Best of Australia and Black Caps in Anzac XI

Over the past 12 months, Australia and New Zealand have become two of the dominant powers in world cricket.

The World Cup co-hosts and finalists swept all before them in exhilarating fashion, with Australia coming out on top to claim their fifth crown.

But both sides have been just as impressive in the longest format of the game, so today marking the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, the two proud nations have once again joined forces to form an ANZAC XI.  

1. David Warner

ICC batting ranking: 9th

Averaging a century every three Tests, Warner has converted his prolific ball-striking ability in to a run of form that’s seen him be crowned the game’s premier opening batsman. Whether it be in attack or defence, the blond left-hander is always positive and refuses take a backward step.

In South Africa last summer, Warner peeled off three tons and 543 runs at 90.50 against the No.1 Test team in the world to lead Australia to a famous 2-1 series win.

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2. Brendon McCullum

ICC batting ranking: 15th

Since ditching the gloves, New Zealand’s captain has been near unstoppable with the bat in all formats of the game. The 33-year-old has re-written the Black Caps record books in recent times, becoming the first New Zealander to score a Test triple century when he posted 302 against India February 2014.

In his last 10 Tests, the hard-hitting right-hander has scored a triple century, two double hundreds and a spectacular 195 from only 134 balls.

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3. Kane Williamson

ICC batting ranking: 8th

Another batsman in incredible touch, Williamson has been the rock in New Zealand’s middle order. Simple, uncomplicated and super-effective, his last start in Test cricket yielded an unbeaten 242 against Sri Lanka.

Now in to his fifth year of Test cricket, at only 24, the right-hander is on track to surpass all Black Caps batting records, and has the backing of some influential people in the sport.

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4. Steve Smith

ICC batting ranking: 4th

There is no hotter batsman in the world, apart from maybe AB de Villiers, than Steve Smith. The Sydney-sider has come off a golden summer that saw him score more runs in a four-Test series than anybody, captain his country in Test and one-day international cricket and star in Australia’s World Cup triumph.

Like McCullum, his last 10 matches in the five-day creams have been outstanding. Six hundreds, 1334 runs at 83.38 has seen Smith rocket to No.4 in the Test batting rankings and he doesn’t look like slowing down.

5. Michael Clarke (c)

ICC batting ranking: 14th

The captain of Australia and the captain of this ANZAC outfit, Clarke has seen his side transition from No.1 in the world to No.5 and all the way back again. The last 12 months have featured a spate of injuries, but when the skipper is on the field he’s been nothing but impressive.

His 161 not out against a fearsome barrage of fast bowling from Morne Morkel and Co. in Cape Town tested the mettle of the 34-year-old, while the 128 against India only weeks after the tragic passing of close friend Phillip Hughes was a battle of mind and body.

6. Shane Watson

ICC batting ranking: 45th

ICC bowling ranking: 35th

The specialist allrounder takes the No.6 spot, and in Shane Watson the ANZAC team has a proven performer at international level. At his best, Watson is an explosive batsman with a 360 degree hitting range and a skilful medium-fast bowler with accuracy that can swing the ball both ways. A blistering century against England in Perth helped secure the Ashes in 2013-14, and while the veteran continues to chip away with the occasional wicket, Watson will remain one of the first picked when selecting a Test XI.

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7. Brad Haddin

ICC batting ranking: 51

Edging out New Zealand’s BJ Watling, Haddin’s experience and wisdom in the Test arena remains invaluable. At 37, the New South Welshman still has a spring in his step, as seen by a collection of classic catches over the past few seasons. Haddin’s talents with the bat have waned slightly after his superhuman efforts in the 2013-14 Ashes, but his exemplary work behind the stumps earns him the gloves.

8. Mitchell Johnson

ICC bowling ranking: 4th

Arguably the most fearsome bowler in the world, Johnson has backed up his Ashes heroics with big hauls in both Test and one-day cricket. A stunning display of ferocious fast bowling in Centurion last year skittled 12 South African wickets in man-of-the-match performance that sent chills down the spine by all those in attendance. Johnson’s slingy action produces speeds up to 155kph, and since his return from a toe injury, the accuracy that had escaped him has returned to make him the complete the perfect fast bowling package.

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9. Ryan Harris

ICC bowling ranking: 2nd

Michael Clarke once said Ryan Harris is as good as a fast bowler as Glenn McGrath in his prime. Few who have faced the bustling right-armer would disagree. Now a Test specialist, Harris has been the go-to-guy for Clarke in the five-day game, consistently producing at the highest level of the game. The Redback come Bull was Australia’s player-of-the-series in the 2013 Ashes, and was inspirational in securing the series win in South Africa 13 months ago, capturing the final two wickets on practically one leg.

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10. Trent Boult

ICC bowling ranking: 18th

Complementing McCullum and Williamson’s deeds with the bat has been Boult with the ball. The rapid left-armer has captured 38 wickets in his last 10 Tests across the Caribbean, United Arab Emirates and his home turf. While he couldn’t edge out the powerful combo of Johnson and Harris, Tim Southee has partnered Boult to great effect to form a potent new ball partnership. Boult’s seven wickets against Sri Lanka on Boxing Day 2014 helped the Black Caps to a comfortable eight-wicket win. He also had a pretty good World Cup.

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11. Nathan Lyon

ICC bowling ranking: 18th

The sole spinner in the team, Lyon’s coming of age in the emotional first Test of the summer at the Adelaide Oval confirmed him as one of the best off-spinners in the world. Those 12 wickets, including seven in the second innings, was the product of hard work and perseverance. While we’ve heard of ‘Jeff’ and his relatives, Lyon’s mystery balls have remained a mystery, instead relying on the exaggerated bounce his high arm action generates. With the pitches in the Caribbean and Bangladesh, and perhaps the Ashes, set to spin, Lyon will be a heavy influence on Australia’s successes this year.