Chris Woakes Picks His All-Time XI

In the recent times, it has been a trend as cricketers went on to name their all-time XI. Moreover, several cricketers have updated their all-time XI. Now, it was time for the English bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes to name his all-time XI.

The team is comprised of some of the stalwarts of the game who on their day were the best in business. Only England opener Alastair Cook from the current crop of players was included in the XI as a batsman.

Woakes has opened with Cook and Australian veteran Mathew Hayden. Cook has achieved immense success especially in the longest format of the game. He has been a chief architect with the bat for England and his record is a sheer testimony to what he has done for the Three Lions.

The southpaw Hayden is another legendary name in his order. He used to torment bowling attacks on his day and had the ability to score very quickly.

The strong batting order:

The number three position has been given to Ricky Ponting, the former Australian World-Cup winning skipper on two occasions. He was also one of the greatest batsmen of his generation.

The number four spot is occupied by none other than Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Arguably the greatest batsman of all time, he has smashed all the records possible in international cricket. He holds the record of most runs and most centuries in both Test and ODI cricket.

Ian Bell, the former English batsman has been given the fifth spot. He was a good mate of Woakes. Bell was a classy player in the longest format and had a good record to his name.

The all-rounder of the team will be Jacques Kallis. There was hardly any doubt about the fact that Kallis was the greatest all-rounder of his generation.

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The wicket-keeping slot will be hander over to Kiwis Brendon McCullum. He was one of the feared batsmen of his time and was safe as a house behind the stumps. He was also one of the best skippers of the New Zealand team.

McCullum remains the only Kiwis skipper to lead the team to the final of a 50-over World Cup.

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The bowling attack:

Also, ace off-spinner Graeme Swann has been selected as the lone spinner in the XI. He was a class act during his relatively brief career for England. He was a classical off-spinner and had a great time in English conditions.

The pace attack will be led by legendary Glenn McGrath. The former Aussie is considered one of the greatest swing bowlers of all time. But he was never an express bowler but one of the greats with the ball in his hand.

The English fast bowling duo of Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson will occupy the other two spots. The pair has hunted well and will play a vital role for the English team in the Test series against India starting from 1^st August at Edgbaston.

While Anderson is the leading wicket-taker for England in the longest format, Broad also boasts of a great record, especially in Tests.

Here is the list of all-time XI picked by Chris Woakes:

Alastair Cook, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Ian Bell, Jacques Kallis, Brendon McCullum, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Glenn McGrath, and James Anderson.