Team of the 2010s

The votes have been cast and tallied and the Bears’ Team of the 2010s has been decided. 

The Team

It is a powerful team with a strong batting line-up and six versatile frontline bowling options.

The right/left hand opening pairing of Tom Jagot and Daniel Hughes would be a nightmare for opposition attacks. Get through them and run-machines Justin Avendano and Adam Crosthwaite await at numbers 3 and 4. All-rounders Scott Rodgie, Rob Aitken, Jay Lenton and Glenn Aitken provide flexibility through the middle order and would ensure the run rate keeps rattling along. 400-run days would be the norm given that 3 of the top 7 have strike rates north of 75 in the decade (excluding T20s) with all the top nine boasting strike rates over 55.

Skipper Glenn Aitken has a wide array of bowling options to choose from. The new ball could go to the two tearaways-turned-technicians Jimmy Campbell and Nic Bills, or the slingy pace and movement of Matt Alexander. Scott Rodgie would provide movement off the pitch with his heavy seamers and the contrasting spin options of Glenn’s traditional offspin and Rob’s inimitable bag of tricks would challenge any opposition line-up.

Jay Lenton provides class with the gloves behind the stumps and the fight for spots in the slips cordon would be fierce.

Click here for the full shortlist of players and brief bios.

The Voting

Votes were spread, however Justin Avendano proved the most popular inclusion with 96% of voters including him in their side. Rob Aitken, Adam Crosthwaite, James Campbell, Daniel Hughes, Jay Lenton, Nic Bills and Tom Jagot all featured in over 75% of the voted sides as well. Jaik Mickleburgh and James Aitken were unlucky to miss out on the final XI given their fine performances for the Bears and their inclusion in over 40% of the voted sides.

The voting for captain was incredibly tight with five players receiving 10% or more of the vote. Ultimately Glenn Aitken won the nod for his tactical nous and uncompromising leadership.

Thanks

A huge thanks to all those who voted (particularly for the team of 11 Nic Bills – an interesting thought experiment). Thanks also go to all the photographers for their images (Tony Johnson, Malcolm Trees, Ian Bird and David James), to Sarah Berman for her tireless work managing this campaign and to Andrew Kellaher and Pat Lindsay for tallying the votes and assembling them into a team.