3 formats: 3 teams (What If?)

[ddrap14]

I'm going to quickly drop in with a slightly different 45-man grouping: a 15-man squad for all three formats, divided by birth year (21st century, 1994-1999, and 1993 and older).

Young Squad

1. Sam Konstas - As much as there's questions about his Test future, he walks into that side and probably the LO ones too for young people only.
2. Cam Kellaway - Again, I don't think any current Aussie player is as overhyped as Kellaway - he's not been better than Sangha, K-Pat or Ward and people think he's the future of the Test team - but he's clearly one of our better young options.
3. Oliver Peake - Maybe he's not quite here YET, but I certainly believe in him as a Test/ODI player more than I do the other options for this slot (Sam Fanning mainly).
4. Cam Green - Without pesky elders like Steve Smith, Green can slot into his natural position. I'm a huge believer in him, I think he and Pucovski (F) are this generation's best young Aussie talents.
5. Ollie Davies - I'm very high on Davies. He's a good young aggressive batsman. I don't think he's as good as Travis Head, but I think he's the kind of guy we need to build up towards succeeding him.
6. Cooper Connolly - Still clearly wet around the ears, but anyone who does what he did to us two years ago in the BBL final at 20 is a quality player. He's going to be one of our key limited overs players once he's got more experience and maturity.
7. Lachie Shaw - My reaction to his first BBL campaign was as follows: the bloody Sixers got another one??? He's the gloveman almost by default in this side, but I do think if another one comes up, his fielding is even more of an asset than his batting.
8. Will Salzmann - Let me have my bolter. Salzmann has been incredibly impressive in the OD chances he's got with NSW, and he clearly has the talent to succeed at other levels once NSW have space for him in the team. (or, more likely, he leaves for South Australia).
9. Todd Murphy - Spinner for first class matches. He's clearly good enough. He's kinda ass at limited overs though.
10. Fergus O'Neill - Is he fast enough? Some say no. Does he take enough wickets? Everyone says yet. He's not Glenn McGrath, but he proves the same principles work.
11. Mahli Beardman - Is definitely fast enough. Lots of promising names in this crop of quicks - the QLD Toms, Jack Nisbet, Sam Elliott - but none have Mahli's hype.
12. Jayden Goodwin - The sole backup batsman in this side, Goodwin's the least hyped of WA's big three batting talents, but also the best. He's not Aus level yet, but if it's politically possible, he could be a good asset for the Zimbabwe national team. (I showed restraint and didn't make this Weibgen).
13. Jack Edwards - Increasingly a bowling all-rounder, but easily good enough for this squad as a bits and pieces backup across all three formats.
14. Mitch Owen - Not a Test option, but walks into the LO side. Hits the biggest ball in Australia, and hits it regularly.
15. Tanveer Sangha - Limited overs spinner. Got the flexibilty to take him because two of my backup bats in this bracket bowl seam.

Medium Squad
1. Jake Weatherald - Sneaks in by two months. Not a massive limited overs factor, but what he brings is solid first class form, and the capability to disintegrate an attack in T20s with his hitting.
2. Matthew Short - Not entirely sure he makes the Test side for this grouping, but has to be the first name in the ODI batting lineup. A properly good limited overs batsman.
3. Nathan McSweeney - In this squad, he's got the freedom to bat at his natural #3. A quality player, although it was clear the Test ordeal shook him a bit last year.
4. Jason Sangha - A first class average of 33 doesn't tell the full story, as Sangha is a hyped player who was - like everyone else then - mismanaged by NSW's horrid attempt at an academy structure. He's found his form in SA and I'd be surprised if he doesn't get a baggy green in the next 2-3 years.
5. Ben McDermott - Is of course a much better player in limited overs, but can Do a Job in all three formats. I didn't think I'd ever see an innings like his 113 again at the time.
6. Aaron Hardie - I rate Hardie just as much as I rate Green in limited overs cricket. He's another who's not quite as great at first class but literally who is in this age bracket...
7. Josh Inglis - Him.
8. Jhye Richardson - Oh if only he could stay healthy. Then the fast bowling cartel would have five members. It'd be getting close to the mafia...
9. Brendan Doggett - In here over Dwarsh because the rest of my quick bowling picks are all LO tilted. Doggett's one of the best domestic FC bowlers at the moment.
10. Matthew Kuhnemann - Clearly the first choice spinner for this bracket now that Sweppo is washed. Heat legend too for turning down the move.
11. Riley Meredith - Maybe too many express bowlers here, but hard to leave out such a great limited overs bowler.
12. Matthew Renshaw - A lot of people forget he's only 29. He's also an incredibly underrated limited overs batsman, so even if the Test form never returns - and I do think if he can get it back he can succeed at the international level - he's a useful bench player at worst.
13. Tim David - A true black ace, he's never going to play a Test but is such a gun at the limited overs formats he gets a spot in the squad here.
14. Xavier Bartlett - A workhorse who's a like for like for Richardson if he goes down, and also probably starts all our ODIs and T20s. I love this dude
15. Nathan Ellis - Had Spon here, but when I remembered Ellis, I thought he fit in better. Proper grinder, bowls the hard overs, and can hit a few too

Old Squad
1. Usman Khawaja - With only geriatrics allowed, he's even more obviously the best choice opener.
2. Kurtis Patterson - This spot goes to Davey Warner for LO purposes if I don't follow his retirement IRL. With him gone, K-Pat moves up from three to two, giving a spot in the squad to...
3. Hilton Cartwright - I'll give the point to anyone who complains about this option, but with at least two if not three picks who only make the Test XI, plus two who only make the one-day Xis, we need all-format players, and Cartwright can be a competent all-format player.
4. Steve Smith - Let the easy picks roll!
5. Travis Head - Another one
6. Beau Webster - And another
7. Alex Carey - And yet another
8. Mitch Starc - Oh and now we've hit the
9. Pat Cummins - Fast
10. Josh Hazlewood - Bowling
11. Scott Boland - Cartel
12. Nathan Lyon - Realistically is of course in the first 11, but I couldn't break up the joke
13. Marnus Labuschagne - Turbowashed, but still worth a squad position in case he figures out how not to be.
14. Glenn Maxwell - Let's be honest, he's gotta be in the T20 side. If this means that we don't have enough guys for the ODI one, get the Bison on speed dial.
15. Adam Zampa - Replaces Lyon in limited overs games.

Near misses: Will Sutherland, Spencer Johnson, Ben Dwarshuis, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Sean Abbott, Michael Neser

 

[ddrap14]

Next country!

Young Squad
1. Lhu-andre Pretorius - He's just kinda really good? This is what we thought Sam Konstas was when he ramped Bumrah. I love this kid's game.
2. Connor Esterhuizen - A solid limited overs player and a... okay, he's not very good at first class, but we'll hire someone on the bench for that.
3. Jordan Hermann - The next man up, he's really got the quality to play all three formats internationally. And the results.
4. Dewald Brevis - Just starting to emerge into being a truly international quality batter. Strong domestic performances, and very strong at T20 especially.
5. Tristan Stubbs - At the very least, Stubbs is a T20 asset. He's still finding his game in Tests but he certainly has a lot of promise.
6. Bryce Parsons - The spinning allrounder will probably be the main spinner here. Had a bit of a breakout in SA20 last year.
7. Tiaan van Vuuren - Can you tell I was running out of batting options?
8. Marco Jansen - In a fight with Cam Green for the tallest man in world cricket. In a fight with the best in the world for best left-arm quick.
9. Matthew Boast - A strong bowler, Boast is a pick for someone who might get some limited overs cricket with South Africa's national team soon, although he's also good enough for first class. Also a solid T20 hitter.
10. :Bwl: Gerald Coetzee - Has fallen out of favour somewhat internationally, but easily makes this team given what he's up against in terms of competition.
11. Kwena Maphaka - One of the most talented teenage bowlers since Pat Cummins. South Africa's cartel is almost as good as ours.
12. Dian Forrester - Kind of went crazy last season with 60+ averages in one day and a solid first class average too. Overall, Pretty Good.
13. Keegan Lion-Cachet - A solid young keeper and also one of the few batsmen I could possibly find.
14. Andile Simelane - I really do not rate this guy. But he's made his senior international debut at 22, and the depth here isn't great.
15. Nqaba Peter - A starting spinner for limited overs cricket. He's still developing his craft, but has some promise - much necessary with the ages of Maharaj, Shamsi and co.

Medium Squad
1. Aiden Markram - He's the reason why South Africa have finally won an international final. Full stop. No ifs, no buts.
2. Ryan Rickelton - I rate Rickelton highly, he's a good solid keeper batsman who can provide international quality performances across all three formats.
3. Tony de Zorzi - Not the biggest de Zorzi fan personally, but he's worth a backup pick, especially for ODIs sicne Rickelton likely won't open in them.
4. Matthew Breetzke - He averages 116 in ODIs! Jokes aside, probably a FC bench player but a starter in the limited over formats.
5. David Bedingham - Probably a FC only player but a hell of one at that. Dominated County in one of its more bowler friendly eras, and then slotted back in to CSA.
6. Kyle Verreynne - Good enough to bat in the top six. I remember watching him make 64 on a South African tour where they couldn't buy a run.
7. Wiaan Mulder - It's crazy to say this about someone with a Test 367 on the books but I do think he's a more natural fit at 7 than he is at 3, especially with South Africa's glut of batsmen-wicketkeepers.
8. Senuran Muthusamy - Him or Bjorn Fortuin. Take your pick.
9. Nandre Burger - beef
10. Lungi Ngidi - Somewhat harmed by the fact that Rabada is in the same bracket. But still worthy of being here all on his own.
11. Kagiso Rabada - One of the most dominant bowlers of this generation, he's an automatic pick in the team.
12. Lesego Senokwane - A terrible showing against Zimbabwe, but a good first class season means he gets in as the backup.
13. Donovan Ferreira - The ultimate utility player, Ferreira is a backup batsman, spinner and wicketkeeper. He's probably good enough with the bat in LO anyway to make it here.
14. Corbin Bosch - I personally think Bosch is also a tad overrated - his international averages are inflated by Zimbabwe - but he's a very handy all-round player.
15. Beyers Swanepoel - I simply cannot ignore results like Swanepoel's. He's dominated first class cricket for years now.

Old Squad
1. JJ Smuts - Old openers are definitely questionable for South Africa, with Elgar retired especially so. Smuts provides a bowling option and is a good LO hitter. He's okay at first class.
2. Pieter Malan - The other opener is much more of a Test player than Smuts is. He's good at OD too though, and deserved more than one Test.
3. Rassie van der Dussen - An experienced head with ability and history in all three formats, he's the kind of cricketer you want around the side.
4. Temba Bavuma - South Africa's captain has shaken a monkey off his back in late years, turning into a fittingly good bat for the World Test Champions.
5. Heinrich Klaasen - Bending the rules. I can't find another wicketkeeper, and I assume he's treated better by CSA in this reality.
6. David Miller - Not a Test pick, but automatic for LO sides. Smashes the ball, and with Heinrich Klaasen retired (F), the best finisher here.
7. Shaun von Berg - SVB is old now, but he definitely should have been more capped, and he's still leading the CSA 4-day tournament in wickets in his age-38 season.
8. Glenton Stuurman - Perhaps lacking in pace, Stuurman is definitely not missing any wicket taking ability. He's got a lot of them in domestic. And he provides something different to Anrich and Beuran.
9. Keshav Maharaj - Maharaj had a long route to get to being one of the best spinners in the world, but he got there. While comparing him to Garry could be a stretch, both our countries will miss them when they leave.
10. Anrich Nortje - A bruising quick. Nortje is a guy who's just really tough to face. Still good enough for the team in honestly all three formats.
11. Beuran Hendricks - The difference between him and Dane Paterson is that Dane is better but is also retired.
12. Reeza Hendricks - Will open in place of Malan in T20s. Maybe find some action otherwise!
13. George Linde - A backup spinner and one who's solid at LO, a Maharaj weakness to an extent. Also a decent bat.
14. Ottniel Baartman - A strong limited overs option for this team. It's safe to say that this option is needed.
15. Hardus Viljoen - A limited overs focused selection, Viljoen was a standout SA20 player last year and fits right into the team's needs.

 

[ddrap14]

Time to do India while I listen to my lectures for this week!

Young Squad
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal - Cannot field for his life, but he's one of the best Test and T20 batsmen in the world and likely only isn't also one of the best ODI ones because of opportunity.
2. Ayush Mhatre - Is kinda very good. This kid is the future. Also looks suspiciously like Virat Kohli
3. Tilak Varma - The best T20I batsman in the world and it's not even really a stretch. Still working on the other formats, but I see no reason he can't also work in them.
4. Devdutt Padikkal - Useful in all three formats, but only an absolute lock in One Day, where he averages 79
5. Yash Rathod - We need a First Class batsman here because the bench is loaded with T20 options. Rathod's exactly that, and has ODI value too.
6. Dhruv Jurel - Thank goodness he's here, because the wicketkeeper pool is almost entirely in the medium squad otherwise. A talented gloveman and passable batsman.
7. Nitish Kumar Reddy - His bowling is still very definitely developing, but he's a decent all-round player who can make an impact in all three formats if given the chance.
8. Anshul Kamboj - On the brink of his Test debut, Kamboj is probably the best first class bowler for this side and thus is an auto-selection.
9. Harsh Dubey - Kind of dominated Ranji Trophy this year. With Bishnoi already in the Indian T20 setup, no sense not calling him up for this.
10. Harshit Rana - I needed fast bowlers. He's played for India.
11. Mayank Yadav - A bowler this fast is always going to be an asset, assuming that his body doesn't turn to mush and paste.
12. B Sai Sudharsan - Is still working on his first class abilities, but is honestly one of the best ODI batsmen in the world and very good at T20 too.
13. Abhishek Sharma - A pure hitter, Abhishek likely only plays a part in limited overs, but what a part he can play with his strike rate and handy offies.
14. Ashwani Kumar - Limited overs bowlers are not a strength of this group yet; Ashwani's the best, but still, meh
15. Ravi Bishnoi - A spinner who's better in limited overs but can play a role in first class if it's needed as well.

Medium Squad
1. Abhimanyu Easwaran - With all of India's openers being old or young, Easwaran will finally get a go here - he's very deserving.
2. B Indrajith - See Easwaran description.
3. Shubman Gill - There's an argument he's in the best form in the world right now. Probably captains this side.
4. Shreyas Iyer - Is likely here mainly for one day batting, but could do a job in the Test team.
5. Rishabh Pant - An easy pick. Pant's aggressive batting, combined with the fact that he can keep, means he walks into all three formats for this team.
6. Sarfaraz Khan - Deserves a longer go after his great First Class history. Not useful for LO, but fortunately Sanju Samson is on the bench.
7. Rinku Singh - I fully believe Rinku's the most underrated player out there. Absolutely could make the team in all three formats.
8. Washington Sundar - A surprisingly good Test batsman - he can probably play at 7 there - Sundar's main asset is his bowling - not economical, but does take wickets.
9. Kuldeep Yadav - Unfortunate for his career to clash with the R's, as he's more than good enough to be a all-format player. That's what he'll be here with Ashwin retired and Jadeja too old.
10. Mohammed Siraj - Takes some heat sometimes, but Siraj is younger than Bumrah and Shami and thusly our best bowler for this bracket.
11. Avesh Khan - A lot of options for the final spot here, all of whom I feel are frankly mid. Akash gets it because he's the one who's best at this moment, excluding his horrible One Day record.
12. Ruturaj Gaikwad - An opener for the limited overs formats, probably alongside Gill.
13. Sanju Samson - A backup keeper who's also going to draw in as a pure batsman in T20 and probably ODI too.
14. Axar Patel - I'm so tempted to bring Sai Kishore here instead, but Axar is incumbent IRL and shouldn't fall totally out here either.
15. Arshdeep Singh - A specialist limited overs bowler, Singh provides some depth and some death.

Old Squad
1. Rohit Sharma - Retired from Tests but should be able to do a job still in limited over formats for this team.
2. KL Rahul - Might not be the best choice with the gloves, and might have been the scapegoat when maybe Rohit and Kohli deserved it, but has found a second wind as of late.
3. Mayank Agarwal - Got a lot of criticism for the crime of (checks notes) not being Sehwag or Gambhir level. Still solid.
4. Virat Kohli - Obviously.
5. Suryakumar Yadav - SKY is obviously the captain for T20, and he's an easy pick there - and probably makes the ODI team too.
6. Rajat Patidar - Probably the best of the remaining options. This is a thin pool now with the likes of Pujara and Rahane gone.
7. Shivam Dube - Shivam sneaks in the first team here over Hardik because he'll be a better contributor in first class. He can play a role everywhere.
8. Ravindra Jadeja - Jadeja is statistically one of the greatest ever spinners, and with his buddy Ashwin retired, he's arguably the second easiest pick for this side.
9. Mukesh Kumar - First class specialist Mukesh is one of the few non-retired compliments for Shami and Bumrah, which helps him significantly.
10. Mohammed Shami - A strong bowler who spearheaded the Indian attack in the late 2010s while Bumrah was still developing.
11. Jasprit Bumrah - Might be the GOAT of Indian fast bowling. Sneaks into this side by 25 days.
12. Karun Nair - Probably a little overrated, but I need a Rohit/SKY replacement for Tests.
13. Hardik Pandya - Draws into the team for limited overs games. His record is surprisingly average (it looks a lot like Liam Dawson and I know @Supreme General's thoughts on him) but he gets the job done.
14. Bhuveneshwar Kumar - No idea if he's retired or not, but he's doing the business for his IPL side still.
15. Varun Chakravarthy - Varun is not at all going to play a part in Tests, but is criminally underrated in the lower formats. Averages 14 in T20is.

 

[Till Valhalla]

Avesh Khan - A lot of options for the final spot here, all of whom I feel are frankly mid. Akash gets it because he's the one who's best at this moment, excluding his horrible One Day record.

Avesh or Akash?

 

[ddrap14]

Avesh or Akash?

Avesh, I had Akash first but then changed it

 

[ddrap14]

Young Squad
1. Jack Haynes - Useful in all three formats, although not exactly the best option here, I think.
2. Ben Kellaway - Yeah sure I'll take a guy averaging over 40 with the bat and under 30 with the ball in first class, that's more than good
3. Jacob Bethell - I don't entirely rate Bethell's bowling, I don't think it's much better than Joe Root's. But he's certainly good enough for the England setup with the bat at the moment.
4. Ben McKinney - A little out of position, but batting him here means I can bring in a bench hitter for T20s, his only weak format.
5. Jamie Smith - All-format keeper here. RIP to James Rew for being born in the same generation as him.
6. James Rew - ... except that I think Rew will be good enough to be an all-format batter anyway!
7. Dan Mousley - Mousley was painted into my bench until I consulted Aislabie to try and fill the remaining quick slots. I got told to start him over Jordan Cox.
8. Rehan Ahmed - With all due respect to Shoaib Bashir, Rehan's a better bowler and a pro with the bat too - 115 today in county
9. George Hill - A pretty good all around cricketer. Can bat, can bowl, might not be able to T20 though
10. John Turner - England's next great quick, I think. Has great results so far.
11. James Minto - Thanks to Aislabie for putting me onto him, he's very fast and just 18.
12. Toby Albert - Still learning first class but good enough already in limited overs.
13. Will Smeed - A T20 only option but one who's good enough to get into the real team already in theory
14. Farhan Ahmed - Replaces his brother in limited overs formats.
15. Josh Hull - Not a great pick, I think, but Baz rates him, and he's not been wrong about too many players thusfar

Medium Squad
1. Ben Duckett - Probably won't have the gloves in this team really, but in addition to being a handy relief option, is the best opener in England at the moment.
2. Phil Salt - Not a FC player, but hits a huge ball and definitely opens in both ODI and T20 for this team
3. Sam Hain - Duh. In all three formats, probably, to be honest
4. Harry Brook - You can't really argue against his selection. Simply a dominant player since Baz was hired.
5. Josh Bohannon - Is better than Dan Lawrence.
6. Ollie Pope - Another keeper option for this side, another not great one but he's a good enough bat to get into the starting XI.
7. Michael Pepper - A dominant T20 batsman and an okay player in the other formats, he's also a better keeper than Salt or Duckett.
8. Gus Atkinson - I rate him a lot. Probably the bowler I'm most scared of for this Ashes. And can bat alright too.
9. Brydon Carse - A big hit the deck bowler who has utility in all three formats - although I don't want him starting in one day games...
10. Reece Topley - Limited overs only bowler, but arguably the best in the world at the moment.
11. Matty Potts - Likely an all format player in this depleted pool.
12. Will Jacks - Gets into the team as the limited overs backup. Strike rate here is a big factor, as well as the fact he's better than Tom Banton.
13. Dom Sibley - This batting pool thins out quick in terms of proven results.
14. Saqib Mahmood - A strong limited overs bowler who won't play Tests most likely, but can if necessary.
15. Sam Cook - Replaces Topley in Tests. Kinda like Fergus O'Neill here.
Also, Tall Paul would deserve a slot here in an ideal world...

Old Squad
1. Adam Lyth - Other than the big three, there's not a ton of depth in this older batting lineup. Lyth can play in all three formats...
2. Ben Slater - And Slater can play the longer two.
3. James Vince - Perennially underrated, Vince will be the all-format 3 here.
4. Joe Root - Simply the best. Also handy second spinner, which helps.
5. Sam Billings - Easy limited overs pick. Might also have to play Tests with the current depth.
6. Ben Stokes - I can't drop the Test captain here. He's England's best allrounder since Botham. (Ignore that he's originally Kiwi)
7. Jos Buttler - Test #7 and wicketkeeper (sorry to the Poms here for bringing back some trauma with that statement), and limited overs opener and WK.
8. Liam Dawson - Supreme is going to kill me for this
9. Chris Jordan - One day specialist. Thanks to Aislabie's team for reminding me of him
10. Mark Wood - Beginning to become injury prone, but a quick bowler who has strong talent in both Test and T20.
11. Jamie Porter - The first class specialist to Jordan's LO player.
12. Jonny Bairstow - Still makes the team in limited overs formats with all the young talent taken out of the picture.
13. Liam Livingstone - Also likely comes in for a top order batsman in ODI and T20.
14. Ben Sanderson - I came so close to taking Dan Worrall here, but Sanderson is having an Indian summer at 36.
15. Adil Rashid - Limited overs spinner. That's about all there is to it!

 

[ddrap14]

Young Squad
1. Rhys Mariu - Has dominated the Plunket Shield and should be their next Test batsman up.
2. Tim Robinson - Rubbish at ODIs, but the other two formats are passable (FC) and really, really good (T20).
3. Simon Keene - Unimpressive in first class so far, but murdered the ball in the Smash the last two years.
4. Curtis Heaphy - Has an excellent record at this stage in his young career, and could be a future Kiwi mainstay. Bats 4 here to make room for those below.
5. Muhammad Abbas - Very batting heavy allrounder here. Can chip in some handy overs, but is more notable for being able to bat decently in all three formats.
6. Bevon Jacobs - I rate him very highly. Hits a massive ball and scores very quickly. Early FC returns promising too.
7. Mitch Hay - Hay's had a great start to his ODI career, but his first class stats suggests he's the long-term successor for the gloves in all three formats.
8. Zak Foulkes - Mainly a bowler who's shown his skill in all formats, Foulkes can also play a handy knock.
9. Kristian Clarke - Has been solid to date in his career.
10. Will O'Rourke - The easiest pick in this side. He's dominated international cricket so far.
11. Aditya Ashok - The best young spinner in NZ rn. Not perfect but NZ is still stacked with older options.
12. Matt Boyle - Currently a T20 specialist but at 22, time is on his side to grow into the other formats.
13. Jesse Tashkoff - An FC and LO reserve bat.
14. Jock McKenzie - Currently a T20 specialist. But we'll take that.
15. Cameron Paul - An exciting young prospect who's just started playing.

Medium Squad
1. Finn Allen - I question Allen's ability in even ODIs, but he walks into the T20 team (and probably still plays ODIs with this breakdown).
2. will find someone when i get home
3. Rachin Ravindra - Just qualifies here and that's so good for the medium team; he's already a top tier ODI batsman and not far away from there for Tests.
4. Will O'Donnell - This middle order is the weakest I've seen so far. WOD is decent but far from world class.
5. Dale Phillips - A FC only player most likely. Phillips is a pretty decent bat but not as good as his brother.
6. Glenn Phillips - One of the most versatile players in the world, Phillips is an all-format batsman, a most-format keeper, and a capable supporting spinner with a sometimes golden arm.
7. Dean Foxcroft - Foxcroft completes a triumvurate of spinning all rounders. He's also a very handy bat in all three formats - nothing top six worthy but better than a tailender for sure.
8. Nathan Smith - A handy lower order batsman and a solid seamer. He's not spectacular but he does the job.
9. Kyle Jamieson - Jamieson is injured so often but is clearly international quality when he isn't.
10. Matthew Fisher - Awful at T20 but great at the other formats, and T20's the easiest format to find a specialist on the bench in.
11. Jacob Duffy - Has consistently done the job for NZ in limited overs and while his FC record is mixed, he's probably one of their best five or six options for this side there too.
12. Tim Seifert - Draws in for limited overs games. Also probably takes the gloves off Phillips for those.
13. Josh Clarkson - He's something of a limited overs specialist, but Clarkson can play roles in all facets of the game in all formats.
14. Ben Sears - Out and out fast bowler who'll rotate into the squad and probably play most T20s.
15. Henry Shipley - A backup who'll mainly play first class or T20 games.

Old Squad
1. Will Young - It's almost unbelievable Young is 32. He's been the next man up for ages. Beau Webster sends his regards.
2. Tom Latham - Test captain and one of the Kiwis' best.
3. Kane Williamson - NZ's greatest batsman since Fleming, arguably their greatest ever. Of course he's here
4. Devon Conway - South Africa really missed out on this one. Conway is normally an opener but I have three. (Also listed as a WK... not sure about that one)
5. Daryl Mitchell - Arguably will be viewed as the best of all of this generation of Kiwi bats (not counting Latham or Williamson, they're not from the same era of the team even if they're the same age). Also a handy fourth seamer
6. Mark Chapman - Incredibly underrated in terms of his first class batting, and a great lower order LO batter international.y.
7. Mitchell Santner - Santner's a real grafter; he's put in quite a lot of work to get to being an allrounder capable of winning games in India with bat and ball.
8. Ish Sodhi - Maybe I have too many spinners, but the pace market is barren.
9. Matt Henry - He stands to benefit the most from the retirements of Boult, Southee and Wagner. Not in terms of his game, but he's finally going to be seen as the elite bowler he is.
10. Neil Wagner - Again making an exception here because that retirement was NOT his decision. Still elite at 39
11. Adam Milne - Limited overs only, probably.
12. Nick Kelly - A stock standard reserve bat here. His international career IRL isn't going to go too far, I don't think, just because there's a glut of young bats.
13. Tom Bruce - It's criminal he's not got more chances, as his domestic resume dwarfs much of the rest of NZ.
14. Michael Bracewell - Screwed over a bit by Mitchell Santner being in the same age bracket, but still plays a lot in LOs in this.
15. Lockie Ferguson - 69 nice. Also a key T20 bowler here.

 

[Till Valhalla]

2. will find someone when i get home

Jesse Ryder..

 

[ddrap14]

2. will find someone when i get home

Katene Clarke, why not

 

[Viper.]

6) Pakistan​

The first one outside SENAI and this is where it gets slightly trickier based on my knowledge, but managed to put together 3 teams
​

Tests​

A format they've chopped and changed a lot in, oh wait that doesn't narrow down anything for Pakistan. Anyways, we have a few straightforward picks here to make this sort of easy.
​

1. Imam-ul-Haq - I began with Imam in my ODI team but shifted him here due to better options available there and the fact that it would be wasteful to have an experienced batter on bench when he's also a "solid" test opening option
2. Abdullah Shafique - Shafique could've also been a toss-up between the two longer formats but he's been dropped in the white-ball one and arguably better in tests where we also really need good opening options. Pretty much the old full-strength opening pair has been retained.
3. Shan Masood - I think he's the current test captain? I'm not even sure with Pakistan nowadays, but he's only playing tests at the moment so it's a no-brainer. Has to bat 3 though where I think he used to play before.
4. Kamran Ghulam - He has been decent in tests for Pakistan and hasn't hit it off in ODIs as much so it's an easy choice.
5. Saud Shakeel - Arguably their best batsman in tests right now and it also helps that he doesn't really play in other formats' first XIs, but even without that it's a sure-shot pick.
6. Mohammad Rizwan - Literally nobody else in mind for Test WK, and though he might be handy in other formats you can't half-ass a test keeper and we have other options there. Could also argue this is his strongest format.
7. Aamer Jamal - He should be Pakistan's preferred pace allrounder in all formats (Bye bye Faheem). But tests is the format where he's actually most proven and fits like a puzzle piece at 7 in this XI to fill the all-rounder void. So this is where he has to stay.
8. Noman Ali - The team will benefit from someone who's been bowling since Bradman debuted, and also this is one of the "Anderson-Broad" picks as a Test Specialist who's also a locked in member of the full-strength test side as the lead spiner.
9. Sajid Khan - The same case as Noman, except he's not as old. He's the second best spinner Pakistan have for the format anyway and should compliment Noman in the attack.
10. Mohammad Abbas - Handy that he's back in the test side as he's also a test specialist, and with him having performed of late this is a good pick for the pace unit. And he's pretty much first choice too
11. Khurram Shahzad - Pakistan have too many test specialist bowlers that we can round up an entire attack with it. This guy is probably the least experienced and known of the ones here but he has performed pretty well so he gets the last spot over some other such test specialist bowlers in Pakistan's roster of late.

12. Muhammad Hurraira - Has been around the test squad as a backup opener in most squads recently so will be here too.
13. Mir Hamza - Another such test specialist pace bowler but I think he's behind Shahzad in the order.
14. Mohammad Ali - Same case but with the most average name you could ever put together.
15. Zahid Mehmood - Backup spin bowler, though those two can do the job, Zahid has always been the silent part of the pack like he was in the England series where Noman-Sajid wreaked havoc and left him nothing. Could play on such surfaces to again do nothing.

Pakistan's recent dropping of their main pace bowlers in Tests has helped us form a pretty much full-strength bowling attack with the recent induced red-ball specialist players. The Batting also seems strong except a couple of players from the full-strength side missing, and the opening pair is the outdated one- but could do the job decently in this scenario.
​

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ODIs​

This is probably Pakistan's best format of late with some actually good performances (forgetting the CT), and fittingly some of their best players will be in this team.
​

1. Saim Ayub - Ayub is definitely the future in all formats for Pakistan, but the start to his ODI career is literally insane. Averaging north of 60, it would be a crime to not open with him in the ODI side regardless of whoever else is there as an option.
2. Fakhar Zaman - ODIs is Fakhar's most decent format and though he's had his downs, he still averages 47. He's really not even close to the same level in T20Is, so that's why he opens here and Imam was shifted to the test side (worked for the best)
3. Babar Azam - Whatever kind of form he is in, Babar's best suit is ODIs. Averaging 50+ here and also having the batting temperament that suits the format much more than quick-paced T20s, and also being far more consistent than in tests (where he wasn't needed either). Helps us strengthen our ODI batting by a lot.
4. Usman Khan - We really needed a wicket-keeper for the team who bats after 3, so Usman was the best option left. Hasn't been so great in either format, but he's backed and been around the side
5. Salman Ali Agha - One of Pakistan's best players of recent times. The test side didn't need him so much, and I think he's also a bit more solid in ODIs. Good middle-order + PT spin option. Also can lead the team since he's been given the job in real life.
6. Tayyab Tahir - Batted here in the CT and he wasn't exactly the worst of the bunch, so maybe give him a go. Not much better options from the recent group of regular players.
7. Khushdil Shah - He's been mediocre for long but his ODI batting stats are actually decent. He was fine as the spin all-rounder in the CT and could work with Agha to play that fifth bowler role here.
8. Mohammad Wasim Jr. - He's been in and out of the team but has been a very decent ODI pacer whenever he played; could be handy in this pace unit and also as a Number 8.
9. Shaheen Afridi - The test side nowadays seems to do fine without him with the specialist players. And he's achieved much more in ODI compared to the other 2 formats. His stats speak for himself even if he's had his bad days. A proper spearhead for this attack.
10. Naseem Shah - Same case as Shaheen and has insane ODI numbers so a no-brainer to strengthen our ODI attack. One of the first few names on the sheet for this format's team.
11. Abrar Ahmed - Will be our lead ODI spinner as he's not been preferred in tests and has been more regular in white-ball as of late. ODIs more so as he was lead spinner in the CT.

12. Haseebullah Khan - Saw that he's one of the WK options who've played recently and his List A average is over 50, so would fill in our backup slots here at least. I'd have even played him over Usman but he's not a middle-order bat and I'm also giving more preference to team regulars.
13. Iftikhar Ahmed - Dropped a while ago but bringing him back in the format where he had his best moments at least as a backup option. He is a like-for-like for Tayyab or Khushdil in that lineup if needed.
14. Mohammad Hasnain - Hasnain can be our backup pacer in ODIs because I think he's been better here than the shortest format. Not enough to crack the XI though
15. Usama Mir - Backup spinner. Really rate him but he hasn't been in favour of late. Still reckon he can fill the space as backup spinner to Abrar as he was good in ODIs when he played.

A lot of Pakistan's biggest names have excelled mostly in ODIs like Shaheen, Naseem, Babar, Saim & Agha which really helps. The pace unit is pretty strong and we have the spin options similar to what Pakistan had in the CT this year. WK is the only weak point. Not missing a lot here.
​

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T20Is​

We'll be working with more raw youth and less experience for this team as has been Pakistan's approach following the last T20 WC. Most of their star players are also much better in ODIs anyway.
​

1. Hassan Nawaz - Recent T20 break-out and even got a century in one match. Though inconsistent otherwise he has potential. Likely going to be given more chances in this format so he'll be a solid fit here.
2. Mohammad Haris - Will be the T20I WK, he was pretty good in 2022 I remember and seems to be back in favour. Opening in the current series too, so he is more than good to do so here.
3. Sahibzada Farhan - One of the players around the most recent T20I squads. Mid stats but he's been around for a while and seems to be backed. He'll have to do. Until they find actually better options.
4. Irfan Khan - He's not really hit it off in either of the formats he's debuted in; but young prospect, and his T20I stats are far less hideous than his ODI ones.
5. Hussain Talat - Hasn't actually played in a long time but he's just been recalled for this Bangladesh series and had Pakistan experience so why not.
6. Shadab Khan - Adds the needed experience to the side in what is also his best format, and the one format he might still have a shot at after being dropped. He's not so bad though, has had his peak moments and is more than solid a spin allrounder option in this scenario.
7. Faheem Ashraf - I honestly don't rate him at all but he just hit a fifty in the recent T20I against Bangladesh and is showing some promise in this format at least.. Might be given the long rope by Pakistan now, so let's stick him here.
8. Abbas Afridi - Has only played T20Is and has very solid bowling stats so he should be a certainty in our T20 pace attack here.
9. Hasan Ali - Historically his best format is ODIs, but currently he's only playing T20Is. Has done well enough since his recall to be part of the main attack. Helps us have options.
10. Haris Rauf - Spearheads our T20I attack while Shaheen and Naseem are elsewhere, as unlike them this is his best format. Actually solid T20 bowler who's historically been a wicket-taker so he's our lead bowler here.
11. Sufiyan Muqeem - T20I spinner, I think he is one of the promising talents for them in this format and has been quite good so he can do the job alongside Shadab.

12. Azam Khan - Running out of options clearly. But as one of the players who's played T20s for Pakistan recently he'll have to do as a backup bat.
13. Abdul Samad - I actually loved this guy in that U23 Asia Cup or whatever and think he has potential- even got a call-up recently but probably best as a backup now though.
14. Jahandad Khan - Would've started him over Faheem but the latter had to go and perform well recently. Still have him as backup for pace attack. One of the few decent finds in the new T20 outfit.
15. Mohammad Nawaz - Can be our backup Spinner/Spin AR as he's at least been good once upon a time and has a lot of experience relatively. Also seems to be in the most recent squad. So I'm going with him over some new, more raw options that Pakistan have played in T20Is in the past year.

The T20I team would have to be the weakest and definitely raw and inexperienced, but it's not such a bad thing considering Pakistan are literally going forward with this template for their actual T20I side. A little shallow batting and some unproven bats- bowling definitely is better. They're going through kind of a transition in T20Is anyway irl so let's see how this team ages as we go.
​

---

Pakistan have debuted a lot of players recently which helped me round off the 45 easily, and the lack of experience in T20 side can mostly be attributed to their own real life T20I squad being that way. So overall the teams are fine. Only had to recall 1 or 2 older players anyway and most players are in their best formats.

 

[malikali]

Pakistan​

Test Squad​

• Imam
• Abdullah Shafique
• Shan Masood
• Kamran Ghulam
• Saud Shakeel
• Rizwan
• Aamer Jamal
• Noman Ali
• Sajid Khan
• Mir Hamza
• Muhammad Abbas

Others:

• Abid Ali
• Khurram Shahzad
• Yasir Shah
• Zahid Mahmood

---

ODI Squad​

• Fakhar
• Imam
• Babar
• Haris Sohail
• Azam Khan
• Salman Agha
• Shadab
• Usama Mir
• Hasan Ali
• Naseem
• Akif Javed

Others:

• Shahnawaz Dahani
• Mohammad Wasim Jnr
• Haseebullah Khan
• Usama Mir

---

T20I Squad​

• • Saim
  • Farhan
  • Haris
  • Hasan Nawaz
  • Abdul Samad
  • Iftikhar
  • Faheem
  • Abrar
  • Shaheen
  • Haris Rauf
  • Abbas Afridi

Others:

• Khushdil Shah
• Salman Mirza
• Usman Khan
• Irfan Khan

 

[Viper.]

I’m actually apologising to Sahibzada Farhan for that write up, appears I’m unaware of how he’s playing at the moment

 

[icyman]

6. Mohammad Rizwan - Literally nobody else in mind for Test WK, and though he might be handy in other formats you can't half-ass a test keeper and we have other options there. Could also argue this is his strongest format.

Tricky one this. I would put him in the ODI setup tbh, simply on account of the fact that it makes the side stronger. But then again, you have the pairing of Babar and Rizwan, who can get stuck in together and play the spoilsport.

 

[Viper.]

Tricky one this. I would put him in the ODI setup tbh, simply on account of the fact that it makes the side stronger. But then again, you have the pairing of Babar and Rizwan, who can get stuck in together and play the spoilsport.

He'd definitely improve the ODI side, which does lack a solid keeper, but then We'll be out of good options for the Test WK spot which is even more devoid of other options. Unless Sarfaraz comes back into the fold. Probably could do that.