After watching two anticipated matches between WORLD XI and AUSTRALIA, I can say nothing other than how stupid the selectors of the World team were.
Here are some key points:
Pieterson did not deserve a spot in the side. He may have played well of late, but he is young and has to prove himself, and cannot be regarded as part of the world’s top 11 players aside from Australia. Much better replacements of Pieterson could have been Youhana (Mohammed Yousuf), Yuvraj, Fleming
Secondly, the inclusion of Kallis is also very puzzling. Ntini is a far better bowler than Kallis and should have played atleast in one of the first two matches. He batted poorly and bowled poorly.
Thirdly, Afridi is taken as an all rounder. Gayle does not have even close to the ability of Afridi’s bowling, and their batting styles are at best similar.
Fourthly, Murali and Vettori were both introduced at wrong times of the game, when Australia had taken over. Pollock and Shoaib should have continued to bowl until he got the first wicket, because by bringing in second string bowlers, it gave Australia a comfort zone to build their total on.
Fifthly, I think the missed inclusion of Inzimam came back to haunt this team. Inzimam, Sehwag, and Sangakara were easily the top three batsman among the world side, and should have been chosen. A solid steady innings from Inzimam would have steered World XI home today. He has taken Pakistan several times to victory single handedly and would have done the same here. The World players were not facing a tough bowlig line up and lost most of their wickets to poor judgement.
Finally, on a positive note Australia once again have poved that they are the best. Although another combination of a World XI team would have pushed Australia, they still find a way to come back and win games, despite not being as strong as they have known to be in the past.
I agree with all your points except for the one on Inzamam. He is overweight and is not quick in between wickets let alone in the field. Also i feel he is severely overrated in these current days. As can be seen by age Brian Lara is deteriorating and now so is Inzy. For one dayers you need youth speed and enthusiasm.
Its so difficult for the cricketing world with Youhana changing his name. Didn't he trust christianity. He must have had no faith in christianity to change over to Muslim just on the advice of some of his friends.
^^ I can't believe you think Inzi is an over-rated batsman! He's one of the best in the world right now. I would go as far as saying that he is now a better and more reliable batsman that Tendulkar and Lara.
Here are some stats to show why he is severly "over-rated" these days:
^ When was the last time Tendulkr won india a match? an important match?
I agree about Lara bit. He is more like old wine. Still classs. You just have to see his recent record, sepcially in tests. Too bad he didnt seem interested in these matches.
*Ignore Cricket Lover's stupid comments about Inzamam's batting.
Anyways, Gayle is a much, much better batsman than Afridi. The guy has a triple hundred in test cricket. So, I disagree strongly there. Agree strongly, however, about points raised about inclusion of Pietersen and absence of Inzamam. *
I would like to see Sehwag out of the World XI team.
Regardless of what the media and the cricket gurus say about him, this guy is way too unreliable. In fact I will go to the extent of saying that Sehwag should not be in the Indian team too. But I know that would be too radical for our conservative desi populace to consume.
I am talking one-dayers and his average in ODIs is 31 which is not that great.
Regardless, averages don’t tell the full story…I don’t like Sehwag because he scores in peaks-and-valleys e.g…60,0,5,120,10,7,3,90…I would much rather have a player who contributes a decent 30-40 or more in every match.
I am surprized that no body is bothered about exclusion of Shane Bond.I think he is the best fast bowler at present.(better than both Shoaib and Lee).He made Aussies in difficulties when ever he played against them,remmber world cup03 and some VB series matches.After coming back recently he proved that he is in great touch...by the way who selected the world team...If it is by Gavaskar don't expect more.
I don't agree that Gayle is better than Afridi but i think both are immensely talented. The fact of the matter is their are players in the world team that can't hit the ball of the ground e.g kallis,dravid. This is my line up. In Odi's u need big hitters and quick runners and good fielders.
Both are entertaining and i hope they will both open the batting in sundays one dayer.
Well, considering that Tendulkar is curently injured and hasn’t taken part in international cricket for a while, yeah, I suppose you could say that Inzimam is currnetly the more successful batsmen.
Even before Injury, you could sense Sachin has lost some of his savage-ness (Is it a word?) while Inzimam and Lara are scoring runs way more consistently and authoritatively.
I think with the World XI team is nothing wrong but they don't have the drive...cohesion...will...and above all the leadership...and responsibility with the exception of Sangakkara who has been excluded from the test match to make place for Boucher...selectors are becoming bunch of laughters...and not selectors...
This star-loaded team appears to be on picnic...lol
A bunch of street-lofters from all those countries could have done better against Australia because they still have to make mark...hmmmmmmm
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