Legendary spinner Shane Warne on Monday (March 30) picked his all-time Australian Test XI and named Allan Border as the leader of the pack.
Warne took to Instagram to reveal the team and selected all the players with whom he had played during his illustrious career.
“I am only picking players that I played with that is why David Warner is not going to be a part of the side, he is one of the greatest Australian openers,” Warne said while naming the side on Instagram Live.
Warne, who has represented Australia in 145 Tests, opted to go with Matthew Hayden and Michael Slater as his two openers. For the crucial No. 3 position, he preferred Australia’s leading Test scorer Ricky Ponting.
The Spin King picked Waugh brothers, Steve and Mark, for the two middle-order slots alongside Border.
Talking about Steve Waugh, Warne said: “Steve was more of a match saver than a match-winner”.
Adam Gilchrist, the man who redefined wicketkeeping and batting in Tests, would don the gloves and bat at No. 7 in Warne’s fantasy XI.
While picking the bowlers, Warne’s first choice was off-spinner Tim May. He named Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath and Bruce Reid as the fast bowling options in his all-time Australian Test XI.
“If you don’t know about Bruce, I would like to tell you, he has the same record as Ryan Harris,” Warne said.
Shane Warne’s greatest Australian Test XI:
Matthew Hayden, Michael Slater, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Allan Border (c), Steve Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Tim May, Jason Gillespie, Glenn Mcgrath, Bruce Reid.
(Inputs from Hindustan Times)
