Michael Clarke names Shane Warne as skipper ahead of Ponting in his World Test 12

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has named his all-time Test XII. Clarke has made some interesting choices while picking the team. Shane Warne, who never got an opportunity to lead the national side, has been named as the skipper of the XI. The team boasts of heavyweights such as Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and his former skipper Ricky Ponting and the stunning part is that Clarke went on to choose Warne ahead of Australia’s most successful skipper.

Also, cricket’s all-time leading wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan and Australia’ famous tormentor couldn’t find a place in his starting XI and has been named as the team’s 12th man. Describing Warne, Clarke writes, “It doesn’t take me to say he was the greatest spin bowler of all time. But I also think he was the best captain Australia never had. His insight into the game, from every aspect – tactical, physical, psychological – is second to none,” according to cricket.com.au.

Although Muralitharan is the 12th man, Clarke believes that he the off-spinner challenged him with each and every delivery he bowled at him. “When conditions were hard for him he was tight and persistent. When they favoured him, he was a nightmare. I loved facing spin and that was a strength of my game, but Murali challenged my skills to the utmost with every ball he bowled,” Clarke wrote.

Clarke’s side has as many as six Australians, including the top three, who are Michael Slater, Matthew Hayden and Ponting. Adam Gilchrist will be the wicketkeeper of this side, which also has the recently-retired Mitchell Johnson.

It is not surprising that Clarke picked the Indian batting maestro Tendulkar in his team as well. He simply writes, “The Indian master had the best batting technique I have ever seen. “Sometimes you know that you have met your superior, and that was what Sachin was for me…”

West Indies legend Lara too makes the cut. Clarke played against Lara only a few times, but mentions that he idolized Lara ever since he was little. Clarke picked Jacques Kallis as the all-rounder in his side. “Jacques Kallis ended his career with a better batting average than Sachin Tendulkar and more wickets than Brett Lee…the complete cricketer, he couldn’t be left out of any World Test 12,” Clarke wrote.

Clarke has also picked South Africa tear away Dale Steyn, against whom he has had many memorable battles.

Michael Clarke’s World Test 12: Michael Slater, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis, Adam Gilchrist (WK), Mitchell Johnson, Shane Warne (C), Dale Steyn, Glenn McGrath, Muttiah Muralitharan (12th man)