The post-War world Test XI, according to the ICC rankings
The ICC Test rankings have been a benchmark for measuring a cricketer’s performance since the introduction of the system in 2003. While the rankings have undergone changes over the years, they provide a comprehensive view of a player’s achievements in Test cricket. In this article, we will form a Test XI comprising the highest-rated players since World War II, excluding stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis. The XI will feature six Australian players, one Englishman, one Pakistani, one South African, one West Indian, and one Sri Lankan. Interestingly, two active cricketers, Cummins and Smith, make the cut.
Openers:
The opening pair consists of two Australian batsmen, with Matthew Hayden (average: 50.73, rating: 936) and Simon Katich (average: 35.92, rating: 855) forming a formidable partnership. Hayden, a destructive opener, holds the record for the fastest century in Test cricket, while Katich was a reliable and hard-hitting opener.
Top-order batsmen:
The next three batsmen in the XI are all Australian. Justin Langer (average: 45.27, rating: 864) and Mark Waugh (average: 41.82, rating: 845) provide a strong middle-order, with their ability to play both defensively and aggressively. Ricky Ponting (average: 51.85, rating: 947) is one of the most successful Australian batsmen, with 13,378 runs at an average of over 50.
Middle-order batsmen:
The Pakistani batsman, Younis Khan (average: 52.05, rating: 921), joins the XI, with his incredible record in Asia and his ability to play both defensively and aggressively. AB de Villiers (average: 50.66, rating: 935) from South Africa brings his incredible all-round skills to the table, with a batting average of over 50 and a strike rate of over 100.
All-rounders:
The West Indian all-rounder, Ian Botham (average: 33.54, rating: 833), is an iconic figure in cricket, with his incredible all-round skills and match-winning performances. He is joined by the Sri Lankan all-rounder, Angelo Mathews (average: 42.28, rating: 864), who has consistently performed for Sri Lanka as a batsman and bowler.
Wicket-keeper batsman:
The English wicket-keeper, Alan Knott (average: 46.95, rating: 840), is one of the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen in cricket history, with his incredible glovework and batting skills. He is joined by the Australian wicket-keeper, Adam Gilchrist (average: 47.63, rating: 865), who is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicket-keepers of all time.
Bowlers:
The Australian fast bowler, Mitchell Johnson (average: 23.58, rating: 923), is one of the most feared fast bowlers in cricket history, with his incredible speed and ability to take wickets on any surface. He is joined by the Pakistani fast bowler, Wasim Akram (average: 23.62, rating: 931), who is one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, with his incredible ability to swing the ball and take wickets.
Spinners:
The Australian leg-spinner, Shane Warne (average: 25.41, rating: 946), is widely regarded as one of the greatest spinners of all time, with his incredible variety and ability to take wickets on any surface. He is joined by the South African off-spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan (average: 22.72, rating: 922), who is one of the greatest spinners in cricket history, with his incredible ability to take wickets and control the game.
Active players:
The two active cricketers in the XI are the Australian fast bowler, Pat Cummins (average: 21.78, rating: 911), and the Australian batsman, Steve Smith (average: 59.69, rating: 931). Cummins is one of the most feared fast bowlers in cricket, with his incredible ability to take wickets and control the game. Smith is one of the most successful Australian batsmen, with his incredible record in Test cricket.
Conclusion:
The post-War world Test XI, according to the ICC rankings, is an incredible team that features some of the greatest cricketers in history. The team has a great balance of batting, bowling, and all-round skills, with six Australian players, one Englishman, one Pakistani, one South African, one West Indian, and one Sri Lankan. Cummins and Smith are the only active cricketers in the XI, highlighting their incredible achievements in Test cricket.
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