Recently, England Wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow picked his all-time XI.
Bairstow selected three English players while only one Asian cricketer was selected to this squad. Interestingly, Bairstow preferred South African cricketers. As many as 4 South African cricketers are in the XI member squad. Out of the three remaining cricketers in the Bairstow’s all-time XI, two were from Australia and only one from West Indies. Most of the selected cricketers played during his international career.
English Test skipper Alastair Cook is selected as captain of the team as well as an opening batsman. South African opener Hashim Amla is the other opener of the team. According to Bairstow, next two batting slots are filled by two legendary cricketers, former West Indian left-handed batsman Brian Lara (no.3) and former Indian right-handed batsman Sachin Tendulkar (no.4). Not only as the lone Indian, Tendulkar is also only Asian cricketer in the Bairstow’s All-time XI squad.
Next two spots are taken by South African cricketers AB de Villiers and legendary former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis. England cricketer Joe Root is at no.7 position in this team.
Two former Australian bowlers are selected in this squad. These two bowlers are left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson and leg-spinner Shane Warne. Bairstow also included South African pacer Dale Steyn and England pacer James Anderson in his XI squad.
Bairstow is the 3rd England cricketer to pick his all-time XI squad after David Willey and Alex Hales. The most interesting part of the Bairstow’s All-time XI squad is that he has not selected any regular international wicket-keeper. However, AB de Villiers can play as a wicket-keeper but currently, he plays in international cricket as an occasional wicket-keeper.
Here is Bairstow’s All-time XI adding with their playing nation