Best current Test XI - draft selection

[Biffen 12,327]

Averages 41 and is Sri Lankas best young batting talent.

All this from a natural keeper who couldn't score until he was 17.

Already captain of the T20 side.

Oh, and I picked him rounds ago

Shht, so you did.

This is getting tough.

I will need to consult the oracles.

[Biffen 12,327]

I have consulted the oracles and they have informed me of the wise phrase "when in doubt ,choose an all-rounder".

Ravi Ashwin (India)

[Rogue 585]

Sorry mate, he went at pick 22.

Check HT's list on the previous page for a list of picks.

[Biffen 12,327]

Adrian Barath (West Indies)

Wow, it gets really tough late in the game.

Got to get up early to slip one past Rogue.

Very early indeed.

[45HG 1,539]

Adrian Barath (West Indies)

Cop that, Rogue!

[Macca 16,173]

Need a hard hitting no.6 who can bowl decent medium fast. Someone with a touch of 'Grinter' about himself

The bloke I'm picking can have a 'licence to thrill' as my tail bats deep (Prior, Vettori, Bresnan). This fella is only 25 years old and is a very good outfielder who (arguably) took the catch of the summer.

Hasn't played Test cricket yet but according to that doyen of cricket writers, Tony Cosier, it's "Time to check Pollard's red-ball value"

Round 11, pick 85

Kieron Pollard (West Indies)

[MadAsHell 4,088]

Need a hard hitting no.6 who can bowl decent medium fast. Someone with a touch of 'Grinter' about himself

The bloke I'm picking can have a 'licence to thrill' as my tail bats deep (Prior, Vettori, Bresnan). This fella is only 25 years old and is a very good outfielder who (arguably) took the catch of the summer.

Hasn't played Test cricket yet but according to that doyen of cricket writers, Tony Cosier, it's "Time to check Pollard's red-ball value"

Round 11, pick 85

Kieron Pollard (West Indies)

Had a feeling you may go that way Macca needing a West Indian and not many of their batsmen available.

In keeping with the theme of hard hitting batsmen, I'm going with:

Round 11, Pick 86

Jesse Ryder (New Zealand)

http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/38373.html

Taken a 12 month break from international cricket, but is set to resume upon the completion of the upcoming IPL season. Has been dominating NZ domestic cricket this summer and if you can get a batsmen who averages above 40 in test cricket this late in the draft you simply have to take him.

This completes my XI. I'm assuming upon Django's final pick we present our XI's in their batting order with their role within the team and submissions as to why our XI's should be considered the best?

Edit: Ryder info.

Edited February 23, 2013 by Tall Defence

[Macca 16,173]

Had a feeling you may go that way Macca needing a West Indian and not many of their batsmen available.

In keeping with the theme of hard hitting batsmen, I'm going with:

Round 11, Pick 86

Jesse Ryder (New Zealand)

http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/38373.html

Taken a 12 month break from international cricket, but is set to resume upon the completion of the upcoming IPL season. Has been dominating NZ domestic cricket this summer and if you can get a batsmen who averages above 40 in test cricket this late in the draft you simply have to take him.

This completes my XI. I'm assuming upon Django's final pick we present our XI's in their batting order with their role within the team and submissions as to why our XI's should be considered the best?

Edit: Ryder info.

Had forgotten about Ryder ... he can certainly hit the ball. The last 2 rounds hasn't been as tricky as I thought. With so much cricket being played over the 3 forms of the game, there is a reasonable amount of depth

I've had my eye on Pollard for quite some time. The depth in batting in my tail allowed me to have a bit of freedom with the no.6 bat. Plus, you've got to have the bowling capacity to get 20 wickets and Pollard is more than handy with the ball. Think I've got 8 bowlers in my side

[Rogue 585]

I don't know that Ryder is a legit pick. I was going to pick.him, but his manager had just come out and said he wasn't available to be considered for selection for the foreseeable future.

Unlike Taylor, who had been chosen in a NZ XI and was on his way back in the immediate future, Ryder's issues apparently meant he had to play out the domestic season and then see how he felt before even being considered.

[H_T 2,941]

Looking for a lower order bat, who can compliment the side - good for several or more overs and rather than find one, one found me.

Round 11 Pick 87 - Moises Henriques (Aust)

[45HG 1,539]

Looking for a lower order bat, who can compliment the side - good for several or more overs and rather than find one, one found me.

Round 11 Pick 87 - Moses Henriques (Aust)

If you can't spell his name, you shouldn't get to keep him...

[MadAsHell 4,088]

I don't know that Ryder is a legit pick. I was going to pick.him, but his manager had just come out and said he wasn't available to be considered for selection for the foreseeable future.

Unlike Taylor, who had been chosen in a NZ XI and was on his way back in the immediate future, Ryder's issues apparently meant he had to play out the domestic season and then see how he felt before even being considered.

Hasn't retired from international cricket, taken a self impossed 12 month break and until earlier this year was considering coming back early as the below article states. Hasn't said anything to suggest he wont return after the IPL. I'd say it's the same scenario to a player being out injured.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/blow-for-black-caps-as-jesse-ryder-opts-to-continue-his-exile-8469015.html

Edit: Spelling

Edited February 23, 2013 by Tall Defence

[Rogue 585]

"Jesse wants to keep to his original plan and the decision to take 12 months out of international cricket. That decision was made last June, so it is unlikely that he will deviate from his plan."

Ryder, Klee added, would play the IPL if he was selected, given it was a "domestic competition" and he would be on a "short-term contract". Klee, though, said there wasn't a set timeline for Ryder's international return. "It would not be appropriate to try and put a date on a return to the Blackcaps. Many factors would have to align".

http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-england-2013/content/story/602282.html

While Ryder hasn't retired, he's unavailable for selection and not even Klee, his Manager, can say when he'll be back. Fair enough to pick Taylor, who had said he was returning imminently and was playing for a NZ XI, but Ryder is telling you he doesn't want to be picked...maybe next best XI (if I don't take him first ).

[MadAsHell 4,088]

"Jesse wants to keep to his original plan and the decision to take 12 months out of international cricket. That decision was made last June, so it is unlikely that he will deviate from his plan."

Ryder, Klee added, would play the IPL if he was selected, given it was a "domestic competition" and he would be on a "short-term contract". Klee, though, said there wasn't a set timeline for Ryder's international return. "It would not be appropriate to try and put a date on a return to the Blackcaps. Many factors would have to align".

While Ryder hasn't retired, he's unavailable for selection and not even Klee, his Manager, can say when he'll be back. Fair enough to pick Taylor, who had said he was returning imminently and was playing for a NZ XI, but Ryder is telling you he doesn't want to be picked...maybe next best XI (if I don't take him first ).

That's the evidence in my favour that I'd take before the comission! haha.

I'll accept your decision on the matter H_T, if I need to pick again I'm assuming it will be after Titan's pick 88 as the order would reverse and I'd take my not eligable breach pick before Django's?

[H_T 2,941]

If you can't spell his name, you shouldn't get to keep him...

Haha. Apologies mate. I'm out and about on phone today - I wasn't confident re his name spelling.

TD, I'm inclined to agree with Rogue here, given what he has posted.

[Rogue 585]

If Ryder's out you should get to pick again a la 45 and Macca when they picked someone already gone.

[Biffen 12,327]

If Ryder's out you should get to pick again a la 45 and Macca when they picked someone already gone.

What happens with an injured player ?

Re-pick or do we choose subs?

[MadAsHell 4,088]

Haha. Apologies mate. I'm out and about on phone today - I wasn't confident re his name spelling.

TD, I'm inclined to agree with Rogue here, given what he has posted.

No worries H_T, while I'm not happy with the decision, I accept it and I wish to make this statement:

Dear Members and Supporters of the Tall Defence XI,

H_T and Rouge have today confirmed that all matters in relation to its decision of the Tall Defence XI selection in the 2013 draft have been concluded.

As you know, the investigation that has lasted some fifty minutes and included statements from Jesse Ryder's manager and refered to articles and submissions from myself, has had a major impact drafting the best XI possible.

From the moment the investigation commenced, I was determined to defend our selections against the allegation that I deliberately selected players who were not eligable. This has been achieved. The findings of the comprehensive investigation state clearly there was no directive from the Club Board or executive management to deliberately select players who were not eligable, and the Tall Defence XI never set out to deliberately select ineligable players during the 2013 draft.

The Club recognises and accepts its responsibility in relation to selecting players who we believed were available, including the actions of our employees. The decision imposed by H_T and Rouge is significant. We have dealt with setbacks in the past, and we will meet this challenge.

Many significant factors were considered prior to accepting the sanctions. If we were to pursue a legal battle, there would be a high cost in terms of time and resources, which the XI was prepared for. Clearly there were other considerations, including the impact on our cricket department, coaching staff and players as they prepare for the season ahead. There was also the recognition of the toll taken by this investigation on key people within our XI. On balance, we determined that accepting these sanctions was the best course of action to take for our XI.

By accepting the sanctions, our XI can run out against the seven other XI's clear of any distractions and prepare for Nasher's decision.

Thank you to all those members and supporters who have so strongly supported the Board and key club figures throughout this trying period.

Tall Defence

President/Selector

[MadAsHell 4,088]

If Ryder's out you should get to pick again a la 45 and Macca when they picked someone already gone.

I just thought as H_T had already used his pick after me I would need to wait for the round to be completed.

[45HG 1,539]

I just thought as H_T had already used his pick after me I would need to wait for the round to be completed.

If I were you, I'd pick Henriques...

[MadAsHell 4,088]

If I were you, I'd pick Henriques...

Haha, champagne comedy there 45HG.

No I'm happy to wait. I'll have pick 89 and Django picks 90 & 91 if that makes sense to everyone?

[45HG 1,539]

Dear Members and Supporters of the Tall Defence XI,

...

Brilliant!

[titan_uranus 22,363]

So whose pick is it?

Edited February 23, 2013 by titan_uranus

[MadAsHell 4,088]

So whose pick is it?

Yours Titan, then my breach pick followed by Django's two breach picks to finish it off.

[Scipio 5,868]

Haha, champagne comedy there 45HG. No I'm happy to wait. I'll have pick 89 and Django picks 90 & 91 if that makes sense to everyone?

I want to argue this. As your indescretion was the most recent, I reckon your puck should fall at the end.