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South African all-rounder Wayne Parnell has named his all-time Test XI, and his selections have created a stir among cricket lovers. While the list is packed with some of the biggest names to have graced the game, what stands out is the complete absence of any Indian player — a surprising decision given India’s rich history and contributions in Test cricket.
Solid opening pair in Wayne Parnell’s Test XI
In an interview with Crictracker, Parnell opted for a left-right combination at the top, selecting former South African skipper Graeme Smith alongside Australian powerhouse Matthew Hayden. The duo’s aggressive yet solid approach makes them a formidable pair capable of dominating any bowling attack.
Middle order masterclass
In the crucial middle-order slots, Parnell went with Australian batting legend Ricky Ponting, South African great Jacques Kallis, West Indies maestro Brian Lara, and Sri Lankan run-machine Kumar Sangakkara. These names bring a mix of elegance, consistency, and match-winning ability, forming the backbone of his batting line-up.
All-round brilliance
The South African star picked AB de Villiers as his wicketkeeper-batter, adding versatility and explosive stroke play to the line-up. Alongside him, Shaun Pollock and Wasim Akram take the all-rounders’ roles, offering a lethal mix of swing bowling and valuable lower-order runs.
Also READ: S. Badrinath places MS Dhoni at eleventh in his blind ranking of India’s all-time Test XI
Bowling attack of legends
Parnell’s bowling arsenal features some of the most feared names in cricket history. Shane Warne, arguably the greatest leg-spinner of all time, partners with pace spearheads Dale Steyn and Wasim Akram, while Pollock completes a well-balanced attack capable of dismantling any batting line-up.
Parnell raises eyebrows by picking no Indian player in his all-time XI
What’s caught fans off guard is the total absence of any Indian cricketer from this star-studded XI. It’s rare to see an all-time Test team without legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, or Virat Kohli. Given India’s immense contribution to Test cricket over decades, Parnell’s selection has inevitably sparked debate and left many wondering about his criteria for picking this dream team.
Wayne Parnell’s all-time Test XI: Graeme Smith, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Brain Lara, Kumar Sangakkara, AB De Villiers, Shaun Pollock, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Dale Steyn
Also READ: Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali pick their all-time India-England Test XI, no place for Virat Kohli
