In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about Cricket.
This is a World Eleven like no other, eleven of the best Left-Handed Test Cricketers collected from across ages and banded together. It is a team truly capable of invincibility.
The team consist of –Contrasting openers, one dominating the other solid, at number 3, More Rahul Dravid than Don Bradman in style, Briskly scoring batsmen at 4 & 5,a genuine all-rounder at 6-Aggressive wicket-keeper batsman, An out and out quick bowlers, Two masterly swing bowlers, one specialist spinner. The all-rounder is of the spinning variety.
Now the Team
# 1 Openers: Mathew Hayden and Arthur Morris (Australia)
Mathew Hayden ia an easy choice when compiling a World Eleven. Big imposing and adept against both pace and spin, he gets the nod ahead of SA skipper Graeme Smith due to couple of reasons-his overall technical spereriority, and no buuny-ish traits against particular bowler (read –Zaheer Khan). Second opener, who is described as calm and compact, the Australian Arthur Morris will be ideal foil to head strong Hayden. Don Bradman hailed him as one of the best batsman of (then) new generation. Morri even outscored Bradman during the latter’s farewell series of 1948-49. At the Oval when Bradman fell for a duck in his final innings, Morris made 196, a trivia easily forgotten amidst the Don’s famous failure.
#2 No.3 Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
He is good mix of both flair and steadiness. Very capable of playing in both Hayden and Morris mode, depending on who falls first, the Sri Lankan also provides an excellent option as a back-up wicket keeper. His biggest asset is his tenacity, which is evident from number of double centuries he has scored. The closest contender for this slot could have been Graeme Pollock, but what tilted the scales in The Sri Lankan favour- his experience of playing 100+ Tests more than Pollock, and he is more solid batsman as compared to Pollock is more of dasher.
#3 no. 4 Brain Lara (West Indies)
He becomes the automatic choice for NO. 4. Probably the Best Test batsman in the modern era, and easily the most flamboyant, his ability to play his natural game irrespective of the state of the match makes him an invaluable asset. If Hayden stays and Morris and Sangakkara departs early, then this pair could have wonderful discussion on the breaking and reclaiming of a trifling record that goes by the name of highest Test score. Lara’s talent is a perfect for any occasion.
#4 No. 5 Clive Lloyd-Captain (West Indies)
The toss-up for this position was between Lloyd and Allan Border, what tilted in favour of Lloyd that he being the better leader. The need of the hour is that of a great captain, one experienced in handling a star studded team. Famous for turning a highly talented but equally rudderless group of individuals into one of the most potent units during the 70s and 80s. The gentleman cricketer will surely command respect from rest of the superstars within short span of time.
#5 No. 6 Gary Sobers (West Indies)
No other cricketer right or left handed can stake a claim to be the best ever all-rounder crown, which rests perfectly on his head. He is not just the greatest all-rounder, but the greatest player. He was batsman par excellence, scoring 8000+ runs at @ 58, and was the proud owner highest Test score for close to 50 years. His 235 wickets at 34 apiece may not be great tally, but his versatility-he could bowl at a decent pace with the new ball and return to bowl orthodox left-arm spin or even chinaman has never been matched
#6 No. 7 Adam Gilchrist –Wicket Keeper (Australia)
He could become wicket keeper of any team in the world. He wins this position unopposed, with his closest rival already a part of this team at No. 3 as a batsman. Before him, wicket keepers were expected to contribute with bat and put up some sort of resistance as the more established middle-order survivor took on the bowling. But he smashed bowlers to all corners of the park and counter-attacked with gusto. Not many wicket-keepers have made such an impact, at least in Tests.
#7 No.8 Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
He is the best left-arm pace bowler, ever. He was usually given absolute freedom by his captain to bowl as quick as possible without worrying about no-balls. As the years passed the pace gave way to a magical control, as he became master of reverse swing. A more than capable batsman down the order, he channelized his energies more on his bowling, thus sparing viewers the tragedy the tragedy of an Irfan Pathan prequel.
#8 No. 9 Mitchell Johnson (Australia)
The slowest among the quickest of his generation, his superior accuracy especially with the bouncer, makes him much deadlier proposition than other fast bowlers of his era. He trades in the business of fear, one that a years ago ended the career of one of the England’s best batsman, Jonathan Trott, and had several of them fearing for their lives. The fear of getting hit is an acute reality.
#9 No. 10 Alan Davidson (Australia)
The big-broad Shouldered whose bowling speed and movement often belied a very economical run-up to the crease. While he is generally bracketed as fast medium, his pace was subject to mood swings. According to Sobers, he was lightning fast when he was in the mood. Besides being a very useful contributor down the order, he went into the famous ties Test match of 1960 against West Indies with a broken finger on his bowling hand. He emerged as the first man to take 10 wickets and 100 runs in the same match.
#10 No. 11 Bishan Singh Bedi (India)
With Sobers in the team one could go with one specialist spinner. There was tie up between Derek Underwood and Bedi, but Bedi gets the nod for following reasons- He managed to make a significant impact on the Test landscape even while sharing space (and wickets) with three of the best spinners ever produced by India; secondly superior technique especially the guile factor and lastly willingness to take few hits to buy wicket. With Akram, Johnson and Davidson allowing very little breathing space to the batsmen, they will inevitably go after Bedi. But they would commit to an aggressive stroke, when faced with what looks like half-volley for 90% of its trajectory but dips wickedly at the last moment, which in all probability will lead to their doom.
So friends, how do you like the Test team of Left-handers.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
12th December 2025