Current non-Asian Test XI

The English duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson didn’t make the Test teamIn the 2015 Ashes series, we saw some enthralling Test cricket. The spell of Stuart Broad in the fourth Test, Steven Smith’s double hundred in the second Test and Joe Root’s hundred in the first Test were some of the highlights of the series.But isn’t this what Test cricket always brings to the table. It pleases the viewers with some great bowling spells matched by the batsmen gritting it out in challenging conditions. England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and West Indies have been the best non-Asian Test powerhouses of the game. Throughout the history of cricket, these nations have produced quality cricketers who have entertained one and all.So let’s look at 11 such players from the above nations combined who form the current non-Asian Test XI. In this selection, only those players have been picked who haven’t retired and the statistics mentioned have been taken since the start of 2013.

#1 David Warner

David Warner is an aggressive opener who has adjusted seamlessly to the Test format

David Warner comes from the rare set of players who have made a seamless transition from the shortest form of the game to the Test format. Unlike some of his peers, he has been highly successful in this transition. A dominating opener, he can thrash any opposition to pieces on his day.

Since January 2013, he has played 29 Tests and scored 2666 runs at an average of 47.60 with nine centuries to his credit. He is one of the best players of the new ball at the moment and thus makes it to our team as the first choice opener.

#2 Joe Root

Joe Root will be the second opener in the team

A surprising choice for the openers you might feel, considering how Joe Root has played in the middle order most of the time for England. But he has also opened the innings for both the national side and his county and Yorkshire and with the balance of the team in mind, it was appropriate that Root opened the innings.

Root has been a prolific run scorer ever since his Test debut in late 2012. In fact, since January 2013, he has scored 2640 runs in 31 Tests at an average of 53.87. One of the best young talents in the world currently, Root easily walks into the side albeit as an opener.

#3 Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is oe of the most reliable batsmen in the world right now

Kane Williamson is arguably the best batsman in the New Zealand team at present. His calmness defies his young age and as a New Zealand fan, he is one player you can choose to bat for your life.

Williamson has been in superb form since the starting of 2013. He has scored 2152 runs in 23 Tests which includes a double hundred at an exceptional average of 56.63. He is an ideal player to bat at the crucial number three spot in our team.

#4 Hashim Amla

Amla has formed the backbone of the South African batting line-up for quite some time

Hashim Amla, who still has a lot of cricket left in him, has all the credentials to go down in history as one of South Africa’s all-time greats. His composure at the crease generates a sense of peace among the fans and his ability to bat for long hours with an immense sense of concentration is a huge asset.

Amla’s record since 2013 has been exceptional. He has managed 1447 runs in 19 Tests at an average of 60.29 with five hundreds. He is arguably the best batsman in the non-Asian Test teams currently and in our team he will bat at the coveted number four position.

#5 Steven Smith (C)

Steven Smith has been in sensational form

Steven Smith has been perhaps the most improved batsman in the world for the last couple of years. His prolific run scoring in the last few years has pushed him to the top of the Test batting charts.

Smith has played 28 Tests since 2013, scoring 2836 runs at an average of 61.65. All his eleven Test hundreds till date have come in this period. The backbone of the Australian middle order, he will form an integral part of the middle order in our team as well.

The recently appointed Australian Test skipper will captain our side as well.

#6 AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers is an extremely unique talent

AB de Villiers is perhaps the most adored batsman in the world currently. A player of immense potential, he sits at the number two spot in the Test batsmen rankings and it would be no surprise to see him in any team that is formed in the world.

De Villiers has been in superb form since 2013. He has played 18 Tests during this period and scored 1712 runs at an average of 65.84. He has managed seven test hundreds in this span. He will also take up the wicket-keeping duties in our team to provide the right balance.

#7 Jason Holder

Jason Holder is the allrounder in the team

The newly appointed West Indies Test captain is the only entry from the Caribbean in our team. Amongst one of the best young allrounders in the world, Holder will be the fourth seamer who is more than handy with the bat as well.

Holder has played 8 Tests since 2013. He has scored 380 runs at an average of 34.54 with one century and has picked up 16 wickets at an average of 35.37. The man who has been handed the responsibility to lead the West Indian hopes of again becoming the powerhouse it once was, is ideally suited for the number seven spot.

#8 Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson is a fiery fast bowler

Mitchell Johnson can destroy any batting opposition when he is on song. He proved that in the 2013 Ashes Down Under and on the South African tour later that year. Johnson’s batting abilities also lends some strength lower down the order as well.

The Australian has played 22 Tests since January 2013, picking up 104 wickets at an impressive average of 22.71. He has also scored 645 useful runs at an average of 21.50 during the same period. He looks to be an ideal player to play at the number eight spot with his fiery bowling and handy lower order batting.

#9 Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn is the best bowler in the world

The No 1 Test bowler in the world, Dale Steyn needs no introduction. His pace combined with lethal swing makes him one of the best bowlers to have ever played the game. He will undoubtedly be the premier fast bowler of our team.

The right-armer has played 20 Tests since the beginning of 2013. In these 20 Tests, he has picked up 103 wickets at an unbelievable average of 18.68 which includes seven five-wicket hauls. His statistics speaks volumes about his talent and it is no surprise to see him in the team.

#10 Trent Boult

Trent Boult is New Zealand’s premier fast bowler at present

The speedster from New Zealand will be the new ball bowler alongside Dale Steyn. His swinging deliveries have made life difficult for many batsmen around the world and his left arm angle is an added advantage to his bowling.

Trent Boult’s record has been very impressive since the starting of 2013. He has played 24 Tests and picked up 97 wickets at an average of 26.58 which includes four five-wicket hauls. His left arm angle with extra pace has pipped him ahead in the race in comparison with the likes of Stuart Broad and James Anderson.

#11 Nathan Lyon

Australian Nathan Lyon will be the lone spinner in the team

Nathan Lyon will be the lone spinner in the team. He has been shouldering the spinning responsibilities for Australia for the last few years and he has been quite good with his tweaking abilities.

Lyon has played 28 Tests since the beginning of 2013 and picked up 103 wickets at an average of 35.89. His ball control along with some impressive spin makes for a decent offspinner. Though Lyon had only Moeen Ali as a competition for the spinner’s slot, the Australian came out on top due to his better spinning abilities.