THIS week, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will announce the greatest team in the
history of the sport.
Voted for by the fans to commemorate the 2,000th Test match between England and India
at Lord’s (July 21-25), legends of the game like Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Viv Richards and
Sachin Tendulkar are all set to be included.
Using the ICC’s shortlist (see box-off), Eastern Eye has picked its best all-time XI after much
debate and they must be good if Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting or Shane Warne can’t get in.
Everyone is sure to have an opinion about who should be in and who should be out, so let us
know what you think and what your team would be. Write to us at [email protected]
EASTERN EYE’S ALL-STAR XI:
Sunil Gavaskar – India (1971-1987)
Arguably India’s first great batsmen, Gavaskar became the first man to get 10,000 Test runs
and 30 centuries. Renowned for his near-perfect technique, immaculate defence and great
powers of concentration, this legend averaged over 50 throughout a 16-year career and is the
perfect man to open for our side.
Gordon Greenidge – West Indies (1974-1991)
One half of the most prolific partnerships in cricket history (with Desmond Haynes),
Greenidge was the most destructive and powerful opening batsmen in the business. A superb
technician, his brutal unbeaten 214 against England at Lord’s in 1984 is considered one of the
finest innings ever.
Sir Donald Bradman – Australia (1928-1948)
The greatest cricketer who ever lived averaged an amazing 99.94 in his career.It would have
been 100 if he wasn’t out for a duck in his final innings at The Oval when needing only four.
Bradman scored 29 centuries in 80 Test innings at high speed, including 309 in one incredible
day at Headingley in 1930.
Sir Viv Richards West Indies (1974-1991)
If Bradman was the greatest, Richards had to be the most feared. The Caribbean king
intimidated opposition bowlers with his confident, destructive approach to the game.
Averaging over 50, the Master Blaster was a true entertainer and was the cornerstone of the
legendary Windies sides of the 1970 and 80s.
Sachin Tendulkar India (1989-
Perhaps the most complete batsman and the most worshipped cricketer in the world,
Tendulkar holds just about every batting record there is, including most runs and hundreds in
Tests and ODIs, and most international runs. Currently averaging nearly 57 in the five-day
arena, he is the only active player to make our side.
Sir Garry Sobers West Indies (1954-1974)
Without doubt, the greatest all-rounder in history, Sobers had it all. He averaged 57 with the
bat, took 235 wickets with the ball and was a brilliant fielder too. The inspirational captain
broke the record for the highest Test score – 365 – at 21 and was also the first man to hit six
sixes in an over in a first-class game.
Alan Knott England (1967-81)
From 1967-1977, Knott played in 89 of England’s 93 Test matches – and never dropped an
important catch. He was that good. Also starring for Kent in county cricket, he was a big
hit with the bat too hitting five Test hundreds to raise his game to all-rounder status. One of
cricket’s nice guys.
Michael Holding West Indies (1975-87)
‘Whispering Death’ was the quickest bowler around, his run-up elegant and long-striding, yet
cobra-like in its rhythm. Holding was a class act, taking 249 wickets in 60 matches, including
devastating match figures of 14-49 against England in 1976. His ferocious over to Geoff
Boycott in 1981 is one of the most memorable of all-time.
Dennis Lillee Australia (1971-84)
Considered by many to be the “the complete bowler”, Lille picked up 355 dismissals from
just 70 matches. After coming back from a career-threatening injury, Lille cut back on his
blistering pace to become a much more accurate and dependable bowler. His best figures
were 7-83 against the West Indies in 1981.
Glen McGrath Australia (1993-2007)
McGrath is another Australian bowling legend, his line and length was second to none, as
was his ability to take key wickets at key times. He took a then-world record 563 Test scalps
and another 381 in ODIs. He was named Man of the Tournament during the Aussie’s World
Cup win in 2007 after taking 26 wickets.
Muttiah Muralitharan Sri Lanka (1999-2010)
The highest wicker-taker in both Test cricket (800) and ODIs (534), Murali, along with
Aussie icon Shane Warne, are known as the undisputed kings of spin. Murali has been an
integral part of all of Sri Lanka’s finest sporting achievements; none more so than the World
Cup win in 1996.
