Angus Fraser, a respected figure in English cricket circles, has recently joined their All-Time XI. The former England cricketer recently picked his XI for Lord’s Cricket Ground’s official YouTube channel.
He named as many as five West Indian players in his XI, which indicates how highly he rated the West Indies as opponents during his playing days. The rest of the squad consists of two players from Australia and one each from India, New Zealand, South Africa, and his home country England.
Fraser chose Graham Gooch, the only English player in the XI, to open as well as captain his team. Speaking about the influence Gooch had on him as a player when he made his foray into international cricket, he cited that as a reason for selecting him. He then named West Indian batsman Gordon Greenidge as Gooch’s opening partner.
“Graham Gooch now I’m having goose captain to a huge figure on my career. when I thought of coming to the English side he took over at the end of a disastrous first 789 and, really showed what it took to be an international cricket of the way he went about his business. Opening battening with him Gordon Greenidge, wonderful player many in the West Indies think he was as good a play as Viv.”
The real trouble for Fraser started after he got into the midfield. But it was not a difficult task for him to choose Viv Richards for the number 3 position. Brian Lara, who had the privilege of playing against the greatest player, Fraser, was No. 4. He was followed by India’s Sachin Tendulkar at number 5.
“Who do you back in the middle order. I let them fight out who bats square and because I suppose the number three batsmen viv Richard. the master blaster when all-time great.”
“Brian Lara, I would say that the greatest player that I had the privilege of playing against played half a dozen of the top 15 Twinings ever been played in test cricket. I would suggest.”
According to Fraser, the game’s greatest all-rounder, South African Jacques Kallis was ranked No.6, while wicket-keeper batsman Ian Healy was No.7.
In terms of bowling, Fraser chose off-spinner Shane Warne as the obvious choice for the lone spinner position. It was also kept in mind that Healy kept wickets for Warne for a long time in his career.
“Sachin Tendulkar his record goes without 700 international hundreds. Jacques Kallis arguably the greatest all-round of the game is seen. wicket keeper Ian Healy outstanding cricketer very good keeper and Shane Warne’s my spinner so that combination comes together lots of experience about keeping to him.”
“and then the bowlers Richard Hadley as a youngster happy with my hero someone who I wanted to bowl like never got as close as I was like but I doubt if there’s been a better medium fast fast medium seam bowler.”
“In the speed department, he chose Richard Hadley, whom he greatly admired and emulated. Next, a toss between Glenn McGrath and Curtley Ambrose put him in a dilemma.”
He eventually got the second one and eliminated McGrath. The last place went to Malcolm Marshall, who according to him was the greatest fast bowler of all time.
“around Ambrose McGrath that was a tough one. I’ve gone for Ambrose again someone to play a lot of cricket against and when he had his day there was variability could do.”
“Malcolm Marshall who I think probably the greatest fast bowler of all time when you consider not a huge man physically and buts quick skiddy unbelievable skills whether to swing the ball both ways seen the ball around.”
Fraser is a multifaceted personality. Apart from being a former cricketer, he is the Managing Director of Cricket at Middlesex County Cricket Club, England national team selection committee, commentator and an acclaimed journalist. He has played 46 Tests and 42 ODIs for England and has taken 177 wickets and 47 wickets respectively.
Here is Fraser’s All-Time XI: Graham Gooch (c), Gordon Greenidge, Vivian Richards, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, Ian Healy (wk), Shane Warne, Richard Hadlee, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall