It was very difficult to leave out Ponting, but I consider Dravid to be a marginally better No.3 than Ponting. If these teams were ODI-based, then without a shadow of a doubt I'd have gone with Ponting.
Just an FYI, between 1/01/00 & 31/12/07 (the exact date range for your first side), there was no better form batsman in the world than Ponting. If ratings are your thing, he held the number 1 ranking in test batting for an unbroken 14 months, a record. Furthermore, these years were his prime, scoring
7423 runs at an average of
64.54, with
27 tons. He was utterly dominant throughout this period, and thus it's no suprise that the highest run scorer in both ODI's and Tests during the 2000's was, Ricky Ponting.
Furthermore, during this period, Dravid scored
417 runs less at an average
6.64 less with
9 less tons from
2 more matches. predominantly on tracks favouring batting.
Add to that Ponting was played against South Africa, India and England several times apiece, and it really does become a phenomenal achievement. So I think you've made a squiff call there tbch.
Moreover Samuels, Tsolekile is in the squad for the sole reason due to the political labyrinth which a rainbow nation like South Africa has imposed upon CSA. He will not play, he's not good enough to play and it's well known.
Prior ahead of AB?
Bond ahead of Steyn?
....Dubious.
Cook? Pieterson? Hmmm I'm guessing you're a devout English fan, so it'll slide! Sehwag and Pup seem like far, far better selections.
Another fyi, Sehwag's best years came in 2008-2010, so he's a far better pick for the latter team.
