The cricket world is ready to bid goodbye to the year, which witnessed the fascinating performances by batters as well as bowlers. And on Monday, Cricket Australia (CA) decided to reveal their Test XI of the decade.
Former England skipper Alastair Cook was picked as an opener along with Australia’s David Warner. Cook averaged 45.35 in Test cricket with 12472 runs to his name; however, in the past decade, the left-hander amassed 8818 runs with 294 being his highest score. Warner, on the other hand, recently reached his career’s best score of 335 not out against Pakistan, and crossed the 7000-run mark.
CA picked Kiwi captain Kane Williamson at number three, followed by vigorous Aussie Steve Smith. Williamson averaged above 52 and made 6000-plus runs in the past decade; Smith has clubbed 7072 runs and smashed 26 centuries since 2010.
This may come as a surprise that CA has selected only one Indian player in their Test XI of the decade, i.e., the captain of the Indian team, Virat Kohli. The right-hander averaged 54.97 in the past decade and scored the maximum hundreds (27).
CA went for South Africa’s stalwart AB de Villiers as the wicketkeeper. In 60 Tests, he scored more than 5000 runs. England’s Ben Stokes was picked as the only all-rounder, whereas Australia’s Nathan Lyon made his way into the team in the form of a lone spinner.
English speedster duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, along with South Africa’s pacer Dale Steyn were named to lead the fast bowling department. The trio took 1092 wickets in the past decade.
Here is Cricket Australia’s Test XI of the decade
Alastair Cook, David Warner, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Ben Stokes, Dale Steyn, Stuart Broad, Nathan Lyon, James Anderson.
