Ahead of the much-anticipated ICC World Test Championship final (ICC WTC Final) between India and Australia, former England skipper Nasser Hussain has named a combined Test XI.
A host of stars will be in action when India and Australia lock horns in the second edition of the ICC WTC final. While Australia are gearing up for their maiden appearance in the final, India will be playing their second ICC WTC final. And ahead of the blockbuster clash, Nasser Hussain has picked players from both the teams to form a combined Test XI.
The former cricketer-turned-commentator has raised a number of eyebrows with his calls. He has snubbed a couple of big names from his team and has picked up just one spinner. Nasser Hussain has decided to snub the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Nathan Lyon while only picking Ravichandran Ashwin as the specialist spinner.
With 81 wickets, Lyon is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing ICC WTC cycle but could not find a place in Nasser Hussain’s team. Speaking about Jadeja, the former England batsman said that he snubbed the India allrounder due to English conditions.
“If the World Test Championship Final was in the subcontinent or India, I might go Jadeja at six. But I’m not, because it’s in England,” Hussain told The ICC Review.
“I’m going to go for a bowling all-rounder, seam-bowler in Cameron Green. That’s who I want as my all-rounder. My spin bowler would be Ravi Ashwin at eight. And he bats, obviously, very good at No.8,” he added.
Nasser Hussain’s combined Test XI ahead of India vs Australia ICC WTC final:
Talking about the rest of the team, Nasser Hussain began by picking India skipper Rohit Sharma and Australia’s Usman Khawaja as the openers. He then picked Australian duo Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and former India skipper Virat Kohli.
“Rohit Sharma, very easy, top of the order and captain for me. I love the way Rohit captains. I’d like to have Shubman (Gill) in but I think it’s just a little bit early for him to break into my combined XI, so I’m going to go with Usman Khawaja to open the batting.
“Then into the very easy bit, three of the all-time world greats in (Marnus) Labuschagne, (Steve) Smith and (Virat) Kohli come in at three, four, five,” said Nasser Hussain.
Talking about the wicketkeeper, Hussain began by pointing out that his first choice would have been Rishabh Pant who is currently sidelined after being involved in a car accident. And with India yet to confirm their replacement for Pant in the playing XI, Hussain picked Australia’s Alex Carey.
“Wicketkeeper is a bit hard because of the injury to Rishabh Pant. I would just have him in straight away, no questions asked, but he’s not there. He’s injured, unfortunately,” Hussain said.
“India is still trying to work out which one they’re going to play, so I’m going to go with Alex Carey as my keeper at seven.”
Speaking further, he revealed his pace bowling line-up. The former cricketer started by picking Australia skipper Pat Cummins before going for Mitchell Starc. He also mentioned Jasprit Bumrah who is sidelined with an injury before picking Mohammed Shami as the last player in his XI.
“(Pat) Cummins at nine, easy choice. (Mitchell) Starc at 10 to give me that left-arm variation,” Hussain said.
“Mohammed Shami, just so that we can have so many replays of his seam position going down. I would have obviously Jasprit in there if he wasn’t injured, but he is so I’m having Shami at 11,” he added.
Nasser Hussain’s combined India-Australia Test XI:
Rohit Sharma (c), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Mohammad Shami