Dale Steyn dream Test XI: Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn selects his dream Test XI, featuring a blend of batters, all-rounders, and bowlers he considers the best across eras. His team includes four South African players, two from India, and representatives from Australia, England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Steyn shares his selections while speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Royal London One Day Cup final between Hampshire and Kent. He also names Allan Donald and Jonty Rhodes as his 12th and 13th men.
Dale Steyn Dream Test XI
Openers: Graeme Smith and Virender Sehwag
Steyn chooses former South Africa captain Graeme Smith to lead the side and open the batting. Smith holds personal significance for Steyn, as he captains South Africa when Steyn makes his international debut.
Partnering Smith at the top is Virender Sehwag, whom Steyn describes as a difficult batter to bowl to. Reflecting on Sehwag’s dominance, Steyn says:
“he once scored 300 against us in a day in Chennai, so why wouldn’t I have him?”
Middle Order: Amla, Tendulkar, Kallis, de Villiers, Sangakkara
At number three, Steyn selects Hashim Amla, choosing him ahead of other greats like Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid.
Sachin Tendulkar takes the No.4 spot. Speaking about facing Tendulkar, Steyn admits:
” He had me covered. I’ve never felt so hopeless before! I just felt like I couldn’t get him out and had no answer.”
Steyn includes AB de Villiers and Kumar Sangakkara to complete the batting unit, with Sangakkara also taking on wicketkeeping duties.
All-Rounders: Jacques Kallis and Andrew Flintoff
The all-rounder slots go to Jacques Kallis and Andrew Flintoff. Steyn names Kallis as his favourite player, citing his ability to contribute with bat, ball, and in the field.
Speaking about Flintoff, Steyn explains:
“I loved watching Freddie. If you look at his stats he may not have been the best player in the world but he bowled a heavy ball and had that fear factor and a presence. I felt like Fred had game-changing moments and you can’t not have someone like him in the side.”
Bowlers: Warne, Akram, and McGrath
For the spin department, Steyn chooses Shane Warne, admitting it is a close call between Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. He opts for Warne due to his leg-spin and match presence, saying:
“He was a showman, too. People paid money to watch him play. I’d still pay money to watch him abuse a batter and work somebody out. Watching him as a player was so exciting – even if he got hit for four off the worst ball it felt like he’d planned it. The batters never knew what was coming. He was magic,”
Steyn rounds out the pace attack with Wasim Akram, whom he calls a genius, and Glenn McGrath, whose control and consistency he greatly admires.
Dale Steyn’s Dream Test XI
- Graeme Smith (Captain)
- Virender Sehwag
- Hashim Amla
- Sachin Tendulkar
- Jacques Kallis
- Kumar Sangakkara (Wicketkeeper)
- AB de Villiers
- Andrew Flintoff
- Shane Warne
- Wasim Akram
- Glenn McGrath
