ESPN Cricinfo Releases Best Test XI of the Last 25 Years

The ESPN Cricinfo released the Best Test XI in the last 25 years according to their jury.

The list includes most significant names in the international circuit. However, several greats missed out by a whisker. Twenty-five years is a full generation. There were certain greats like Dravid, AB de Villiers, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh who didn’t get pick in the XI. Even current stars like Dale Steyn or a Steven Smith got overlooked.

However, there is no denying the fact that the team chosen by ESPN Cricinfo can challenge any best XI of any cricketing era. The team consists of some formidable batsmen, two of the greatest spinners of all times and some exceptional fast bowlers.

As many as five Australians feature in the XI given the fact that they were the undisputed champions of the era. There are a couple of Indians in the XI while a West Indian, a South African, a Pakistani and a Sri Lankan makes up the XI.

The team will be captained by a man who had never led his country in the Test arena. He is none other than the spin-wizard, Shane Warne.

The opening duty has been handed over to a couple of swashbuckling batsmen at the top of the order. What more can you expect when you have a pair of Matthew Hayden and Virender Sehwag to take on the opposition bowlers? Both Hayden and Sehwag intimidated their oppositions with their sensational strokeplay.

Sehwag redefined opening batting in Test cricket while Hayden was a champion batsman for Australia during his heydays.

Former Aussie captain, Ricky Ponting will occupy the 3^rd spot. He was one of the finest batsmen of his generation, and there is no doubt about the fact that he makes the cut.

There won’t be any places for grabs when it comes to the No 4 spot. It cannot be taken by any batsman other than the great, Sachin Tendulkar. He was arguably the greatest batsman of all time, and his records are a sheer proof of his credentials.

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Brian Lara and all-rounder, Jacques Kallis will occupy the 5^th and the 6^th spot, respectively.

Lara could play the long innings and smashed a couple of triple centuries during his career. He also holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket with a 400* against England.

Kallis, on the other hand, is arguably the greatest all-rounder of his generation. He has a sensational record, as an all-rounder. Kallis can make the XI as a batsman alone.

Adam Gilchrist will handle the wicket-keeping duties. The southpaw is the greatest wicket-keeper batsman of all time. He was one of the safest behind the stumps, and there was no doubt that he would make the cut.

The bowling department will be led by former Pakistan speedster Wasim Akram. He was arguably the greatest left-arm pacer of all time.

Glenn McGrath will be another pacer in the squad. The former Aussie despite not bowling fast used to maintain a terrific line and length which gave him success for nearly one and a half decade. Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan without a doubt are the two spinners in the playing XI.

They are arguably the two best spinners of all time and makes the cut. Warne being a leg-spinner was a more classical one, while Murali had several issues with action in the past.

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