ICC starts poll for greatest team ahead of 2000th Test

Tuesday, 12 July 2011 00:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dubai (IANS)- The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday started a fan poll to pick the greatest Test team of all time in the runup to the 2000th match to be played between India and England at Lord’s on July 21.

Voting is now open on ICC’s official website where cricket-lovers can select a dream team from a shortlist of 60 players split into five categories and they will be asked to pick two opening batsmen, three middle-order batsmen, a wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and one spinner.

The results of the poll will be announced the week before the Lord’s Test.

“With the 2,000th Test coming up it is appropriate to remember some of the great players through the ages that have thrilled audiences and inspired us all,” said ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat.

“With so many legends of the game to choose from, it is a very difficult task and, I am sure, one that will lead to plenty of fond recollection and great debate.”

“Test cricket is the pinnacle format of our great sport and it is important we continue to protect and promote it so that it grows even stronger over the next 2,000 matches.”

Short-list for the greatest Test team of all time:

Opening batsmen (two): Geoffrey Boycott, Sunil Gavaskar, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Jack Hobbs, Len Hutton, Hanif Mohammad, Virender Sehwag, Herbert Sutcliffe, Victor Trumper.

Middle-order batsmen (three) - Don Bradman, Greg Chappell, Wally Hammond, George Headley, Brian Lara, Javed Miandad, Graeme Pollock, Ricky Ponting, Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar.

All-rounder (one): Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Aubrey Faulkner, Richard Hadlee, Jacques Kallis, Imran Khan, Keith Miller, Wilfred Rhodes, Gary Sobers, Frank Worrell.

Wicket-keeper (one): Les Ames, Mark Boucher, Jeff Dujon, Godfrey Evans, Andy Flower, Adam Gilchrist, Alan Knott, Rod Marsh, Clyde Walcott, Wasim Bari.

Fast bowlers (three): Curtley Ambrose, Sydney Barnes, Michael Holding, Dennis Lillee, Ray Lindwall, Malcolm Marshall, Glenn McGrath, Fred Trueman, Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram.

Spinner (one): Bishen Bedi, Richie Benaud, Lance Gibbs, Clarrie Grimmett, Jim Laker, Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan, Bill O’Reilly, Derek Underwood, Shane Warne.