Tim's ATG Test Series Summary

So, a 3-2 series result in favour of the 1st XI justified Tim's selection, but the close margin of their victory was not a surprise bearing in mind the quality of the players on view. The major difference between the teams was undoubtedly Muttiah Muralitharan; his 43 wickets ensured that the 2nd XI exceeded 350 only once in the series, and the inability of the their batsmen to post big scores - no-one in the 2nd XI could average over 40 and they compiled only two individual centuries against seven by the Firsts - was telling in the end. Marshall and Imran ably supported Murali without ever being truly devastating, but Warne was largely disappointing, his performance in Mumbai apart. Ambrose was a nonentity, and such was the domination of Muralitharan that Sobers was given just 11 overs over the course of the entire series.

The 1st XI's batting was dominated by Bradman, Hutton and Hammond, with the Don's 241 at Lord's being one of the great innings of all time, even if it was in a losing cause. Sobers and Imran both made muted contributions with the bat, whilst Sutcliffe had a terrible time, with 172 of his 195 runs coming in just two innings. Gilchrist kept well but didn't really fire with the bat, although his brutal 80 in Barbados proved to be a stunning match-winning effort.

As for the 2nd XI, their lack of consistency cost them dear; there were moments of individual brilliance, especially with the ball, but their batsmen were rarely able to get on top of the 1st XI's bowling. The fact that Lara headed the averages with a return of just 38 runs per innings illustrated the problems encountered by the Seconds, and the failure of both Hobbs and Headley to make any impact on the series was a major disappointment. As much, if not more, of a disappointment was the lacklustre showing of Bill O'Reilly with the ball, especially considering the influence of Muralitharan, and after starting the series in such devastating form, Dennis Lillee faded from view over the course of the last three Tests.

All in all the 1st XI deserved their series victory, but had it not been for Muralitharan one wonders whether the outcome might have been different.

TIM'S 1st XI WON THE SERIES 3-2

Man of the Series: M Muralitharan

1st XI Batting & Fielding

DG Bradman 562 runs @ 70.25, 2 x 100, 3 x 50, HS 241; ct 3

L Hutton 420 runs @ 52.50, 2 x 100, HS 193; ct 2
WR Hammond 414 runs @ 51.75, 2 x 100, 2 x 50, HS 103; ct 5
GStA Sobers 244 runs @ 30.50, 2 x 50, HS 84; ct 6
Imran Khan 173 runs @ 28.83, 1 x 50, HS 79*; ct 3
H Sutcliffe 195 runs @ 24.38, 1 x 100, HS 125; ct 2
AC Gilchrist 195 runs @ 24.38, 1 x 50, HS 80; ct 9, st 3
M Muralitharan 34 runs @ 17.00, HS 14*; ct 3
SK Warne 74 runs @ 10.57, HS 24; ct 3
CEL Ambrose 56 runs @ 9.33, HS 16.00; ct 3
MD Marshall 74 runs @ 9.25, HS 22; ct 7

1st XI Bowling
M Muralitharan 43 wkts @ 14.07, 4 x 5I, 2 x 10M, BB 7-153
MD Marshall 20 wkts @ 18.30, BB 4-25
Imran Khan 12 wkts @ 24.75, BB 4-18
SK Warne 18 wkts @ 35.94, 2 x 5I, BB 7-76
CEL Ambrose 5 wkts @ 63.80, BB 1-25

2nd XI Batting & Fielding
BC Lara 386 runs @ 38.60, 4 x 50, HS 98; ct 2
RG Pollock 343 runs @ 38.11, 1 x 100, 1 x 50, HS 136*; ct 7
SM Gavaskar 326 runs @ 32.60, 1 x 100, 1 x 50, HS 153; ct 5
JB Hobbs 274 runs @ 27.40, 2 x 50, HS 71; ct 1
GA Headley 247 runs @ 24.70, 1 x 50, HS 96; ct 2
LEG Ames 197 runs @ 21.89, 1 x 50, HS 70; ct 11
KR Miller 206 runs @ 20.60, 1 x 50, HS 69; ct 5
AK Davidson 120 runs @ 15.00, HS 35*; ct 5
DK Lillee 65 runs @ 13.00, HS 27*; ct 1
RJ Hadlee 119 runs @ 11.90, HS 38; ct 3
WJ O'Reilly 28 runs @ 4.00, HS 8

2nd XI Bowling
DK Lillee 19 wkts @ 25.42, 2 x 5I, BB 6-27
RJ Hadlee 21 wkts @ 27.43, 1 x 5I, BB 5-87
AK Davidson 14 wkts @ 29.93, 1 x 5I, BB 5-89
WJ O'Reilly 12 wkts @ 40.50, BB 4-180
KR Miller 9 wkts @ 41.22, BB 3-16

Tim's ATG Test Series - Fifth Test

5th Test - Melbourne

The MCG was the venue for one of the most dramatic finishes in all of cricket history as the final match of the series gripped all those present right until the final ball. Graeme Pollock's first century of the series gave the 2nd XI a first innings lead despite Muralitharan's fourth five-for in seven innings, but Imran and Marshall combined second time round to blow the Seconds away for 132, leaving the 1st XI needing 172 to close out a 4-1 series victory. They progressed to 154-5 before contriving to lose their last five wickets for 14 runs, with Keith Miller - who had earlier recorded a king pair - finishing off proceedings with a spell of 3-2 in nine deliveries as the 2nd XI triumphed by just 3 runs. It was a fitting finale to a series that had seen 22 of the finest players ever to grace the game lock horns over five Tests, and the selectors' decisions were justified by the 1st XI's eventual 3-2 victory.

2nd XI 1st Inns 314 (Pollock 136*, Lara 55, Ames 42; Muralitharan 5-55)
1st XI 1st Inns 275 (Hammond 103, Sobers 56, Bradman 52)
2nd XI 2nd Inns 132 (Lara 49; Marshall 4-25, Imran Khan 4-40)
1st XI 2nd Inns 168 (Sutcliffe 47, Bradman 45)

TIM'S 2nd XI WON BY 3 RUNS


Man of the Match: KR Miller

Series summary and averages to follow...

Tim's ATG Test Series - Third and Fourth Tests

3rd Test - Barbados

With the series level at 1-1 the teams reconvened in Bridgetown, but an under-prepared wicket meant that once the 1st XI had racked up 368 after winning the toss, the 2nd XI was always going to find the going tough. At 165-5, the 1st XI was in trouble on the first evening, but an aggressive stand of 142 for the sixth wicket between Hammond and Gilchrist propelled the firsts to what was to prove to be a match winning total. A burst of 4-18 from Imran ripped out the 2nd XI's middle order and forced them to follow on, then Muralitharan took over as the first XI secured an innings victory with over five sessions to spare.

1st XI 1st Inns 368 (Hammond 103, Gilchrist 80, Bradman 52)
2nd XI 1st Inns 116 (Imran Khan 4-18)
2nd XI 2nd Inns 226 (Hobbs 71, Miller 47; Muralitharan 6-66)

TIM'S 1st XI WON BY AN INNINGS AND 26 RUNS


Man of the Match: AC Gilchrist

4th Test - Mumbai
A typical 'bat first, spin later' pitch greeted the teams at the Wankhede, and once Imran won an important toss his batsmen set about breaking the hearts of the 2nd XI. Sutcliffe and Hutton batted through the whole first day on the way to a first wicket partnership of 265, and with Bradman contributing the third century of the innings, the scoreboard read an incredible 437-1 just before tea on the second day. Imran eventually declared at 667-7 on the third morning, and from then on it was the Muralitharan/Warne show as the spin twins wheeled away seemingly without a break for the remainder of the game. The 2nd XI put up a brave fight, but both Murali and Warne picked up seven wicket hauls on their way to a share of 19 wickets as the 2nd XI fell to their second consecutive innings defeat, a defeat that handed the series to the first XI with a game to spare.

1st XI 1st Inns 667-7 dec. (Hutton 193, Sutcliffe 125, Bradman 102, Sobers 84, Hammond 79; O'Reilly 4-180)
2nd XI 1st Inns 340 (Ames 70, Miller 69, Hobbs 46; Muralitharan 7-153)
2nd XI 2nd Inns 285 (Lara 72, Gavaskar 63, Headley 45; Warne 7-76)

TIM'S 1st XI WON BY AN INNINGS AND 42 RUNS


Man of the Match: SK Warne

With the series already decided the teams now travel Down Under, where Melbourne will play host to the final Test. Even though he has yet to pick up an individual man of the match award, Muttiah Muralitharan has proved to be the dominant figure of the series, having claimed an incredible 37 wickets over the course of the first four games, and he will be looking to take his tally beyond 40 at the MCG.

Tim's ATG Test Series - First and Second Tests

Despite the two teams carrying '1st XI' and '2nd XI' monikers, the talent on display would seem to ensure an evenly contested series, and that was certainly the case over the course of the first two Tests...

First Test - Cape Town
Tim's 1st XI took the first match in Cape Town despite being skittled for 79 by tea on the first day, when a dramatic opening spell from Lillee reduced the 1st XI to 0-3 then 4-4, with Sutcliffe, Bradman, Hammond and Sobers all dispatched for ducks. Headley's 96 gave the 2nd XI a 154 run first innings lead, but Hutton responded with an eight hour 142 second time round, and consistent support down the order set the 2nd XI 243 to win on the final day. Warne and Muralitharan then got to work on a wearing pitch and the 2nd XI never stood a chance as the two greatest wicket takers in Test history secured a comfortable 143 run victory.

1st XI 1st Inns 79 (Lillee 5-29)
2nd XI 1st Inns 233 (Headley 96, Pollock 51; Muralitharan 4-26, Marshall 4-54)
1st XI 2nd Inns 396 (Hutton 142, Bradman 65, Hammond 44; Davidson 5-89)
2nd XI 2nd Inns 99 (Warne 5-30, Muralitharan 4-35)

TIM'S 1st XI WON BY 143 RUNS


Man of the Match: L Hutton

2nd Test - Lord's
The 2nd XI responded in fine style at Headquarters and levelled the series after controlling the match from start to finish. They racked up a commanding 453 in the first innings with Gavaskar's 153 the fulcrum, and only an epic innings from Don Bradman kept the 1st XI in the game, his 241 out of 383 ranking amongst the truly great individual performances. Muralitharan completed his ten wicket match haul to restrict the 2nd XI's scoring in the second innings, but Gavaskar's fourth evening declaration set Imran's team 277 to win, and despite a defiant 79* from Imran himself the task was too much, with Dennis Lillee topping and tailing the innings to finish with his second five-for in successive Tests.

2nd XI 1st Inns 453 (Gavaskar 153, Lara 98, Hobbs 71; Muralitharan 6-95)
1st XI 1st Inns 383 (Bradman 241; Hadlee 5-87)
2nd XI 2nd Inns 206-8 dec. (Lara 50, Pollock 45; Muralitharan 4-46)
1st XI 2nd Inns 197 (Imran Khan 79*, Hammond 54; Lillee 6-27)

TIM'S 2nd XI WON BY 79 RUNS


Man of the Match: DG Bradman

So, 1-1 after two Tests, with the 2nd XI striking back well. Bradman, Gavaskar and Hutton have all compiled epic innings, whilst Muralitharan and Lillee have been the undoubted stars with the ball. Reports on the remainder of the series will follow very soon...

Tim's ATG Test Series

In a break from my ongoing ATG campaign, we now feature a ground breaking piece of cross-blog cooperation! Over on the Third Umpire blog, Tim has selected his Greatest Test XI and has also nominated a 2nd XI for them to play against, and the two sides now meet over a five match series that will put Tim's powers of selection to the test.

Tim's teams are:

1st XI: H Sutcliffe, L Hutton, DG Bradman, WR Hammond, GStA Sobers, *Imran Khan, +AC Gilchrist, MD Marshall, SK Warne, CEL Ambrose, M Muralitharan.

2nd XI: JB Hobbs, *SM Gavaskar, GA Headley, BC Lara, RG Pollock, KR Miller, +LEG Ames, RJ Hadlee, AK Davidson, DK Lillee, WJ O'Reilly.

The series will be played in five different countries, with the first match taking place in Cape Town, and there will be no injury rules in place. To ensure impartiality, I will be letting the computer autoplay each match, and all the results and averages will be posted shortly.

Let battle commence...