Brilliant!

You didn't want Kallis because he is boring and then you picked Dravid? He is even worse. Look at the number of sixes they have hit. Their ODI strike rates aren't any better. Dravid, for me, is the batsman that I'd least like to watch. The Indian batsmen in general are great to watch but when Dravid is batting, I catch up on the news channel!

Ah, you've claimed Rahul Dravid and Dale Steyn! That makes selecting my opposition XI a bit tougher, but here goes.

Starting XI: Virender Sehwag, Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Mike Hussey, MS Dhoni (wk, c), Mitchell Johnson, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga

In addition to these eleven players, I'd have as backups Brad Haddin (wk), Doug Bollinger, Shane Watson, and Kumar Sangakkara to round off the squad of sixteen

Ha Mr.Mike : Here is my XI against Yours and am one of those Weird Asians. Team India has definitely better chance for WC than ur Poms.. My XI :-
Shewag, Strauss (Since you choose Smith n Gauti as backup. Viru is miles ahead of your Two and Strauss is perfect to provide him the strike and backup), Amla at 3 followed by Tendulkar, Laxman and Hussey ( Now my middle order is more Exciting than yours and well a better performing one), Keeper is Dhoni(Sanga is better bat but he is no more keeping in tests, P.Jayawardane is though good keeper, MSD is exciting and captain), Zak will open the newball with Morkel and Bhajji will don spin duties with Vettori (since you said of Asian pitch 2 spinners is must).. My bowling is not as best as yours but since u selected first up I had to be content. Yet in Subcontinental conditions this side ll whack yours..

Sure, Michael. You do have a fine team that on it's day can give any decent side a run for their money. And since you have such an attractive team, I decided I will challenge you with a list of flamboyant and attractive players myself. So how about this team to play against your side?

Virender Sehwag, Shane Watson, Kumar Sangakkara (as wk and captain), Younis Khan, VVS Laxman, AB De Villiers, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Harbhajan Singh, Lasith Malinga, Sreesanth and Shoaib Akhtar.

All flamboyant and stylish, attacking players who can devastate any attack when in mood. Problem is any of my fast bowlers can break down any moment and I really don't have similar attractive back-ups :( but otherwise, it's game on!

Really surprised that a VVS Laxman didn't come in at number 6.. or Sachin Tendulkar at number 4.. We could move Jayawardene to 3.. and keep Dravid out of the attack... Is Edwards better than Malinga or Morkel.. At least Malinga has the same smoke from his nostrils and the side-arm action, a better economy rate and out-of-the-world accuracy..

Hi Mike
You have been very good this year, and I shall grant you your wish. A test match like that does sound fun, especially given the antics of the Grinch. He's been pretty cocky since he came up with the IPL.
We shall play on Boxing Day, after I'm done with all my work spreading joy.
The following is my XI

1) Virender Sehwag : God was in a Christmassy mood when he created this little bugger

2) Philip Hughes : THAT square cut

3) Sangakkara : All the chatter behind the wicket, and elegant to boot

4) Hashim Amla : I just really wanna see who's beard is longer

5)Misbah -ul-Haq : Let's see if he can divine another way of being dismissed this Christmas

6)Darren Bravo : Did you SEE that backlift?

7)Shahid Afridi : He still plays tests, right? Or did he retire? I don't know

8)Harbhajan Singh : More for his batting than his bowling

9)Mitchel Johnson : Pacy. Santa like.

10) Sreesanth : Swinging and singing

11) Suleiman Benn : Feisty

There you go Mike. Merry Christmas

Mr. Claus

Where's AB de Villiers ????

My playing XI would be...

Tamim Iqbal, Hashim Amla, K Sangakkara, J Kallis, Sachin Tendukar, Jessy Ryder, Shakib Al Hasan, Stuart Broad, Dale Steyn, Lasith Malinga, and G Swann

Man... i loved this article... lemme see if your team can beat mine..
Virender Sehwag
Andrew Strauss(Capt.)
Hashim Amla
Sachin Tendulkar
Mike Hussey
A B de Villiers
Kumar Sangakkara(WK)
Daniel Vettori
James Anderson
Mitchell Johnson
Ryan Harris

Mr Mike,
Here is my Team ready to match-up with your team in your fantasy.
Virendra Sehwag
Kumar Sangakara
Jack Kallis
Sachin Tendulkar
Thilan Samarveera
Michael Hussey
Shivnaraine Chanderpaul
Zaheer Khan
Morne Morkel
Mitchell Johnson
Harbhajan Singh

Back-Up
AB De Villiers
Alistair Cook
Daniel Vettori
VVS Laxman
Stuart Broad

hi mike,
i will be honest by saying that i did not like your team.My team will definitely beat your team.My favourite current test XI would be:
1.VIRENDER SEHWAG
2.SHANE WATSON
3.KUMAR SANGAKKARA
4.SACHIN TENDULKAR
5.MD.YOUSUF
6.MIKE HUSSEY
7.MS DHONI
8.DANIEL VETTORI
9.DALE STEYN
10.ZAHEER KHAN
11.RYAN HARRIS

A lot of people took this article too seriously with opting for for world beaters like tendulkar and co, bla bla bla. Tired hearing those flat pitch conquering names.

So here is my XI

Brendon McCullum
Alistair Cook
Hashim Amla
Azhar Ali
AB D Villiers(c)
Kane Williamson
Tim Paine(wk)
Stuart Broad
Morne Morkel
Daniel Vettori
Mohd. Aamir

Atleast now my team has a younger fresher next generation look.

Here is my team of oldies ;)

Sehwag [ He is above 30]
Dilshan
Sangakkara/Ponting[ He just needs to hit one pull shot]
Sachin [nothing to say]
VVS
Hussey
Sangakkara/Dhoni
Vettori
Zaheer
Anderson/Hilfenhous
Saeed Ajmal[ Harbhajan singh has been a waste]

I am tempted to pick Kallis at number 3 for his bowling credentials, but yet again K and A and then his batting comes to mind..'THUD!'..no..whaa...ehh..yep I am awake...;)

Hi Mike,your wish is really exciting.Granted!

However, We'll play next week.Need a bit of sleep post christmas duty. Would be watching the Ashes thereafter to decide whether Steven Smith looks as blond as that Burger eating-SMS friendly-Legspinning Bloke of the old.

Few requests- plz bring beer for my boys and their coach,Andrew "All Round" Flintoff.
And yes, since Afridi has eaten my entire set of cookaburrahs, can you assist me with a few cricket balls?

My team is here:
Openers- Ryder and Sehwag - Jesse would be great at this- so good at opening Beer cans! Sehwag, for the "no frills- All thrill" stuff.
3-Trott-Ricky has become so rickety these days..
4-Tendulkar- yippie! Jesus agreed to play after he's done in Durban.
5-Pollard- Fun Guaranteed! and he doesnt eat cookaburrahs!
6-Hussey- Like Old wine, getting better all the time.
7-Dhoni, for dance-while-defend shots
8-11-Bowlers-Bhajji for antics,Mitchell for his tattooes,Morkel and Zaheer for awesomeness!

Over!!

Hi Michael,

You have seen so many teams lined up to beat ur team..here is the one which will beat "ANY" team in this world:

1. Virender Sehwag(obvious choice for the opening slot)
2. Shane Watson (a got a good bowler free with an opener)
3. Jacques Kallis
4. Sachin Tendulkar (Cant think of anyone replacing him at no. 4)
5. AB De Villiars
6. Mike Hussey
7. MS Dhoni(WK and Captain)
8. Harbhajan Singh
9. Greame Swann
10. Zaheer Khan
11. Lasith Malinga (for his sheer accuracy)

I am also one of the weird asians(Indian to be precise) hence u will see 5 Indian players in the playing XI.

Bring it on Mike !!

Cheers,
Gaurav

We disagree with any team (ODI/Test) which does not have Tendulkar in it so long as he plays :-p

hi mike,

Here is my top 11
1. Viru
2. Strauss
3. Amla
4. Sachin
5. Michael Hussey
6. VVS
7. Dhoni
8. Zahir
9. Vettori
10. Anderson
11. MG

For back i like to choose ( Bajji, Bolinger, Guti, Dravid)

Anyone from world cricket. Hmmmm. My team would look like this:

1. Strauss
2. Cook
3. Trott
4. Morgan (in Petersen’s absence)
5. Collingwood
6. Bell
7. Prior
8. Broad
9. Monty (in Swann absence)
10. Anderson
11. Finn

Reserves: Tremlet, Shazad, Bresnan, Hildreth and Lythe.

When I clicked the link, I knew all along that there wont be many sub continent players in the eleven. Forget exclusion of the most prolific opening batsman (Sehvag) and middle order (Tendulkar), but what made me laugh out loud is Ian Bell's inclusion. Thank goodness you rested Jonathan Trott then. About time poms start hailing him as best one down test batsman in the world with an average of 57+.

My XI against yours would be-
Virender Sehwag
Hashim Amla
Jacques Kallis
Sachin Tendulkar
Mike Hussey
Shakib-Al-Hasan
MS Dhoni(wk)(c)
Graeme Swann
Morne Morkel
Zaheer Khan
James Anderson

The only player I will completely rule out is Greame Smith, I dont like his attitude, but more than that he is the most ungainly and ugly batsmen I have ever seen in my life. The word functional could have been invented whilst watching him play. I'll open with Sehwag and Gayle, for obvious reasons really. At 3 I'll have Amla, he's a nice player to watch and seems to able to defend and attack with equal ease. At 4 I'll take Ross Taylor from New Zealand, at 5 I'll have Pietersen for although he seems to be off it more than on it lately, when he is on it there is no one quite like him. At 6 Bell, because no matter whether it is a poitless Pro 40 game at the end of a County Season or a live Test Match v Australia he is worth watching. Keeping wicket I'm tempted to go for Matt Prior but will take Brendan McCullam instead, mainly for his ferocius batting. Swann as spinner and then Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel with the new ball and Jimmy Anderson, the Ian Bell of bowlers, first change.

Can anyone beat my Best XI? Never!!!
1) Hashim Amla (Bat)
2) Shane Watson (Bat/Medium)
3) Ab devilers (Bat)
4) Maila Jayawardanay (Bat)
5) Mike Hussey (Bat)
6) MS Dhoni (Bat/WktKpr)
7) Shahid Afridi (Bat/Spin))
8) Danial Vettory (Spin/Bat/C)
9) Shoaib Akhtar (Fast)
10) Mitchle Johnson (Fast)
11) James Anderson (Fast)
12) Abudul Razzak

My TEAM rules the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watson
Gayle
Amla
De Villiers
Ryder
Bell
Mcculum
Johnson
Steyn
Morkel
Mendis

This team will cream any team plus everybody is under 30

Hi,

I'd go with Andrew Strauss and Sehwag as openers.

You missed Younis Khan & AB in middle order. That's not fair...!!!

Somehow my previous post didn't get published...

This team is the business. Kallis has hit more 6s than any other batsman in test cricket this year. Haddin is the most elegant batsman to watch. Sanga had to get moved down but it's not that important. Mitch will play while Jimmy Anderson has another baby
1. Sehwag
2. Cook
3. Amla
4. Tendulkar
5. AB
6. Sanga
7. Haddin (wk)
8. Mitch
9. Swann
10. Morkel
11. Steyn

1. Andrew Strauss
2. Virender Sehwag
3. Kumar Sangakarra
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. Mahala Jayawardena
6. V.V.S Laxman
7. Stuart Broad
8. Daniel Vettori
9. Dale Steyn
10. Peter Siddle
11. Ajantha Mendis

Hi....noice teams everyone...my 12 are
Sehwag
ghambir
Amla
Ponting/Kallis
Devilliers (Wk)/ Dhoni
Johnson
Anderson
Steyn
Harbhajan/Swann
Harris

Mike and his selection rock (go r.s.c)! For those missed the point, he's picking the ones he cares to watch, not the current world beaters XI.

I agree with his entire team, I'd just replace Dravid with that Ali kid from Pakistan if watching the paint dry is Mike's cup of tea for number 3.

Cheers, and season's greeting to all.

sehwag
watson
amla
sachin
sangakkara
hussey
pietorson
swann
steyn
zaheer
johnson

Santa's team
1) Sehwag
2) Shane Watson
3) Amla
4) Tendulkar
5) Kallis
6) DeVilleirs
7) Sangkara (WK & Capt)
8) Vettori
9) Zaheer Khan
10)Morkel
11)C Martin

my choice:
Tamim Iqbal
Virender Sehwag
Hashim Amla
Sachin Tendulkar
Kumar Sanggakara(C)
Micheal Hussey
Brad Haddin(WK)
Shakib Al Hasan
Dale Stein
James Anderson
Morne Morkel(outside subcontinent)/Graeme Swann(in the subcontinent)

MY TEAM WILL BE THE WINNER....

1) SEHWAG
2) AMLA
3) KALLIS
4) MASTER BLASTER
5) SANGAKKARA (WK)
6) HUSSEY
7) VETTORI
8) SWANN
9) ZAHEER
10) STEYN
11) HARRIS

SEE THE PERFECT BALANCE OF MY SIDE....

Everytime I read about a best XI, I always look to see who will be officiating the match. That information is always lacking. You can't have a game without officials.

KP is pretty compelling Mike, but THE most compelling and audacious Test batsman is Virender Sehwag...by far. (Just FYI, Sehwag scores 22 more runs per 100 balls than KP!)

My XI:
1. Sehwag
2. Smith
3. Amla
4. Tendulkar
5. De Villiers
6. VVS
7. Boucher
8. Swann
9. Steyn
10. Anderson
11. Zaheer

12th man -- Jonty Rhodes!

My eleven to thump urs tho u took my steyn wud be
1)Viru
2)Gayle
3)Amla
4)AB
5)KP
6)JP Duminy
7)MS(wk)
8)Imran Tahir
9)Morne
10)Mitch
11)Lasith
Tho shit kud happen

Ok, I will take that World Cup :-)

Now for the team that I would like to watch:

Sehwag
Gayle
Ponting
Tendulkar
Amla
Ryder
Prior
Steyn
Anderson
Malinga
Swann

Sehwag
Katich
Amla
Kallis
Pietersen
Sachin
Haddin
Swann
Amir
Steyn
Anderson

I would have put Watson with Sehwag but they are both aggressive shot players so Katich would hold one end up. As for the bowling,I have 3 mainline quicks with Kallis who can bowl useful spells. You have to have Swanny as he has proven to be world class and Sachin & KP can bowl their dibbly-dobblers!! Oh well, at least my time has a different look to it and could whoop most of the others!!

[Mike: If that's the Amir I'm thinking of, he's banned. And I specifcally said "no Kallis".]

Well anyone who says Jacques Kallis is a boring player needs to check again. My favourite 11 will be:

1. Andrew Struass
2. Chris Gayle
3. Hasim Amla
4. Jacques Kallis
5. Matt Prior
6. Suchin Tendulkar
7. Mitchell Johnson
8. Dale Steyn
9. James Anderson
10. Greame Swann
11. Morne Morkel

Well I really think this is a powerful team. The batting is brilliant and bowling attack will be defenitly be dangerous. All in all a good all round team

sehwag
de velliers
sangakara (keeper)
sachin
kallis
hussy
watson
harbhajan
zaheer
malinga
aamir
12 th man
cris gayle

sehwag
de velliers
sangakara (keeper)
sachin
kallis
hussy
watson
harbhajan
zaheer
malinga
aamir
12 th man
cris gayle

ey mike,
U get first pick and then you pick them lot ;-). Would probably only miss mahela, kp and Steyn from my 11. There we go:

Sehwag
Watson
Amla
Sangakarra
Sachin
Hussey
Dhoni (c)
Harbhajan
Vettori
Anderson
Malinga
12th man zaheer khan

Haddin and Mohammd Yousuf make up the 14

this team must be able to beat yours two every three times!

1) Watson
2) Mccullum
3) Trott
4) Amla
5) Clarke
6) Bell
7) Haddin (WK)
8) Swann
9) D Steyn
10) Onions
11) Hilfenhaus

Backups:
Batsmen: Duminy
All-rounder: Matthews
Bowler: Bollinger, Hauritz

my dream team will be
sehwag of course
gayle
sacin
watson
mcculum of course brendon
de villiers
dhoni (c)(wk)
vettori
steyn
johnson
morne

You left out the only two current players who deserve the tag "great" - Kallis and Tendulkar.

[Mike: And so what? There are players I enjoy watching more than those two.]

You might find Kallis boring but that wicket in a first over combined with being the second best bat in the world means you'll win more games. If you don't enjoy watching Tendulkar bat, there is something wrong with you.

[Mike: I didn't say I didn't enjoy watching Tendulkar bat. I just don't enjoy watching him as much as I enjoy watching the players I've picked.Your tastes are obviously different. Big deal. ]

As an aside, ask the leading batsman in the world who is the better spinner, Swann or Vettori. I think I know the answer, based on how they play each.

[Mike: And this is relevant to which of them I enjoy watching more? Do explain.]

Although you stole a couple of my favorites, here comes a team that I'd LOVE to watch. Would we win? Would we lose? Actually, to think about cold numbers is an insult to such an aestethicall-pleasurig team. Ladies and Gentlemen, the

POETRY IN MOTION XI:

-Shane WATSON
-Brendon MCCULLUM (C)
-VVS LAXMAN
-AB DE VILLIERS
-Kumar SANGAKKARA
-Fawad ALAM
-Matt PRIOR +
-Shakib-AL-HASAN
-Mitchell JOHNSON
-Ajantha MENDIS
-Lasith MALINGA

1.V Sehwag
2.G smith
3.H Amla
4.J Kallis
5.S Tendulkhar
6.A.b de Villiers
7.MS Dhoni
8.D Vettori
9.M Johnson
10.M Morkel
11.J Anderson

LOL - love the comment about weird asian spinners. My XI to take on your XI would be.
1. Ashraful (for much the same reason as you picked Chris Martin)
2. Mohammad Shahzad (I love the way the Afghani's play he be the w/k too!)
3. Nafees (you took Tamim!)
4. Laxman (I'm an Aussie & he is one of the few players in the world I can watch murder our bowling, have been a fan since that crazy ton @ the SCG about 10 yrs ago)
5. Afridi (Hopefully he won't be too hungry!)
6. Symonds (He won't play for QLD or Oz but maybe he might play for this team)
7. Watson (Because I'd love to see what new way he gets out for 90 something)
8. Vettori (He won't be required to drive the bus, peel the oranges & pack the kits)
9. Mortaza (if we are about to win I want to watch him cry with joy)
10. Hamid Hasan (Same as Shahzad)
11. Murali (I'd consider batting him at 6 or 7 just to make sure he bats. Also is the token weird Asian spinner!)
Not sure if we would win but thats a team I would watch.

My side will kill yours for real viewing pleasure, Mr Holmans

1. Shane Watson, you can't help but marvel when he drives the ball back past you for a searing four
2. Virender Sehwag, even though Steyn would probably get him nine out of ten times
3. Hashim Amla, better than Ponting and far more graceful on the eye
4. Ross Taylor, watching him treat Graeme Swann and Chris Martin with the disrespect they deserve would be fantastic
5. VVS Laxman, for his wristy elegance and to annoy you if your team actually gets in a position to win, because you won't
6. Jesse Ryder, because I giggle every time the man who ate all the pies appears on the TV
7. Tim Paine, he's the only keeper I really like
8. Morne Morkel, watching him terrify Asian batsmen into foamy heaps will be awesome
9. Ryan Harris, he's a Queenslander now
10. Suraj Randiv, beautiful action and real spin
11. Kemar Roach, pace like fire!!!

[Mike: This is one of the best comments in this thread: your team and mine ought to produce a superb series to watch. No idea who would win, which is excellent.]

my enjoyable eleven

chris gayle
shane watson
hashim amla
kevin pieterson
ab devillers
mike hussey
kumar sangakarra(wk)
daniel vettori
dale stern
kemar roach
mitchell johnson

My XI:

1. V Sehwag
2. C Gayle
3. K Sangakkara
4. AB De Villiers
5. M Hussey
6. A Mathews
7. A Morkel
8. H Singh
9. S Broad
10. D Steyn
11. L Malinga

My Bad Boy XI. They're likely to destroy you and then get into a fight with themselves over just who really is the best. They're also likely to punch the mirror because they lost a staring contest with their reflections.

1. Herschelle Gibbs.
2. Kumar Sangakkara
3. Jesse Ryder.
4. Andrew Symonds
5. Shahid Afridi.
6. Shoaib Malik
7. Harbhajan Singh
8. Suleiman Benn.
9. Sree Sreesanth.
10. Mohammad Asif
11. Shoaib Akhtar

12th Man: Kevin Pietersen.

Honourable mention should go to Kamran Akmal, but then I realised he's not a bad boy at all, he's just a bit rubbish at wicketkeeping.

where is shivnarine chanferpaul? the man is a great test player, and nobody has chosen him

[Mike: Probably because he's dreadful to watch, and this post and thread are about watchable players.]

@MikeHughes- It takes a true cricket fan to appreciate the beauty of Dravid's batting. Those defensive shots are just double rainbow all the way. Go watch T20 if you think sixes=exciting.
@Author-Great picks! I am surprised Sehwag is not in your most exciting to watch list, but then again, personal preference.

Though you took Dravid, Steyn, Swann and Boucher, I feel my team could still give yours a run for its money. Assuming its for a Test match, utilising unbanned players and based (mostly :) )on this years form:

Sehwag
Watson
Amla
Tendulkar
Laxman
de Villiers
Sangakkara(wk)
Vettori(c)
Zaheer
M. Morkel
Roach

Replacements:
Gambhir
Harbajhan
Haddin
Broad

v shewag
c gayle
R ponting
S Tendulkar
vvs laxman
Ms dhoni
D vettori
S watson
l Malinga
z khan
M Johnson

replacement
k sangakara (wk)
harbhajan singh
d steyen
gambir

MY TEST XI

sehwag
amla
dravid
sachin
kallis
hussey
sangakara
swann
johnson
steyin
zaheer

replacement-
devilliars
jayawardhane
malinga
anderson

Virender : Armed with a license to thrill, his sole directive is to put the fear of God into the bowlers. (God will then come in at #4!) Say wah!

Shane : What's on? A quick fifty and some wickets. Plus a Shane, W on the scorecard might unsettle some...

Jacques : In a "callous" mood after the statements above. 'nuff said.

SRT: "Such-an" awesome player. If only that old bat can hold up for 5 matches!

AB : The deVil makes hitting sixes look as easy as ABCD...er, ABD!

Hashim: Bowlers pe hAmla!

MSD : Wickeeper and vicaptain. "Anhoni ko dhoni kar de..."

Vettori : Thinker, tailender, bowler, bat, also wears the captain's hat. Dan da Man.

Kemar: The fiery appRoach helps.

Mohammed : "As if" my fast bowling team could be complete without him!

Hamid : The x-factor; the typical batsman Has'n't ever played him! Will blog too, and score on average at least 5 runs more than his opposite #11.

Strauss, Sanga, Swann, Slinga, so many options, so few seats :(

surprisingly no one thought of Michael Clark & Muhammad Yousuf both are very effective in indian conditions and good players of spin.

[Mike: I did - I listed him as a squad member if no-one else wanted him in their XI.]

Mike, this is a good attempt to popularize your blog by keeping out two players who will be in any list made by people who love the game without any bias to nationality. Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar will waltz into any line up. By omitting them you have ensured that the Indians will bombard your blog with their choices. Smart move albeit a cheap one.
FYI the most compelling of modern batsmen who plays audacious strokes is Sehwag (obviously you haven't seen him play). Furthermore the pitch should not be a lottery where the toss decides the fate of the match - we find these in England, New Zealand and South Africa. Finally I fail to understand your pathological hatred towards India except for Rahul Dravid, of course.

My team
Sehwaq
Smith
Kallis
Tendulkar
De Villers
Sangakkara
Dhoni (C & Wk)
Swann
Z Khan
M.Morkel
Steyn

Reserves :
Johnson
Watson
Vettori

I am sure...My team can match any XI team and would give them a arly pre -new year exit on the boxing day match :)

1.Virendra Shewag (look at his average and strike rate)
2.Hasim Amla (His hobby is to make centuries)
3.Kumar Sangakara(wk/captain)(man for all season)
4.sachin Tendulkar (my favorite.....no comment)
5.Mike Hussey (at least half-century is guarenteed)
6.VVS Laxman (Match winner, when least expected)
7.Chris Gayle (spin bowler no. 2)
8.Morne Morkel (to assist dayle steyn)
9.Gramme Swann (perfect spin bowler in asian condition)
10.Dayle Steyn (best bowler in world rightnow)
11.Lasith Malinga(he is really a pocket rocket)
12th man, Jacques Kallis (an allrounder)
back up, Shane watson (opener), Kevin peterson(no.4), zaheer khan(for lasith malinga) and mark boucher (reserve wk)

So much fun
So many teams up here - no one is going to notice mine!
Good! :)
1. Watson
2. Smith (c)
3. Sanggakara (wk)
4. Kallis
5. Amla
6. Laxman
7. Hussey
8. Broad
9. Swann
10.Steyn
11.Morkel

Cant believe ive managed to fit my currently favourite batsman in at 7. :)

my team of the year based on runs and wickets , WHICH IM CERTAIN WOULD PUT FEAR INTO ANY BOWLING AND BATTING ATTACK
1.V SEWAG (IND)
2.A COOK(ENG)
3.H AMLA (RSA)
4.S TENDULKAR(IND)
5.J KALLIS (RSA)
6.M HUSSEY (AUS)
7.A DE VILLIERS (RSA)WK
8.M JOHNSON (AUS)
9.D STEYN (RSA)
10. G SWANN (ENG)
11.M MORKEL (RSA)

I agree with the poster who said that picking the "World's Best" is boring, I'd rather create a team out of a certain philosophy and see what happens, so to start with, let's have four spinners-Ajantha Mendis, Harbhajan Singh, Danny Vettori, Shakib Al-Hassan- next, wicky, Mahendra Singh Dhoni,Openers-Sehwag and Shane Watson, Watson can take the shine off the ball, 3-Amla,4-Mohd Yousuf ( two bearded guys running around will confuse the opposition and bring back memories of WG Grace)5-Mike Hussey (too good to be left out)
6-Jesse Ryder, who will share the new ball with Watson, they can bowl 8 or 10 overs and then give it over to the spinners.7-MS Dhoni (Captain)8-Harbhajan Singh.9-Daniel Vettori.10-Shakib al Hassan. 11-BAW Mendis. As you can see, this team bats to number ten, and the spinners will have 4 men around the bat with Amla at forward short leg, no more ring fields and sweepers and negative boring fields that you get from pace men, pure attack, Bishen Bedi style, that's my team.

Dravid's batting is surely defensive. Even though batting has become all about hard-hitting & scoring quickly, Dravid's batting is still wonderful to watch. Great pick!

Seein ur XI,i thnk ur sum choice r ri8 n sum r rubbish!
MY XI acrdin 2 ordr:
1.VIRENDER SEHWAG
2.HASIM AMLA
3.RAHUL DRAVID
4.SACHIN TENDULKAR
5.MIKE HUSSEY
6.MS DHONI(c & wk)
7.DANIEL VETTORI
8.GREAM SWANN
9.MICHETTEL JOHNSON
10.ZAHEER KHAN
11.DALE STAYNE
-jst luk at my team...
IQBAL is jst began 2 ply,a nwcumr,h shuld nt part f ds XI..y do u pick him?

Sorry Mike,You did specify "No Kallis" So his replacement would be AB De Villiers. As for Amir being banned...I forgot. What a silly silly boy you are Amir. I guess it's going to have to be Mitch Johnson then. Please,please get that line and length right Mitch.

Suliemann Benn... Thats a little to optimistic.....

Anyways My Opponent XI

1. V. Sehwag
2. A. Cook
3. J. Kallis
4. S. Tendulkar
5. S. Chanderpaul
6. M. Hussey
7. B. Mccullum (as Wk)
8. D. Vettori
9. Z. Khan
10. L. Malinga
11. K. Roach

how can u not have Sachin at no 4? u call it best eleven?

I don't know how ppl here have suggested bhajji and dhoni's name in there teams.However my team would be:-
1)Chris Gayle (the triple centurion openers)
2)Virender Sehwag
3)Rahul Dravid(c)(if he wants to)
4)Sachin Tendulkar
5)Kevin Peterson
6)Kumar Sangakara(wk)(otherwise my second choice for captain)
7)Shane Watson
8)Graeme Swann
9)Zaheer Khan
10)Dale Steyn
11)Morne Morkel

My team:-
A)Openers
viru and gayle (both two times triple centurians and devastating batsmans one left handed and other right handed so left/right combinations works murdering the bowlers from both ends)
Middle Order
3)Dravid(captain)(THE WALL always the most reliable batsman)
4)TONdulkar(when god wanted to play cricket he sent sachin)
5)Kevin Peterson (most extraordinary and charismatic cricketer)
6)Kumar Sangakara(wk)(the best keeper/bat in the business)
7)Shane Watson/VVS (both are gr8 players)
Bowlers
Graeme Swann (best spinner in recent times)
Zaheer Khan (LEFTIES beware zak is present in my team)
Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel
(one has got pace and swing other has pace and bounce both has got the ability to put the best batsman in trouble and has done in the recent past seems like the pair of ambrose/walsh is back but the white ones)

Reserves
Jimmy Anderson
Ricky Ponting
Saeed Ajmal

Dear Michel My team will surely beat your team

My team is

1. Virendra Sehawagh

2. Shane Watson

3. Jack Kallis

4. Sachin Tendulkar

5. A.B. Develiers

6. Sakible Hassan

7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni ( Captain)

8. Shahid Ajmal

9. Zaheer Khan

10. Brett lee

11.Jimi Anderson

Back for Openers ( Dilshan )

Back Up for middle order ( Amala / Mike Hussy / VVS Lakshman)

Back Up for Spin ( Ajanta Mendis)

Back Up for pace ( Morne Morkal / Bollinger / Ishant Sharma )

Best of luck for your team

My Team
M.Hafeez
Cris Gyle
Shahid Afridi
Yonus khan
Kamran akmal
Umer Akmal
M.Ammir
Abdul Razzaq
Branden Mcollum
Aziz Cheema
Wahab riaz
Umer gul