England wicket-keeper batter Jonny Bairstow recently picked his dream XI. With some surprising choices, his all-time XI did become the talk of the day for netizens. God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar was the only Indian cricketer to feature in the team.
The likes of Ricky Ponting, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Strauss, Andrew Flintoff were ignored by him. Indian cricketing icons Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni too failed to make their way to Bairstow’s side. While it’s always tough to pick a squad of legends, the England batter did select a team that undoubtedly is a brilliant XI.
“No.1 and captain, Alastair Cook, the all-time leading run-scorer for England, very easy decision. No.2 Hashim Amla, Speaking about himself, sustainability and unique. Lara is my no.3 batsman especially for his 400 in Tests and 501 in First Class cricket.”
Bairstow opted for veteran England opener Sir Alaister Cook as the leader of his pack. He picked Proteas legend Hashim Amla to open the batting with Cook. Caribbean genius Brian Lara and Little Master Sachin Tendulkar- the two best batter of their generation, sealed their spot No.3 and No.4.
Lara-Sachin at No. 3 and 4
“Sachin Tendulkar at No.4, the all-time leading run-scorer, the magician, he was absolutely fantastic for such long period of time. No.5 and wicket-keeper AB de Villiers, he is just doing the things people are never dreamt of doing in ODI, Tests, and T20Is,”
The middle-order had the Mr. 360 degree AB de Villiers as the wicket-keeper and one of the all-time greatest all-rounders another South African giant Jaques Kallis.
“No.6 I am going for Jack Kallis, all-rounder, catches at the second slip, ridiculous with the bat and bowling as well. No.7 Joe Root, yes, I am afraid he is down at no.7 still under 25 scored a ridiculous number of runs for England in all forms of cricket and I am sure he will break many records in the years to come.”
Joe Root, his present red-ball captain found his place at No.7, a position where he has barely ever played. Root was definitely the most astonishing pick in the XI.
Steyn-Johnson-Anderson : A deadly pace unit
Coming to the bowling attack, Mitchell Johnson, Dale Steyn, and James Anderson formed a trio no batter would ever dream to play. Leg spin magician and the 2nd highest all-time wicket-taker Australian veteran Shane Warne was the sole spinner in the side.
“No.8, I am going for Mitchell Johnson for the spells even in England and Australia are ferociously fast. No.9 will be Dale Steyn, skills with the new ball, reverse swing with the older ball are just ridiculous. And my spinner is Shane Warne. The no.11 is James Anderson, the all-time leading wicket-taker for England, swings in all conditions. So that’s my all time playing XI. What’s your’s?”
Bairstow’s All-Time XI: Alastair Cook (c), Hashim Amla, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, AB de Villiers (wk), Jacques Kallis, Joe Root, Mitchell Johnson, Dale Steyn, Shane Warne, James Anderson.
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