Ernest

[Zainub]

In the recent past at least, he's by far the only person.

[flanflinger]

The big question is though, can the Australians maintain that status for the next twelve months.... I would say yes - even if they do lose the Ashes. I doubt it will be so comprehensive that there will be a shift in the balance of power...

[Ernest]

Think you are edging your bets a little there ff, seems you are not 100% sure.

IMHO if England take the Ashes back in 2005, there will be no way back for Australia without rebuilding, and India made them look vunerable at times, a 50%er due to the rain, and that victory in the last Test Match.

The Australia team are only flesh and blood, they are not gods, a very good team of late, bur I wonder what percentage of their dominence was their own being great, or for the last few years how crap have been the rest of us, brings me to mind, that worst team you published last night ff, on the other thread, any one could have beaten them.

[Zainub]

Erne, would one series loss be enough to suggest that Australia are no longer the best?

After all Australia lost in India too sometime ago, no one at that stage said they weren't the best, they'd just come of winning 16 tests in a row, to lose a series b/c of what even the experts call the "miracle" of Kolcatta...

Australia have achieved a lot in the last 10 years or so Erne to get to the sort of accolades they do now, it's a big thing being tagged the best ever team a sport has ever seen, and you don't get that tag over night. They've achieved almost every thing asked of them, they've won home and away in all test playing nations barring Zimbabwe and Bang (and that's b/c they haven't toured there...if I'm write that is!)...

England on the other hand, right now, despite having a very good team, that I love to watch and see winning except when they play Pakistan, haven't even come close to acheiving the levels of accomplishment and greatness that Australia have in the recent past. Of coarse if they beat Aus coming summer it will be a great thing, but I doubt it will make everyone say they're the best. Not sure even if the rankings would say that. We had a discussion on this yesterday, Aus have a big big lead infront of everyone rankings wise, and I'm not sure what the exact stats are but unlesss you give the Aussies a real thrashing it's an unrealisitc thing to imagine that they'll be acclaimed number 1 by July 2005.

[flanflinger]

True,

The problem with most other Test teams is their weaknesses. That Test team I put up from 1999, had some great strength's but too may weaknesses

Of the Top teams I would say the weaknesses are:-

India - As always a settled Seam bowling attack and also a settled opening partnership. They also don't know who their keeper is.

Pakistan - The top three is still unsettled and they have no back-up to their front-line bolwers.

Sri Lanka - Still too reliant on Murali to do they work for them, great at home terrible away from home

New Zealand - They do not have one seamer worthy if the name. Also they do not have a settled opening partnership

South Africa - Unsettled middle order and no back-up to Pollock and Nitini and no real spinner of any merit, and a lunatic for a coach...

West Indies - Inexperinced seam attack, some great batsmen and some average ones in the same team

Bangladesh- they do not have one Test match quality player at the moment

Zimabwe - They have alienated all-most all their Test quality players


Australia and England - Settled opening bats, great middle order, quailty Keeper/batsmeb and bowling attacks all of whom can take 5fers. Fringe players that could easily get into other Test teams...

Ohhh - it's gonna be fun....

[Pete]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Bangladesh- they do not have one Test match quality player at the moment

Rafique's a pretty good SLA bowler.

[flanflinger]

He's OK. but he is hardly a world beater....can't imagine he'll get many in the first Two Test of next summer on teh English Green Seaming tracks...

[Zainub]

He can bat as well

[flanflinger]

 TESTS

 (including 17/12/2004)

                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave     SR 100  50   Ct  St

Batting & Fielding   16   31   4   546  111   20.22  61.34   1   0    6   0
 

                      O      M     R    W    Ave   BBI    5  10    SR  Econ

Bowling             771    168  1975   61  32.37  6-77    4   0  75.8  2.56 

OK but no Cigar...http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/PLAYERS/BD...IQUE_25002200/

[Pete]

Pretty much up there with the figures of other Slow Left Arm spinners in the world today??

And he doesn't have the added bonus of playing against his own team Except in the nets.