The Greatest Test XI of All Time

Shane Warne (Australia)

Shane Warne could extract

prodigious

turn from the pitch

A rare spin paragon nurtured in the midst the plethora of seamers, Shane Warne emerged as one of most terrifying bowlers of his generation.

Shane Warne could extract the prodigious amount of turn from the track, a trait mastered by very few. Warne beguiled even the best in the business with his line and length coupled with a surreal spin.

Warne exhibited his expertise with the 'Ball of the Century', a delivery pitched well outside off stump, that went on to clip the off-stump bail, leaving a seasoned Mike Gatting baffled. The leggie was also a handy lower order batsman and contributed some crucial knocks down the order with the willow.

Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)

Muttiah Muralitharan ended up as the highest wicket-taker in Tests

The spin wizard is the first and remains the only bowler to conquer the summit of 800 Test wickets.

The off-break bowler weaved magic on the 22 yards in his era, leaving many technically sound batsmen perplexed. Prodigious spin, backed by subtle variations led to his surge at the zenith of the world.

Although his career was largely plagued by criticisms on his bowling action, Murali managed to defy the odds on all occasions and end as the highest wicket-taker in the format.