I think we were falling in love with the same 'girl' at the same time BligzzAndybligzz wrote: ↑Mon Nov 19, 2018 5:36 amI fell in love with Zim cricket watching the VB tri series here Down under
I first remember seeing Zimbabwe play in the 2000/01 Carlton series involving Aus & the West Indies and kept an eye on their scorecards and followed them through the 2003 WC, but it was that summer where they toured Australia for Tests and ODI's in 2003/04 that really hooked me.
Getting back to the Greatest Test XI it's obviously going to be hard to get everyone to agree on the same XI dudes and obviously I'm going to think my side is the best one, but the guys I picked were picked on performances not potential so that's why I left out Johnson, Sean Ervine and even Jarvis (for now) Hamilton has scored over 2000 Test runs at over 30 batting in the top 3 with 5 Test hundreds, in Zimbabwe that's good currency.
Also the argument that the 'Golden Generation' had it harder because they played against better sides and players is valid, but the post rebel era players haven't had it easy, yes in ODI cricket they get to play associates more often (although the Golden Generation played Kenya & a very crappy Bangladesh a lot) but in Tests there are no easy teams to play for Zimbabwe, Bangladesh are a good side especially in their own conditions so every run or wicket these guys get is worth just as much. Plus playing regular cricket against good sides actually makes you a better player, the Golden Generation never had to wait over 12 months to play Tests and benefited from playing against the best.