Greatest England Test XI of all time

Upon ushering in Test cricket along with Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1877, England have grown from strength to strength and accrued a formidable record in the premier format of the game. Thus far, they have played an unmatched 995 Tests. Their tally of 356 wins as well as win-loss ratio of 1.206 are second only to Australia's collection of 382 victories at a win-loss ratio of 1.768.

Thus far, England have fielded a whopping 683 players at Test level. Assembling an all time Test XI encompassing almost 141 years of history is no easy task. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of the entrants in the dream team are masters of yore. Only two players in this star-studded lineup debuted in the post 2000 era.

(*Note: All statistics of active players are accurate as of 7th February, 2018)

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#5 Openers

Sir Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe are the most revered opening pairing in England's Test history

The original 'Master', Sir Jack Hobbs was a colossus in England cricket during an era wherein the sport was still evolving constantly. With a homegrown batting technique, he remorselessly piled on mountain-loads of runs across all levels of the game. The legendary right-hander played 61 Tests and registered 5410 runs at a sparkling average of 56.94 with 15 centuries and 28 fifties.

Extra Cover: Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe – Opening the symphony of sheer will

Forming an immensely productive opening combination with Hobbs during the mid to late 1920s, Herbert Sutcliffe thwarted the new ball with unwavering determination. He could negate searing swing with the same ease as hooking the fastest of bowlers. 54 Tests fetched him 4555 runs including 16 centuries and 23 fifties. Among all batsmen with more than 4000 runs in Test history, Sutcliffe's average of 60.73 is the third best after Sir Don Bradman's 99.94 and Steven Smith's current average of 63.75.

#4 Middle-order

Sir Len Hutton was the first professional to captain England in Test cricket

Although he made his name at the opening position, Sir Len Hutton slots in at number three in this distinguished batting lineup. Despite losing his prime years to the Second World War, he established himself as one of England's all-time greats. The technically proficient right-hander amassed 6971 runs from 79 Tests at an imposing average of 56.67 with 19 centuries and 33 fifties. Later on in his career, his astuteness and smart man-management skills enabled him to captain England with significant success.

Between 1927 and 1947 when Sir Donald Bradman was universally regarded as the game's foremost batsman, Wally Hammond was one of the very few to come close to challenging the status quo. With his sublime timing and fluent drives, he accumulated 7249 runs from 85 Tests at a remarkable average of 58.45 including 22 centuries and 24 fifties.

Born in Pietermaritzburg, Kevin Pietersen shifted allegiance to England after his earnest search for greener pastures ended in a breakthrough County stint with Nottinghamshire. When he got into the groove, there were not many who could rival his ferocious stroke-play on either side of the wicket. Before he derailed his own career, the attacking batsman played 104 matches and scored 8181 runs at a rapid strike-rate of 61.72. A game-changer beyond mere numbers, he had the rare propensity of playing decisive knocks against the very best of bowlers on dicey tracks.

#3 All-rounder and Wicket-keeper

Alan Knott's glovework was equally remarkable off both pace and spin

Without a shred of doubt, the all-rounder's slot in England's all time Test XI is the easiest to fill. One of the most flamboyant sportsmen produced by the country, Sir Ian Botham's alluring charisma and barnstorming performances enhanced the popularity of cricket in the region. From 102 Tests, he scored 5200 runs at an average of 33.54 and stellar strike-rate of 60.71 with 14 centuries. His tally of 383 wickets, at an average of 28.40, is the third highest in England's Test history.

The fact that he managed to keep another adept gloveman out of the playing eleven for the vast majority of his Test career stands as testament to Alan Knott's legacy. At a time when Bob Taylor also presented a strong case for standing behind the stumps, Knott made the wicket-keeper's spot his own. While his glove-work was of the highest order, he could also contribute regularly with the bat. Aside from devouring 250 catches and effecting 19 stumpings from 95 Tests, the right-hander also scored 4389 runs at an average of 32.75 with five tons and 30 fifties.

#2 Bowlers

Fred Trueman is unarguably the greatest fast bowler produced by England

Armed with a smooth bowling, Fred Trueman terrorised batsmen across the globe by combining manic pace with unswerving accuracy. The sheer effect of his devastating prowess was evident right from his debut when he left an unsuspecting Indian lineup reeling at 0/4. In all, he played 67 Tests and became the first bowler to scale the 300-wicket mark.

Classifying Derek Underwood as just a slow left-arm orthodox spinner is akin to categorising Elvis Presley as just a musician. From a short run-up, he generated stifling pace and left his opponents bewildered by extracting sharp turn. With 297 wickets from 86 matches at an average of 25.83, he is England's most prolific spinner of all time.

The sight of James Anderson running in and making the Dukes ball talk on familiar conditions is one to truly behold. In an era where quality seamers are becoming increasingly rare, he is an artist and magician rolled into one. His tally of 523 wickets from 134 matches at an average of 27.40 is the highest in England's Test history.

Unlike in the modern era where the demarcation between seam and spin is quite distinct, the early years of the game saw bowlers juxtapose both to confound opposition batsmen. No one perfected that art as productively as the exalted Sydney Barnes. Be it the leg-break or out-swing, he did it all with alarming success. From just 27 Tests, he gathered as many as 189 wickets at a scarcely believable average of 16.43 and jaw-dropping strike-rate of 41.6.

#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