Current Test XI with one player from each country

What an absolute delight it would be to watch an all-star-studded Test team. Talent is beyond borders and putting it all together is something a cricket enthusiast will appreciate. This article is an attempt to create a team which will comprise players from the top 10 Test playing nations which are India, South Africa, Australia, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West-Indies, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe. Afghanistan has played just one Test match which is why they have not been included in this list.

Hence this list will have players from only 10 nations. Each team will basically comprise of 2 players from one country and one each from other 9 nations.

This squad may not have the current best players in the Test format as there is a constraint of a single player from each country. So for example, Australia has three brilliant fast bowlers in Patt Cummins, Josh Hazelwood, and Mitchell Starc but it might be possible that none of them makes it to the eleven because of Steve Smith. Players not only compete with players from other countries but also with their fellow mates.

Ravichandran Ashwin will not only be up against other classy spinners but he will also be competing with Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and the rest of the Indian team. Similarly, Kagiso Rabada will be fighting for his place with Hashim Amla, Quinton De Kock and rest of the South African squad. English all-rounders Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali will be pitted against legends like Anderson, Broad, Root, and Bairstow.

Openers:

The options for the opening slot are as follows.

Dimuth Karunaratne: The Sri Lankan opener was the most consistent player for them in their last series against South Africa at home. He was awarded the man of the series for his brilliant performance and Sri Lanka were able to clinch the series 2-0.

In 51 Tests, Karunaratne has scored 3542 runs at an average of 37.28. He has 8 hundred and 17 fifties to his name. He is currently ranked 7th on the best Test batsmen list.

David Warner: In 74 Tests, Warner has scored 6363 runs at an average of 48.20 and strike rate of over 74.50. He is known for playing attacking cricket even in Tests. He has 21 hundred and 29 fifties to his name in Tests.

Warner's game is very similar to Virender Sehwag though the latter had a strike rate of over 82. Warner is currently the best opener in Tests. He is currently 5th on the best Test batsmen list.

Dean Elgar: The South African opener has been a consistent performer. In 51 Tests, he has scored 3243 runs at an average of 41.05.

Elgar has 11 hundred and 12 fifties to his name with a personal best of 199. He is currently ranked 9th on the best Test batsmen list.

Kraigg Brathwaite: In 49 Tests, Brathwaite has scored 3242 runs at an average of 38.14. He has 8 hundred and 17 fifties to his name.

Brathwaite has played some match-winning knocks for West Indies. He is currently ranked 13th on the best Test batsmen list.

Tom Latham: In 35 Test matches as an opener, Latham has scored 2375 runs at an average of 38.93. He has also scored 6 hundred 14 fifties in Test matches.

Tamim Iqbal: Tamim Iqbal has been one of the most consistent players for Bangladesh. Off late, he has been scoring big runs on a regular basis. In 56 matches, he has added 4049 runs to his kitty at an average of 37.84.

Tamim also has 8 hundred and 25 fifties to his name in Tests matches. Recently, when he got injured in the first match of the Asia Cup, against Sri Lanka, he came out to bat in the final few overs with a fractured left hand and batted with one hand. It was a great display of service to his nation.

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David Warner is currently the best opener in the world and he is an obvious choice for the opening spot. Although Dean Elgar is the second best option, there is another player which needs to be selected from South Africa which is why Dimuth Karunaratne will be the second opener. David Warner and Dimuth Karunaratne will be responsible for providing a solid start.

Middle Order

Let us see the options for the middle order position.

Steve Smith: As per stats the current best batsman in Tests, Steve Smith, in 64 matches has scored 6199 runs at an astonishing average of 61.37. He also has scored 23 hundred and 24 fifties in Test matches. Currently, he is ranked 2nd on the best batsmen in Test list after Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli: No best XI's is complete without Virat Kohli in it. He has been batting on a different level altogether. He is currently ranked one in the world in Test matches. He had an exceptional series in England with the bat. He was the highest scorer in the series by a huge margin. In 71 matches with an average of 53.92, he has scored 6147 runs. He has 23 hundred and 19 fifties. He has a knack for scoring big when he gets settled.

Sikandar Raza: In 10 matches he has scored 762 runs at an average 38.10. He has scored one hundred and 6 fifties. He also has taken 13 wickets and has one fifer to his name.

Joe Root: The English captain is one of the most consistent players for England for the past few years. He has been scoring runs on a regular basis. In 74 matches he has scored 6279 runs at an average of over 51. He has also scored 14 hundred and 41 fifties. He can become an even greater player if he can convert those fifties into big hundreds. He is currently ranked 4th in the best Test batsmen list.

Kane Williamson: The New Zealand captain is also a consistent scorer for the side. In 65 matches he has scored 5338 runs at an average of 50.35. He has scored 18 hundred and 26 fifties and is ranked third in the best Test batsmen list.

Cheteshwar Pujara: The solid Indian batsman in 62 matches has scored 4809 runs at an average of 49.57. He has scored 15 tons and 18 fifties in Test matches. He is currently ranked 6th in the Test batsmen list.

Dinesh Chandimal: The Sri Lankan captain has been of the few players who has been scoring runs on a consistent basis. In 48 matches he has scored 3642 runs at an average of 44.96. He also has scored 11 hundred and 16 fifties which makes him rank #8 on the best Test batsmen list.

Hashim Amla: In 119 matches Hashim Amla has scored 9022 runs at an average of 47.23. He is a rock solid player and has scored 28 hundred and 39 fifties.

Faf du Plessis: In 54 matches he has scored 3302 runs at an average of 42.33. He has scored 8 hundred and 17 fifties in Test matches.

Ross Taylor: In 85 matches he has scored 6281 runs at an average of 47.22. He has scored 17 hundred and 28 fifties. He is currently ranked 12th in the world in the Test batsmen list.

Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are the obvious choices for the middle order position as they are currently the best players for that slot. Sikandar Raza also makes it to this side since one player from Zimbabwe needs to be selected. He can also bowl a few overs if needed.

Wicketkeepers

Jonny Bairstow: England's wicket-keeper batsman has been scoring runs on a consistent basis. He and Joe Root are England's middle order pillars. In 59 matches he has scored 3571 runs at an average of 37.19 with 5 hundred and 19 fifties. He also has taken 157 catches and been involved in 9 stumpings.

Quinton De Kock: The South African wicketkeeper is a handy lower order batsman and has scored some match-winning innings. In 35 matches he has scored 1925 runs at an average of 36.32. he also has scored 3 hundred and 13 fifties. His keeping has fetched him 141 catches and 9 stumpings.

Jos Buttler: Buttler is currently one of the best finishers in ODIs, and a match winner in T20s. In Test matches, he has started playing match-winning innings. In the last series against India, he was one of England's best batsmen. In many innings, he batted with the tail and took England to match winning scores which was the difference between the two sides. In 25 matches he has scored 1294 runs at an average of 35.94. He has scored 1 hundred and 10 fifties. He also has taken 60 catches while keeping.

Jonny Bairstow makes it to this team. If this team was being made for ODIs and T20s Butler would have made it to the list. De Kock is on par with Bairstow but this team requires some other player from South Africa which is why Bairstow takes the wicketkeeper slot.

All Rounders

Jason Holder: Holder, in 34 Tests has scored 1483 runs at an average of 30.26 He has 2 hundred and 7 fifties to his name. He is an excellent lower order batsman and quite often scores valuable runs down the order. In bowling, he has taken 81 wickets at an average of 29.35. He has taken four fifers and a 10-wicket haul. He is currently ranked 12th on the Test bowler's list and 4th on the best all-rounder in the world in Test matches.

Shakib Al Hasan: Shakib in 53 Test matches has scored 3692 runs at an average of 39.69. He has 5 hundreds and 23 fifties to his name. He has taken 196 wickets at an average of 31.88. He has 18 five wicket hauls and twice he has taken 10 wickets in a match. He is one of three players to score a century and pick ten wickets in the same match. He is currently ranked 1 in the Test all rounders list.

Ben Stokes: Currently one of the best seam bowling all-rounders in the world. In 46 matches he has scored 2779 runs at an average of 33.89 with 6 hundred and 14 fifties. In bowling, he has taken 112 wickets at an average of 33.25. He also has 4 fifers to his name. He is currently ranked 6th on the Test all-rounders list. With Johny Bairstow taking the place from England, he doesn't make it to this eleven.

Chris Woakes: Woakes is an excellent seam bowler and has the ability to stick around and score valuable runs down the order for his team. In 26 matches he has scored 1012 runs at an average of 30.66. Recently against India, he scored his maiden hundred scoring 137 and took England out of trouble to a match-winning position. He also has 4 fifties to his name. In the bowling department, he has taken 72 wickets at an average of 32.94. He has taken 2 fifers and single 10-wicket haul. He is currently ranked 8th on the Test all-rounders list. Like Stokes, he too can't make it to the eleven.

Moeen Ali: In 52 matches he has scored 2614 runs at an average of 32.27. He has scored 5 hundred and 13 fifties. His off-spin has fetched him 145 wickets at an average of 39.05. He has been one of the best spinners for England for quite some time. He has 5 fifers and one ten-wicket haul to his name. He is currently ranked 7th on the Test all-rounders list. Like Woakes and Stokes he too can't make it to this squad.

Angelo Mathews: In 75 matches at an average of 43.35 has scored 5073 runs. He has scored 8 hundred and 29 fifties. Because of injuries he doesn't bowl quite often now but has 33 wickets to his name.

Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja in 37 matches has scored 1295 runs at an average of 30.83. He is yet to score a hundred in Test matches but has 9 fifties to his name. He is known for consistently bowling in the right areas and not allowing the batsman any room to play his shots. He has taken 178 wickets at an impressive average of just 23.65. He has 9 fifers and one 10-wicket haul to his name. He is currently ranked 2nd in the Test all-rounder's list after Shakib. He is currently ranked 4th in the Test bowler's list.

The three allrounders from England Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali can't make it to the squad as Bairstow is already selected from England. Same is the case with Ravindra Jadeja and Angelo Mathews. Jason Holder and Shakib are currently one of the best allrounders in Test matches and make it to this squad.

Spinners

BBL - Heat v Renegades

Yasir Shah: Yasir Shah in 28 matches has taken 165 wickets at an average of 29.44. He has 13 five wicket hauls and twice he has taken 10 wickets in a Test match.

Ravichandran Ashwin: Ashwin has been one of the best spinners in the world. He has already taken 327 wickets at an average of 25.59. He has taken 26 fifers and 7 10-wicket hauls. He is currently ranked 8th in the Test bowler's list. He is a handy lower order batsman and has scored 2289 runs at an average of 29.72. He has scored 4 hundred and 11 fifties. He is ranked 5th on all-rounder list. With Virat taking the position from India he can't make it to the squad.

Rangana Hearth: In 92 matches hearth has taken 430 wickets at an average of 27.95. He has taken the role of leading spinner after Murli retired. He has taken 34 fifers and 9 10-wicket hauls. He is currently ranked 7th on the Test bowler's list. With Karunaratne taking the position from Srilanka, he too can't make it to the team.

Nathon Lyon: Lyon has been the best spinner Australia had after Shane Warne. In 78 matches he has taken 306 wickets at an average of 32.11. He has taken 12 fifers and twice has taken 10 wickets in a match. With Steve Smith and Warner taking the place from Australia, he too can't make it to the eleven.

Keshav Maharaj: Maharaj has been the spinner that South Africa has been looking for quite some time. In 22 matches he has taken 90 wickets at an average of 27.65. In his last series, he could have taken 10 wickets in an innings but missed the milestone by a wicket. He has taken 5 fifers and a 10 wicket haul.

Although Yasir Shah doesn't have the best stats among the above list, one player needs to be selected from Pakistan which is why he makes it to the list. Also, he being a leggie and Shakib a left-arm spinner will bring two different types of spinners in the team.

Pacers

4th Sunfoil Test: South Africa v Australia, Day 5

Kagiso Rabada: In just 32 matches Rabada has taken 151 wickets at an avg of just 21.71 which is phenomenal. He has taken 9 fifers and 4 10-wicket hauls. He is currently ranked 2 only behind James Anderson. He is a great future prospect for South African cricket.

Vernon Philander: In 55 matches Philander has taken 205 wickets at an impressive average of 21.54. He has taken 13 fifers 2 10-wicket hauls. He is currently ranked 3rd on the Test bowlers' list. He doesn't have pace like the other seam bowlers but is an excellent seamer otherwise. Under swinging conditions, there is no better bowler than him. He is a handy lower order batsman and has scored 1485 runs at an average 25.16. He has also scored 8 fifties and is currently ranked 3rd on the all-rounder list.

Stuard Broad: In 123 matches, he has taken 433 wickets at an average of 28.92. He is England's second highest wicket-taker after his partner James Anderson. He has taken 16 fifers and 2 10-wicket hauls. He is also a handy lower order batsman having scored 3063 runs with a maiden hundred and 12 fifties to his name.

James Anderson: In 143 matches Anderson has taken 564 wickets at an average of 26.84. He is currently ranked 1 on the Test bowlers list. He just crossed Glen Mcgrath in the last Test match and now has the highest wickets taken by any pacers. Only Anil Kumble, Murli, and Shane Warne have taken wickets more than him. He has taken 26 fifers and thrice he has taken 10 wickets in a match. With Bairstow making it to the team, he can't make it to the eleven.

Pat Cummins: In 14 matches he has taken 66 wickets at an average of 23.81. He also has 2 fifers to his name. He bowls with express pace but is injury prone, which is why he has just played 14 matches till now. He is currently 5th ranked bowler in Test cricket.

Josh Hazelwood: In 40 matches he has taken 151 wickets at an average of 26.84 avg. He has taken 6 fifers in his career. He bowls a nagging line which fetches him wickets. He is currently ranked 10th in the Test bowlers list.

Mitchell Stark: One of the most feared bowlers of the current generation. Bowling in close to 150kmph in 43 matches he has taken 182 wickets at an average of 28.17. He has taken 9 5-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul. He is an attacking lower order batsman who scores some very crucial runs down the order. He has scored 1171 runs at an average of 21.68 and 9 fifties till now.

Shanon Gabriel: In 37 matches he has taken 111 wickets at an average of 29.57 He has 3 fifers and one 10 wickets haul to his name. He is currently ranked 11th in the Test bowlers list.

Neil Wagner: In 36 matches he has taken 149 wickets at an average of 28.26 with 4 fifers Currently ranked 9th in the Test bowlers list, he can be crucial when he gets going.

Cummins, Hazlewood, Stark, and Anderson can't make it to the side as Warner, Smith, and Bairstow are already in the eleven from their respective sides. Hence Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada make it to this squad. Boult being a left arm seamer will bring variation in the bowling department.

The Final XI:

1) David Warner: Australia

2) Dimuth Karunaratne: Srilanka

3) Steve Smith: Australia

4) Virat Kohli: India (Captain)

5) Johnny Bairstow: England

6) Sikandar Raza: Zimbabwe

7) Shakib Al Hasan: Bangladesh

8) Jason Holder: West Indies

9) Yasir Shah: Pakistan

10 Kagiso Rabada: South Africa

11 Trent Boult: New Zeland

Two players are selected from Australia and one player each from the rest of the countries. This team has 3 seamers in Boult, Rabada, and Holder. Shakib and Yasir Shah are the spinners and Raza can bowl part-time spin. This team bats deep till number 8 and will be led by Virat Kohli.