Ashley Giles announces his all time XI

The former England spinner Ashley Giles has too joined the list of players who are announcing their All Time XI team. Giles is one of the greatest spinners of his country. His satisfying numbers give an idea that how crucial he was for his team during the playing days. Talking of Giles career, he made his first-class debut in 1993 and retired from all forms of cricket in 2006. He played his last test match against Australia. He has 143 wickets to his name in test cricket and 55 in limited overs cricket.

Giles has selected quite a strong team which is even capable of defeating the Australian team which won three consecutive World Cups. In a video posted by Lord’s Cricket Ground on their official YouTube channel, Giles is seen selecting his all-time best XI team.

Let’s have a glimpse at the video –

 

 

 

 

 

Totally out of the box, he selects the former Indian batsman Rahul Dravid to open the innings with Sachin Tendulkar. Dravid has little experience opening the innings as in total he has only batted for 44 times at number 1 or at number 2. His partner Sachin Tendulkar used to open the innings in ODI’s but used to bat at number 4 in test cricket. In fact, Sachin has never played at 1 in Test cricket. Brian Lara will succeed them in the batting order and will come it at number 3. Legend Viv Richards will come at no. 4. The veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis who needs no introduction will come at number 5. His impressive numbers are enough to tell his status in the cricket fraternity. Giles has lined up Ian Botham at number 6 in his list. Interestingly Adam Gilchrist will bat at number 7 which seems an injustice done to him in the batting order.

 

The spin department will be headed by most successful bowlers in the history of cricket, Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne. Allan Donald and Wasim Akram will lead the pace department.

 

In a surprising move, he has added Gary Pratt to his all time XI as 12th man in the squad. Pratt has never played international cricket but he is still remembered for running out Ricky Ponting during Ashes of 2005. He was a substitute player in that match and again he has been included as the substitute player in the team.  Pratt is regarded as one of the best fielders in the country.

 

Ashley Giles’ All Time XI: Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Viv Richards, Jacques Kallis, Ian Botham, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Allan Donald, Muttiah Muralitharan, Gary Pratt (sub).