wht about the great Ws ..... yes i mean Wasim Akram And Waqar Younis! these two had done som amazing problems for great batsmen or there era on batting pitches i repeat agian on batting pitches ....! most of other fast bowlers didnt perform as well on bating tracks as they did on fast pitches!

Hassan, London, UK

another player which cant be missed is Javed Miandad .......! how these selectors miss him ....! atleast they cud count him in short list!

Hassan, London, UK

The omission of wasim akram is a scandal, the greatest left arm bowler of all time unless someone can counter such as assertion.

His inclusion would have balanced the team perfectly and let us not forget he could bat, 257 not out as a test score is not bad for a fast bowler!!

Ishtaq Hussain, northampton,

Scott Vaughan, there never have been MUCH better bowlers that the Pakistan attack that Gilchrist demolished early in his career. Keepers are picked for dismissals not how they look. Knott didn't miss much because he didn't get to the difficult chances. Do you pick the bowlers with the best actions?

brett jobson, sydney, australia

Gilchrist/Knott is a tough one. The former has the better average etc, but as mentioned by someone else, in an era of games against 'easy' nations, that bumps this up considerably. Such is the problem of comparing new and old, especially when most of us would not have seen Knott at his peak.

ted, london, uk

hmm, just a quick response defending Knott - Knott was by a MILE a better glovesman, and don't forget he had to BAT against MUCH better players than Gillchrist has to, plus there were no minnows (Bangladesh and Zimbabwe) when he was playing to boost his average. Ames was better anyway!

Scott Vaughan, Sittingbourne,

An XI representing 1900-58 to play a 1959-2008 one. Hobbs, Hutton, Bradman, Hammond, Compton, Miller, Evans,
Tate, Lindwall, O'Reilly, Barnes. v Gavaskar, B Richards, V Richards, Tendulkar, G Pollock, Sobers, Gilchrist, Hadlee, Warne, Marshall, Lillee. 12thman Murillitharan

P Carnwath, Swaby, Alford,Lincs, UK

A Knott is in because he can make hundreds???

How about (what was then) the quickest 200 in history?

What about the 2nd fastest hundred in history?? (Can still see Monty and Freddie's eyes rolling back in their heads)

Give us a break fellas

Andrew Else, Melbourne, Australia

How did they leave out Gilchrist for Alan Knott. Bonkers.

Phil, Brisbane,

To me Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman ever.
So I guess I'd have to have him in my team.

Al, Auckland,

I'm puzzled too about Gilchrist, one of the most destructive batsman of all time. But I remember Lillee and Thomson mincing up Luckhurst et al and Knott coming out with his jaw a foot in front of him, to help Tony Greig do a rescue of sorts. Was he included as a crisis man?

John Orford, Balingasag, Philippines

Fortunately the readers have a much better knowledge than the so-called experts. To select Knott before Gilchrist demonstrates a lack of knowledge. Gilly has a better batting record than Gower and has almost twice the dismissals per innings than Knott. Knott may have let fewer byes but who cares!

Brett Jobson, Sydney,

were your cricket writers absent when barlow

destroyed the england batting in both innings.

when playing for the world eleven..add to this

his batting against the aussies and think how

you cannot include him in any test side...bradman

lauded graeme pollock.surely another pick..

art fallows, haarlem, the netherlands

This team would be unbeatable:

1. S. Gavaskar
2. J. Hobbs
3. D. Bradman
4. I.V.A. Richards
5. S. Tendulkar
6. G. Sobers
7. A. Gilchrist
8. Imran Khan
9. R. Hadlee
10. S. Warne
11. D. Lillee

12th Man: B. Lara

Alex Kryek, Sydney,

you obviously missed the great s.a.side that ripped the aussies apart...barlow ..graeme pollock
and barry richards and the earlier colin bland..
certainly had no peers and never forget heine
who destroyed peter may.-umpire dickie bird
rated richards best of all time...a wise choice

art fallows, haarlem, the netherlands

Jack Hobbs (bad wicket)
Sunil Gavaskar (temperment)
*Don Bradman (obvious)
Viv Richards (dominance)
Brian Lara (crisis man)
Ian Botham (best all rounder)
+Adam Gilchrist (best keeper)
Wasim Akram (lefty magic)
Richard Headley (accuaracy)
Shane Warne (spin magic)
Malcolm Marshall (scary)

Santanu, Edinburg, USA

B. Richards
Boycott
Bradman*
V. Richards
Lara
Sobers
Gilchrist
Botham
Warne
Marshall
Walsh
Boycott is controversial but would provide a rock for the 7 strokeplayers in the team.
Captaincy up for grabs- probably go to the Don.

tom, sherborne,

Wat about Brian lara?

G, devon,

Virender Sehwag
Matthew Hayden
Donald Bradman
Sachin Tendulkar
Gary Sobers
Imran Khan
Adam Gilchrist
Wasim Akram
Shane Warne.
Malcolm Marshall
Muttiah Muralitharan
Barry Richard's record is nowhere close to Sehwag's or Hayden's.
Regards, Gokul Kenath from Vengody, Palakkad, Kerala, India.

Gokul Kenath, Palakkad., India

Alan Knott???? I'm sorry but are we talking about the same Alan Knott? Adam Gilchrist averaged 15 runs more per innings and made 147 more dismissals in the same amount of test matches.

Lyndon, London, United Kingdom

One can't argue with the statistics. Gilchrist played in 96 Tests, Knott in 95. Gilchrist scored 5,570 runs at 47.60 and Knott 4,389 at 32.75. Gilchrist, according to Wikipedia, took 397 catches and made 37 stumpings, against Knott's 250 and 19. But I'd take Knotty any day. Unbelievable talent.

Stephen Downer, Mexico City, Mexico

I will make 3 changes. Gilchrist in place of Knot. Imran was a proven leader and better bowler than Botham. Do not need 2 spinners with Sobers in. Sachin in and Murali out.
Barry Richards
Gavaskar
Bradman
Viv Richards
Tendulkar
Sobers
Gilchrist
*Imran Khan
Shane Warne
Marshall
Lillee

Daljit Renny, Brisbane, Australia

Gilchrist is better than Knott. He kept wickets to Warne & MacGill, compared to ? Gilchrist could play just as a batsman, Knott couldn't. You've also picked 6 bowlers & 2 all rounders. Also, no mention of Grame Pollock - test average of 74. Gilchrist, not Knott, & Pollock or Lara, not Botham.

Stephen Lewis, Canberra, Australia

Great players all but your 'after thought' regarding the captain fails to take account its pivital role in cricket. A great captain can raise a team beyond it's limits, a poor one may fail to hold a team of superstars together. Just 'chucking Shane the armband' is naive at best.

Wils, London, UK

wot - no Boycott??!

Pete Minns, Hull,

Wouldn't it be better to choose 2 sides, there are too many great players and ways you can set up your team to do this. The best team in the world need someone to play against surely?

Matt, london,

How on earth did you steamroll Knott into there?

Healy was a better keeper and batsman... and of course Gilchrist was better than everyone.

Pete, Footscray, Australia

Well I think the panel have missed something out with their picks. They are picking a team to play Test cricket today. Scoring is quick. Hayden & Greenidge at the top. Hadlee cause im NZer.

Hayden
Greenidge
Bradman
Richards
Tendulkar
Gilchrist
Botham
Hadlee
Warne
Marshall
Muralitheran

Mike A, Wanganui, New Zealand

Jack Hobbs
Sunil Gavaskar
Don Bradman
Viv Richards
Graham Pollack
Garry Sobers
Imran Khan
Alan Knott
Shane Warne
Malcolm Marshall
Dennis Lillee
Mutthia Muralitharan

Nanu Gill, Cookham Dean, united Kingdom

1. S Gavaskar
2. G Greenidge
3. D Bradman
4. V Richards
5. S Tendulkar
6. S Waugh
7. A Gilchrist
8. R Hadlee
9. S Warne
10. M Holding
11. G McGrath

Hard to leave out Lara, Sobers & Lillee, but all the above performed consistently and would pressurize relentlessly.

Tristan Kenworthy, London, UK

Everyone goes on about McGrath - without doubt a fine bowler. But if you compare his strike rate, average and economy with Sean Pollock there is not much to choose and Pollock could bat too. I am not advocating either one however.

Fast bowling spots automatically to Marshall and Lillee.

Buz Trevor, Denare Beach, Canada

There are so many greats I would love to include. If I could pick just one, I would include the finest allrounder I ever saw Mike Procter.

Mike, London,

I would bring in Douglas Jardine as Captain. Totally ruthless and willing to try anything within the rules to win. Total commitment.

Ian, Madison, USA

Out of the players I've actually watched since the 1980s, except for Sir Don Bradman, here is my World XI. I'm a 30 year old South African.

B Richards
S Tendulkar
D Bradman (Capt)
B Lara
G Pollock
A Gilchrist (w/k)
W Akram
R Hadlee
S Warne
D Lillee
G McGrath

Derek Wright, Durban, South Africa

One more list. All players I have actually seen live....
Gooch
Greenidge
Chappell I (captain)
Richards V
Waugh
Botham
Gilchrist (never saw him in Tests, but he had a season at Richmond CC approx 1990)
Marshall
Warne
Lillee
Holding

Martin Herrington, Brussels, Belgium

How about:
1. Gavaskar
2. Tendulkar (look at his opening record in ODIs)
3. Viv Richards
4. Don Bradman
5. B Lara (Surely a better batsman than Sobers)
6. R. Hadlee (3rd Seamer/allrounder)
7. A Gilchrist
8. S Warne (Captain)
9. D. Lillee (Raw Pace)
10. G. Macgrath (accuracy)
11. Murili

Rams, London, England

And to think I've left out Lara, Ponsford, Hammond, Trumper & Hadlee.

1. Barry Richards
2. Jack Hobbs
3. Don Bradman
4. Vivian Richards
5. Sachin Tendulkar
6. Gary Sobers
7. Adam Gilchrist
8. Shane Warne
9. Malcolm Marshall
10. S F Barnes
11. Dennis Lillee

with Bill O'Reilly as 12th man

James, Melbourne, Australia

I agree with most selections barring that of botham and Knott.I think Imran Khan was a far superior cricketer to botham and a good leader.My wicketkeeper would be adam gilchrist.
I agree with the captain being warne though Imran would run him close.

Arun, Wirral, UK

Gilchrist, Gilchrist, Gilchrist.

The most unselfish, electrifying player of the modern era.

Whiteline, Perth,

Of those I saw play (and with an eye on style as well as stats) . . .

Gooch
Lara
Richards (V)
Tendulkar
De Silva
Hadlee
Knott
Warne
Holding
Underwood
Ambrose

Carl Hooper, too, was a beautiful bat, but just didn't 'do it' enough on the big stage.

Mike Isaacson, Tel Aviv, Israel

I love lists like this.
Here's mine,but I could probably give 2 or 3 more equally strong.
No Murali,he's a really sweet man,but I think he's a chucker.
Sorry about that.

Bradman
Gavaskar
Richards
Border(capt.)
Sobers
Hadlee
Gilchrist
Warne
Marshall
Lillee
McGrath

BRIAN, NEWPORT, WALES

Agree with most of it, but would have Imran for Botham and Gilchrist for Knott:

1. B Richards
2. Gavaskar
3. Bradman (captain)
4. Sobers
5. V Richards
6. Gilchrist
7. Imran Khan
8. Warne
9. Lillee
10. Marshall
11. Muralitharan

Kunal, Bombay, India

Botham is the obvious weak link - he was good but nowhere near the best as the figures below demonstrate

Bat Ave Bowl Ave
Imran Khan 37.7 22.8
Keith Miller 37.0 23.0
Ian Botham 33.5 28.4

His bowling in particular was simply not world class.

M Harvey, London, U K

M Holding off his long run was without equal
Also if you are going to select Knott then at least consider Deadly Derek (they go together like bacon & egg) especially on a drying wicket
No fan of Boycott however you can argue Richards might have been a great opening batsmen whereas Boykes was

Paul Reed, Cincinnati, USA

the best should mean the very best
1 Grace [look at the man's record]
2 Hobbs
3 Bradman [ the best of the best]
4 Richards
5 Hammond [ sheer class]
6 Sobers [obvious]
7 Gilchrist [ changed his postion for ever]
8 Warne
9 Lillie
10 Marshall
11 Rodes [his record will never be broken]

david , san Diego, u s a

Hadlee was the best exponent of fast swing bowling. Imran Khan too was great and then there was this Waqar. There are too many greats to fit into a single team.

Anant , Mumbai, India

Best world XI team

Tendulkar.
Lara.
Gilchrist.
Jayasurya.
B.Lee.
Imran Khan.
sehwag.
Muralidharan.
Dhoni.
Bradman.
Wasim akram.

Mahantesh, Bangalore, India.

Greenidge and Haynes to open!
Tendulakar,
Richards,
Sobers
Gower
Botham
Sangakkara (wk) or Gilchrist
Marshall
Warne
Lillie

Peter Casie Chetty, Liverpool, United Kingdom

no team with the great SACHIN TENDULKAR. i do respect this team but would'nt go without SACHIN

ravi, salford, uk

No team can be World Best withoput " Tendulkar"

Bharat, Delhi, India

If I had to pick a side to play this one I would start with McGrath, Gilchrist and Hadlee. If the best umpires of all time were picked to umpire any game played Muralitharan would be no balled out of the game.

andrew, newcastle, australia

So the team I have from that conversation
1. Barry Richards
2. Sunil Gavaskar
3. Don Bradman
4. Vivian Richards
5. Sobers
6. Ian Botham
7. Alan Knott
8. Shane Warne
9. Malcolm Marshall
10. Richard Hadlee
11. Dennis Lillee

Is that correct ? Shame it has no place for Tendulkar

PG, Woking,

No Tendulkar??? You all crazy

joe shah, stanmore,

I can't believe how under-rated Hadlee is and how he never makes teams of this magnitude.

Here is a guy who singlehandedly kept New Zealand competitive against the very best nations of his day through sublime bowling and a number of great innings which set him apart from most other true openers.

David, Hamilton, New Zealand

Fools. Ever heard of Brian Lara?

john smith, new york, USA

And they didn't mention Greg Chappell. Gracefull beyond compare and a run machine - maybe not a starter but certainly has to be in the frame well ahead of Waugh and some others.

Bruce, Canberra, Australia

It is hard to pick an all time team of greats, though one without Tendulkar seems unfair to the great player.

Carlos, Barcelona, Spain

You guys must not mix players from different eras as they is no comparison. have two groups. One eleven from 1900 - 1965 and another group from the 1970s onwards. Cricket changed alot in the 70s and late 60s.

Would a world eleven from before 1965 measure up to one from the 70s. No way!!

Neil, London,

How about Richard Hadlee -- what a great all-rounder he was.
Do you agree?

Michael, Ealing, UK

Do not pick the best 11, pick rather 2 teams of 12 men each, that will be more justified. There are too many great great players to grace the game of cricket.

Presh Mulay, Bath, England

Gavaskar
Hobbs
(*)Bradman
Tendulkar
Richards
Sobers
(+)Gilchrist
Marshall
Warne
Lillee
Spofforth

Chetan, London, UK

I assume the Don has already been inked in. I would also think Grace and Viv Richards. Lillee was the best quick I saw for fear, but McGrath is his peer for technique. Ambrose and almost any other of six of the great Windies. Warne and Bedi for spinners. This may already be a XV.

Tom Perry, Singapore,