Ian Healy names his no.1 pick from the World XI

Everyone dreams of his very own World XI team, bringing together the best eleven players he has watched growing up. However, there’s always a dilemma over whom to pick first, and this has remained an age-old question. Some would go for the most devastating opening batsman, while others would opt for a spearhead pacer to rattle the top order.

An all-rounder also seems a viable option as he can contribute with both bat and ball. Legends of Australia’s rich cricketing history – Ian Chappell, Michael Clarke and Ian Healy took up this challenge and answered who would be their no.1 World XI pick. The pretext: the team will play a Test match at the Gabba, perhaps one of the fairest wickets to play cricket on.

Healy, in particular, said he would opt for David Warner. The left-handed opener is by far one of the most destructive modern-day batsmen who can take any opposition bowling line-up apart. Warner is also a livewire in the field, and it is rather foolish to take on his arm or his aim.

Why Warner?

“I just think he’s a scary proposition for the opposition. He’s got a double effect; his side loves him and he can make a mockery of difficult batting conditions. He can come out and peel of 50 or 100 when everyone else is battling away for 30s. So his side loves that and the opposition know it,” Healy shared.

“I think he’s an even more scary a proposition than Steve Smith, who’s very, very consistent and a wonderful player – I think he’d be No.2 – but I’ll go Warner at the top of the order,” the former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman said.

The southpaw’s fearless grade of cricket makes him one of the most prized wickets in any form of the game. Warner can easily take the game away from the opposition within a matter of a few overs. While being a sweet timer of the ball, Warner mainly relies on his strength to send the ball sailing into the stands more often than not. He’s been an asset to the Australian team and has led from the front in the IPL for his franchise, the Sunrisers Hyderabad.