Bradman's dream team

MELBOURNE, AUG. 13. Don Bradman rated Dennis Lillee as the best paceman of the 20th century, author Roland Perry said on Monday as he launched a new book published in Australia entitled ``Bradman's best.''

Bradman, who died in February at the age of 92, named a ``dream team'' in Perry's book, selected from all cricket- playing nations since the first Test was played in 1877, the author said.

Bradman selected himself at three followed by India's Sachin Tendulkar at four. Australia's Arthur Morris and South Africa's Barry Richards were the openers.

West Indies all-rounder Gary Sobers and Australia's wicketkeeper under Bradman's captaincy in the 1948 Ashes series, Don Tallon, were at five and six followed by five bowlers including two spinners.

The bowling attack included Australia's Ray Lindwall and Lillee, England's Alec Bedser and Australia's spin duo Bill O'Reilly and Clarrie Grimmett.

Seven Australians were named in the eleven with one South African, one Indian, one Englishman and one West Indian.

England great Walter Hammond, boasting a Test average of 58.45 in 85 matches, was named as 12th man.

Bradman, whose 1948 Ashes-winning team became known as ``the invincibles'' is considered the greatest batsman to have played the game, averaging 99.94 in 52 Tests.

``...Shortly before his death, Bradman did reveal his (team) selection - and his reasons for his choice - to Roland Perry, his biographer and a man he trusted implicitly,'' book publishers Random House said in a prepared statement.

Bradman said in the book that Lillee had a superb leg- cutter and had taught West Indies paceman Malcolm Marshall how to bowl it.

``...Lillee was capable of the most devastation, at least from what I saw, against the best batsmen in the world,'' Bradman said.

Bradman had recalled that Lillee was formidable in taking eight wickets for 29 for Australia against a Rest of the World XI in Perth in December, 1971.

``The sheer pace he generated opened up weaknesses you wouldn't normally see in such good techniques as on display in the World XI,'' Bradman said.

Wisden named Bradman, Sobers, England's Jack Hobbs, Australia's Shane Warne and former West Indies captain Viv Richards as the five cricketers of the 20th century in April last year.

In a news release promoting the book, Perry listed Bradman's view of Lillee. ``Bradman judged Lillee as the best paceman of the 20th century. There was no-one quicker or more dangerous in his tearaway early years. When he came back after a broken back, Lillee developed into a master craftsman of pace bowling.''

The team: Arthur Morris (Australia), Barry Richards (South Africa), Don Bradman (Australia), Sachin Tendulkar (India), Gary Sobers (West Indies), Don Tallon (wicketkeeper), Ray Lindwall and Dennis Lillee (all Australia), Alec Bedser (England), Bill O'Reilly and Clarrie Grimmett (both Australia); 12th man: Walter Hammond (England). - Reuters

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