England wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow has named his all-time XI’s and he has missed out on the Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli, who is hailed as the modern legend of the game. Well, an interview, where Jonny Bairstow had collaborated with Lord’s Cricket Ground, has resurfaced on social media and is going viral.
As per the prevailing rules and regulations, ‘the criteria for selection is players they have played with, against or have been influenced by’. His playing XI consisted of only one Indian player and he is none other than the Master Blaster – Sachin Tendulkar.
At the top, Bairstow picked England’s opening batsman and Test captain Alastair Cook and Proteas opener Hashim Amla to open the innings of his team. Followed by them Brian Lara gets the third position in the batting slot. He said:
“No.1 and captain, Alastair Cook, the all-time leading run-scorer for England, very easy decision. No.2 Hashim Amla, Speaking about himself, sustainability and unique. Lara is my no.3 batsman especially for his 400 in Tests and 501 in First Class cricket.”
At no. 4, India’s batting legend Sachin Tendulkar was named, followed by South African Mr. 360 AB de Villiers at no. 5. Explaining the reason, Bairstow said:
“Sachin Tendulkar at No.4, the all-time leading run-scorer, the magician, he was absolutely fantastic for such long period of time. No.5 and wicket-keeper AB de Villiers, he is just doing the things people are never dreamt of doing in ODI, Tests, and T20Is.
Further, he picked Jacques Kallis as an all-rounder while Joe Root will come down the order at no.7. The bowling department consisted of just one spinner – Shane Warne, while the pace bowling attack included Dale Steyn, Mitchell Johnson, and James Anderson. He explained:
“No.6 I am going for Jack Kallis, all-rounder, catches at the second slip, ridiculous with the bat and bowling as well. No.7 Joe Root, yes, I am afraid he is down at no.7 still under 25 scored a ridiculous number of runs for England in all forms of cricket and I am sure he will break many records in the years to come.”
Jonny Bairstow’s XI:
Alastair Cook (captain), Hashim Amla, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, AB de Villiers (wk), Jacques Kallis, Joe Root, Shane Warne, Mitchell Johnson, Dale Steyn, James Anderson.
