Michael Vaughan names a unique 'Bald XI' of Test cricket
Coming on to the bowling attack, Vaughan slotted the Australian duo of Doug Bollinger and Nathan Lyon in the squad, along with Pakistan's Rana Naved.
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The sporting scenario is at a standstill due to COVID-19 outbreak across the world. However, things are expected to get back on track once the pandemic subsides. Amid this environment of uncertainty, many cricketers have kept themselves busy by building their XI of all sorts.
Many former and current cricketers have named their ODI XI or Test XI featuring players from one or multiple nations. Continuing the trend, former England skipper Michael Vaughan also came up with his bizarre XI side. Vaughan built a Test ‘Bald XI’ featuring players from multiple countries and shared the team on his Instagram.
Vaughan went with the opening combination of England’s Graham Gooch and Herschelle Gibbs in his squad. Gooch was known as one of the most successful batsmen of his generation due to his prolific run-scoring. Similarly, Gibbs was also known for his proficiency in all forms of the game. While donning the Proteas jersey in 90 Tests, the right-hander amassed 6167 runs which included 14 tons.
Vaughan slotted another South African Hashim Amla at the No.4 spot. Amla, who bid adieu to the international cricket last year, was regarded as one of the best opening batsmen of all time. Further, Vaughan went with Australia’s Darren Lehmann at the No.4 spot.
Michael Vaughan handed the skipper’s role to veteran Brian Close
The No.5 side in the ‘Bald XI’ was allotted to South Africa-born Jonathan Trott, who represented England in international cricket. Right-handed Trott was the ICC and ECB Cricketer of the Year in 2011.
Following Trott, Vaughan went with another England cricketer, Brian Close. Close was the youngest player to don the Test jersey for England in 1949. Captaining England in seven Tests, Close steered them to victory in six matches. Vaughan also assigned the captaincy role to Close.
Following Close, Vaughan chose former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior at the No.7 spot. Prior donned the England jersey in 79 Tests, 68 ODIs and 10 T20Is in the course of his career.
Coming on to the bowling attack, Vaughan slotted the Australian duo of Doug Bollinger and Nathan Lyon in the squad, along with Pakistan’s Rana Naved. To finish things off, Vaughan seemed undecided for the No.11 position as he dished out two names– Jack Leach and Chris Martin. While Leach is England’s left-arm orthodox spin bowler, Martin was a right-arm pacer from New Zealand.
Here’s Michael Vaughan’s ‘Bald XI’:
Graham Gooch, Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, Darren Lehmann, Jonathan Trott, Brian Close (C), Matt Prior, Doug Bollinger, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Nathan Lyon, Jack Leach/Chris Martin
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