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

The Wisden Cricketers' Almanack has picked the best all-time playing eleven of star-studded, legendary Test greats. Players from the vintage era as well as the contemporary era find themselves in the elite list.  This playing eleven is a holistic representation of as many as five Test nations, including England, Australia, India, Pakistan, and the West Indies. The team comprises four English players, three West Indians, two Australians, and one player apiece from India and Pakistan.

The late Aussie legend Don Bradman finds himself at the helm, leading the playing eleven. Although Bradman made his final Test appearance in 1948, no batsman has ever come remotely close to surpassing his staggering Test batting average of 99.94. He is joined by another late fellow Australian legend, Shane Warne, who established himself as one of the best operating leg spinners in the 1990s. 

Moving on to the English contingent, the 19th-century great WG Grace comprises the top order along with Jack Hobbs. Furthermore, Alan Knott, one of England's finest wicketkeepers from the 1970s, is also on this elite list. Sydney Barnes comes in to bolster the pace department. Equipped with the ability to bowl both swing and spin, Barnes was reckoned by many to have been England's greatest bowler of all time.

The middle order is bolstered by the influx of the Caribbean flair in the form of Vivian Richards and Garry Sobers. Richards was a fierce competitor with the bat and was a ferocious hitter of the ball, while Sobers was also high on reputation and is considered one of the best all-rounders to play Test cricket. This Caribbean flair is also felt in the pace department due to the inclusion of Malcom Marshall, who was viewed as arguably the best in a long line of top-class Caribbean fast bowlers.

And lastly, two Asian giants also managed to make it to the list. India's Sachin Tendulkar is an all-time great in Test cricket and has the most number of runs. Apart from him, Pakistani legendary pacer Wasim Akram is the only other Asian legend to feature in the lineup. 

Wisden's All-Time World Test XI breakdown (Order Wise)

Openers: Jack Hobbs (England), W.G. Grace (England)
Middle Order: Don Bradman (Australia, captain), Sachin Tendulkar (India), Vivian Richards (West Indies), Garry Sobers (West Indies)
Wicketkeeper: Alan Knott (England)
Bowlers: Wasim Akram (Pakistan), Shane Warne (Australia), Malcolm Marshall (West Indies), Sydney Barnes (England)

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WISDEN WORLD XI

Jack Hobbs, W. G. Grace, Don Bradman (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Vivian Richards, Garry Sobers, Alan Knott, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Malcolm Marshall, Sydney Barnes