My All-Time Test XIs: Australia

1) Matthew HAYDEN
A fantastic opening batsman in the attacking mould with a formidable average of 50.73, which is top class for an opener. May be seen as a flat-track and a minnow-bully, but 103 Tests, 8600 runs and 30 100s in the legendary Aussie Test team of the 2000s can't be argued with.

2) Arthur MORRIS
The great stalwart of the Australian Test team of the 1940/50s who occasionally outscored Don Bradman in various Test series, such as in 1948. Although he only played 46 Tests and scored 3500 Test runs, his importance to the team was far more than solely stats-based, though his average of 46.48 raises more than a few admiring eyebrows.

3) Don BRADMAN
99.94. Need I say more? Nope, but I will anyway: simply the greatest batsman ever. Legend says he acquired his technically perfect skills by practicing with a golf ball and a stump up against a water tank and that his Test bat actually had a concave depression on the sweet-spot.

4) Ricky PONTING
Who do you love to hate more? Despite the fact that he has lost the Ashes more times than any other Australian captain, his skill and pedigree as a batsman is unquestionable. The second highest run scorer in Test match history, and the third highest century-maker as well. Forget the captaincy however, I've chosen someone special for that...

5) Allan BORDER (c)
... and here he is. Probably my all-time favorite player, and that's saying something. His sheer grittiness was his most attractive feature, and while he may not have been the most talented player ever, he was so stubborn and genuinely tough that he gets in my team ahead of the great Steve Waugh, and he gets the captaincy.

6) Adam GILCHRIST (wk)
The obvious choice. As safe with the gloves as he was talented with the bat. Wasn't just one of the most exciting and consistent batsmen of his era, but one of the nicest and best blokes ever to grace the cricket field: note the incident in the 2007 World Cup Final. Average of 47.60 and a strike rate of, wait for it... 81.95.

7) Keith MILLER
Australia's greatest all-rounder. Receives less attention and recognition than he deserves as his two averages indicate. 170 Wickets at 22.97 and 2958 Runs at 36.97. Better averages than the likes of Ian Botham, enough said. I also love the fact that he once deviated off the plane course when serving in the air force in WWII to get a look at the birthplace of Beethoven. (True Story)

8) Shane WARNE
Another easy pick. Simply the best bowler to have in your team to change the match with the mysterious art of legbreak bowling. As a spinner, and particularly a legspinner, character is vital, and Warnie had this in abundance. Charismatic, in your face and cheeky: Shane Warne's place in this team is indisputable. Not to mention the small matter of the 708 Test wickets he took.

9) Brett LEE
Perhaps a strange choice but those 300+ wickets didn't take themselves. Also, a bowler who can push 100mph/160kmph is a serious asset to a team, and Binga brings this, plus a natural delivery that is as deadly as it is quick. Definitely not a bad man to have bat in hand at number 9 either.

10) Dennis LILLEE
Considered by some as the greatest fast bowler of all time. Reared on the bouncy wickets in Western Australia, Lillee was tall, mustachioed and simply a joy to watch. His bowling average of 23.92 is even more impressive considering at times he had to bowl when recovering from injuries which would've stopped other bowlers in their tracks.

11) Glenn McGRATH
Just the new ball partner that Dennis Lille needs. Monotonous and cruelly accurate (from a batsman's point of view) and someone who will not only force mistakes out of world-class batsmen, but someone who will exert so much pressure that it will create chances at the other end. Shane Warne once said that the greatest fast bowler ever was either McGrath, or his clone. The stats, 563 wickets at 21.64, don't just speak for themselves, they shout out for recognition.

Comments and proposed alterations are, of course, welcome.

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