Current World Test XI

The players are selected on their performancesin their respective batting positions and it is not a collection of the 11 best cricketers on merit (except for the first opener)The team was selected on 29 July 2014

#1 Hashim Amla

Due to the wretched run of England’s Alastair Cook coupled with the thought of not to miss out on the South African batting machine, Amla gets the nod ahead of some decent regular openers. Having said that, the 31-year-old is entrusted with the responsibility as he is better equipped to deal with the new ball and can bat through the innings to lay a strong base for the batters to come.

The right-hander will add plenty of character to the side and is the right man to have at the top to deal with the fast bowlers. His strength lies in adjusting to the line and length at the last minute with his quick hands. The bearded man likes to stay on the back foot and can be an easy target to out-swingers, but, he has dealt with the same in a successful way throughout his career.

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#2 David Warner

The Australian opener has been very reliable at the top of the order for Australia and has remarkably adapted to the longer version of the game. In 8 innings this year, the left-hander has accumulated 575 runs with three hundreds and two fifties at a strike rate of 86.33. The 27-year-old is the only dependable and consistent opener in the world at the moment as few others are having mixed fortunes.

The way he dictates the proceedings is noteworthy and his ability to turn a match within a session or two is his strength. He is showing enough responsibility these days not to waste his starts in looking for rash shots and is an unanimous pick at the top of the order.

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#3 Kumar Sangakkara

The Sri Lankan powerhouse keeps his place despite some stiff competition from the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Kane Williamson – the former is yet to prove himself in England and the later is not a world beater just yet.

The 36-year-old’s numbers are a proof for his capabilities and has the determination to bat for longer durations. The most important position of the batting order can be safe with his left-hander.

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#4 Michael Clarke (c)

Many rate the prolific right-hander as the best Test captain in the world at the moment for his aggressive approach and willingness to risk everything to taste success. Add to it, the 33-year-old’s records with the bat and it forces us to pick him. His conversion ratio for 50s to 100s is 50%, with 27 50s and 100s. Not in the best of touches with the bat this year, he is the enforcer in the middle of the batting order to make sure the runs keep coming.

It is to some extent a little difficult to tie him down from scoring runs and will keep the scoreboard ticking. He can add some left-arm spin in the mix when the situation requires. Mahela Jayawardene and Virat Kohli are unlucky to miss out.

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#5 AB de Villiers (wk)

The South African batting genius has scored most of his runs at the position and can bat to the demands of the situation. He doesn’t get affected by match situations and delivers what is required of him without any fuss. He is a gifted athlete and can be good at whatever the role the team allots him. His strokes are a treat to watch and he does not restrict himself from trying some unorthodox shots to unsettle the bowler.

As Sangakkara is four years older than the South African, de Villiers can keep wickets.

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#6 Shivnarine Chanderpaul

The man with a unique stance has been the lonely fighter in the West Indian batting order for few years now. Since Brain Lara’s retirement, he has been the pillar of strength in the middle order and continues to do so despite being 39. His dodgy playing style is very effective despite not being very pleasing on the eye.

Not many bowlers in the world can breach his defense and is the perfect player to have in the side if you are looking to buy time for a draw.

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#7 Angelo Mathews

The Sri Lankan captain has looked a different player since accepting the responsibility. His lower order contributions add more value to the total and he dominates the strike to effect maximum damage with the tail-enders. His recent exploits have gathered a lot of attention. Add to that, he can bowl some decent overs if not pick up wickets with his medium pacers.

Mathews can be trusted to come good in pressure situations and completes the batting order that is a mix of contrasting batting styles.

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#8 Mitchell Johnson

The aggressive left-arm seamer is respected worldwide for his ability to work the batsmen, setting them up for a dismissal. The short ball bursts against England in the last Ashes series at home underlines his importance in the team and no second thoughts in getting him on board.

Delivering from a bit of a round-arm action, he has grown into a better player with time and is a threat to any batsmen in the world at the moment. He hits the deck hard to exploit whatever the pitch has to offer to the bowlers, even in slow conditions and will intimidate the striker with his pace. He is well capable with the bat too and has a century to his name.

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#9 Dale Steyn

The best bowler of his generation who can alter the course of the game in one spell. His recent exploits against Sri Lanka is proof for that special ability. He is the complete bowler and will never run out of ideas to plan his dismissal.

From scrambled seam to reverse swing, there are plenty of variations in his armoury and will walk into any side in the world. The Johnson-Steyn partnership will send thunderbolts to the opposition.

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#10 Ryan Harris

Not many are aware of the value he brings to the side as he is living under the shadows of Mitchell Johnson. The swing bowler’s career was ruined by some recurring injuries and possess a proud career bowling average of 22.56, which is almost 5 runs per wicket lesser than Johnson, albeit the left-arm speedster has played many more Tests. He can make any batsmen look out of place with his swing bowling and is probably the most under-rated and unsung bowler of the decade.

If you are not convinced of his inclusion, click here.

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#11 Saeed Ajmal

The off-spinner has recently emerged as the best active spinner as his subcontinent counterparts have all failed miserably away from home. Ravichandran Ashwin is no longer his side’s first choice spinner and Rangana Herath is not doing any wonders either with an away average of 40.

Ajmal is a crafty player to have in the side. Loaded with variations, he will try to outsmart the batsmen in flight and also off the surface. Even good players of spin struggle to read him and need high concentration to counter his doosra.

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