of speedsters. Asif's results set him apart (19 scalps at 19 apiece). In 2009: three Tests, 19 wickets at 19.79 11. Dale Steyn At his best, Steyn swings the ball at a searing pace. Inconsistent but snorting fire, he can hurry batsmen, exploit helpful conditions and scythe through tails. In 2009: four Tests, 20 wickets at 31.45 12th man. Thilan Samaraweera For reasons stated above, he has something to tell us all.

[vvvslaxman]

Gambhir missing. But he has explained he cannot pick too many players from one team.

[cowboysfan]

lol@Asif.roe buck has lost it.

[Mamu]

Asif is clearly his quota. Since somebody has to be from Pakiland. I would have had Umar. He played against NZ and in NZ, I mean come on. give him some time and see how he does before you put him in a World Text XI

[Celeste]

Replace DeVilliers with Umar Akmal.

[OriginalCopy]

Replace DeVilliers with Umar Akmal.

DeVilliers has proven himself many times over, over a period of many years, and all of this year specifically. It is unfair (read stupid) to compare Umar with him, let alone replace him.

[vvvslaxman]

Replace Tuffey with Asif :hysterical:

[S.Bond]

Replace Tuffey with Asif :hysterical:

replace laxman with strauss... The guy is a good opener...

[vvvslaxman]

replace laxman with strauss... The guy is a good opener...

Laxman is not there in the list to replace :winky:

[ViruRulez]

Laxman is not there in the list to replace :winky:

:dito: I was also surprised how people cannot even read the names of the players mentioned before commenting :hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[champ]

no ponting in the team should put all tendulkar bashers to rest .. he cant compete with sanga , devilliers .. leave alone sachin ... :yay:

[Aaku]

You can exclude the most destructive test batsman

[Zap_Brannigan]

If they go by average for the year, the the batting line up will have 6 Indians + 1 SLan

[Desi Cartman]

A$if :hehe:

[Andy]

If they go by average for the year' date=' the the batting line up will have 6 Indians + 1 SLan[/quote'] :dito:

[graphic23]

Thats a pretty weak team actually.

[Rajiv]

Replace DeVilliers with Umar Akmal.

Most absurd thing I have ever heard Akmal is not even De Villers toenail

[Andy]

Most absurd thing I have ever heard Akmal is not even De Villers toenail

:haha::haha:

[philcric]

Think it's a good team. 5 bowlers a must considering lack of outstanding bowlers and batsmen friendly pitches. Batting wasn't compromised as the team bats way down till #9. Good variety in bowling too .. pacer, swinger, left-armer, off-spinner, left-arm spinner.

[Dark Warrior]

Asif is in the side?? RoeDuck has lost his mind!!