The second edition of the ongoing Global Test Championship final is coming to close next month. After playing for the cycle of almost two years, the two finalists have been decided. The inaugural champions, New Zealand have been eliminated which means that a new champion will be decided. Including the Kiwis, nine teams participated in the tournament played across the globe.
The likes of India and Australia, that ranked number two and number one in global Test rankings, will play the summit clash starting on June 7. Less than a month is left in the match and both teams would like to win their maiden Test Championship final. Meanwhile, we have decided to put together the best possible playing XI of the 2021-23 cycle.
Best playing XI of Test Championship 2021-23
Talking about the opening pair, India skipper Rohit Sharma and Australia’s opening batter, Usman Khawaja makes the cut. Even though the former has missed overseas Test in the cycle, he done well in the limited games he has played. The right-hander has 700 runs in 10 games averaging 43.75.
On the other hand, Khawaja has 1608 runs in 18 games. At number, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam can bat. The right-hander has 1527 runs in 14 games.
2. Middle-Order batters and wicketkeeper
The likes of former Australia and England skippers, Steven Smith and Joe Root will easily slot in the middle-order spots. The former has amassed 1252 runs in 19 games averaging 50.08. On the other hand, Root has 1915 in 22 games and topped the batting charts.
In the wicketkeeper slot, Rishabh Pant slots right in. Even though he won’t be playing in the final, he has made an impact with 868 runs in 12 games averaging 43.40.
3. All-rounders and bowlers
Ben Stokes can make it to the team as an all-rounder and as the skipper of the team. Under him, England lost one two Tests so far. In the bowling department, the likes of Nathan Lyon, Mohammed Shami, Mitchell Starc, and Kagiso Rabada makes to it the team.
Lyon has led the bowling charts with 83 wickets in 19 games. The likes of Shami, Starc, and Rabada have taken 41, 51, and 67 wickets respectively.
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