World Test XI of the last 15 years

Being a South African who was very young when we got readmitted into international sport, anything before that is a big blur to me, and indeed the first year or two aren’t that clear in my memory either. So when I sit back and think of the world greats, I can only really talk with any form of authority on the last 15 years.

And that is where I start this article. It has always been a hobby of mine to sit back and imagine all the greats playing together in their prime. Lara and Tendulkar showing no mercy carving the attack all over the park. McGrath and Pollock limiting teams to 15/2 after the first 10 overs of a One Day game. But of course this is no fun when I am on my own. So I am writing this article, picking my team and giving my arguments for selections and omissions.

After a lot of rambling, my World Test XI of the last 15 years:

Firstly you have to look at the make up of the team. Keeper batsman goes without saying. Three dedicated bowlers, one of whom is a spinner. Two all rounders and 5 batsmen is the approach I have gone for.

Openers

Close but no cigar:

Martin Crowe – New Zealand opener was a fantastic player but never a “end the game as a contest on the first day” kind of player

Saneth Jayasuriya – Definitely can win a game but his style is better suited to the One Day version.

Selected:

1. Sachin Tendulkar – The Little Maestro is I think one of the few players who will make absolutely everyone’s team so his selection needs no explanation.

2. Matthew Hayden – The big Australian was for years the epitome of batting at the beginning of an innings. An absolute rock in difficult conditions, he also possesses the ability to score very quickly without looking in trouble. His solid approach is the perfect foil to Tendulkar.

Top Order

Close but no cigar:

Kumar Sangakkara – The Sri Lankan is a fantastic batsman who adds the benefit of getting the keeper/ batsman role in early, allowing an additional batsmen or all-rounder. But the class of players in this area of the team meant I couldn’t fit him in.

Shivnarene Chanderpaul – The little West Indian is a master but his slow strike rate was a major reason for me leaving him out.

Mohammed Youssef – An incredibly difficult player to leave out but the players selected all seem to bring something beyond just their undeniable batting talent, which is where I felt they came in ahead of him.

Selected:

3. Brian Lara – I found it impossible to leave the man who almost single handedly carried the West Indian batting line up so often out. World record scores sealed his selection.

4. Ricky Ponting – The Australian captain will also be my captain due to his vision. His ability to dig his team out of trouble or really turn the screws when on top with equal ease makes him absolutely devastating.

5. Jacques Kallis – The South African not only offers one of the most reliable batsman in the world but also a 5^thbowler. This combination of abilities added to his fantastic ability in the slips makes Kallis impossible to leave out.

Middle Order

Close but no cigar:

Steve Waugh – The gritty former Australian captain was a talented batsman but what really made him stand out was his captaincy. But for Ponting, that ability would have got him selected on its own. But the superior batting talent of others keeps him out.

Inzamam ul Haq – One of Pakistan’s greatest batsmen of all time, ul Haq would almost certainly be picked should this World XI require opponents. But the keeper and all rounder requirements from the middle order means no place can be found for him.

Mark Boucher – Worth putting your house on behind the stumps, the world record holding keeper is no mug with the bat but not quite as good as my keeper selected.

Selected:

6. Rahul Dravid – Not strictly a middle order batsman but a player I just could not bring myself to leave out. Between himself, Ponting and Kallis you have the three best test batsmen of the past 10 years.

7. Adam Gilchrist – Australian record breaking keeper gets the nod ahead of Mark Boucher only due to his dynamic style and his undeniable match winning ability. Fantastic with the gloves goes without saying.

8. Shaun Pollock – The tall ginger South African would have a strong claim for this team on the strength of his bowling alone but his batting has the ability to be Pro20 winning explosive or test match saving watchful. This versatility makes Pollock the best all rounder of the last 15 years.

Bowlers

Close but no cigar:

Glenn McGrath – Australian paceman’s control infuriated batsmen into errors, and if that didn’t work his away swing would get them. But with Pollock in the team, the other bowlers I need to be “in your face” wicket takers

Muttiah Muralitharan – The world record test wicket taker has bowling ability that is never in question but it is his batting that keeps him out of the team.

Selected:

9. Shane Warne – Australia’s greatest ever spinner has proved himself to be devastating on almost any pitch all over the world. On top of that his ability to get into a batsmen’s head (Anyone remember Darryl Cullinan) and his batting that almost warrants him an all rounder means he gets the nod ahead of Murali.

10. Allan Donald – White Lightning gets his place in this team as the all out quick ahead of a lot of other great players purely due to his heart and that I feel e was more of a thinking cricketer than a lot of other fast bowlers. This pick I am sure will be contentious...

11. Wasim Akram – I picked Akram ahead of McGrath only for his amazing control and ability in reverse swing the ball.

That is my team, the test team I would travel anywhere in the world and pay any ticket price to see.

What I really look forward to here is comments from people, reminding me of players who I completely forgot about or completely contradicting my arguments with stats or just personal opinion.