ESPNcricinfo in a compelling and indifferent section aired on former Australian opener Matthew Hayden And east New Zealand Captain Ken Williamson It was invited to participate in a unique and intellectually stimulating challenge: selecting your best test XIS of the 21st century.
Cricket legends take hot seats for final test XI drafts
The episode began on a cheerful note, in which the host introduced two mythological batsmen, a giant in the Golden Age of Australia, the other is still actively actively adding its legacy to world cricket. Unlike Hayden was reminiscent of Jovali, Kane is still looking at the numbers, for which Williamson responded a minor reply, ‘Still trying,’ Establish a round of laughter and a comfort, respectable tone. The atmosphere was light, yet the work ahead was anything but easy.
Both players were given a pool of modern great people to choose and they had to build their all -time XI through the draft system. They will not only name one list, but will be cleverly selected, often preventing the other from receiving one prominent player. The rules were clearly explained: The teams will include two openers, one number three, middle-order batsman, a number six, one wicketkeeper, three fast bowlers and a spinner. While no specific site was fixed, the consensus was to select teams that would be balanced enough to play in any situation – home or away.
Kane Williamson and Matthew Hayden Craft Dream XIS that could define an era
Hayden won the toss and took the first bold step by selecting Shane warne As his initial pick, his strategy would not be linear. In response, Williamson chose his early pair quickly: Matthew Hayden Himself and Virender SehwagAs Hayden laughed at his own selection, the draft proceeded with the great soul. Hayden shut down again Alastair Cook And David warner As his openers. Williamson, Sehwag was already chosen, Cook and Warner were chosen as their early pair. Moving forward in the middle order, teams of childhood dreams came alive: Ricky Ponting At number 3, Sachin Tendulkar At number 4 for Williamson. Hayden selected and replied Brian Lara And Jacques KallisCiting Lara as an individual hero. Kallis offered all -round depth, envying Hayden immediately.
Kane again chose his spinner and a pacer: Mutiah Muralitharan And Glen McgrathHayden’s praise and some friendly complaints, which expected to secure both. Hayden continued to construct his middle order with it Virat Kohli And VVS laxmanAccepting the challenge of leaving AB de Villiers out. Williamson, however, closed in Steve Smith And AB de VilliersWhile making MS Dhoni His wicketkeeper at number 7. Hayden shot back with his own keeper pick, Adam Gilchrist, And he should have been raised first. Like the pace departments focused, Kane said Del stan And Shoaib Akhtar For his attack. Hayden, looking to scare the opposition, went with Brett Lee And James AndersonTanging your Xi with some of the most scary Quick in modern history.
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In the final pics, Kane argued whether the team would go globally for another spinner for the team, but chose Akhtar Jasprit Bumrah To complete their trio of the fast bowlers. While reflecting the strength of the lineup, the host read the last XIS: Hayden’s team boasted Cook, Warner, Kallis, Lara, Kohli, Laxman, Gilchrist (WK), Warne, Cummins, Lee and Anderson. Ken’s XI featured Hayden, Sehwag, Ponting, Tendulkar, Smith, de Villiers, Dhoni (WK), Stan, Shoaib, McGrath and Muralitharan. Asked about the captains, Hayden named Lara, citing his ability to deliver his ability to deliver under pressure on a weak West Indies side and expressed him a desire to lead a world class team. Ken chose Ricky Ponting As his captain MS Dhoni As a vice-captain. The host concluded that if these two fantasy sides played each other in a five-match Test series around the world, it would probably end in a 2–2 draw with a Test match, which exposes the mythological height and competition of XIS.
Matthew Hayden’s All-Time Test XI (21st century)
- Opener: Alastair Cook, David Warner
- Mid -sequence: Jacques Kalis, Brian Lara (Captain), Virat Kohli, VVS Laxman
- wicket keeper: Adam Gilchrist
- Spinner: Shane Warne
- Fast bowler: Pat Cummins, Brett Lee, James Anderson
Ken Williamson’s all-time test XI (21st century)
- Opener: Matthew Hayden, Virender Sehwag
- Mid -sequence: Ricky Ponting (Captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith, AB de Villiers
- wicket keeper: MS Dhoni (vice-captain)
- Spinner: Muttiah Muralitharan
- Fast bowler: Glenn McGrath, Dale Stan, Shoaib Akhtar
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