England All time XI

[rolfusmercartor]

I just wanted people's thoughts on what they think Englands All time XI would be. He is my selection:


1. Geoffrey Boycott
2. Jack Hobbs
3. David Gower
4. Len Hutton
5. Colin Cowdrey
6. Ian Botham
7. Alan Knott
8. J.B. Statham
9. Derek Underwood
10. Fred Trueman
11. Jim Laker

[greg]

You could argue for Flintoff above Botham and Barrington instead of Gower.

[adamberry]

No WG Grace? Surely he'd walk into a side...

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by rolfusmercartor

I just wanted people's thoughts on what they think Englands All time XI would be.

Once you start including pre-war players you are entering a bit of a minefield... but of the post-war players the following would perhaps be the most obvious candidates:

1. Len Hutton
2. Geoff Boycott
3. Ken Barrington
4. Peter May
5. Denis Compton
6. Ian Botham
7. Geofrey Evans
8. J.B. Statham
9. Derek Underwood
10. Fred Trueman
11. Alec Bedser

Jack Hobbs and Sidney Barnes would be automatic choices from before the war (ahead of Boycott and Statham). Bedser is a must as the greatest medium pace bowler ever... and Evans edges out Knott on the basis of being the greatest gloveman ever.

Underwood might get the nod ahead of Laker (questionable) because of his increased threat on unhelpful tracks... but of course.. in an ideal world you'd take Laker and then swap Bedser / Underwood depending on the pitch.

[Pabs]

1. Jack Hobbs
2. Herbert Sutcliffe
3. Len Hutton
4. David Gower
5. Denis Compton
6. Andrew Flintoff
7. Godrey Evans
8. Harold Larwood
9. Fred Trueman
10. Hedley Verity
11. SF Barnes

[John]

As someone who has watched English cricket over the last 25 years I would never put Flintoff ahead of Botham. I am surprised anyone would consider it. Botham was one of the all time great allrounders alongside Hadlee, Imran Kapil Dev. I wouldn't consider putting Flintoff alongside Hadlee and Imran he is nowhere near them at the moment. I believe Hadlee at one time was the worlds leading wicket taker ever. He also broke all sorts of records in county cricket as well.
For me Botham was their equal, and alongside Hobbs, Hutton and Trueman he would be on the team sheet without a second thought.
I would put Gooch before Gower, just.

[Ernest]

1. Len Hutton
2. Geoff Boycott
3. Ken Barrington
4. Douglas Jardene
5. Denis Compton
6. Ian Botham
7. A.P.E Knott
8. J.B. Statham
9. Derek Underwood
10.Fred Trueman
11.Harold Larwood

12th man Stone wall Baily.

[MarkC]

Originally Posted by Ernest

1. Len Hutton
2. Geoff Boycott
3. Ken Barrington
4. Douglas Jardene
5. Denis Compton
6. Ian Botham
7. A.P.E Knott
8. J.B. Statham
9. Derek Underwood
10.Fred Trueman
11.Harold Larwood

12th man Stone wall Baily.

Cant argue with that. Especially if its a tour down under. The sad thing is there isnt really a strong case for any England player from the last 15 years. Maybee some day Flintoff.

[Paoli]

Admittedly, haven't seen alot of England's cricket from that era but one thing is for sure greg, there is no way known that Freddie Flintoff is in the same league as Ian Botham- except for drinking.

From the last fifteen years, the only two I'd see as suitable are Iron Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain- but they'd have to be strictly as captain.

[Crunchy]

Botham as no6 batsman hmm he never regarded himself as.

As someone who has watched English cricket over the last 25 years I would never put Flintoff ahead of Botham. I am surprised anyone would consider it.

Hmm the packera age how did that effect Botham?. Also Botham flopped against the best of his age?.Explain yourself because i,m not impressed because of this. Botham triumphed in an age of substandard players or am i wrong. The many players i'v spoken to unfortunatlely havent disagreed.