The International Cricket Council (ICC) organized a tournament back in 2005 which was known as ICC Super Series. The aim was to build World XI teams for both Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket. The Australians became too dominant in the world of cricket back then and were a team to beat. World XIs were made by selecting the best out of the Non Australian lot and the tournament took place in Australia. However, the tournament turned out to be too one sided and Australian emerged as the winners.
We might not have a side as strong as the Australian side of the 2000s in World Cricket right now, but we can surely make a current World XI of the longest format of the game. We will be keeping in mind the performances of the players in the last two years (2018-2020) plus their adaptability in any part of the world. Our main aim will be to select a side which can win games in any part of the world, knowing the fact that home teams are too strong these days. We will be selecting a playing eleven with a strong bench of four players.
1. Tom Latham
Tom Latham had to be one of the openers in this World XI. He averages above 50 in the last two years, while playing 30 innings. With 5 centuries during this period, converting a couple of them into big ones, Latham can provide us with stability at front. He has even shown his ability to bat in the subcontinent wherein he had a good series in Sri Lanka in 2019. He has a decent record in West Indies and England as well.
Innings: 92 Runs: 3726 Average: 42.34 100s: 11 50s: 18
2. David Warner
There were a lot of options for the second opening spot. There were thoughts like whether we should have a right hand - left hand combination, or we should look for someone who had an incredible record last year but hasn't played too many games in his career. Mayank Agarwal was looking as a decent option but he is too young in International Cricket. He hasn’t played a game in England and South Africa thus missing the eleven by whiskers.
David Warner was suspended for 12 months because of the sandpaper incident back in 2018. He had a tough comeback in the Ashes wherein he only scored 95 in ten innings. But the David Warner we have seen after the Ashes has been a very different one. He had an excellent series against New Zealand and Pakistan where he even scored his career best 335*. His experience can really help our team to go forward.
Innings: 155 Runs: 7244 Average: 48.95 100s: 24 50s: 30
3. Kane Williamson
The cool and calm Kane Williamson has been one of the best batsmen across all formats in the previous decade. He has been phenomenal in the last two years and averages above 57 in the same. He has the ability to play in any part of the world and can act as an anchor of your batting lineup!
Innings: 140 Runs: 6476 Average: 50.99 100s: 21 50s: 32
4. Steve Smith
Can we have a current best Test XI without Steve Smith? Steve Smith is a strong and passionate batsman who can get your scoreboard ticking, anytime anywhere. He was suspended for a year for the sandpaper incident. However, his return in the game has been a remarkable one. He had a great Ashes series and was one of the main reasons why Australia retained the prestigious trophy. Having started the game as a leg spinner, today he averages above 62 in Test Cricket which is extraordinary.
Innings: 131 Runs: 7227 Average: 62.84 100s: 26 50s: 29
5. Virat Kohli (c)
The Indian Captain loves to learn from his mistakes and try to improve upon them. This not only makes him a better batsman but helps him to get going even after a bad series. Virat Kohli is the finest batsman in modern cricket. He averages above 50 in all three formats. Considering the fact that India has played away to Australia and England, Kohli's performance in the last two years has been an excellent one. He has even showed more responsibility as the captain of Indian Cricket Team.
Innings: 145 Runs: 7240 Average: 53.63 100s: 27 50s: 22
6. Ben Stokes
No one can ever doubt Ben Stokes abilities after his performances in the World Cup Final and in an Ashes game. Stokes can win you games with both bat and ball. His fielding ability makes him a complete all rounder. His batting average was 45 in 2019 and even took 22 wickets in the same. A player like Stokes is what teams love to have in.
Innings: 115 Runs: 4056 Average: 36.54 Wickets: 147
7. BJ Watling (wk)
For the wicket keeping spot, Watling wins the race ahead of De Kock and Bairstow. Watling had a good series in Sri Lanka and had a great 2019 with bat. He has been involved in more than 250+ dismissals which show his good wicket keeping skills. His knock of 205 against England last year, was under pressure and definitely one of the best by a wicket keeper in test cricket.
Innings: 110 Runs: 3658 Average: 38.51 100s: 8 Catches: 241
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin has been one of the best spinners in recent times. Nathan Lyon too looked to be one of the favorites to be picked, but for me Ashwin is the spinner who finds a place. He has the ability to pick wickets all round the globe. He is a very good batsman too who could chip in with some important runs when needed. He even became the joint record holder of fastest to 350 wickets.
Matches: 71 Wickets: 365 Average: 25.43
9. Pat Cummins
Cummins has developed as one of the best pace bowlers in the last two years. He has the ability to swing the bowl and can be a nightmare for batsmen. With Starc and Rabada as the other two pacers in the lineup he can team up and can bowl out any opposition. He has taken more than 100 wickets in the last two years.
Matches: 30 Wickets: 143 Average: 21.83
10. Mitchell Starc
A left handed pacer was needed in the team and Starc looks to be the best of the lot. He has the pace and his swinging ability is well known. He has even shown some very good performance in the last two years by taking more than 70 wickets. He can be handy with bat too.
Matches: 57 Wickets: 244 Average: 26.98
11. Kagiso Rabada
South Africa has definitely not played their best cricket in the last few years but there has been one man who has impressed everyone. He had an excellent year in 2018 wherein he took 52 wickets. He averages below 23 in Test Cricket and has a strike rate of 40.
Matches: 43 Wickets: 197 Average: 22.96
I even have four players in my mind that might prove to be handy for the World Test XI. They go on to build a strong bench and can assist the team with their talent.
1. Joe Root
Innings: 169 Runs: 7599 Average: 48.09 100s: 17 50s: 48
2. Babar Azam
Innings: 48 Runs: 1850 Average: 45.12 100s: 5 50s: 13
3. Ravindra Jadeja
Innings: 71 Runs: 1869 Average: 35.26 Wickets: 213
4. Stuart Broad
Matches: 138 Wickets: 485 Average: 28.51
We will be delighted if you rate our team. You can comment, your current World Test XI! We will love to see that. You can also tell us if you want more from the Dream Team series in future. Keep Reading Openions!
- Kshitij
Rohit Sharma should be there! He is the best....
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to the longest format of the game then, Pujara should also be included. The temperament he holds in this format is always praiseworthy.
ReplyDelete