Greatest England Test XI of all time

#1 12th man and Full squad

Jim Laker can enter the playing eleven on pitches offering considerable turn

With as many as four quality seam options in the playing eleven, the star-studded lineup may need a second spinner on conducive pitches to support Derek Underwood. The iconic Jim Laker can be an ideal choice for the 12th man slot. Depending on conditions, he can enter the playing eleven at the expense of a seamer. Including a record 19 scalps in the 1956 Old Trafford Test against Australia, the off-spinner picked 193 wickets from 46 matches at a splendid average of 21.24.

When the dream team is expanded into a 16-member squad, batting stalwarts Denis Compton and Ken Barrington also come into the picture. Apart from further bolstering the batting unit, Alec Stewart can also offer cover in the wicket-keeping department too. The indefatigable Bob Willis provides a perfect back-up pace option in case of injury to any of the premier fast bowlers.

England's All-Time Test XI

Sir Jack Hobbs, Herbert Sutcliffe, Sir Len Hutton (c), Wally Hammond, Kevin Pietersen, Sir Ian Botham, Alan Knott (wk), Fred Trueman, Derek Underwood, James Anderson and Sydney Barnes

Also in the 16-man Squad

Jim Laker (12th man), Denis Compton, Ken Barrington, Alec Stewart and Bob Willis