To pick 11 best players is tough. When u split this 11 into batsmen, bowlers, wicket-keeper and Captain, the job gets tougher. But now that I have dreamt to pick my playing world 11, I will try doing my best.
Afterall, When your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme.
The rules I have followed, have been framed by me because it helps me eliminate players. Following are the rules -->
Any player during his carrer if indulged in anything against the spirirt of the game or had faced a ban has not been included in the playing 11. Because he has brought the game under dis-repute.
The team will comprise of 6 batsmen 1 Wicket-keeper and 4 bowlers.
I am not considering any all-rounders. If I have picked any, then I would have mentioned that he plays as a batsmen or a bowler. But while picking I would have taken into consideration all his capabilities.
The players in this dream 11 have played a minimum of 50 ODI and 25 tests.
For the opening slot, going by convention I feel that it would add stability if we had one solid technical sound and another a blazer, free stroking non-inhibitant opener.
For the later spot the best contenders were Virender Sehwag of India, Shahid Afridi of Pakistan, Marcus Treskothik of England and Chris Gayle of WI. Since Shahid Afridi is not relied on all the times by his own team, I have excluded him, thereby resulting in a fierce competition between Sehwag and Treskothik. Going by recent form or record I am unable to decide, Hence being an Indian, I decide to favor my patriotism and go with Sehwag for the dashing Opening slot.
NUMBER 1. VIRENDER SEHWAG
To partner Viru, the choice has to be made between Mathew Hayden, Stephen Fleming (though he doesnt open these days, but other than this position he may not make an entry at all) and Graeam Smith. Of the three I think any body on any day would prefer Mat. Hayden!
NUMBER 2. MATHEW HAYDEN
At one down we have two big names in Ricky Ponting and Jackques Kallis. To choose between these two is again difficult. So let me bring in patriotism. oh! I can c u asking me how does patriotism come into picture whilst selecting Ponting or Kallis. It comes..... this is how it is ... Ponting has been ruthless on India scoring one of his best hundreds at a time when India never wanted Ponting to score. This hundred came in the most crucial match for most Indian players, FINAL, WORLD CUP 2K4. But Kallis is a good chap when it comes to playing against India. He in fact helped India reach the ICC Championship Finals in Srilanka Couple of years ago, by playing an innings which helped India win from a stage when SA almost won the semifinal encounter. Hence my one down player is JACQUES KALLIS.
NUMBER 3. JACQUES KALLIS
For 2 down, we have choices from Australia, Srilanka, Pakistan and WI. The players being, Damien Martyn, Mahela Jayawardene, Inzamam UL Huq and Brian CHARLES Lara. But its easy to rule out the Srilankan from that because he certainly does not belong to this league of players. This is certainly the toughest position to decide on. In the top 3 so far we have had one left hander and 2 right handers. To get that even I might vote for Brian Charles Lara. But this is not to suggest that Lara is the better of the other 2. According to me all three are great players and each one of these players would perform the similar way.
NUMBER 4. BRIAN CHARLES LARA
For 3 down, the contention is NULL. Because I feel that a player who has helped INDIA win a number of matches over the last 3 years by batting at this position, who has played beautifully by marshalling the young brigade is the player at NUMBER 5, He is the WALL, the ROCK, the Mr. DEPENDABLE RAHUL DRAVID
NUMBER 5. RAHUL DRAVID
The last position for a pure batsmen is here. Generally in the contemporary cricket it has become a position the young guns occupy. For instance YUVRAJ or KAIF or CLARK or KEVIN PETERSON. But unfortunately my rule number 4 does not allow me to pick them. So this position may go to an all-rounder. Of the modern era players, SCOTT STYRIS or ANDREW FLINTOFF are my only picks at this level. Out of these two, anybody can guess as to who I would pick.
NUMBER 6. ANDRREW FLINTOFF
The WICKET-KEEPER Of all the contemporary keepers just three meet the criteria I have mentioned. They are Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher and Brendon Mcculam. Out of the three the one with the best record in Adam Gilchrist. Hence there are no second thoughts about Gilchrist being the best possible keeper. So, here we go.
NUMBER 7. ADAM GILCHRIST
BOWLER'S SECTION
Let us divide this section into two attacks. A trio pace attack and a lone spinner.
For the spiner's choice we have just two ANIL KUMBLE of INDIA and MUTHIAH MURALITHARAN of SRI LANKA. This time I feel that if my patriotism takes effect then the objectivity of the review goes OFF. Hence I would pick MUTHIAH MURALITHARAN as my lone spinner.
NUMBER 8.MUTHIAH MURALITHARAN
For the postion of new ball bowlers we have a lots of competition. Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhthar, Shane Bond are the quickest new ball bowlers. But none of them feature in my team. Because they concentrate more on pace and loose line and length on most occasions.
Glenn Mcgrath has been aging. So I dont intend picking him too.
Jason Gillespie is a good bet at bowling. He has proved his mettle over the years with the ball. He comeback after the nagging injury that happened when he collided with his then captain Steve Waugh, to show his passion for the game. He has been scintillating thereafter.
NUMBER 9. JASON GILLESPIE
These days England bowling looks good with the emergence of STEVE HARMISION. He has just completed 50 ODI and 25 tests. With his recent good performances in the tour to WI and WI tour to England, he finds a place in this dream team too.
NUMBER 10. STEVE HARMISON
To two right arm bowlers, wont it be great to add a left arm pacer as the partner in pace? Hence looking at the left arm pacers, I can think of Irfan Pathan, Zaheer, Nehra, Zoysa, Vaas, Nathen Bracken, Pedro Collins. But all these players except the two Sri Lankans do not satisfy Rule 4. hence out of the two Srilankans without hesitation I would pick, CHAMINDA VAAS for his immaculate line and length and on the target bowling.
NUMBER 11. CHAMINDA VAAS
So that is the first draft at playing 11.
Who would captain this side? OH WAT A tought choice? None of them are able captains. Hence I would prefer somebody better. Inzamam ul Huq and Ricky Ponting are the two left outs. Both these captains of their respective teams were considered for positions 3 and 4. The better captain between the two is Ricky Ponting. Hence the axe will fall on my PATRIOTISM, which implies that KALLIS is out of contention. Ponting replaces him at Number 3 and will lead the world 11.
*MY WORLD 11:
NUMBER 1. VIRENDER SEHWAG
NUMBER 2. MATHEW HAYDEN
NUMBER 3. RICKY PONTING ---------> CAPTAIN
NUMBER 4. BRIAN CHARLES LARA
NUMBER 5. RAHUL DRAVID-------------> VICE-CAPTAIN
NUMBER 6. ANDRREW FLINTOFF
NUMBER 7. ADAM GILCHRIST-----------> WICKET-KEEPER / BATSMAN
NUMBER 8. MUTHIAH MURALITHARAN
NUMBER 9. JASON GILLESPIE
NUMBER 10. STEVE HARMISON
NUMBER 11. CHAMINDA VAAS
That is my final playing 11. Do I make a good Selector? --> only your comments and ratings will tell!
