My 2016 Test XI

[jonbrooks]

1) Warner
2) Azhar Ali
3) Root
4) Kohli
5) Smith
6) Bairstow
7) Ashwin
8) Starc
9) Herath/Broad
10) Wagner
11) Rabada

Between Bairstow, Starc and Ashwin the all rounder position is covered adequately. Kohli pushes Smith to number 5. Depending on conditions I'd go for Broad or Herath at 9.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Fair effort, can't argue too much

While Warner easily makes a current Best Test XI, his 2016 was actually pretty ordinary in Tests

 

[jonbrooks]

Fair effort, can't argue too much

While Warner easily makes a current Best Test XI, his 2016 was actually pretty ordinary in Tests

I thought he was OK till I saw his stats which forced me to include him in the XI:

N Wagner (NZ) 9 17 320.1 74 863 41 6/41 8/103 21.04 2.69 46.8 3 0

From the top 10 bowlers this year his average and strike rate is second only to Herath and Starc respectively. Plus I can't think of any other number eleven who's played better than him this year.

Edit: I thought you said Wagner! I'll leave this as is as it's interesting reading anyway. :-)

Edit 2: Warner's late form made it for me

 

[vcs]

Azhar Ali
Tamim
Root
Kohli (c)
Smith
Stokes
De Kock (wk)
Ashwin
Philander
Herath
Starc

 

[jonbrooks]

Azhar Ali
Tamim guy only played 2 tests so I can't see how you can select him
Root
Kohli (c)
Smith
Stokes
De Kock (wk) He'd be my backup keeper. Reason being is he only played 8 tests while Bairstow played 17
Ashwin
Philander Same as de Kock
Herath
Starc

Some comments in line otherwise good selection.

 

[vcs]

Yeah, fair points there. I just think balance-wise, this team would go really well. Pretty much all bases covered for all conditions.

Tamim is unconventional, could have chosen Warner probably. I think an attacking opener would work well alongside Azhar Ali. Philander's batting would push him above Wagner, Rabada or Abbott. Bairstow very unlucky to miss out, but De Kock for the #intent I guess.