Two legends of modern cricket, Ricky Ponting and Stuart Broad, have teamed up for a fascinating challenge: build the ultimate combined Ashes XI of the 21st century.
The rules were simple but slightly brutal: each position would see both men nominate a player, and together they’d settle on who deserved the shirt.
So, without further ado, let’s see how their final XI came together.
Opening Batsmen
Matthew Hayden and Sir Alastair Cook
Facing the first ball of the innings, neither men hesitated with their suggestion. Matthew Hayden was the undisputed pick at No. 1. A true powerhouse with nearly 10,000 Test runs and performing very well from ball one, Hayden was an automatic choice.
At No. 2, Broad put forward Sir Alastair Cook, and Ponting immediately agreed. With over 12,00 Test runs, the highest by any Englishman, Cook’s reliability and longevity made him the perfect foil for Hayden’s aggression, with a nice “balance” between the pair, as Broad suggests.
No.3
Ricky Ponting
For No. 3, Ponting tried to not put himself forward, but Broad refused to let him dodge it. Ricky Ponting, one of the greatest 3’s in cricket history, claimed the spot thanks to Broad’s pushback. With nearly 14,000 Test runs, a mountain of centuries, and an Ashes record few can match, the three slot belonged to him.
Middle Order
Joe Root, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Adam Gilchrist
No. 4 felt a shoo-in, mainly so Joe Root could perform in his favoured position. Ponting agreed, Root’s consistency in that position cemented him at No. 4. That pushed Steve Smith to No. 5, a compromise both were happy with. Smith’s outlandish averages and his history of tormenting England meant he had to be in the side.
The toughest call yet came at No. 6. Ben Stokes or Kevin Pietersen? Broad raised Pietersen’s brilliance, particularly playing his best cricket in the Ashes, but both ultimately agreed that Stokes’ all-round impact and longevity, at No. 6, slightly edged him. They then suggested Pietersen would be 12th man.
Adam Gilchrist, the wicketkeeper who revolutionised the role, had no competition when it came to the gloves and the No. 7 spot. His explosiveness down the order and safe hands guaranteed his selection.
Bowling Attack
Shane Warne, Pat Cummins, Stuart Broad, Glenn McGrath
At No. 8, Ponting and Broad leaned towards finding a bowler who could hold a bat. Names like Andrew Flintoff and Mitchell Starc were mentioned, but ultimately, the position went to the greatest spinner the Ashes has ever seen — Shane Warne. Not only the best leg-spinner in history, but a very handy lower-order batsman.
That left the three fast-bowling slots. They agreed Pat Cummins was a solid No. 9 pick, citing his relentless accuracy and wicket-taking threat. At No. 10, Broad tried to avoid putting himself forward, quite like Ponting did, but he succumbed to the debate following the discussion of his Ashes record. No. 11, the final place, went to Glenn McGrath, completing a terrifying pace trio.
Final XI
Hayden, Cook, Ponting, Root, Smith, Stokes, Gilchrist, Warne, Cummins, Broad and McGrath.
A line-up that is stacked with greats, firepower, and Ashes history. Thanks to Cummins’ urn-lifting credentials, he took captaincy of the super team. Whether you agree with every call or not, one thing is for sure: this XI would be frightening.
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