Legendary England fast bowler Stuart Broad has curated his personal best Test XI. The selection was governed by a specific criterion: Broad chose only those players he personally faced as an opponent on the field. While the resulting squad is filled with icons, several major names were omitted, including only one representative from India.
Broad, a modern-day great with over 600 Test wickets, was tasked with selecting the finest cricketers he shared the pitch with during his illustrious career.
For the opening partnership, Broad selected South African icon and former captain Graeme Smith, paired with wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara. Ricky Ponting follows them at number three. In a surprising move, Broad bypassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar—the format’s all-time leading run-scorer—to instead select Virat Kohli at number four.
After navigating several difficult choices in the middle order, Broad settled on Steve Smith and Jacques Kallis at five and six, respectively. Kallis stands as the sole all-rounder in the lineup. Completing the batting order is AB de Villiers at number seven, who provides versatile options as both a batsman and a secondary wicketkeeping choice.
The bowling attack is headlined by two of the most fearsome pacers in history: Mitchell Johnson and Dale Steyn, both former world number one bowlers. Broad also included Australian left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, while the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan, the highest wicket-taker in history, serves as the team’s lone spinner.
Stuart Broad’s Test XI
Graeme Smith, Kumar Sangakkara (WK), Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Mitchell Johnson, Dale Steyn, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mitchell Starc
