Right after ICC named their Test eleven of 2016, many former cricketing greats picked up their side too including Australian bowling legend Glenn McGrath, who penned down his favourite eleven recently.
The former medium fast bowler handpicked the best-rated batsmen in the world now, involving that of lights India’s very own Virat Kohli. Naming the 28-year-old from Delhi as the captain of his side; Pigeon, as his nick-named, selected David Warner and Joe Root as his side’s openers, ignoring England’s Test skipper Alastair Cook for that slot.
“Alastair Cook has had a reasonable 12 months, as has Azhar Ali, but I found it difficult to pick four of the main batters in the team. And I noticed that Joe Root did open once this year so I’ve moved him into the number two position. Joe has had an incredible last 12 months … he’s the leading run-scorer for the year so he’s my other opener.”
Backing his choice to pick Virat Kohli as the skipper of the team, McGrath said Kohli is the best batsman in the world and he’s a fan of his attitude and aggression. Talking further about the wonder-boy of India, he said Virat has it in him to lift up the game and never backs down, which makes him a special player and a better captain too.
“Virat Kohli is probably one of, if not the best batsman in the world at the moment. He’s a quality player and I like his attitude and his aggression. He doesn’t back down and he also has the ability to back it up. And I think when he’s captain, it really lifts his game and I think he’s doing very well captaining this team.”
For the number fourth spot, McGrath went for Australian Test skipper Steven Smith, calling him a not so conventional batsman compared to Root and Kohli, but feels he is equally effective with the bat in his hand. Following him next in the list is Kiwi’s captain Kane Williamson. Hailed by him among the top four best batters across the globe, McGrath said he is a quality batsman and deserves the spot in any list.
“Kane Williamson is one of those guys that people say they love watching bat. He seems to have all the time in the world and he is a quality, quality player. He’s easily one of the top three or four in the world.”
Filling the space in lower-middle order, Glenn went for the English duo of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes. Arguably, the best number six and seven at the moment right now, the Australian stuck with Bairstow despite having a personal bend for young South African Quinton de Kock. Ben Stokes, who had a terrific year with both bat and ball is the lone all-rounder in the list. Seemed impressed with Ben’s reverse swinging ability, McGrath said his numbers propelled him to make the list.
In the bowling department, the Australian bowler who scalped 563 wickets in his career in Tests picked Mitchell Starc as his first choice bowler with Kagiso Rabada of South Africa being the second one. Surprisingly, the New South Wales born couldn’t do anything but pick ICC Test Cricketer and Cricketer of the year Ravichandran Ashwin. To fill the last left spot, he went for Pakistan leg-spinner, Yasir Shah.
Glenn McGrath’s Test Team of 2016:
David Warner, Joe Root, Virat Kohli (c), Steven Smith, Kane Williamson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada and Yasir Shah.