The Ashes: Post-War XIs

David Blackburn

Barrington and Boycott in the same XI, Alex? Why not add Tavare for the three card trick?

England:
1).Boycott, 2).Vaughan, 3).May, 4).Gower, 5).Compton, 6).Botham, 7).Knott, 8).Laker, 9).Trueman, 10). Underwood at Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, John Snow at the WACA and the Gabba 11). Statham.

Very tough call for Alec Bedsar and Len Hutton. Also Tony Lock. Peter May captains.

Picking the Australian XI is far harder:
1).Arthur Morris, 2).Michael Slater, 3).Bradman, 4).Ricky Ponting, 5).Neil Harvey, 6).Steve Waugh, 7).Adam Gilchrist, 8).Keith Miller, 9).Shane Warne, 10).Ray Lindwall, 11). Glenn McGrath

I tossed a coin over Lillie and Lindwall.

Alan Davidson looked a wonderful bowler and pretty useful with the bat. The same is true of Benaud. And Terry Alderman would have taken 300 Test Match wickets if he'd been English or a Kiwi.

As a sign of Australia's dominance, Greg Chapple would beat both Gower and Compton into the England side; Bobby Simpson, Ian Chappell and Allan Border wouldn't be too far behind.

Slater might have a weaker record than many Australian openers, but my first complete cricketing memory is watching him slaughter England at Lords in 1993 - and I've never forgotten it. The game was lost in the first half hour.

Leo McKinstry

Fascinating Alex. You're so right that this exercise highlights the yawning gap in post-war talent between England and Australia, reflected in the results of Ashes series. My only tiny quibble with Norm's England team would the selection of Brian Statham ahead of Bob Willis, who I've always felt is England's second greatest pace bowler of the post-war era after Trueman. Statham never had any spell-binding Ashes performances like Willis's at Headingley in 1981, and Willis took far more Australian wickets in his Test career than Statham did. But this is not remotely to deny that JB was a magnificent bowler.

Tim J

For all that he's a show pony, and not quite as talented as he thinks he is, there's a strong argument for selecting Kevin Pietersen in a post war Ashes team. He averages over 50 against Australia - which is higher than Boycott, Compton or May. Plus if you're picking Boycott and Barrington, then a middle order with both Compton and Pietersen would be a blessed relief.

Statham ahead of Snow? Where's the series to be played, home or abroad? You need proper pace Down Under. Maybe Frank Tyson should be sounded out? Likewise, two spinners would be a bit of a luxury anywhere that isn't Sydney...

Tim J

A quick look at Statsguru shows Brian Statham with the rather ordinary bowling average of 31 against Australia, against 25 for both Snow and Tyson, and 26 for Bob Willis.

tommyt

Well thats the next three hours of my life sorted.

Initial impressions, lets assume given forthcomign events we are picking sides for Aussie conditions and that we have covered pitches. Do we really want Underwood & Laker - I appreciate Botham is an excellent option at first change though I not you go against your principles by picking a wicket keeper batsman rather than the most accomplished gloveman available which suggests England might be a bat short - Gower & Randall have excellent records in Oz. And your Aussie team, perhaps understandably, is very heavy on immediate post war players but Hayden, Langer & the Waughs might be more suited to the modern game

Austin Barry

Ted Dexter was an exciting No. 3 batsman and useful swing bowler. He seems though to have been effaced from cricket history as a languid toff.

Phil Atkinson

Underwood was a great player on English pitches, but Down Under you need a left-armer who offers just that bit more. Johnny Wardle was effective bowling both orthodox finger spin and wrist spin. Sorry Deadly.

Pity no Tom Graveney, but I can't fit him in.