Wisden's ‘Masters of all conditions’ all-time Test XI starting with Sunny Gavaskar

Test cricket has a sheer abundance of cricketing talent that can't be overlooked. Across several generations, we have been fortunate enough to witness the greatness and stardom of legendary cricketers like Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Sachin Tendulkar, to name a few. 

While most of these cricketers have traditionally enjoyed performing in helpful conditions, their performances would undergo a considerable dent the moment they found themselves operating in hostile conditions. For instance, Muralitharan averaged over 70 in Australia, and Steve Waugh could not buy a run in Sri Lanka despite averaging over 100 against them at home.

However, only a select few from the elite list of cricketers manage to thrive in all conditions. Irrespective of the conditions, these cricketers finished their careers without venue-specific gaps in their records. Here is Wisden's all-time Test XI of greats who performed wherever they played.

See also: Wisden unveils all-time Test playing Xl starting with Jack Hobbs

Sunil Gavaskar (India)

At the top of the list is India's Sunny Gavaskar, who started his Test career in 1971 against the West Indies and finished on a high on home soil sixteen years later. The Indian batting maestro slammed 774 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 154.8 in hostile Windies conditions and racked up 11 centuries in Australia, Pakistan, England, and New Zealand, averaging well over 40 in each of those places.

Bob Simson (Australia)

Australia's Bob Simson scored consistently outside his turf and competed fiercely in England, Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies. The only marginal downside was a lack of hundreds in India, but he averaged 48 there with three fifties in six innings, top-scoring in the drawn 1964/65 tour.

Greg Chappell (Australia)

Next up is the iconic Greg Chappell. Chappell was solid overseas, particularly in England and the West Indies. His technique against pace and spin made him one of Australia's most reliable batsmen abroad, though he was more dominant at home. In 45 away Tests, Chappell scored over 3000 runs at a remarkable average of 41. 

Sachin Tendulkar (India)

The great Indian master blaster had a century in every Test-playing nation apart from Zimbabwe. Tendulkar averaged more than 40 in 10 countries and scored at least five or more tons in Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and India. 

Allan Border (Australia)

Allan Border, known for his gritty and dependable demeanor, excelled tremendously in hostile conditions outside Australia. Border has a century in every Test nation apart from South Africa, where he still managed to average 39. In around 70 overseas Tests, Border accumulated 5287 runs at a stunning average of 47.59.

AB de Villiers (South Africa)

Someone with a wide range of shots in his book, South Africa's AB de Villiers maintained an impressive record, both domestically as well as internationally. De Villiers thrived on flat surfaces in the UAE and the West Indies, where he averaged nearly 98. In addition, De Villiers averaged 42 in every other Test-playing nation. His only underwhelming knock overseas came against Zimbabwe, where he scored 7 (34). 

Alan Davidson (Australia)

Australia's Alan Davidson was considered one of the best operating fast bowlers of his time. Not known for his express pace, Davidson troubled the batters with his uncanny accuracy and guile. His record in India stands out from the rest of the countries where he picked up 30 wickets at jaw-dropping average of nearly 15. He recorded his worst bowling average fo 25 in England, which according to the experts is not a poor number by any means. 

Curtly Ambrose (West Indies)

Ambrose had a phenominal track record in Australia where he thrived on seam-fiendly bouncy pitches. He scripted some memorable performances for his side in this part of the world which includes his famous 7-1 at the WACA in 1993/94. The West Indian speedster snapped a staggering 78 wickets in Australia at an average of just 20. Similarly, he maintained an impressive record in other nations including England where he averaged 21. Unfortunately, he never got the opportunity to play in India. 

Dale Steyn (South Africa)

Steyn is one of the greatest fast bowlers ever to be produced by South Africa. He recorded five-wicket hauls in eight different countries. Although his average in South Africa and England appeared to be on the higher side, he did play a pivotal role in helping his side achieve series win. His career-best bowling perfromance of 7-51 came against India in India back in the 2010 series where he was embroiled in a thrilling battle with Tendulkar.

Lance Gibbs (West Indies)

Gibbs comes across as one of the most successful spinners in Test cricket, becoming the first spinner to surpass the 300-wickets mark. Gibbs track record hardly changed outside the West Indies. Barring New Zealand where he only played three Tests, Gibbs maintained an economy between 1.8 and 2, while striking at between 75 and 97. He thrived on the pitches of India, taking 39 wickets at 23, hated giving away runs and averaged a respectable 33 in Australia, which apparently is his worst. 

Glenn McGrath (Australia)

Glenn McGrath is arguably the most effective away bowler to have ever played the game of cricket. In his prime, McGrath was exceptional with his line and length and also had the ability to move the ball both ways, via air and off the deck.. His away average is exceptional. He was unplayable in England where he averaged 19 and averaged under 20 in the UAE and New Zealand. Besides, McGrath’s highest average in a country where he played more than five Tests is just 24. 

Masters of all conditions all-time playing XI

Sunil Gavaskar, Bob Simpson, Greg Chappell, Sachin Tendulkar, Allan Border, AB de Villiers (wk), Alan Davidson, Curtly Ambrose, Dale Steyn, Lance Gibbs, Glenn McGrath