Pietersen makes all-time England XI

[chrisobee]

As per a survey carried out by Cricinfo, somewhat controversially I reckon they came up with this :

 

http://www.cricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/422490.html

 

1. Jack Hobbs

2) Len Hutton

3) Wally Hammond

4) Ken Barrington

5) Kevin Pietersen

6) Ian Botham

7) Alan Knott

8 ) Derek Underwood

9) Harold Larwood

10) Freddie Trueman

11) Sydney Barnes

 

Full list of nominees was :

 

Openers

Jack Hobbs, Len Hutton, Herbert Sutcliffe, Mike Brearley, Geoff Boycott, Graham Gooch, Mike Atherton, Michael Vaughan

 

Middle order

Wally Hammond, Ken Barrington, Kevin Pietersen, Colin Cowdrey, Peter May, David Gower, Stanley Jackson, Frank Woolley, Ted Dexter, Denis Compton

 

Allrounders

Ian Botham, Tony Greig, Andrew Flintoff

 

Wicketkeepers

Alan Knott, Bob Taylor, Les Ames, Jack Russell, Alec Stewart

 

Fast bowlers

Sydney Barnes, Harold Larwood, Fred Trueman, Bob Willis, Alec Bedser, Frank Tyson, John Snow, Darren Gough, Brian Statham

 

Spinners

Hedley Verity, Wilfred Rhodes, Jim Laker, Derek Underwood

[TopGun]

For his talent KP is probably there, but not for his durability IMO. He needs to show more Jon Trott type sensibilities as well as keeping his brilliance to earn a hall of fame place in the long term. I realise Trott is an off the cuff comment but how often has KP held together or prolonged an innings at 5 when all else is going tits up? He has had plenty of chances to do so and not really delivered in those bad situations enough. KP needs to make his flash meet stubborn like so many Aussies before he gets my vote.

[Sherminator]

Pretty much spot on that team. (Well) Before my time, but I would have had Compton instead of Pietersen. Laker must have been close to Underwood for the spinners berth.

[Leicestersaint]

No W G Grace? I was slightly surprised to see Ken Barrington in ahead of some of the others.

[Baj]

Jesus, I've only heard of two of them!

[chrisobee]

Jesus, I've only heard of two of them!

 

Well that must be Pietersen and Botham, cannot believe you have not heard of the likes of Trueman, Larwood, Hobbs etc; They are the sort of players that you just cannot help reading about. Larwood for example was involved in the infamous "bodyline" Ashes Test Series of 1932/33.

[chrisobee]

No W G Grace? I was slightly surprised to see Ken Barrington in ahead of some of the others.

 

Me as well and I think Laker should get the nod over Underwood fine bowler though he was.