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IMHO it's bowlers that win matches and with that top order runs shouldn't be an issue. I'd swop Botham for Hadlee and maybe Russell for Gilcrist on the reasoning that this set of bowlers will give plenty of chances so that one missed chance won't be too much of an issue.
can't disagree too much with the others, might be able to make a case for Tendulkar over Chappell

If we are talking purely about wicket-keeping, I would have to go for Bob Taylor. He made it almost an art form.
Alan Knott only kept him out of the side for so long just because he was a better batsman.

You've proved the one point I agree with-You can't compare players from eras

Just to mention a few,

Travel by boat vs plane
Amateur game of honour vs professionalism
6/8 ball overs
uncovered pitches
quality opposition

No wicketkeeper is the best-they are outstanding IMHO
Unlike a batsmen or a bowler you can't have a bad day
which is why i still view South Aussie Wayne Phillips who used to keep & open the batting as Hercules.The Concentration levels needed for that are mind boggling

The fact that they are the heart and sole of the team should never be underestimated....tallon,knott,marsh,taylor,healey,gilchrist etc are a breed apart

Nobodies mentioned Jeff Dujon and yet he with Gus Logie basically propped up that awesome West Indies batting line-up at its peak when it failed time & time again

cheers
B....OZ

As for wicketkeepers then compare Alec Stewart to Steve Phillips.

In one series Stewart opened the batting, kept wicket and was captain.

Probably the ultimate competitor

Everyone else falling apart and he just plodded along performing

cheers
B....OZ

Yep and did it until he was nearly 40 as well.

The punishment that a wicketkeeper puts his legs through on a daily basis doing what amounts to 540 squats in the field for a day.

I think I remember Ian Healy saying that he retired so he could have some quality of life afterwards as his knees and fingers were fucked from playing cricket for 15 years.

eduardo wrote:

........... doing what amounts to 540 squats in the field for a
> day.


Now that is punishing!.

Mike Procter might have been with more tests record 7 tests, all against the Aussies batting average 25, 41wkts at average of 15.02, great fielder then the South Africa apardheid ban

I remember watching Proctor play as a kid when he came down to Somerset with the Gloucester scum........sorry I meant team.

He bowled off the wrong foot if my memory is correct.