What would an International XI with April birthdays look like? The selectors had hard choices to make and talked long into the night - until Mrs FB appeared and told FB to stop talking to himself and get to bed like a normal person.
Here is FB's selection - in batting order
Mudassar Nasar - 6 April 1956 - 76 Tests - 4114 runs @ 38.09Not a bad side. Tendulkar to open might be a risk in the batting line-up but he does it effectively in limited over formats. The selectors have gone for a 4 bowler attack. If a second spinner is needed then there is a choice - John Bracewell (16 April 1958) or Bapu Nadkarni 4 April 1933) could do a job - Flower would take over the gloves from Healy. Dejected players missing selection include Salim Malik, JP Duminy and Umar Gul. FB is working with them using his management skills honed through consoling junior Carlton members when they are asked to drop down the order of the All Star Fourth XI to accommodate a more geriatric player who has a dinner engagement to rush off to.
Sachin Tendulkar -24 April 1973 - 188 Tests - 15470 runs @ 55.44
Dilip Vengsarkar - 6 April 1956 - 116 Tests - 6868 runs @ 42.13
Michael Clarke - 2 April 1981 - 80 Tests - 5909 runs @ 49.65
Andy Flower - 28 April 1968 - 63 Tests - 4794 runs @ 51.54
Colin Bland - 5 April 1938 - 21 Tests - 1669 runs @ 49.08
Ian Healy - 30 April 1964 - 119 Tests - 4356 runs @ 27.56; 395 dismissals
Malcolm Marshall - 18 April 1958 - 81 Tests - 376 wickets @ 20.94
Craig McDermott - 13 April 1965 - 71 Tests - 291 wickets @ 28.63
Jason Gillespie - 19 April 1975 - 71 tests - 259 wickets @ 26.13
Muttiah Muralitharan - 17 April 1972 - 133 Tests - 800 wickets @ 22.72
Coach to the team would be John Buchanan (5 April 1953).
Umpires for the match would be Dickie Bird (19 April 1933) and Ken Palmer (21 April 1937) with the third umpire being Venkat (21 April 1946).
Should be a great game! When is Grange Loan available?
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