The eyes of the cricketing world is trained in India for the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League which is being played with all the drama that is happening on the field and off the field as well. The cricketing purists though are waiting for the arrival of the test matches with England schedule to play New Zealand in a couple of games followed by the much anticipated final of the World Test Championship which is to be played between 18-22 June as India and New Zealand square off for the biggest prize in test match history.
Wisden selects its World test championship XI-
Wisden well known cricket almanac sat down to pick its strongest XI for the World Test Championship. Indian opener Rohit Sharma and Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne are the two openers for the team. Rohit played 11 games scoring 1030 runs with 4 centuries and 2 half centuries at an average of 64 while Karunaratne scored 999 runs with 4 centuries and equal number of half centuries. At number 3 they have named Marnus Labuschagne followed by his team mate and idol Steve Smith at number 4. Labuschagne was the top scorer in the WTC with 1675 runs with 5 centuries and 9 half centuries at an average of 72.8 while Smith scored 1341 runs with 4 centuries and 7 half centuries at an average of 63.8
No Virat Kohli in the XI as Kane Williamson is named the skipper-
The fans were aghast not to find the name of Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the lineup as Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson has been named the Captain of the side. Williamson scored 817 runs with 3 centuries and one fifty at an average of 58.3. English all rounder Ben Stokes comes in at number 6 followed by Indian wicket keeper Rishabh Pant; the two cricketers have played a huge role in their nations respective WTC campaigns.
Strong bowling attack named –
Kyle Jamieson who has enjoyed a great start to his international career especially in test matches has been named in the eleven as he will be looking to play a huge role in the game in June. Joining Jamieson is the sole spinner in the side Ravichandran Ashwin who became the second fastest to pick 400 test wickets recently while the rest of the team is rounded off by Australian pace ace Pat Cummins and seasoned English fast bowler Stuart Broad.