no that is wrong
Prior was a good bat, but a poor keeper (about Pant level).
Would genuinely not surprise me if he did a decent job of it tbh
Maybe we need to separate the 2000's debutants from the 2010's ..
Other than maybe Pant for Rizwan and Stokes for Jadeja on seamer friendly pitches this team kinda picks itself. Only other dilemma is the batting order. Kohli is better at 4, Root at 5, Smith did well at 3 so the temptation is to open with Williamson.
Root was actually originally an opener in his younger days pre England selection. Opened for a run of games with Cook too and was viewed as his long term partner and replacement. He didn't do as well opening so was sent back down to the middle order where he had been averaging 60+ at the time vs 40ish opening.
I rather squeeze Fab 4 in there than select Warner ..Root would average better than Warner outside Australia if he kept opening the batting for a long period.
Seems a perfect side. Cook and Smith both balanced and all conditions opener. Sehwag's problem is sadly, those 20 odd averages. If it was in 30s, it could have been a pass for an aggressive opener who is a game changer when clicks.
Watling for AB and Younis Khan for Root. Also there are question marks about Cook especially as he was poor against left armers.
Oh, the irony.
Should also include Rabada in the list for the best pacers. However, I would go for Steyn, Bumrah and Cummins as well in the team.
I mean, there are hardly much better alternatives.
