World XIs by Richard Smith

Since Test cricket began in 1877, there have been over three thousand players representing their countries in Test matches.

World XIs tackles the daunting task of choosing the best of the best and coming up with the greatest team from each era (broadly decades) of Test cricket history and exploring these players in more detail.

While the statistics for each decade are closely examined, some of the selection decisions are lineball and some greats of the game have missed selection in their respective XI. Who is the better fast bowler in the 1950s – England’s Brian Statham or Australia’s Ray Lindwall? Do you go for Abdul Qadir from Pakistan as a spinner, or does India’s Kapil Dev’s all-round ability secure him a 1980s spot? Is Rahul Dravid good enough to make the 2000s side?

A second XI has been included for each era to show which legendary players missed selection and to help in the debate as to whether World XIs has got it right.

With legends of the game such as W.G Grace in the 1800s; through to Don Bradman in the 1930s; the West Indies’ three Ws in the 1950s; Imran Khan in the 1980s; and more recent greats such as Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, there are a wide variety of players represented through the ages. And to cap things off, there are a number of greatest-ever teams for you to mull over.

World XIs is sure to cause some robust debate amongst cricket lovers the world over.

About the Author: Richard Smith grew up in regional Queensland where he developed his love of cricket as an enthusiastic but inconsistent opening batter at school. He grew a deep knowledge of the history of the game and its greats by choosing greatest-ever teams with his cricket-mad grandmother. Richard carved out a career in accounting and finance but has remained a cricket tragic and will happily debate the merits of his selections in World XIs with anyone. He lives in Brisbane, is married to Sarah, and they have two daughters; Alexandra and Georgia.

05 Nov 2024

World XIs: Best Cricket Teams of All Eras (1870s – 2020s) by Richard Smith ISBN 9781922779274