Re: God help me - the Test Cricket thread
Reply #1700 –
My old man was a cricket tragic. He played one season with Carlton before the politics got to much and he went back to Coburg RSL.
Anyway, he was dead against all-rounders who could bowl a bit and bat a bit. He always maintained that an all-rounder should win his place because he was the best batsman or the best bowler for that spot in the team. For example, Richie Benaud was in the Test team because he was the best leg spinner. His ability with the bat was a bonus. Doug Walters was in the Test team because he was the best middle order batsman. His bowling was a bonus. Selectors these days seem to favour all-rounders who can bowl a bit and bat a bit.
I would call Green a batsman who can bowl but I don't think he deserves a Test spot on the strength of his batting. Webster is more of a bowl a bit and bat a bit all-rounder but, in form, his ability to bowl off spin and medium pace gives him an edge over Green.