Lara isn't overrated - he's just not as young as he used to be. Border's greatness didn't stop Australia losing lots of games when we had a poor team through the eighties - it doesn't detract from his calibre.
I don't want to bring down a heap of abuse on a player I like, but how is Brett Lee overrated? He's expensive, but he takes wickets. I'd say his profile outstrips that of better, but less enjoyable to watch players - but that doesn't equate to an overestimation of his capabilities. Since getting a long overdue call-back to the test team in England, he's been the heart and soul, along with Warne, of the Aussie bowling attack - yet the very fact that it took so long for him to be recalled indicates he's underrated, not overrated. I expect to have his average thrown in my face - but talk about his strike rate instead, esp. in ODIs, but increasingly in tests. Lee gets attention because he's flamboyant on field, bowls v. quick, and hits the stumps a lot. But nobody says he's as good as McGrath, or Ambrose, etc.
How to you compile a 'over-rated XI' and not have Shoaib Akhtar? At least Lee has some heart. Shoaib is the most overrated bowler in world cricket - why was he in the World XI? when he has a good day he's devestating - but for that to happen the planets need to align, the tides have to be just right, and most importantly, he needs to feel like it. Needless to say, that doesn't happen often.
