A few weeks ago, Australia was ranked number one in Test cricket.
Remember in October 2005 when a Rest of the World XI took on Australia? Not me, since I was only three years old then.
But what if, hypothetically, that were to happen again? I’ve gone ahead with a Rest of the World (ROW) squad to challenge Australia on their shores.
The squad will consist of 15 players (an extra four players based on conditions/form) for a five-Test series played in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
Firstly, here’s my Australian 15-man squad to play in this series: David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Kurtis Patterson, Travis Head, Tim Paine (captain and wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Nic Maddinson, Ashton Agar, Josh Inglis.
(AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
And this is my ROW squad to tour Australia: Kraigg Brathwaite, Azhar Ali (vice-captain), Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Faf du Plessis, Ajinkya Rahane, BJ Watling (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kagiso Rabada, Neil Wagner, Jasprit Bumrah, Keshav Maharaj, Jason Holder, Murali Vijay, Wriddhiman Saha.
Kraigg Brathwaite
The West Indies opener played on our shores back in 2015 as Australia outplayed the West Indies in all facets. But Brathwaite was one of the shining lights in that series for the West Indies. In five innings, Brathwaite racked up 229 runs at 45.8 with two half-centuries. A sturdy and robust opener, I’d expect Brathwaite to blunt the new ball and frustrate the Aussie bowlers.
Azhar Ali
Having watched glimpses of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, I’d go ahead with Azhar Ali as my favourite Pakistan Test batsman to watch. Despite not having a great series against Tim Paine’s men last year, he still averages 52 in Australia. His double ton at the 2016 Boxing Day Test is the best innings I’ve seen by an opener in Australia.
Cheteshwar Pujara
His golden 2018 series against Australia says it all. In Australia, Pujara averages 55.54. Grinding out the runs against a quality Aussie attack, he was almost impossible to dismiss that series. It was tough to leave out Kane Williamson, but it’s near unimaginable not to have Pujara tour Australia.
Virat Kohli
Six hundreds in 12 Tests in Australia. Need I say anything more?
Faf du Plessis
Du Plessis’ form has declined over the past few years, but he’s still a quality player. He loves batting in Australia. With two centuries at the Adelaide Oval and an average of 83.17 in Australia, it’s a bit hard to leave out the South African stalwart.
(AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Ajinkya Rahane
This isn’t Indian bias. I’m going off by players who have done well in Australian conditions. A quality hundred in the 2014 Boxing Day Test and four half-centuries in 15 innings, Rahane shows he has the temperament to do well in the middle order. He isn’t the same player he was a few years ago, but Australian conditions bring the best out of the Mumbai batsman.
BJ Watling
In terms of pure glove work, nothing separates Watling and Wriddhiman Saha. They’re the best glovemen in the world. But Watling has a knack of scoring important and crucial runs under pressure, and that’s why he gets the nod over Saha as first-choice keeper.
Ravindra Jadeja
With the ball, Jadeja averages 19.34 against Australia. In Australian conditions, it goes up to 28, which is still respectable, but his economy is only 2.25. He offers excellent control with his accurate left-arm off spin and has played some tremendous counter-attacking 50s against the Aussies.
Kagiso Rabada
With a bowling average of under 23, Rabada made a name for himself as a Test cricketer after ripping through the Aussies in Perth in 2016. With Dale Steyn injured and South Africa only having three front-line bowlers, he bowled his heart out, taking seven wickets and bowling South Africa to an incredible victory. Averaging 22.4 in Australia with the ball, Rabada would be troubling the Aussie batsmen.
Neil Wagner
Despite New Zealand getting a hammering from their Trans-Tasman brothers a few months ago, Wagner was the shining light for the Black Caps. He bowled his heart out, taking 17 wickets at an average off 22.76 and economy of just 2.46.
Jasprit Bumrah
Taking 68 wickets in 14 Tests is no joke for an Indian fast bowler who’s never bowled on the sub-continent. Bumrah’s slingy action and pace has shaken opposition batsmen. Regarded as a T20 bowler before his Test debut, Bumrah’s T20 bowling skills came into effect in the 2018 Boxing Day Test, as he cunningly used his variations en route to a five-wicket haul.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Keshav Maharaj
To bowl the way Maharaj did in his debut series was commendable. Bowling at the WACA and Bellerive Oval, the South African spinner did a great job holding an end up while his seaming counterparts ran riot. He’d never overtake Jadeja, but Maharaj could play as the second spinner at Adelaide and Sydney where spinners are at the forefront in Australia.
Jason Holder
I’ve gone with the West Indies captain as my back-up seamer. While the rest of his counterparts were spanked in 2015, Holder was the only bowler who showed consistency and accuracy with the ball. A much-improved bowler nowadays with a bowling average of 26.38, Holder can exploit the bounce on offer in Australia. Should there be a pitch where four quicks are required, Rahane would be dropped for Holder while Jadeja would bat at number six (Jadeja averages close to 48 in first-class cricket with the bat, so he’s good enough to bat in the top six).
Murali Vijay
Now, you’re probably thinking, how does a bloke who’s not in the Indian team be in this squad? Well, Vijay does average 44.25 in Australia. A classy opener who actually knows where his off stump is (well, he used to before a terrible 2018), Vijay enjoys the true surfaces that are on offer in Australia. His 144 at the Gabba in 2014 is the second best innings I’ve seen by a foreign batsman in Brisbane after Asad Shafiq’s 137. Although not first choice, Vijay is my back-up opener in the squad.
Wriddhiman Saha
A case for Rishabh Pant can be made considering he’s the only Indian keeper to score a Test ton outside of Asia and the West Indies. Still, I wanted the best glovemen available in this squad, thus Saha being chosen over Pant and Ben Foakes. With BJ Watling’s batting being better than Saha’s, Saha would have to be content to carry the drinks for the ROW squad.
What happened in 2005 was one of the most one-sided Tests. Although the ICC scrapped the Super Series idea after that, I feel the series would work better since Australia aren’t as dominant as they were before. This ROW squad would definitely challenge Australia on their shores and give them a real fight.
Nick
Roar Guru
Indeed. Another worthy player in the greatest non-resident South African XI.
Tim Ponnusamy
Roar Rookie
Hi Arnab, I think you're spot on with the three seamers in the lineup there - Wagner, Bumrah and Rabada. I would've gone with Agarwal to open the batting. I've been really disappointed with Ajinyka Rahane since that 2014 tour of Australia (what a hundred at the MCG that was). I think he's gone backwards since then. If you ignore stats I'd have Ben Stokes in my side every day of the week to play Australia anywhere. Pure matchwinner. Also have a no wives policy on tour mate - in case Murali Vijay's eyes start to wander.
jameswm
Roar Guru
So maybe I should actually read it next time… Mind you, Labuaschagne might qualify as a foreign batsman.
jameswm
Roar Guru
That’s all crystal ball stuff. You’d be surprised if any of the Aussie bats averaged higher against a world attack, but you never know.
Brian
Guest
I reckon Root would average a lot higher coming in after Williamson & Kohli then after Denly & Vince, of course overseas players struggle in losing teams. As for Warner when Sotuh Africa have come here with Morkel & Steyn he averages 40 boosted by 100 he scored when Steyn was injured. Against a proper World XI attack I doubt he would average 30.
jameswm
Roar Guru
So you saying he made tons when they were 90s is me not making my point? I said he’s had some good rest innings and is a better test bat than Paine. But you missed the parts you didn’t want to address.
Phat Boy
Guest
Sorry my apologies - I should have said 'his back to back match-winning and match-saving respectively 90s in New Zealand.' 91 off 118 at 5-79 chasing 290 in the first innings - SA makes 358 and wins the test. Next game he comes in at 5-140 and smacks another 90 off 110 and they manage to post 300 - good thing they did as NZ proceeded to rack up 480. Or we could go all the way back to literally his last series, where he made 95 off 120 coming in at 4-97. SA recover and win the Test. (For the record he posted 50, 63, 34, 20, 3, 76 and 39 for the rest of the series in which his top-order completely fell to pieces). How about his 129 off 138 with his team 5-90 in their second innings and a lead of 150 the summer before against Pakistan? Or coming in at 4-80 and smashing 80 off 94 against Sri Lanka the series before that? Or the very next test where he came in on day one at 4-73 and hit 86 off 87? Even when he gets promoted he makes runs. 68 off 81 coming in at 4 on day one at Lords against Broad, Anderson, Wood and Stokes. His 84 off 101 at the WACA at 5-87 on day one of a series (a Test his side ultimately won on the back of that recovery). His 101 off 120 at 5-169 on day one at Newlands against Sri Lanka. Whatever point you're trying to make about Paine having a right to be in the same sentence as De Kock, you're not making it very well.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Whatever, but the stats don't back you up. I'll take Paine. I had a look. Nice century (111) in India in 2019. But his other scores were 0, 31, 5, 4, 5. So even with that ton, he averaged 26 for the tour. He hasn't scored a ton in NZ. He did score one in Hobart 4 years ago - not entirely relevant now though. Then more recently in SA v England, in the last 2 tests, he scored fighting half centuries, on such "seamer's wickets" that England managed 499 and 400 in the first innings. And he didn't turn either of them - England belted SA in both of them. Same in the 2nd test of that series - de Kock scored 20 and 50 as his side got belted. In the previous series in India: - test 1, he scored a ton in the 1st innings as art of 430 after India piled on 500, then got a 2nd ball duck in the 2nd innings, as SA crumbled to a loss - test 2 - India piled on 600 this time, and de Kock got 30 and then in the 2nd innings needing a dig in, didn't survive 10 balls again (bowled both innings) - test 3 - he opened, and after India piled on 497, he didn't survive 10 balls in either innings. So 4 of his last 5 innings on tour - ie all innings after his ton in a losing cause - he didn't last 10 balls. Is that what you mean by breaking it down? Doesn't really prove your point though. That's my point. One flashy ton, or several gritty 40-60s. Not a lot between them. Paine - he never produces gritty knocks when you need them, does he? Yes de Kock has a better test batting record than Paine, and if you were picking one as a batsman, you'd probably go with de Kock. But as I said, not by a big margin. When you add in Paine's keeping and leadership, it's line ball between them overall. Australian cricket owes Tim Paine so much. And as much as I always criticised him, I've been impressed by Kohli's leadership over the last couple of years - as a person I mean.
Ben Horsley
Roar Rookie
Certainly some head-scratchers on present and past form. But hey you justified why so pick who you want. Personally, my team would be: Agarwal Pujara Williamson Kohli Azam Stokes De Kock Jadeja (Though I would not hesitate to throw in Archer) Rabada Wagner Bumrah Latham (Back-up Gloves) Shakib Al Hasan (If banned throw in Joe Root, can come in for Stokes at the SCG) Archer (Pace, real pace) Trent Boult/James Anderson (This is a pure horses for courses selection i.e. Adelaide).
Phat Boy
Guest
If you actually break down De Kock's innings' in Test cricket, look at his scores, when he's got them, the speed he's scored them, and the result of the game, the guy has turned more matches than any keeper-batsman bar Adam Gilchrist. Even suggesting that there isn't much gap between he and Paine is laughable. Add that to the fact that he scores runs in tough conditions with seemingly no regard for the surface and what it's doing to his teammmates - see his centuries in India, Hobart, NZ for example, and the fact that all his home tests are on seamer's wickets usually around the time the second new ball is taken, and it's not even a comparison. De Kock is so far ahead it's not funny. And his keeping is bloody good as well.
Bucko
Guest
1. Agarwal 2. Pujara 3. Williamson (C) 4. Kohli 5. Azam 6. Stokes 7. De Kock (wk) 8. Jadeja 9. Rabada 10. Wagner 11. Bumrah Bench- Root, Latham (also back up wk), Shami, Shaheen
Nick
Roar Guru
I said "foreign batsman", James.
jameswm
Roar Guru
"I can’t think of a single foreign batsman that would outscore Warner in Australia". I can think of 2 spruce - Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Have you seen how Australia have gone in Australia in the last 10 years? Averages in tests in Australia Joe Root - 38 Kane Williamson - 42 David Warner - 66 Steve Smith - 71 Marnus Labuschagne - 85 (smaller sample size with only 8 games) Kohli has done well in Aust - ave 55, but still well below our big 3 Given the series would played in Aust, how could Australia not be at least a strong shot, or even favourite? Overseas spinners struggle in Aust. Most overseas quicks struggle on our hard flat decks, but ours roll opposition batting lineups (obviously not as strong as this world one would be).
Nick
Roar Guru
"His double ton at the 2016 Boxing Day Test is the best innings I’ve seen by an opener in Australia." for Azhar Ali. A very, very good knock indeed. Sehwags 195 was still better though. That was electrifying.
Nick
Roar Guru
I can't think of a single foreign batsman that would outscore Warner in Australia. I can think of about 250 bowlers that would outscore Warner offshore though.
Brian
Guest
Ozy, ozzy, ozzy oi oi oi
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nah I don't agree on De Kock being miles ahead. Paine averages 31.72 in tests and his last 4 innings have been 39, 0, 79 & 35. He averages 34 in Australia. De Kock averages 39 in tests, and is a hothead (as is Rabada). Paine is a better keeper. Head and Wade could just as easily score runs in Australia as whoever the World XI pick at 5 & 6, and I reckon Warner, Smith and Labu are better odds than their opponents to score tons in Australia.
Brian
Guest
World XI, Australia has 4 gaping holes at numbers 2, 5, 6 & 7. De Kock miles ahead of Paine as a batsman. I reckon a quality attack would work Warner over in Australian conditions as well. Australia's bowling is still good but as we saw when India toured much harder to bowl when the batsman are poor.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Tackle? This isnt football. Most teams can challenge australia. It's not the 1996-2004 team. They dont need a world 11 to challenge them.