The Dream Test Team

While selecting my dream eleven, I took the approach of having the best side rather than just listing the best players. Thus the focus became the balance of the side. A decision to take Steve Waugh over Brian Lara was one such call.With the 2000^th Test almost upon us, there are dream Test teams being created by cricket fans and experts.

I also felt it was also important to see how players would fare in a particular position in the lineup. The elimination of Sir Viv Richards from the starting 11 was because of this reason.

There obviously is no correct combination, as it is all based on personal opinion, but here is my dream 11: in order of batting position.
Let the debating begin.

Sunil Gavaskar: Probably the greatest opening Test batsman of all time. His technique was flawless and his patience unmatched. Consistently dominating the greatest bowling attack of all time in hostile conditions differentiates him from everyone else. He was the best.

Virender Sehwag: This was a tough call. While he gets credit for being a one-day beast, it’s Test cricket where he has really shined. He holds the record for the most double hundreds by an Indian (with six) and is tied with Sir Don Bradman for the most triple hundreds (at two). There is no better person to have at the other end, to balance out Gavaskar.

Sir Donald Bradman (Captain): The greatest batsman the world has ever seen. He didn’t play cricket from 1938-’46 because of the war; otherwise his already astronomical statistics would be frightening.

Sachin Tendulkar: Not only does he possess every shot in the book, but his determination and will to win is tough to match. The argument that he is not a big match player is useless here. There can be no dream team without “The One”.

Steve Waugh: I considered Lara and Sir Vivian Richards for this spot. Steve Waugh made it purely on his grit and determination. If any of the top four fail, there is no other batsman I would want at number 5 to sail the ship home. He brings necessary balance to the side.

Sir Garfield Sobers: The greatest all-rounder of all time. He had a fantastic batting average of 57.78 and could bowl left arm orthodox spin, wrist spin as well as medium pace depending on the conditions. A definite pick for the team.

Adam Gilchrist (W/K): Superb behind the stumps and arguably the cleanest striker of the ball ever to play the game. While Sangakkara may have more runs in Test cricket, with the lineup listed above, Gilly gets the pick in a heartbeat.

Wasim Akram: The Sultan of Swing would have probably had even better numbers had he not played in the chaos and controversy-infested jungle that is Pakistan cricket. Bowling deliveries that leave you stunned in silence, he only needed a short run up to make his point. As a batsman, as Ravi Shastri would say, “He was no muck with the bat.”

Shane Warne: Credited with reviving the lost art of leg spin, what would the dream team be without a little bit of Warne controversy? The most exciting cricketer ever to play the game, he adds spice, flair and intrigue every time he steps on to the field. Oh, and he can bowl spin pretty well too.

Malcolm Marshall: He took 7 for 53 with his left arm in a plaster against England. He has the best average (20.04) and the second best strike rate (46.7) amongst the top 15 wicket-takers of all time. With the ability to bowl on any surface, he was a genius.

Glenn McGrath: Waiting for a loose delivery from Glenn McGrath is like waiting for Simi Garewal to age. Odds are that it should happen, but it never does. The highest wicket-taking fast bowler of all time is a certainty in the team.

12^th Man: Vivian Richards.

Players who just missed the cut
Ricky Ponting, Muttiah Muralitharan, Rahul Dravid, Jaques Kallis, Brian Lara

This Blog was originally published at http://www.gqindia.com/content/dream-test-team