The non-Asian hulks of cricket: Best current non-Asian test XI

The non-Asian hulks of cricket: Best current non-Asian test XI: If we sneak peek through the latest ICC test rankings, we get to see that out of the top six spots, four spots are forged by the likes of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and England. The clock of time is bleeding towards the abrupt domination of some of the belligerent non-Asian teams as well as players all around the world. On the eve of such a phase of time on the 22 yards, we have come up with a list which is a dream team consisting of world’s best current non-Asian players. So, have a look at this subtle list of The non-Asian hulks of cricket: Best current non-Asian test XI: 1. David Warner (Australia): David Warner. (© Getty Images) The swashbuckling Australian left-handed opening batsman with a demolishing strike rate of 74, David Warner has matured into one of the most superlative run-scorers in the test arena. He is the apparent heir of Virender Sehwag in test cricket and with 3,338 runs in the last 4 years at an incredible average of 46; he hasn’t disappointed the cricket gurus and fans as well. He has transformed into one of the giant killers in test arena with his matchless chutzpah of derailing any bowling attack at an invariable consistency. Warner is one of the obvious choices for the all important opening position in almost any XI in world cricket. Also Read – The Best In the Game- Non-Asian ODI XI 2. Hashim Amla (South Africa) (C): Hashim Amla. (© Getty Images) The South African test skipper, Amla is a sheer symbol of outright class and elegance. His majestic wristy flicks and gorgeous drives are as smooth and crisp as any national highway of the world. He is the captain of the No.1 ranked test side of the world and is also the 3rd ranked test batter in ICC rankings. In the last 5 years, his run affairs have reached a sky high level as he holds a glorious tally of 4,170 runs at a mind-wobbling average of almost 69 with 16 tons to his credit. Hashim Amla possesses the endeavor of cool and calm aura which can be a perfect foil for this star studded line-up as well as to the aggressive Warner on the other end. 3. Steve Smith (Australian): Steve Smith. (© Getty Images) It would be next to impossible to rule out this man from the no. 3 test batting position in any world team list at the moment. The 3rd ranked ICC test batsman, Smith’s rise to name and fame is nothing less than a fairytale story. From being a player who burst on the scene as a not so good leg-spinner and a no. 9 batsman at the Lord’s in 2010 to being a no. 3 Aussie batsmen who plundered a double ton at the Lord’s in the ongoing Ashes test is an astonishing as well awe striking achievement, indeed. Since 2014, he has amassed 1,898 runs with 8 centuries and that too at a staggering average of almost 94. 4. Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Kane Williamson. (Photo Source: Getty Images) When a foreign batsman combats the alien sub-continent conditions with a free flowing ton on debut on the spin paradise in India. You get an outright idea about the colossal temperament and rock solid technique of the batsmen. The baby faced New Zealand cricketer, Williamson has only got better with the passing time which has transformed his persona into the portrayal of a legend in the making. He is that man who always puts his hands up whenever the chips are down and the going gets hell. Since 2013, he has glittered the Kiwi colours in almost every other match and holds a superb tally of 2,152 runs at an average of almost 66 with 6 centuries against his name. 5. AB de Villiers (South Africa) (Wk): Ab de Villiers. (© Getty Images) The no.2 position holder of ICC batsmen rankings for the Test as well as ODI cricket, is none other than our very own Superman of cricket; AB de Villiers. When legends like Rahul Dravid and V.V.S Laxman heap praises on the gallant batsmanship of a player, you know that he is an extraordinary institution of brilliance. From making the fastest century for his country to playing a 220 balls 33-run knock at the Adelaide Oval to salvage a draw; this man can do anything magical on the cricket field with his splendid mastermind. As we all know him as a team-man and can keep wickets as good as anyone in the world. AB will don the wicket-keeper gloves in our team as well to accommodate an all-rounder for the better balance of the dream team. 6. Joe Root (England): Joe Root. (© Getty Images) The modern day run machine and the batting king of English cricket, this Yorkshire lad is brewing mountains of runs every time he marches on to the field with willow in hand. There was a time when many termed him a technically deficient batsman due to his vulnerability of coming on to the front-foot. Root silenced them all with his consistent run and undisputed hard work and commitment on the 22 yards. He made his debut in 2012 and since then, has scored 2,468 runs at an excellent average of 54.84. 7. Ben Stokes (England): Ben Stokes. (© Getty Images) The English star all-rounder and the X- factor of the side- Stokes has already won millions of hearts all around the world with his gritty and awe inspiring performances in his short career. At a time when English cricket was at its all time low, this man hammered a nail for them on the cricket map with his exhilarating century on the fastest pitch of the world, Perth in 2013/14 Ashes. Apart from his prodigal batting skills, he is a medium pace bowler who bends his back and hits the deck hard. But, it was only this year that his stakes reached a different level all together when he rallied to the fastest ton ever on the Lord’s cricket ground at a time when the English side was crumbling in the 2nd innings. In his career which has spanned for 12 tests, he has compiled 777 runs at a decent average of 35 and has also grabbed 30 wickets. 8. Dale Steyn (South Africa): Dale Steyn. (Photo Source: AFP) The no. 1 ranked ICC test bowler of the world- Dale Steyn has been a vengeance whenever he dons the South African whites. Steyn is a modern day legend and is ranked very highly in the eyes and minds of the cricket folks. He has taken forward the classical legacy of South African fast bowlers like the Donald’s, Pollocks’s, Ntini’s to an upgraded version with paramount success. In only 78 test matches, Steyn gun has claimed 396 test wickets at a mind boggling average of 22 along with the accumulation of 25 Fifers and 5 Ten-fers. Apart from home condition, he has also won many accolades for his overseas performances. 9. James Anderson (England): James Anderson. (© Getty Images) When this man staged his international debut in 2003, he was nothing more than glimpses of good prospect. In his first 5 years, James Anderson could manage only 62 wickets and due to his inconsistency, he could hardly cement his place in the side. But, if you ever thought that he was a man to give up then you don’t know this fellow. Jimmy didn’t even shy away from learning some tricks and trades of swing from Mohammad Asif and Zaheer Khan which reaped him charming fruits. Since, 2008 he has grabbed 344 test scalps and is hailed as one of the greatest swing bowlers of this era. He is a face of hard work, commitment and ardent dedication to succeed and grow himself into a modern bowling legend. 10. Trent Boult (New Zealand): Trent Boult. (© Getty Images) The left-arm Kiwi spearhead who idolizes Wasim Akram seems to be absolutely on the right path which is paying him rich dividends on the cricket field as well. This disciplined and laborious pacer has mastered the art of out-swing and in-swing with the passing years. Since his debut, Trent Boult has taken 123 wickets in 32 tests at an average of 27. And even in the recent concluded 2015 world cup, he was the joint highest wicket taker. Even in his debut test match against Australia, he had impressed the cricket pundits when he took 4 wickets in a bid to help his side to victory on Australian soil after 26 years. 11. Nathan Lyon (Australia): Nathan Lyon. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The only spinner in this dream team is the most successful Australian off-spinner ever- Nathan Lyon. In his 4 year old career, he had had his share of ups and downs but now his recent performances have earned him the tag of the most reliable Australian test spinner. So far, he has featured in 42 tests and has taken 152 wickets with 7 fifers. Lyon might not have taken the bulky number of wickets like Asian test spinners but the conditions on which he gets to play more often than not are pacer friendly and less conducive to spinners. Also Read – Top 10 Longest sixes in international Cricket Players who failed to make to the list: 1. Brendon McCullum- The Kiwi Test skipper missed out on the list because AB de Villiers occupies the 5th position in our XI and is also capable of donning the gloves in test cricket. While in Amla, we have the leader of the top ranked test side. 2. Mitchell Johnson- We have seen that off-late, Johnson has not been as lethal as he was a year ago. Judging on the current form, Trent Boult seems to be the best left-arm pace bowling option in the world. 3. Imran Tahir- Presently, he is the leading South African spinner across all the formats of the game. But, Imran Tahir is yet to prove his mettle as a good test bowler and at times we have witnessed that he proves costly for the side. Lyon is ahead of Tahir both in terms of experiance and command over the red cherry. (ALL STATS/RANKINGS DATA UPDATED TILL 19TH JULY, 2015)

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The non-Asian hulks of cricket: Best current non-Asian test XI

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