A gradual but inevitable descent into cricket-based loathing and bile.

The Alphabet XIs: D

Posted on December 23, 2011 by in Opinion, Tests

There is a serious lack of contenders for this team, although the 11 who have made it in do fit together quite nicely. The pace attack would frighten any team although there is a lack of spinners so on a turning pitch 12th man Xavier Doherty may find his way in.

1. Graham Dowling (New Zealand, 1961-1972) 39 tests, 2306 runs @ 31.16 Ex-New Zealand captain who had to have half a finger amputated following a wicket-keeping accident. By all accounts he was a fine fielder before the chop
2. Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka, 1999-2011) 74 tests, 4516 runs @ 41.81, 27 wickets @40.96 The current Sri Lankan captain is certainly one of the more thrilling test openers. Able to chip in with useful off-spin and field pretty much anywhere
3. Rahul Dravid (India, 1996-2011) 160 tests, 13094 runs @53.22 A no brainer. The second highest run-scorer of all time and an intelligent and well liked man. Known as “The Wall” due to his near impenetrable defence
4. Ted Dexter (England, 1958-68) 62 tests, 4502 runs @ 47.89, 66 wickets @ 34.93 A powerful, counter-attacking batsman, Dexter used to thrill fans by taking the fight to fast bowlers. After retirement went on to perform many roles including broadcaster, writer and Chairman of Selectors
5. *Mike Denness (England, 1969-1975) 28 tests, 1667 runs @ 39.69 Scottish born Denness forged a reputation as a stylish middle order batsman in the early 70s. His career was somewhat sabotaged by Geoffrey Boycott throwing a hissy fit and not regularly playing when he was overlooked in favour of Denness for the England captaincy
6. Basil D’Oliveira (England 1966-1972) 44 tests, 2484 runs @ 40.06, 47 wickets at 39.55 A victim of apartheid, D’Oliveira had to abandon his country of birth and turn to England in order to pursue his cricketing career. Made his test debut aged 34
7. +MS Dhoni (India 2005-2011) 62 tests, 3,242 runs @ 37.69 Divides opinion but gets into the side due to a lack of keepers. Questionable with the gloves, but when on form he can be a destructive lower order batsman
8. Kapil Dev (India, 1978-1994) 131 tests, 5248 runs @ 31.05, 434 wickets @ 29.65 India’s greatest ever all-rounder. Voted India’s player of the century in 2002, ahead of Sachin Tendulkar. His figures speak for themselves
9. Alan Davidson (Australia, 1953-1963) 44 tests, 1328 runs @ 24.59, 186 wickets @ 20.53 One of Richie Benaud’s close mates, this left arm seamer with a metronomical action lead the Aussie bowling attack through the 50s and early 60s. Capable lower order batsman
10. Graham Dilley (England, 1979-1989) 41 tests, 521 runs @ 13.35, 138 wickets @ 29.76 The tall, permed fast bowler teamed up with Ian Botham and Bob Willis to form a formidable English bowling attack. Died of cancer aged 52 earlier this year
11. Allan Donald (South Africa, 1992-2002) 72 tests, 652 runs @ 10.68, 330 wickets @ 22.25 A fiercely competitive bowler, Donald is the second highest South African wicket taker behind Shaun Pollock, with whom he shared a ferocious new ball partnership in the late 90s


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Matt H

27 Dec 2011 13:28

That’s a pretty strong batting line-up and lower order.