Sky Sports pick all-time England-West Indies Test XI featuring James Anderson, Curtly Ambrose

England, after losing the first Test against West Indies at Southampton, bounced back and retaliated to win the subsequent two Tests and clinch the series 2-1. Veteran pacer Stuart Broad, for his scintillating wicket-taking spree in the second and third Test, was adjudged Man of the Match as well as Player of the Series. Broad also paved his way into the illustrious list of bowlers who have scalped 500 Test wickets.

During the fourth day of the third and final Test at Old Trafford, rain hampered the play and the Sky Sports Cricket Debate team decided to utilize the time and make their all-time combined XI from the 57-year history of the Wisden Trophy. The panel featured former England players Dominic Cork and Lydia Greenway, former West Indies fast bowling great Courtney Walsh and host and former England batsman Mark Butcher.

Both West Indies and England have had a rich history since the inception of the sport. Each panellist had to choose a spinner, a wicketkeeper, and at least four players from each side.

Dominic Cork went with– Greenidge, Haynes, Richards, Lara, Lamb, Sobers, Botham, Russell, Ambrose, Anderson, Walsh. Cork also highlighted that Vivian Richards could get in any side with the batting forte. He also slotted in James Anderson along with greats like Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose.

“Perhaps I could have got Gooch in ahead of Haynes, but when you look at what they did, seven Test centuries for Greenidge, five for Haynes. Vivian Richards gets in any side he’s got eight tons, Lara eight,” said Cork as quoted by Wisden.

Lydia Greenway slotted Kevin Pietersen in her side

“Maybe I should have gone Malcolm Marshall but I have to get Jimmy Anderson in there based on his performance over time. If you look at Ambrose and Walsh it’s 309 wickets between them in the 35 Test matches shared so they have to be there. And I think that’s a decent side. I’d like to coach that side I think it might have a chance!” he added.

Meanwhile, Walsh didn’t pick himself but went with Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, James Anderson and Curtly Ambrose. He tagged Holding as one of his heroes and credited him, along with Andy Roberts, for revolutionizing West Indian fast bowling. Here’s what Walsh chose– Cook, Greenidge, Richards, Lara, Thorpe, Sobers, Russell, Marshall, Holding, Ambrose, Anderson.

Lydia Greenway slotted Kevin Pietersen at the No.5 spot and justified the move by pointing out the right-hander’s impressive stats. Here’s the team– Cook, Greenidge, Richards, Lara, Pietersen, Sobers, Russell, Marshall, Ambrose, Anderson, Walsh.

“It was hard to leave out some huge names like Michael Holding, Ian Botham, David Gower. You’d think they’d get in any sort of world XI team but I guess that just shows how strong the teams have been over the years,” said Greenway.

Overall Sky Sports Cricket all-time England-West Indies Test XI: Gordon Greenidge, Graham Gooch, Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Kevin Pietersen, Garry Sobers, Jack Russell, Malcolm Marshall, James Anderson, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh.