There are so many great Test players out there at the moment, including some great bowlers and batsmen. Here’s who I think is the current best Test XI.
1. David Warner
Someone who started out as a T20 specialist, Warner has transformed into one of, if not the, world’s best Test opener. Combining power with class, Warner came off his suspension and poor Ashes in 2019 with superb performances against New Zealand and Pakistan, hitting 786 runs and averaging 131 across eight innings, with nearly half of those runs coming from his 335* against Pakistan. He also currently averages 48.94 in Tests, which is right up there with the best. The question is, though: can he improve away from Australia and prove why he’s the best Test opener?
(Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
2. Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper)
Despite not opening in Test matches, De Kock is still a handy batsman who can open the batting when needed. A quick finisher who has beautiful timing and technique and is extremely classy behind the stumps, De Kock has averaged approximately 51.2 these last two summers, which is better than his 39.12 average, and has taken 48 catches in 17 innings. He’s even vice-captain now at the tender age of 27. The big question is: can he continue to improve?
3. Kane Williamson
A part of the group of great Test batsmen this era, Williamson is a man who can never be stopped, home or away. Blessed with superb technique as well as splendid timing, he’s averaged 50.99 so far in his career while also averaging approximately 49.5 over the last two summers. He might’ve averaged only approximately 34.8 last summer, but he is still a classy batsman and a great captain.
4. Virat Kohli (captain)
A superstar batsman and another member of the best batsmen of this era, Kohli is one of India’s greatest batsmen to ever grace the turf. With unbelievable timing and great technique along with iron wrists, Kohli has averaged 53.62 in his Test career so far, including approximately 47.5 these last two summers. He’s also led India to 11 victories these last two summers along with only three losses (all overseas) and only one series loss. Can he continue his meteoric rise and get that number one Test batsman spot yet again?
(Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
5. Steve Smith
Dubbed the next Don Bradman by so many, Steven Smith continues to shine and improve his game. Starting out as a leg spin all-rounder back in 2010, he’s transformed into an unbelievable batsman – the No.1 batsman currently – who has beautiful technique, super timing and unbelievable wrists. He’s averaging 62.84 in Tests – despite an average of only approximately 36.3 last summer – including an average of 71.75 in Ashes Test matches, even averaging 110.57 in the last Ashes. But can he improve on last summer’s performance and state that he is this era’s Bradman?
(Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
6. Marnus Labuschagne
A meteoric rise to the top this last year, some are even comparing Labuschange to his partner in crime, Steve Smith. Only just beating Babar Azam and Joe Root here, he’s improved a lot, especially more recently, and currently has an average of 63.43 in 23 innings and a high score of 215. He averaged 112 last summer along with an average of 50.4 in the 2019 Ashes. He’s a decent bowler too, taking 12 wickets in 14 Tests at an average of 38.66. The only way is up for the 26-year-old.
(Photo by Stephen Blackberry/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
7. Ben Stokes
He doesn’t normally bat this far down, but Stokes is still pretty versatile as well as a handy all-rounder. A beautiful timer of the ball who has lots of power, he’s averaged 42.6 these last two summers with the bat along with a bowling average of 30.86 and 35 wickets – he currently has 147 Test wickets at an average of 32.68. The one-time bad boy turned vice-captain who will most likely captain England against the West Indies, will Stokes continue to grow both on and off the field?
(Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
8. Jason Holder
The Windies captain is a very courageous leader. Holder is a handy opening bowler as well as a solid lower-order batsman. The No. 1 all-rounder in Test cricket, he’s averaged 46.11 with the bat in nine innings (he averages 32.72 in Tests) and has a bowling average of 16.72 (he averages 26.37 in Tests) along with 25 wickets (he currently has 106 wickets). The big question for the 28-year-old is whether he can continue to improve and develop his game.
9. Pat Cummins
Plagued with injury early on in what looked like a bright future for the Sydney boy, Cummins has shone ever since he got his opportunity to team up with Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood. An elite bowler (the No.1 bowler) with raw pace as well as a solid batting ability, he’s really broken through these last two summers, taking 77 wickets at an average of 20.12 for a total of 143 wickets (average of 21.82). He’s up there as Australia’s best fast bowler since Glenn McGrath. Can he improve himself even more?
10. Neil Wagner
A man who’s got speed and bounce, Wagner, like a fine wine, continues to improve at the age of 34. He’s taken 206 Test wickets at an average of 26.6 and has especially improved over the last two summers, taking 57 wickets and averaging 22.26, including 17 against the Australians here in Australia. A weapon for New Zealand, his big question is whether he can keep this effort up for much longer.
11. Jasprit Bumrah
Just beating fellow young speedster Kagiso Rabada, Bumrah has established himself as India’s No. 1 pace bowler. Another one gifted with raw speed and bounce of his short sprint, he’s currently averaging 20.33 in Test matches along with 68 wickets in only 28 innings. Over the last two summers he’s taken 40 wickets at an average of 16.83, including 6-33 at the MCG and 6-27 at Sabina Park. Can he be just that bit more consistent and continue to grow into one of the world’s best Test bowlers?
Soham
Guest
"India's dodgy tracks" - this is bias if anything ever was in cricket. All of Asia has pitches that favor spinners but not only do you pigeonhole India, but you also act as if spin is bad and pace is good. If pace were supported on Indian tracks and spin were supported on Australian and English tracks, you guys would be whining about why Indian tracks support spin. Test cricket is only so beautiful and unique because each country has their own types of pitches and their own challenges. Calling it dodgy is simply dumb.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Rabada has the ability to turn a match in a session. Can't see Wagner getting the nod ahead of him.. Rabadas strike rate and averages also way better....and although being a huge fan of Quinnie De Kock whom I still rate the most entertaining batsman to watch in the World he is not a World Class Test opener.. His role should be more of that of what's Gilchrist was for Aus.. A destructive keeper batsman coming in at about 6 or 7....
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Holder gets some good press as an all rounder, but his bowling isn’t up with the likes of Rabada, or even Starc, Hazlewood and others. His decent average relies on more matches with weaker teams. Against the stronger teams his averages are - v Australia 61, England 30, India 35, NZ 51 and South Africa 50. Not acceptable for a front line bowler. Clearly de Kock doesn’t qualify as an opener. Agarwal has done the best recently, though there’s an argument that Pujara would go well there. Marnus has only had six months of performing at a high level so I’d say Pujara keeps a spot in the top 3 for the moment. Can’t select an eleven without a spinner, especially if you’re playing an all rounder. Lyon has done the best on all tracks around the world, though Jadeja could challenge if he gets more chances on overseas tracks. Wagner might have done enough to edge out Rabada for 3rd quick berth but it’s close.
Marty
Roar Rookie
It says a fair bit about the quality of openers around at the moment if you can average 35 away from home and be the pick of the bunch.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Maybe a Warner as 12th if team playing in anywhere outside Aus and South Af.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Yep. If an “author” attempts to put up a best ever side then it should be just that. Don’t bat people out of position and please try to pick a balanced side! You could simply include 11 opening bats using that process. They will never win a game but will hardly ever lose either. It isn’t that hard. :shocked:
Paul
Roar Guru
so in your opinion, because a side lacks balance, there's no spinner and a guy is batting out of position, then the entire piece is a load of rubbish? And then you say "apart from that it was okay"? :crying: :crying:
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
This piece is a load of rubbish because that side lacks balance. How is DeKock at #2 instead of number 7 (he sure aint the 2nd best Opener in the world)? No Spinner? The 31 Test bat in the world has not been picked to bat in his best position. ... Apart from that it was OK!
Peter85
Roar Rookie
XI based on ICC rankings and positional fit: Warner (6) Agarwal (11) Labuschagne (3) Smith (1) Kholi (2) Stokes (bat 10, bowl 27, all-rounder 2) de Kock (13) Holder (bowl 3, bat 35, all-rounder 1) Ashwin (12 but first spinner, all-rounder 5) Cummins (1) Wagner (2) My commentary on this would be: Two openers are the highest rated. Latham comes in third. There is not a great deal of choice in the opener position with all the great batsmen at the moment taking up positions 3 and 4. Williamson and Azam are the next two ranked batsman, both #3’s. Given the opener issues above, I would in theory rather go with Williamson than Agarwal but because of the quality of output at 3 you never see these guys thrust into an openers position; maybe the reason the openers are 5-10 runs less on average is purely the position and not the talent. Stokes in as an all-rounder as his batting ranking justifies selection. Again, it is a choice between Stokes, Williamson and Azam here as the next best batsman and the batting all-rounder. If you are picking a team to win in all conditions I have always preferred Shakin Al-Hassan to be my all-rounder/second spinner but he is unavailable at the moment and ICC rankings don’t justify selection in a current team. Watling is probably a better keeper than de Kock, but batting ranking is only quantifiable factor here. The three fast bowlers are picked on form, Holders batting is a bonus. Lyon is a better all-round spinner but Ashwin is far better in Asian conditions. 40% of test playing nations are Asian so it is the most likely location to hold any World XI match. Rabada is the paceman I would most like to add to give a different dimension to the attack, probably at the expense of Holder.
Patrick
Roar Pro
Some interesting picks. Personally I'd have my keeper down the order, and a spinner in the side. Obviously conditions would change my selections, but my generic team would be this: Warner, Pujara, Williamson, Smith, Kohli, Watling wk, Jadeja, Holder, Cummins, Wagner, Bumrah (Rabada 12th man) Pujara opening is a bit weird, but I can't squeeze him in at 3, and I think his game is well suited to the position. Labuschagne is unlucky, but to me Williamson's experience and longevity gets him over the line. Bowling wise, leaving Rabada out is a really tough call, but Wagner and Bumrah are both really impressive, and both have quite a unique style. I don't think Holder can be left out either, after a couple of fantastic years in succession.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Josh, you've certainly written a thought provoking piece. I have no issues with any of your selections, contrary to many who have posted comments to date. In saying that I think you've missed a few items that would help with some of your selections. You need to set out parameters, eg where would this side play. That would help justify leaving out a spinner if you decided this team would play in Perth or even Lords, for example. Rather than choose a best XI, perhaps you might have considered a best XII? Captains these days like to have 12 guys ready to go and often leave the choice of their final team till a few hours before a Test starts. If you did that here, you could include a spinner. This article is actually a comparison piece. People reading this are all Roar experts ( you just ask us :stoked: ) and we know who are the good and not so good players, who's in form, etc. What we want to know is WHY you've made the decisions you have, not whether player A is a good bloke,etc. For example; . if you want de Kock in your team as an opener, I assume he's there because he's a far better batsman than the alternative keepers, but is he the best choice to partner Warner and if so why? .Is Williamson in the side, not so much for his batting but for his captaincy? Why is he a better choice than Labuschagne at 3? . If you play Stokes & Holder, you have two players of similar type & ability? Why does the side have two all-rounders? .If you don't have a spinner, are you suggesting Labuschagne, Smith & Williamson can fill that role if need be? As I said, I've no issues with your choices but the explanation is just a little thin.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Pujara maybe even in front of kohlis recent test form as opposed to his overall test form . On ashes form it's Cummins Hazelwood as standouts if fit . I'd have decock as keeper for his batting strength in addition . Spinner is tricky right now , Lyon was average in ashes , some question marks against poor opposition in Aus . This is a current xv I'm looking at and the form in the last two yeaesb pre covid was a bit variable on some of thel players with great previous records who can tend to Excel a bit more in the short form .
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Warner only if match played in Australia no chance abroad better openers . His ashes were so dire. He faced an inept Pakistan attack and his performances against nz were ordinary outside of the last test when nz were beaten and decimated . Like the team smith onwards . Is it just me or has Kholi has been a bit average in tests more recently (he’s been superb in odi ) . I do note an average of 47.5 in the article which is enough . Williamson got badly exposed in Aus . Some question marks on more recent form despite past brilliance . I like the team from smith onwards and probably would have Kohli but pujara looms as a test candidate . India have some very good test batsman in form right now one spinner is needed too but no stand out . Cummins in then bumrah or Hazelwood who was on fire in the ashes . Wagner was amazing on Aussie soil this last summer . Recent Away form gets extra points . Cummins Hazelwood bumrah and Wagner have all done well away from home
Paul
Roar Guru
why is this piece "a load of rubbish"? Based on the rest of your comment, you appear to disagree with only 3 or 4 selections, so I assume the rest are okay? If you feel so strongly you have make that sort of statement, why don't you jump on a computer and write an article yourself?
bazza200
Guest
Jason Holder is a must. Pat Cummins is a must pick another Fast bowler then a Spinner that is a min. Unless you are playing on a spinning wicket then Jason Holder then Pat cummins then 2 spinners. You need 2 openers Maybe the South Africian one. Agree that the no.1 bat in the test ranking goes in 4. Lab in 3 and Kohli 5
Micko
Roar Rookie
I think I'd rather have Watling as keeper, not necessarily opening though.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Why no spinner selected?
Anush
Roar Rookie
Your team as mentioned earlier needs a spinner, Dekcock is not even a test regular. You don't add batting and bowling averages together bro. You can have Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Elgar, Latham who could play the ball nicely than DeKock. You can have Jadeja, Rashid or Yasir Shah.
Nick
Roar Guru
No spinner? Ashwin or the GOAT don't rate a selection? You'd want to hope this test is being played in Perth with that bowling line up.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nah Bumrah is a fair call, and you'd add Kohli and Pujara. Also Smith is the no.1 test batsman by a margin, so pick him in his spot. So you'd say more like this. 1. Pujara 2. Warner 3. Labushcagne 4. Smith 5. Kohli 6. Another batsman - Azam/Stokes 7. Paine for class and smarts, Watling if you want a keeper batsman 8. Cummins 9. Starc/Hazlewood 10. Lyon/Jadeja/Ashwin 11. Bumrah/Rabada