Hashim Amla picks all-time Test XI featuring players from 4 countries, no place for Virat Kohli as ex-Australia captain makes the cut

South Africa’s legendary batter Hashim Amla picked the all-time Test XI featuring players from the era he played cricket in. Amla picked four South Africans, four Australians, two Indians and one Sri Lankan player in his all-time Test XI.

Versatile top three

The openers of his side are former South Africa captain Graeme Smith and Australia's Matthew Hayden. Smith scored 9,265 runs from 117 Tests averaging 48.25, including 27 tons whereas Hayden scored 8,625 runs from 103 Tests averaging above 50, including 30 centuries.

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At no.3, he slotted Rahul Dravid aka ‘The Wall’. The former India head coach scored 13,288 runs from 164 Tests at an average of 52.31, featuring 36 centuries. 

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Power-packed middle order

At no.4, he picked former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. He played 168 Tests, scored 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85, including 41 tons.

Another South African on the list is Jacques Kallis, arguably the greatest all-rounder in Test cricket history. With the bat, he scored 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37, including 45 centuries. With the ball, he claimed 292 wickets at an average of 32.65, including five fifers.

He is followed by highest Test run-scorer of all time, Sachin Tendulkar. From 200 Tests, he scored 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78, including 51 centuries. 

At no.7, he added some firepower. He picked AB de Villiers for the wicketkeeper role. From 114 Tests, De Villiers scored 8,765 runs at an average of 50.66, featuring 22 tons.

Amla’s lethal spin duo

In the spin-bowling department, he preferred having the two highest wicket-takers – leg-spinner Shane Warne and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Warne claimed 708 wickets from 145 Tests at an average of 25.41, including 37 fifers. The only Sri Lankan on the list, Muralitharan has 800 wickets from 133 Tests at an average of 22.72, featuring 67 fifers.

Amla’s pace attack

Amla’s pace battery comprises of Amla’s former teammate Dale Steyn and Australia’s Glenn McGrath. Steyn has 439 wickets from 93 Tests at an average of 22.95, including 26 fifers. McGrath bagged 563 wickets from 124 Tests at an average of 21.64, including 29 fifers.

Hashim Amla’s All-Time Test XI

Graeme Smith, Matthew Hayden, Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulkar, AB de Villiers (wk), Shane Warne, Dale Steyn, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath.