Best XI across all formats

Cricket is one of the few sports that has different formats in which the game is played. As a result, there is a need for different skill sets to be successful in those formats, but the best players find a way to transcend the format and continue to be successful everywhere.While some are pigeon-holed as just a Test or a T20 player, there are those, who have shown that irrespective of the format, they can produce the goods. Over a period of time, they have established themselves as the best in the business.Here is a list of such players, who have shown they are good in every format they play. Here is the Best XI across all formats consisting of 6 batsmen (including keeper), an all-rounder and four bowlers :

#1 David Warner

Warner is arguably the most destructive opener at the moment

When David Warner first started, he was nothing more than a T20 basher. When he was given the opportunity to open in Tests, many questioned whether he has the technique or the temperament to last the course in the longest format of the game.

A few years and plenty of records down the line, it is fair to say that Warner has established himself as one of the most destructive openers across all formats of the game. His ability to put the pressure back on the bowler is a valuable asset irrespective of the format.

So it is no surprise to see that he is the first pick in this side, which consists of players who have shown that formats aren't a hindrance to their ability to remain successful.

#2 Hashim Amla

Amla is one of only five batsmen to average over 50 in ODIs

The case of Hashim Amla is the exact opposite of David Warner. When he first broke into the South African side, many thought he would develop into a very good Test player, but few gave a second thought to his credentials in the shorter formats of the game.

After all, why would they? Amla had a classical technique, batted for time and made runs by grinding opponents out, how could he survive the grind of the modern limited-overs game with its fast pace and need to score quickly? How wrong they all were as Amla continues to break records aplenty in the shorter formats.

He is currently the fastest to 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 ODI runs and is likely to break a few more records before he calls it a day. They say don't judge a book by its cover and in Amla's case, that is certainly true.

#3 Kane Williamson

Williamson has shown change isn't always necessary

If the cricketing gods wanted a batsman with classical technique, an insane amount of patience and bundles of talent, they found what they were looking for in Kane Williamson. Since breaking into the Kiwi set-up, Williamson has been a revelation and is slowly starting to dominate the world of cricket.

Unassumingly, Kane goes about his business and irrespective of the format, there are few things that he cannot do. 2,692 runs across all formats in just 39 matches at an average of 65.65 with eight hundreds in 2015 gave him the record for the third-highest run-scorer in a calendar year, across all formats.

It was only the 10th time in the history of international someone had scored over 2,500 runs in a calendar year. While those records speak volumes about his prowess, his greatest asset is his ability to continue to flourish without transforming his game across different formats.

That coupled with his almost inhuman levels of patience and ability to play the ball late, makes him an ideal No.3 across all formats.

#4 Virat Kohli

Kohli is the quintessential modern batsman

Virat Kohli first broke into the Indian senior set-up after captaining the Indian Under-19 team to World Cup glory in 2008. Earlier in his career, his aggression earned him monikers such as brash and arrogant, but with time, he has managed to balance those out with universal adulation.

With the bat in hand, he is the leader of the Indian side and has developed into one of the most dependable batsmen in the Indian middle order. His ability to play all round the wicket and still have a resolute defence has enabled him to develop into one of the finest batsmen of his generation.

Although he has had his fair share of struggles, the triumphs and the records in his kitty, far outweigh them. An integral part of the Indian line-up across all formats, Kohli is the quintessential modern-day batsman, who is aggressive, positive and isn't afraid play his shots.

#5 Steven Smith

Smith has carved out a niche for himself in the international arena

Steven Smith is that invention you know shouldn't work, but does all the same. His technique and approach to batting is completely different and while there are plenty who doubted whether he will succeed, early in his career when he was in the side as a leg spinner, all those have had to keep their silence as Smith continues to shine.

The 2015 ICC Player of the Year and Test Player of the Year has shown that he has what it takes to succeed and then some. While he may not bowl his leggies as much anymore, there is little doubt that with the willow in hand, he is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world across all formats.

In Tests, his positive approach keeps the opposition on the back foot at all times. In the shorter formats, his ability to access areas that others don't due to his technique enables him to score runs quickly, without even having to go for the big shot too often.

#6 AB de Villiers (WK)

AB has shown himself to be a master of all formats

Arguably the greatest limited-overs batsman of his generation, AB de Villiers has shown time and again that despite his unorthodox strokes and reluctance to even waste a ball in the shorter formats of the game, he can transform himself into one of the finest Test batsmen of his time as well.

In the shorter formats of the game, there is doubting AB's prowess and ability to simply decimate bowling attacks. But arguably his biggest strength is his ability to completely transform himself into a different batsman in Tests.

Few batsmen have shown they are capable of going completely berserk in ODIs and T20s but then transforming into a saint in Tests, with the ability to play out hundreds of balls and have the patience to not do something silly. AB is one of those select few.

#7 Angelo Mathews

Mathews has led from the front

After the demolition at the hands of New Zealand, that followed home losses to Pakistan and India in the Test series last year, Sri Lanka are finally feeling the full effect of the loss of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

Their position would be much worse than it is at the moment if they didn't have arguably the best all-rounder in cricket at the moment. Angelo Mathews has the huge task of rebuilding Sri Lanka, but if his approach to it is in any similar to his approach to batting, then the Lankans are in good hands.

Irrespective of the format, Mathews exudes a calmness that is seldom seen in modern-day cricketers. Whether it is scoring 20 runs off an over in a T20 or blocking to salvage a draw, Mathews can do it all. That coupled with his economical medium pace bowling means he is an invaluable asset to the side whether it is Tests, ODIs or T20s.

#8 Mitchell Starc

Starc has taken over from Johnson as the leader of a new-look Aussie attack

He might be injured at the moment but when he is fit and firing, there are few better sights than Mitchell Starc in full flow. Whether it is swinging the new ball, reverse swinging the old ball or nailing his yorkers at the death, Starc has all the essential qualities to become one of the most successful limited-overs bowlers of his generation.

While his reputation in the shorter formats of the game is well-established, in the Ashes and the New Zealand series, the Australian showed that he isn't just a one-trick pony. Although he hasn't established himself as well in the longest format of the game, it is just a matter of time before he does.

When he does, he will continue Australia's tradition of always having a bowler that puts the fear of god in the minds of the opposition batsmen.

#9 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin finished 2015 as the leading Test wicket-taker

2015 didn't exactly start the way Ravichandran Ashwin would have wanted (he was dropped/rested for the tri-series against Australia and England) but he ended the year as the No.1 ranked Test bowler and with plenty of records under his belt.

But what makes Ashwin's position in this list a certainty is his ability to not just take wickets across all formats, but also manages to keep things quiet even in the shortest format of the game.

While his 87 wickets across all formats in 2015 is certainly impressive, his economy rate of 4.3 in 13 ODIs and economy rate of 6.25 from 2 T20Is shows that he doesn't just take wickets but is economical and hard to get away as well.

#10 Trent Boult

2015 was Boult’s breakout year

Although he had been a regular in the Test side since his debut, it was in 2015 that Trent Boult truly broke out as a bowler who excelled at all three formats. It all started with the ODI series against Sri Lanka and then at the 2015 World Cup, a new Kiwi star was born.

Boult ended 2015 with 72 wickets, 36 apiece in both Tests and ODIs. More than his records in 2015, it is his unerring ability to come good when it matters, that has made him one-half of one of the best new ball attacks in cricket at the moment.

One of the general tendencies with left arm pacers are that they are erratic while Boult showed glimpses of that towards the latter part of the year, it was down to the workload than anything else.

His career ODI economy rate of 4.6 and 7.2 in T20s shows that he is anything but erratic. And if he continues in his current vein of form, there is no doubt that he will come to be regarded as one of the finest bowlers of his generation.

#11 Morne Morkel

Morkel has just gotten better with age

It is not easy constantly being in the shadows of someone, who is considered one of the best bowlers of all-time. But Morne Morkel has shown that even without the spotlight, you can still continue to go about your business with minimum fuss.

While Dale Steyn has encountered quite a few injury problems in 2015 and seems to be struggling to stay fit for any length of time, Morkel, like a fine wine only seems to be getting better with age. That and his effectiveness, across all formats of the game, is what gets him into this side, ahead of more illustrious compatriot, Steyn.

Almost under the radar, the tall fast bowler has played more than 200 international matches for his country and picked up over 450 wickets. Although more than half of his wickets have come in Tests, his records in the shorter formats are not to be taken lightly.

An economy rate of under 5 in ODIs after 103 matches and T20I economy rate of under 7.5 after almost 50 matches, speaks volumes about his effectiveness and ability to trouble the batsmen across all formats.