Your World Test XI for all conditions as of December 2016

[Zinzan]

All this recent discussion in the tour threads, along with the multiple Kohli/The Fab 4/KW average threads etc etc.

Let's see everyone's current Test XI's assuming you're picking for a perfect Test pitch, that's conducive to all types of bowling. i.e. Good for pace, swing & seam & good for spin later on.

Assume you're picking picking 3 pace bowlers, an allrounder & perhaps 2 spinners, but you decide.

 

[Zinzan]

Let's also assume those current injured players like Steyn and AB are all fit to play, even if you decide recent form might count against them.

 

[mr_mister]

Have to include all 4 of the big four honestly, order could easily change

De Kock +
Warner
KW
Smith
Root
Kohli *
Ashwin
Philander
Starc
Broad
Steyn

 

[Zinzan]

Have to include all 4 of the big four honestly, order could easily change

De Kock +
Warner
KW
Smith
Root
Kohli *
Ashwin
Philander
Starc
Broad
Steyn

Some interesting calls, especially leaving out Cook for de Kock, but lots to like about that XI and agree Kohli has to be skipper currently.

 

[mr_mister]

I'd have Kraig Braithwaite in over Cook atm :P

 

[OverratedSanity]

Stokes in for Philander?

 

[Shri]

Vijay
Cook
Williamson
Kohli
Smith
Root
De Kock
Ashwin
Starc
Steyn
Rabada

 

[ImpatientLime]

cook's performances in the past few years have been ok, nothing more. not sure he's a lock here anymore.

 

[harsh.ag]

Vijay
Warner/KW
Root
Kohli
Smith
Stokes
QdK +
Ashwin
Broad
Starc
Steyn/Rabada

 

[mr_mister]

Maybe Amir with some players who can catch is suddenly worth more value in this discussion as well

 

[Daemon]

Chandrika
Guptill
Duckett
Ballance
van Zyl
Nevill +
Ansari
Tiripano
Bracewell
Mennie
Kamrul Islam

 

[Julian87]

I don't really think it's above board to pick a bloke scoring his runs at 7 to open in this side because he does so against the white ball.

 

[Zinzan]

Vijay
Warner/KW
Root
Kohli
Smith
Stokes
QdK +
Ashwin
Broad
Starc
Steyn/Rabada

Mine...


Warner
Vijay
Root
Smith
Kohli*
QDK+
Ashwin
Philander
Steyn
Herath
Anderson

Unlucky to miss out;

Cook - Probably past his best and Warner and Vijay deserve their spots

Stokes - Would probably play him ahead of Ashwin on a non-SC track, but I did make the conditions to suit 2 spinners.

Jajeda/Shah - both unlucky in the spin department and next cabs off the ranks.

KW - you can't make him a manufactured opener ahead of Warner & Vijay IMO, & and having QDK keeping and batting at 6 gives me so many bowling options.

Broad/Starc/Rabada/Hazelwood/Boult/Abbott/ Woakes//Wagner, take your pick as back-up pacers, all been very good in the last couple of years.

I really should have just done a 2nd XI as well. I might shortly.

 

[Zinzan]

I don't really think it's above board to pick a bloke scoring his runs at 7 to open in this side because he does so against the white ball.

I agree, although he did really well against NZ when forced to open at the last minute on a seaming deck recently, but I have him at 6, which is a real luxury and you don't lose any batting.

 

[Zinzan]

Mine...


Warner
Vijay
Root
Smith
Kohli*
QDK+
Ashwin
Philander
Steyn
Herath
Anderson

My 2nd XI

Cook*
Braithwaite
Williamson
Rahane
Stokes
Bairstow+
Jadeja
Broad
Rabada
Shah
Hazelwood

Starc, Woakes, Wagner & Boult unlucky

 

[vic_orthdox]

1. Cook
2. Warner
3. Williamson
4. Root
5. Kohli
6. Smith
7. De Kock+
8. Ashwin
9. Starc
10. Broad
11. Rabada

 

[Spikey]

I don't really think it's above board to pick a bloke scoring his runs at 7 to open in this side because he does so against the white ball.

i think it's in the laws that any world xi has to have a weird opener

 

[Gnske]

Warner
Vijay
Williamson
Smith
Root
Stokes
de Kock
Ashwin
Starc
Rabada
Anderson

Starc edges out Philander for me based on who has feigned illness to escape the least amount of test matches.

 

[Zinzan]

Warner
Vijay
Williamson
Smith
Root
Stokes
de Kock
Ashwin
Starc
Rabada
Anderson

Starc edges out Philander for me based on who has feigned illness to escape the least amount of test matches.

Good side even though the pitch was to suit 3 seamers & two spinners you rebel you.

 

[Gnske]

Smith's disgusting full tosses and Kane's chucks more than fill the void of a 2nd spinner.