All TIME XI

[Watch Video]; Brian Lara picks his greatest cricketers from Different eras

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While everyone is busy with naming the ‘best eleven’ or their ‘best players’ of the decade, former West Indian legend, Brian Lara has named the series of ‘Five Best’ players in putting them in different categories.

Lara is one of the greatest players of all time. He is eighth highest run-scorer in international cricket. From 1990-2007, the left-handed batsman played 430 games, scoring 22,358 runs at an average of 46.28 with 53 hundreds and 111 half-centuries, including the highest individual score of 400 not out.

Lara covered the Indian Premier League this year as SRH’s Batting Coach. In IPL 2021 where he worked as an expert commentary Panel at Star Sports, There he named some of the best players he has ever played. It was divided into two parts, those who played before him and those who played in his era.

He commented on the debate over who is the greatest cricketer to ever emerge in all time. He mentioned the past stars Sir Garry Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards and Sir Don Bradman, pointing out that it is difficult to name one Accordingly, he commented to Star Sports:

“The Greatest Of All Time has to be. different eras. I am someone who finds it very difficult to have an opinion on the Greatest Of All Time when there are so many good ones. I mean, back in the day, of course, Don Bradman. Let me give you a few Garfield Sobers, a great all-rounder, Sir Vivian Richards, a great batsman.”

He also said that Sachin Tendulkar was the best batsman of his era and Jacques Kallis was the best all-rounder.

Brian Lara has urged Michael Clarke, Source: News Corp Australia

“Then, in my time, you had guys like Jacques Kallis, all-around ability, Sachin Tendulkar, a great batsman. So, quite a few. I think I love, really appreciating each player for what they brought to the game.”

In the ‘Five Best Bowlers I have played against’ category, the left-hander picked the Pakistani swing kings Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, the Australian duo of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan.

Lara shared his list of the best five batsmen of the current era. Lara said that India’s Virat Kohli, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, England’s Joe Root, AB de Villiers, and former Australia skipper Steve Smith as the best batsmen of today’s time.

In the bowler’s category, Lara said that he thinks Jasprit Bumrah, England’s Jofra Archer and James Anderson, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, and Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan are the best five of the current era.

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Allan Donald Picks His All-Time XI; Includes 4 West Indies Players

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Allan Donald is a South African former cricketer. Often nicknamed ‘White Lightning’ due to his lightning-fast bowling, he is considered to be one of the most successful fast bowlers in the South African national cricket team.

No South African player, past or present, is more respected by the public and his peers than Donald, the first bowler to take 300 Test wickets for his country. After retirement, he transferred his vast knowledge of fast bowling to the commentary box and with coaching.

Allan Donald named his all-time XI which included five Australians, four West Indies, and two South Africans.

His all-time xi innings were opened by two of Australia’s greats, Matthew Hayden and Justin Lagner.

“Two opening batsmen would be Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. Two partners that have batted for a very long time together. Great understanding. Mentally very strong.”

As the number 3 batsman, he named one of South Africa’s best all-rounders, Jacques Kallis, saying “Probably the best cricketer of all time, arguably Jacques Kallis”.

Also named two West Indies legends for No. 4 and 5 positions. He called Brian Lara, “Genius with a bat, Absolutely wonderful for to watching.”

Sir Vivian Richard was nominated for number 5 and he was also the captain of his team. Alan Donald introduced Sir Vivian Richard as,

“One of my all-time greats. as a little boy Growing up watching this man and captain of this team, Sir Vivian Richards.”

Also, AB de Villiers of South Africa and Adam Gilchrist of Australia were named for number 6 and 7 and, he called them,

“One of the all-time greats AB de Villiers. Can also double up as a wicketkeeper, but has explosive power in the middle order. Number seven. Adam Gilchrist. A very dynamic player, fast scorer, Can take a game away from you at any time.”

Donald named three fast bowlers in his all-time XI along with one spinner and the gretest Shane Warne as his only spinner.

“The great Shane Warne. There’s no doubt about it. The greatest leg spinner that’s ever played the games.”

His pace bowlers were former West Indies player legendary Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, and Australia’s Glenn McGrath.

“Number nine, grew up watching this guy for a very long time, Malcolm Marshall. Number ten. Another West Indian long Lanky Curtly Ambrose. Fantastic fastballer. Got it. Number eleven from Australia, Glenn McGrath.” 

Here is his all-time xi: Matthew Hayden, Justin Lagner Jacques Kallis, Brian Lara, Sir Vivian Richard, AB de Villiers, Shane Warne, Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, and Australia’s Glenn McGrath.

West Indies All-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall named his all-time T20 XI, Including six West Indies players

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West Indies All-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall named his all-time T20 XI. It is special that six West Indies players are included in it. It also featured two Australian players, as well as one each from New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Destructive Chris Gayle opened the innings in his all-time XI alongside devastating batsman Johnson Charles.  He mentioned that Gayle and Charles are both equally destructive batsmen who put the bowlers under pressure, so they are chosen as openers.

picture source: ICC/GETTY IMAGES

“Starting with the batting line-up, I would go with Chris Gayle at the top. He’s a very destructive batsman. He puts bowlers under pressure. Secondly, I would go with Johnson Charles Similar to Chris Gayle in his own way, he’s a very destructive batsman he will put bowlers under pressure as well.”

For his No. 3 and No. 4 positions, Cornwall chose a pair of batsmen who are at the highest level of technical present New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Australia’s Steven Smith.

“Batting at No.3, I would go with Kane Williamson. He’s a very technical batsman. he takes his time and go about his business. Batting at no. 4, I will go with Steve Smith. Similar to Kane, but he is more aggressive in his own way.”

He chose two all-rounders from the West Indies for No. 5 and 6. Accordingly, former limited-overs captain Kieron Pollard, who is known for hitting the ball hard, as well as all-rounder Andre Russell to finish Cornwall’s innings.

“Batting at no.5, I will go with Kieron Pollard, he’s a very hard-hitting batsman, No.6 I would go with Andre Russell, he will finish my innings for me and the team.”

He chose Darren Sammy, who gave West Indies the T20 World Cup double in 2012 and 2016, as his No. 07 player and captain.

“As my captain batting at no.7 Darren Sammy he is the captain, I think he is a very good leader.”

Rahkeem’s bowling force consisted of two regular spinners and two genuine fast bowlers. His spinners were Afghanistan’s number one leg-spinner Rashid Khan and West Indies mystery spinner Sunil Narine. Both of his pacers were left-arm pacers, one being Pakistan’s passionate fast bowler Wahab Riaz and Australia’s Mitchell Starc.

“No.8, my spinner would be Rashid Khan. He is very good at spin bowling. At no.9 I would go Mitchell Starc from Australia, he’s a very good fast bowler. No.10, I would go with Wahab Riaz. He is also a very good bowler in T20 cricket and no.11, Sunil Narine, the mystery spinner always gives batsmen a lot of trouble an around the world “

Accordingly, West Indies all-rounder Rakim Cornwall named his all-time Twenty20 XI as follows,

Chris Gayle(WI)

Johnson Charles(WI)

Kane Williamson(NZ)

Steve Smith(Aus)

Kieron Pollard(WI)

Andre Russell(WI)

Darren Sammy(WI)

Rashid Khan(Afg)

Mitchell Starc(Aus)

Wahab Riaz(Pak)

Sunil Narine(WI)

Andre Fletcher named his all-time T20 XI Including 3 West indies Players, CHECK FULL LIST HERE!

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West Indies destructive batsman Andre Fletcher named his all-time T20 team. It included four Indian players, three West Indies players, and one each from Sri Lanka, England, Afghanistan, and South Africa.

Fletcher chose West Indies’ devastating Chris Gayle to open the innings in his all-time T20 team alongside Indian opener Rohit Sharma. Fletcher explained that Gayle’s T20 century and Sharma’s class and consistency led to the duo being selected as openers.

“The reason being, as we all know, Chris Gayle has been one of the best batters in T20 cricket having scored so many centuries. Rohith Sharma for his class and consistency.”

Then he chooses India’s Run machine Virat Kohli for his number 03 and former South Africa’s destructive batsman AB de Villiers for number 04. Virat handles the bowlers very easily and the bowlers are unable to break de Villiers as the reasons for selecting the two.

Also, my number three and four will be Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, virat as we all know, is a boundary hitter and also can manipulate the ball very easily. Get the ones and twos and, AB de Villiers as Mr. 360. I don’t think any bowler will be able to tie him down. So obviously my scoreboard will be ticking very easily.

England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes has been allocated the sixth seat in his team. Stoke’s exceptional bowling and batting ability earned him the spot and Former West Indies limited overs captain Kieron Pollard was Fletcher’s next choice. His knowledge of T20, consistency, and success earned him this position.

Ben Stokes is one of the best all-rounders in T-20 cricket. So he’s there for my bowling and also six-hitting. Kieron Pollard, with his knowledge of the game and consistency also in T 20 cricket and six-hitting.

picture source: Twitter

Also, his wicketkeeper and match finisher was Indian player MS Dhoni. Dhoni is known as one of the quickest and most cunning wicket keeper in the game, a great leader, and the best finisher.

His bowling line-up consisted of two spinners and two fast bowlers. Accordingly, the first spinner in his eleven was his teammate, the mysterious spinner Sunil Narine. He explained,

Sunil Narine, as we all know, in his prime, he was one of the well, the number one spinner in the world. So with his Doosra and his off-spin with the length and speed that he bowl, which makes it difficult for batsmen to score. So he was for sure being my eleven.

Also, Lasith Malinga, one of the greatest fast bowlers in the shortest format, was the main pacer in his all-time XI. His bowling stock is full of slow balls, yorkers, as well as quick bouncers.

Lasith Malinga for his variation, slower balls, his bouncers, and can’t forget his yorkers in the back end.

He also said that Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, who is the best leg-spinner to be seen in T20s, will definitely be in Fletcher’s setup. He also named India’s fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to assist Malinga, the main fast bowler.

Rashid Khan one of the best leg spinner in T-20s. So he for sure will be in my setup. And Bumrah for his speed. Also yokers just in case. we need someone to bowl with Malinga in the back end to execute the yokers. Bumrah is that person for me.

Accordingly, his all-time T20 Xi  is as follows:

1. Chris Gayle,2. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli, 4. AB de Villiers, 5. Ben Stokes, 6.Kieron Pollard, 7. MS Dhoni,8.Sunil Narine, 9.Lasith Malinga, 10.Rashid Khan, 11.Jasprit Bumrah

 

CPL 2023: Aakash Chopra picks his all-time CPL XI – Check Full List Here!!!

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Former Indian cricketer Akash Chopra had named the all-time CPL XI through his official YouTube channel. That was a few years ago.

The first three in his XI were all left-handed batsmen. Accordingly, West Indies’ destructive batsman Chris Gayle and New Zealand’s Colin Munro were his opening batsmen. Current West Indies limited-overs captain Nicholas Pooran became the No. 3 batsman.

Ashley Allen – CPL T20 / Getty

All these three are batsmen who have been able to perform brilliantly with the bat in the CPL. Accordingly, Universe Boss has scored 2519 runs in 85 matches with a strike rate of 133.14 and an average of 36.50. Also, Munro, who opens the innings with Gayle, has scored 1770 runs in 56 CPL matches.

No. 3 batsman Pooran’s performances well in the CPL and He has collected 1544 runs in 82 matches. Pakistan’s senior batsman Shoaib Malik was named for number 4. He has scored 1746 runs in 66 matches in CPL at an average of 33.57.

Former West Indies captain Kieron Pollard, who retired from international cricket a few months ago, named Chopra to bat at number 5. An all-rounder, Pollard has contributed to 92 matches where he has scored 2227 runs and His strike rate is 153.58. He has also taken 56 wickets.

Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo, two of the best all-rounders in the shortest format, named him at No.6 and No.7. Russell is known for exceptional big shots and Bravo specializes death bowler in this format. also Bravo is the highest wicket taker in the CPL with 114 wickets.

Akash Chopra’s bowling force includes mystery bowler Sunil Narine, pacer Sheldon Cottrell, Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir and Krishmar Santokie.

Narine can bat at the top anytime. Has taken 90 wickets in his CPL journey. Tanvir has taken 68 wickets and Cottrell has taken 80 wickets. Santoki has also been brilliant in their trade.

Here is Akash Chopra’s all-time CPL XI:

Chris Gayle, Colin Munro, Nicholas Pooran, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, Sheldon Cottrell, Sohail Tanvir, Krishmar Santokie.

WATCH HERE:

Mahela Jayawardena has named top five picks for the his dream T20 XI With Including One West Indies Player.

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ICC Hall of Famer, Former Sri Lanka captain and current Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardena has named five players for a dream T20 XI on the most recent episode of The ICC Review. Check full list HERE,

#1 Rashid Khan

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan was his first choice, finishing fifth in the ICC rankings. He said of Rashid Khan:

“For me the bowlers are the most important aspect of T20 cricket and Rashid Khan is a proper spinner that can bat, “

“He is a very good number seven or number eight batter and you can use him in different circumstances depending on your combinations.” He can also bowl in different phases of an innings like during the Powerplay, the middle overs and also at the death he is not a bad option depending on the conditions, so Rashid would be my first pick. “

#2 Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan’s young fast bowler Shaheen, was a Jayawardene’s second choice and he said Shaheen could swing well in the New ball.

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been in remarkable form of late and he also won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy after being adjudged as ICC Men’s Cricketer Of The Year.

“I am then going to go with two more bowlers actually and the first one is going to be a left-armer in Shaheen Afridi,”

“He had a great World Cup last year, bowls very well with the new ball and is more than capable of getting some swing early too. 

“He is a wicket taking option too that bowls very well at the death as well, so can be considered a good attacking option” mahela added

#3 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is the only Indian in the list. While talking about Bumrah, Jayawardena said that a side always needs wicket-taking options and there is no better player than Bumrah to close an innings off.

Mahela said India’s fast bowler Bumrah has the ability to bowl at different times in an innings.

“Jasprit Bumrah is a guy I have always admired as he is capable of bowling in different phases of an innings, “

“He is another wicket taking option and, when you need guys to close an innings off, there is no one better than Jasprit Bumrah.”

In 57 T20Is for India, Bumrah has managed to take 67 wickets at an average of 19.89.

#Chris Gayle

Jayawardena named Chris Gayle when he was asked which player, he would bring out of retirement to play in his dream XI.

Jayawardena said that a “I would take Chris at the top of the order as he can change a game.”

“I would take a 30-year-old Chris Gayle to open the batting with Jos Buttler and that would be an awesome combination Chris would just stand still and hit and Jos would have to do all the running for him.

“He was at his peak at that first T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007 and that inaugural century against South Africa was something special. I would take Chris at the top of the order as he can change a game.”

#4 Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler, England’s devastating Wicket Keeper batsman is currently the Orange Cap holder in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 and he has already scored three centuries this season.

Talking about Buttler, Jayawardena said: “I would probably open the batting with Jos. He is very aggressive and plays both pace and spin well. He has been in great form at the IPL of late and did well at the last T20 World Cup as well where he played really well in tough conditions in the UAE.”

#5 Mohammad Rizwan

Mahela was selected as Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan’s wicketkeeper.

“The next option is the wicketkeeper-batter and I am going with Mohammad Rizwan. I know he does often open the batting for Pakistan, but I think he can bat in that middle order. He’s a good player of spin and a very busy player. “

“Gayle is a very dangerous IPL batter. he has been a game-changer” – Mohammad Kaif has named his ALL-TIME IPL Xi.

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Former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif has named his all-time IPL Xi. It was interesting to note that it included six foreign players.

His squad consisted of three West Indies, one each from South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. He named the all-time XI during a press conference with Sportkreeda.

The opening pair of the team was Rohit Sharma with Caribbean destructive batsman Chris Gayle. Former India captain Virat Kohli was picked for number three.  Kaif had introduced the three batsmen as follows.

“Gayle is a very dangerous IPL batter. Whenever he has done well, he has been a game-changer and has scored a lot of runs. Rohit Sharma has been playing for many years and has won five trophies as captain. An excellent short-format player. Virat Kohli is King Kohli. Has scored plenty of runs in the IPL.”

Suresh Raina, South Africa’s Dangerous batsman Ab de Villiers, and MS Dhoni have been selected for the middle order. The wicket-keeping and captaincy of the team were given to senior player MS Dhoni.  Also, Caribbean player Andrew Russell was selected for a devastating batting.  Kaif commented on Dhoni:

“He laid the foundation of T20 cricket in India by leading the country to victory in the 2007 World Cup. He has lifted four IPL titles as well. He is a big player in T20 and a mature captain.”

The bowlers in the squad were Caribbean Bowler Sunil Narayan, jasprit bumrha, and Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga.

The all-time IPL Xi team named by Mohamed Kaif is as follows. Chris Gayle, Rohith Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ab De Villiers, MS Dhoni (c&wk), Andre Russell, Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine, Jasprit Bumrah, and Lasith Maling

Harbhajan Singh named his all-time IPL XI, Says “Hard To Pick Between Kieron Pollard And Dwayne Bravo” –

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The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 has crossed the halfway stage as all the ten teams have played their respective seven matches out of the total 14.

Gujarat Titans (GT), with six wins out of seven fixtures, are at the top spot in the points table.

On the other hand, with eight straight losses, five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) are positioned at the bottom.

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who is on the commentary panel of Star Sports the official broadcaster of IPL  has revealed his all time XI of the IPL.

Harbhajan Singh is a spinner who has represented India on the national team since 1998. He represented the Mumbai Indians from the first edition of 2008 to 2017 and then played the remaining three matches for the Chennai Super Kings and His last edition was 2021, He played for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

He had taken 150 wickets in 163 IPL matches, and has an Economy of 7.07.

He chose the devastating Caribbean batsman Chris Gayle and India captain Rohit Sharma as his team’s opening pair.

While Rohit has amassed over 5000 runs in IPL, including one hundred and 40 fifties, Gayle has scored 4965 runs with the help of six centuries and 31 half-tons.

Former India captain Virat Kohli, the highest run-scorer in IPL history, has been selected as his number three batsman.

Australian Shane Watson has been named the No. 4 Striker, while South Africa’s Dangerous batsman AB de Villiers, known as the MR 360, has been named the No. 5. One of the best finishers in the world, M.S. Dhoni was named No. 6 and he is the team captain as well as the wicket-keeper, said Harbhajan Singh.

Kohli has accumulated 6402 runs in 215 matches. Similarly, De Villiers (5162 runs), Watson (3874 runs) and Dhoni (4878 runs) have also been the high-scoring batters in IPL.

Harbhajan then, at that point, conceded that he was confused over the choice between two West Indies greats Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo.

However he picked up  Kieron Pollard , Ravindra Jadeja and Sunil Narine as some all-round options in his all-time XI

Pollard has scored over 3000 runs and taken 68 wickets in 186 matches. Similarly, Jadeja has amassed nearly 2500 runs and picked up 132 scalps, while Narine has taken 149 wickets and scored 981 runs in 142 games.

Also in the squad are Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers Lasith Malinga and Malinga’s Mumbai Indians teammate Jasprit Bumrah

Malinga has taken 170 wickets from 122 matches, while Bumrah has picked up 135 scalps in 114 games.

Harbhajan Singh’s All Time IPL XI:

Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shane Watson, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (C), Ravindra Jadeja, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah

 

Kumara Dharmasena named his All-Time Xi. Included four Australians, three Sri Lankans, one each from the West Indies, India, Pakistan, and South Africa.

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Kumara Dharmasena, a former Sri Lankan spinner, represented the national team from 1993 to 2004. He is currently one of the best referees in the world of international cricket.

Dharmasena named his all-time Xi in a program on a YouTube channel a few years ago. His all-time Xi included four Australian players, three Sri Lankan players, one each from the West Indies, India, Pakistan, and South Africa.

Australia’s Matthew Hayden and Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya were his two opening batsmen as they were two of the most devastating ODI players. He named another Australian player for his number three. That was Ricky Ponting, the former captain of the Australian team, and Ponting was also named captain of his team.

Indian Greatest Sachin Tendulkar was named for No. 4, and No 5 was The Greatest West Indies’ Brian Lara.Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara has been named Kumar Dharmasena’s all-time wicketkeeper, while former South African all-rounder Jack Kallis has been named No. 7.

His bowling squad consisted of two spinners and two fast bowlers. Dharmasena’s two fast bowlers were Wasim Akram of Pakistan and Glenn McGrath of Australia. Known as two of the best spin bowlers in the world, Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka and Shane Warne of Australia were his two spin bowlers.

Kumara Dharmasena named his All-Time Xi as follows.

Matthew Hayden, Sanath Jayasuriya, Ricky Ponting,  Sachin Tendulkar, Brain Lara, Kumara Sangakkara, Jacques Kallis, Wasim Akram, Muththaiya Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Glenn McGrath

Sir Courtney Walsh names his ALL-TIME WORLD CUP XI – Check Full list here!

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Courtney Walsh, a former Jamaican Cricketer, represented the West Indies from 1984 to 2001. walsh, who has taken 746 wickets in 337 internationals, is still the highest Test wicket-taker in West Indies history.  That’s 519 wickets.

Sir Courtney Walsh shared his ALL-TIME WORLD CUP XI with the ESPNcricinfo website.  His squad consisted of four West Indies and four Australian players each, as well as one Indian, one South African and one Pakistani.  Accordingly

His opening pair of batsmen were Indian Little Master Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies devastating Chris Gayle. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has been named for his number three.

Sir Walsh selected another former West Indies player Sir Vivian Richards for his No. 4 and The prince of Trinidad’s Brain Lara was then selected for the No. 5 Place.

South Africa’s Destructive batsman AB De Villiers has been named the No. 6 and his wicketkeeper is Adam Gilchrist of Australia.

His bowling squad consisted of one spinner and three fast bowlers. The spinner was Shane Warne, the best spinner in the world. Wasim Akram of Pakistan, Curtly Ambrose of the West Indies and Glenn McGrath of Australia were his three fast bowlers.

In addition, he said he needed two spinners and selected Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan for the No. 12 position and he said,

“Muttiah to run in the 12th and that will be my twelve because of various reason. I want the two spinners in the squad because of the wicket is good enough, I’m going to attack with them and I think I have enough seamless to cover that as well.”

Sir Walsh also mentioned the names of Joel Garner and Jacques Kalis and said,

“Two guys who were probably very close to it was Jack Kalis and Joel Garner and I’m just going by what I’ve seen and the guys who have played with her arrogance.”

His World Cup squad, which he named:

Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Ricky Ponting, Sir Viv Richards, Brain Lara, AB De Villiers, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Glenn McGrath.