Mercurial XI

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Milo

I think it is very easy to make an argument for many players playing in front of the hugely inconsistent Abdul Qadir. Brilliant one day, awful the next. It would be a disppointment if he was the best spinner in Pakistan's history. The same could be said for Waqar Younis.

The above appeared in another thread (here) and set me thinking about an all time Mercurial XI. Nominations here please!

It's easy enough to come up with a second rate Mercurial XI (headed by the likes of Vikram Solanki, Chris Lewis, Devon Malcolm and Andrew Caddick) but I'm looking for something really class: an all time World XI of star names but in which you'd never really be very confident of any player actually turning up and delivering when it mattered.

Who are the ultimate opposites of Kirsten, Steve Waugh, Chanderpaul, Jack Russell and Courtney Walsh?

[Andy Mellon]

Well... Thinking about recent players (so I don't have to put too much thought in). I'm defining mercurial as a player who will occasionally perform amazingly - someone who makes you sit up and take notice and believe for a brief and fabulous moment that they are the greatest. Before you know it, that's gone.

Shoaib Akhtar and/or Brett Lee - They either turn up or don't. Probably choose Shoaib Akhtar because he does turn up and play well sometimes.
Waqar Younis - Well, on his day - which in the 90s was fairly often - he could destroy a team. On his off days though, it occasionally seemed that he couldn't really be all that bothered. It might be a little harsh including Waqar, but he has a lot more pedigree than Chris Lewis, Andy Caddick or Devon Malcolm if you want the Best ever Mercurial XI.
Chris Gayle - I don't think anything needs to be said here?
Mark Ramprakash/Graeme Hick - Not too sure if 'mercurial' applies to these players. Maybe unfulfilled potential?
Harbhajan Singh - Another possibly harsh choice - but in the last 3 or 4 years, he's had as many off days as good ones, and the occasional brilliant days have become fewer and fewer.
Shahid Afridi - Should be another obvious choice I think.
Chris Martin - You might think this a strange choice, but he has very rarely, and usually on New Zealand territory, been completely unplayable for even some of the world's best. However, you then watch his performances in England this year, and wonder how he could even get on the radar of New Zealand state cricket. The least said about his batting, the better though.

[Teatime FatCat]

Virender Sehwag
Matt Hayden
Phil Tufnell
Jerome Lawson
Phil Simmons
Graeme Hick
Steve Harmison
Abdur Razzaq
Marvan Attupattu
Andy Blignaut
Teatime FatCat
Marcus Trescothick
Michael Slater
WG Grace

[Paoli]

I'll go for a modern(ish) lineup

Chris Gayle
Michael Slater (Vice Captain)
Carl Hooper
Graeme Hick
Inzamam-ul-Haq (Yes, I will explain)
Chris Cairns
Kumar Sangakkara (wicketkeeper)
Waqar Younis
Shoaib Akhtar (Captain)
Harbhajan Singh
Mervyn Dillon

Now, all these players are capable (I know your probably thinking Dillon isn't, but on his day..)

I'll explain Inzamam' selection. Yes, you can go on about all the great things he has done but I would like to elude on two important innings which I believe have become too often a part on Inzi's game.

1st Test, Australia vs. Pakistan, 2004-05 at the WACA. Pakistan, at 2-40, have their two stars in, Inzi and Youhana. Now, they are only trying to get down 390. Inzi strolls to the crease, shoulders hunched et al. Hits an unconfident single first up. Then, Youhana plays another single. Inzi is facing Kasprowicz. Goes for the big one outside off and chops on. Out for 1, Pakistan Crumble to 170-odd.

VB Series Final 2, SCG 2004-05. Inzi strolls out with Pakistan at 3-40 trying to chase down 220. Again with Youhana, Inzi stutters a single or two to start off. Then, when Youhana starts hitting a few boundaries, Inzi leans forward, doesn't offer and is given out LBW to Glenn McGrath. Pakistan crumble, Youhana and Razzaq attempt to save them but lose by 20 runs

You may think I'm insane, but I'm stating two hugely important examples. There are alot more but having restricted television viewing I give you these two examples.

[Teatime FatCat]

OOOHHH! Carl Hooper, forgot about him, he's a shoe-in!

[Paoli]

Chris Martin - You might think this a strange choice, but he has very rarely, and usually on New Zealand territory, been completely unplayable for even some of the world's best. However, you then watch his performances in England this year, and wonder how he could even get on the radar of New Zealand state cricket.

But Chris Martin has never been a world beater, has he? I guess it's like chucking a Langeveldt in or perhaps even a Simon Jones? Each to his own.

[Milo]

Absolutely. Carl Hooper. There really is no other close to him.

[Andy Mellon]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

But Chris Martin has never been a world beater, has he? I guess it's like chucking a Langeveldt in or perhaps even a Simon Jones? Each to his own.

That's kind of my point. Most of the time, he's not a very good player; but then sometimes - he gets it right:

6/76 and 5/104 vs South Africa in Auckland
5/55 vs South Africa in Wellington
5/152 vs Australia in Brisbane
6/54 vs Sri Lanka in Wellington
5/71 vs Zimbabwe in Wellington
4/52 vs Pakistan in Hamilton

These 6 performances account for 50% of his wickets!! 6 games out of 23 gave him 50% of his wickets!?! That sounds mercurial to me!!!!

[Notts Exile]

How about Geraint Jones? He seems to get fifty or nothing, usually next to nothing.

[Paoli]

Is Geraint Jones any good? Most will say not.

Andy, I now get your point about Christopher Martin.