Alec Stewart's all new World Test XI

[Lillian Thomson]

Mediocre in the extreme.

BBC Sport - Alec Stewart's World Test XI

1. Alastair Cook
2. Cheteshwar Pujara
3. Hashim Amla
4. Kumar Sangakkara
5. Jacques Kallis
6. Michael Clarke
7. Matt Prior
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
9. Vernon Philander
10. Dale Steyn
11. Morne Morkel

 

[kingkallis]

I'd replace Morkel with Pattinson.

 

[Dan]

Anderson and Ajmal in for Morkel and Ashwin

Hard to fault the batting, even if guys are slightly out of position.

 

[Mike5181]

Anderson and Ajmal in for Morkel and Ashwin

Hard to fault the batting, even if guys are slightly out of position.

Yeah, not a huge amount wrong with that side. Clarke to captain as well. Wasn't impressed by Cook in the ENG/NZ tour.

 

[ProteasFan]

Anderson and Ajmal in for Morkel and Ashwin

Hard to fault the batting, even if guys are slightly out of position.

Anderson has been "off " his game in the last 12 months. His strike rate is something ridiculous like 75. I would take Pattinson over Morkel.

I would also take AB over Prior as keeper.

 

[jan]

Anderson has been "off " his game in the last 12 months. His strike rate is something ridiculous like 75. I would take Pattinson over Morkel.

I would also take AB over Prior as keeper.

In terms of keeping, are you serious?

 

[ProteasFan]

In terms of keeping, are you serious?

as a wicket keeper Batsman. His keeping is not that poor. He is more than capable behind the stumps, as has been seen in the last year. His batting fis far superior to Prior's and his glovework isn't shody.

As an overall package, AB is streets ahead of Prior.

 

[smash84]

Ajmal ahead of Ashwin surely

 

[Viscount Tom]

You couldn't seriously take AB as a keeper over Prior and as a batsman coming in at 7 your better off with Prior imo.

Would swap Amla and Pujara around mind.

 

[Pothas]

I know Anderson was not at his best in the summer or against New Zealand but I think people are forgetting quite how beautifully he bowled in India.

 

[Satyanash89]

Ajmal definitely in place of Ashwin. Ashwin's superior batting isnt a huge advantage because there's more than enough batting with Prior at 7 and Philander at 8 anyway

 

[Viscount Tom]

Ajmal definitely in place of Ashwin. Ashwin's superior batting isnt a huge advantage because there's more than enough batting with Prior at 7 and Philander at 8 anyway

Add Steyn been no mug with the bat too.

 

[Spark]

Taking AB over Prior as a specialist keeper-bat is insane. AB simply hasn't been all that impressive with the bat since taking over the gloves.

 

[Satyanash89]

Taking AB over Prior as a specialist keeper-bat is insane. AB simply hasn't been all that impressive with the bat since taking over the gloves.

Dunno why people say this... wasnt all that great in England, but played two outstanding innings in Australia, one in the du-plessis match and the one in Perth to grind down the Aussies mercilessly... couple of crucial knocks under pressure against Pakistan too.
Averages over 60 since he took over keeping duties with 3 hundreds... what more can you ask for?

That said, I'd still take Prior over him, not because I necessarily think he's better but AB's fitness seems to be affected by the dual role. His back certainly seems to be feeling the strain, and think it would be better if SA bring in de Kock. Dunno if AB will be keeper for much longer tbh

 

[doesitmatter]

I would have Pattison for Morkel, Ajmal for Ashwin
W.r.t Prior over AB ..I get the feeling Stewart went for a 1) a proper WK 2) Prior scores runs when the team needs or crucial runs and with AB i get the feeling he needs a platform..OK it is IMO and not Stewart's..

 

[Satyanash89]

I would have Pattison for Morkel, Ajmal for Ashwin
W.r.t Prior over AB ..I get the feeling Stewart went for a 1) a proper WK 2) Prior scores runs when the team needs or crucial runs and with AB i get the feeling he needs a platform..OK it is IMO and not Stewart's..

Nah, that's BS... AB has played quite a few really good innings under pressure recently, so the only real criticism which people could level against him as a batsman no longer applies

 

[akilana]

Pattinson will end up better bowler than Morkel if he can remain injury free but at the moment, it's Morkel.

 

[Viscount Tom]

Nah, that's BS... AB has played quite a few really good innings under pressure recently, so the only real criticism which people could level against him as a batsman no longer applies

Would still take Prior in the pressure situation mind thing is with such a strong top order your hardly likely to come into those pressure situations all that often.

 

[akilana]

Would take AB in pressure situation.

 

[wpdavid]

There must be another opener instead of of one of the middle order batting out of position. I'd still pick Smith..