Joe Root picks modern cricketing stars in his all-time XI

Joe Root has been in the limelight ever since he has scored two back-to-back centuries against India in the recently concluded ODI series. His classy batting ensured England won the series despite being 0-1 down in the three-match rubber. He is now preparing for the gruelling five-match Test series against the same team which is set to commence on August 1. Root recently picked his all-time XI which includes some of the stars of the modern cricketing generation as well.

Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook will open the innings together. Both have plundered runs for England during their illustrious careers. The latter is still playing and has geared himself up for the upcoming series with a 180-run knock against India A in Worcestershire. He will also lead Root’s side with the legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar following him. The master blaster will bat at number 3 and anchor the innings much like he did for his country for close to 24 years.

Strong middle-order

Jacques Kallis, one of the best all-rounders the game has ever seen, will stride out to bat at 4 and his pace bowling will lend balance to the side as well. The dynamic duo of the modern cricketing generation Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers then follow to torment the opposition. The fans have seen them playing for the same team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and both enjoy each other’s company while batting in the middle.

As far as the wicketkeeping options are concerned, Joe Root has gone with Kumar Sangakkara who will bat lower down the order by his standards but should be a perfect pick in the team of legends. Root has picked yet another all-rounder in Andrew Flintoff who was England’s best player in their 2005 Ashes triumph.

Aussie bowling attack

In the video released by the Lord’s Cricket Ground on its Youtube channel, Joe Root has gone with the Aussie bowling attack. He has picked Shane Warne as the lone spinner in his team who has to be there when it comes to picking the best players and then has gone with Glenn McGrath who never missed his line and length while bowling.

Interestingly, England’s current Test captain has selected Mitchell Johnson in his team who wrecked havoc in Ashes in 2013 by bowling fiery bouncers at the batsmen.

Root’s all-time XI: Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook (c), Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Andrew Flintoff, Shane Warne, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn McGrath

Here’s the video:

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