Selecting an all-time Test XI is never an easy task, especially for a player who spent nearly two decades competing against some of the greatest cricketers the game has ever seen. Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad recently took on that challenge by naming the best Test XI consisting exclusively of players he faced during his illustrious international career.
Broad, who finished with over 600 Test wickets and established himself as one of England’s finest fast bowlers, shared his selections while reflecting on the toughest opponents he encountered. Unsurprisingly, his lineup features a collection of legendary batters, all-rounders and bowlers who dominated the longest format across different eras.
Sachin Tendulkar misses out as Stuart Broad unveils his greatest Test XI
Broad’s opening combination consists of two iconic captains in Graeme Smith and Kumar Sangakkara. Smith enjoyed a remarkable Test career for South Africa, scoring more than 9,000 runs while leading his side in a record number of matches. Alongside him is Sangakkara, one of the most elegant batters in Test history, who amassed 12,400 runs and also provides wicketkeeping cover in the lineup.
The former England seamer opted for an elite trio at the top of the middle order. Australian great Ricky Ponting occupies the No. 3 position, followed by Virat Kohli at No. 4 and Steve Smith at No. 5. Ponting remains one of the highest run-scorers in Test cricket history, while Kohli and Smith defined an era with their consistency, leadership and ability to deliver under pressure. The inclusion of Kohli is particularly noteworthy as he is the only Indian player to feature in Broad’s XI. The former India captain enjoyed several memorable battles against England and finished his Test career with more than 9,000 runs and 30 centuries.
At No. 6, Broad selected legendary South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever produced. Kallis combined over 13,000 Test runs with nearly 300 wickets, offering the perfect balance to the side. Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers completes the batting unit at No. 7. Known for his versatility and ability to adapt to any situation, de Villiers scored 8,765 Test runs at an average above 50 during his outstanding career.
A world-class bowling attack featuring pace and spin legends
Broad showed little hesitation when picking his bowling attack, assembling a unit capable of troubling batters in any conditions around the world. Australia’s Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc were selected as the two left-arm pace options. Johnson’s fearsome pace and aggression made him one of the most intimidating bowlers of his generation, while Starc continues to be one of the leading fast bowlers in modern-day Test cricket.
Joining them is South African great Dale Steyn, whose combination of pace, swing and relentless accuracy earned him 439 Test wickets and a reputation as one of the finest fast bowlers of all time. The lone spinner in the side is Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan. The off-spinner remains the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history with an incredible 800 wickets and was an automatic selection in Broad’s lineup.
While the XI contains some of the greatest names the sport has produced, the absence of Sachin Tendulkar has generated significant discussion among fans. Tendulkar remains the leading run-scorer in Test cricket history with 15,921 runs and 51 centuries, making his omission one of the biggest talking points from Broad’s selections. Jasprit Bumrah, who boasts one of the best bowling averages among modern fast bowlers, also failed to find a place in the final XI.
Stuart Broad’s greatest Test XI
Graeme Smith, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn, Muttiah Muralitharan
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