Stuart Broad All-Time Test 11: Former England pace legend Stuart Broad has faced many great players throughout his cricketing career. Recently, he selected his best Test Playing XI comprising players he has competed against. While Broad’s team looks incredibly formidable, it also includes a few selections that have surprised cricket fans.
Opening Batsmen: Graeme Smith and Kumar Sangakkara
Broad has entrusted the opening duties to former South African captain Graeme Smith and Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara.
- Graeme Smith: He proved his mettle in red-ball cricket through both his captaincy and batting, amassing over 9,000 runs.
- Kumar Sangakkara: The former Sri Lankan captain scored 12,400 runs in the Test format and stands as one of the most reliable batsmen in history.
Middle-Order: Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Smith
For the number 3, 4, and 5 spots, Broad has selected three of the world’s most dangerous batsmen.
Virat Kohli is the only Indian player to secure a spot in this formidable middle order.
- Ricky Ponting (Number 3): The third-highest run-scorer in Test history, with 13,378 runs to his name.
- Virat Kohli (Number 4): The modern-day run-machine who has scored 9,230 runs in Test cricket.
- Steve Smith (Number 5): The Australian run-machine who has amassed 10,763 runs in Test cricket so far.
All-Rounder and Wicketkeeper: Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers
To bolster the lower-middle order, Broad has placed his faith in two of South Africa’s greatest match-winners.
Number 6: Jacques Kallis (All-rounder)
Ranked among the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, Kallis scored 13,289 runs—including 45 centuries—and claimed 292 wickets in Test cricket.
Number 7: AB de Villiers (Wicketkeeper/Batter)
‘Mr. 360 Degree’ scored 8,765 runs at an impressive average of 50.66 across 114 matches in his Test career.
Bowling Attack
When it came to the bowling department, Stuart Broad opted for Australian legends, including some of the most successful bowlers in history.
The Fast Bowlers (Pace Battery)
- Mitchell Johnson (Number 8): Johnson took 313 wickets in 73 Test matches, including 12 five-wicket hauls. …feat included.
- Mitchell Starc (Number 9): Starc remains active in international cricket and has claimed 433 wickets in 105 Test matches.
- Dale Steyn (Number 10): South Africa’s ‘Steyn Gun’ claimed 439 wickets across 93 Test matches at a lethal average of 22.95, including 26 five-wicket hauls.
The Spin Department
Muttiah Muralitharan (Number 11): This legendary Sri Lankan spinner needs no introduction. Muralitharan holds the record for the most wickets taken in the Test format, with 800 wickets in 133 matches.
At a Glance: Stuart Broad’s Full Playing XI Table
The final team selected by Broad is as follows:
| Batting Order | Player Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Opener | Graeme Smith | South Africa |
| 2. Opener | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka |
| 3. Middle Order | Ricky Ponting | Australia |
| 4. Middle Order | Virat Kohli | India |
| 5. Middle Order | Steve Smith | Australia |
| 6. All-rounder | Jacques Kallis | South Africa |
| 7. Wicketkeeper | AB de Villiers | South Africa |
| 8. Fast Bowler | Mitchell Johnson | Australia |
| 9. Fast Bowler | Mitchell Starc | Australia |
| 10. Fast Bowler | Dale Steyn | South Africa |
| 11. Spinner | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka |
Why Sachin Tendulkar and Jasprit Bumrah Were Excluded from Broad’s Test XI
The most surprising aspect of Broad’s team is the exclusion of Sachin Tendulkar—arguably the greatest batsman in cricket history—and Jasprit Bumrah, India’s star fast bowler of the current era, from his playing XI.
- Sachin Tendulkar: He is the highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket. He amassed 15,921 runs at an average of nearly 54, including 51 centuries.
- Jasprit Bumrah: Regarded as one of the world’s best fast bowlers, Bumrah has taken 234 wickets in 52 Test matches at an impressive average of 19.79.
Despite the exceptional records held by these two legendary Indian players, Broad did not include them in his team.
