Michael Vaughan, Graeme Swann And Marcus North Name Their Best 2016 Test XIs
Dec 27, 2016 at 3:37 PM
Former cricketers across the globe are busy in giving their expert opinions before the conclusion of 2016 calendar year.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan, the architect of England’s Ashes triumph in 2005, has named his best Test XI of 2016 alongside fellow countryman Graeme Swann and former Australia cricketer Marcus North.
Steven Smith has been named a captain by the trio as three Indian cricketers also made it to the list of three in form of current Test skipper Virat Kohli, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and fast-bowler Umesh Yadav.
Here’s the list of players selected by the trio:
Michael Vaughan’s Best Test XI: Steven Smith (C), David Warner, Joe Root, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Ben Stokes, Quinton de Kock (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Kagiso Rabada.
The 42-year-old former cricketer believes Ravichandran Ashwin would be the surprising element in the side. Sri Lankan spin sensation Rangana Herath and Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah failed to make the cut.
Vaughan further explained it was not easy to keep New Zealand captain Kane Williamson out of contention, but he remarked that he was quite pleased with the batting-order he picked.
The bowlers did well in the past and among them, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc outperformed others.
Kagiso Rabada is currently among the best pace bowlers in the line-up, he concluded.
Graeme Swann’s Best Test XI: Steven Smith (C), David Warner, Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Josh Hazlewood and Umesh Yadav.
The 37-year-old former spinner Swann picked India’s fast-bowler Umesh Yadav in the list for his sheer pace. Wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow, who had a splendid Test season, finds his mention in the middle-order, whereas Murali Vijay has been named as the opener alongside David Warner.
Marcus North’s Best Test XI: Steven Smith (C), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Virat Kohli, Joe Root, AB de Villiers (WK), Ben Stokes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada
The 41-year-old cricketer from Australia Marcus North picked Dale Steyn as the bowling spearhead despite getting injured several times in the past. He claimed he is the best product to unnerve batters.
Kohli has been included to provide impetus in the middle-order.
North also picked AB de Villiers as the long-format wicket-keeper, which shouldn’t be a surprise.