Batting Averages
	M	I	NO	Runs	Balls	StRate	HS	Avge	100/50
Bradman	5	5	1	287	344	83.4	102	71.75	1/2
Hammond	5	5	2	259	299	86.6	98	86.33	0/3
Richards	5	5	0	247	294	84.0	117	49.40	1/1
Lara	5	5	1	215	274	78.5	70	53.75	0/2
Greenidge	5	5	0	203	292	69.5	105	40.60	1/1
Walcott	5	5	1	171	168	101.8	65	42.75	0/2
Hobbs	5	5	0	140	186	75.3	79	28.00	0/1
Tendulkar	5	5	0	134	182	73.6	41	26.80
Pollock	5	5	0	113	152	74.3	48	22.60
Bevan	5	5	1	111	146	76.0	60	27.75	0/1
Headley	5	5	0	95	164	57.9	31	19.00
Sobers	5	5	1	93	138	67.4	49	23.25

Bowling Averages
	0	M	R	W	Avge	RPO	BB
Lindwall	43.1	1	200	10	20.00	4.64	4-51
Barnes S.F.	45.5	3	226	10	22.60	4.97	4-41
Warne	50	2	240	9	26.67	4.80	5-44
Verity	46	3	202	6	33.67	4.39	3-40
Sobers	49	1	247	6	41.17	5.04	3-48
Wasim Akram	44.1	1	266	6	44.33	5.99	2-55
Hadlee R.J	50	3	227	5	45.40	4.54	2-51
Davidson	49	1	239	4	59.75	4.88	2-54
Garner	46	4	212	3	70.67	4.61	3-53
Miller	45	4	222	3	74.00	4.93	1-38

A Statistical summary.

1. As expected, Bradman scored the most runs, followed by Hammond and Richards.
2. Slightly less expected, Hammond had the best average, followed by Bradman and Lara.
3. Walcott had the only strike rate exceeding 100.
4. Lindwall and S.F.Barnes took 10 wickets each. Lindwall had the best average.
5. Verity was the most accurate bowler, while Wasim Akram the most expensive.

The scores have fallen into a window between 210 and 275. This is primarily because the two teams are so well matched that they do not get out for low scores or allow the other team to get into the big scores. The fact also is that the matches were played on the sporting wickets and not the bowler's graveyards in the sub-continent.

The best batting performance was probably Bradman's 95 not out in the deciding match, followed by Richards' century, albeit in a losing match. The best bowling performance was Warne's match winning bowling spell of 5 for 44, followed by Lindwall's 4 for 41. The bowlers were not as accurate as their figures would suggest. However, the quality of batting is so high that this is bound to happen. It is true, but amazing that Tendulkar and Walcott are the two batsmen with the lowest Batting Indices in their respective teams.

The standout, defining moment of the series. When Warne took the wickets of Headley and Pollock in a single over, followed soon after the wicket of Bradman. Even the Gods would have stood up and applauded.

On the selection.

Surprisingly, no one commented on this aspect. Looking back, it was a mistake not to have selected 14 players. Part of the simulation game is the need to select the right players. I am quite certain that if I was able to play O'Reilly instead of Verity in the second match at Sydney, the Vintage XI might have won the match. Instead, Lara and Bevan were allowed to develop a match-winning partnership. Also I would have liked to have played Jessop or Muralitharan in a match or two.

The three I would have added to the Vintage team would have been O'Reilly, Trueman and Jessop. To the Modern XI, Muralitharan, Imran Khan and Jones.

On the simulation strategies.

A conscious decision was taken to play Bradman in an anchor role instead of playing him in a more attacking role. This was responsible for his major contributions to the two wins (102 in 124, 95 in 107) and not insignificant contribution to the other win (58 in 78). This was a strategy, which worked. On the other hand, Verity was bowled defensively during the Lara-Bevan partnership. This might have been a mistake. Similarly, I did not go all-out and take the wicket during the last wicket stand between Warne and Garner. A possible mistake. On the other side, I tried to attack with Tendulkar. Did not work well, especially because of the quality of the opposition. Attacking with Richards and Lara, however, worked well.

The result.

Most of the correspondents had predicted a 3-2 result, mostly for the Moderns. One correspondent had correctly predicted 3-2, but refused to select a team. My feeling is that the higher indices of the Vintage XI finally proved critical. Not to remember, a great player by name Sir Donald Bradman. He contributed 255 (of the 287 scored by him), in the three matches won by the Vintage XI. Q.E.D.

The man of the series, was, undoubtedly, Bradman, closely followed by Lindwall and Hammond.

Conclusion.

A pleasure it was indeed. Some of the correspondents opined that it was a waste of time selecting fantasy teams. It is certainly not so, if one follows with a simulation. Re-live one's fantasies, if one can.

Note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author in his individual capacity and do not reflect those of any other individual or any organization.

Match 1
Match 2
Match 3
Match 4
Statistical Summary

A series for Gods - part 1

A series for Gods - part 2

Ananth Narayanan

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