Aakash Chopra, on his YouTube channel, posted a video where he selected the best XI out of the South-African-born players who ended up playing for a different country. He mentioned that the XI was devoid of players like Tony Greig and Andy Flower, who played before the 21st century.
He begins his XI with England’s opening duo of Jason Roy and Andrew Strauss. Next, he picked Devon Conway, who recently smashed a double hundred on Test debut against England at Lord’s. Conway shifted from South Africa to New Zealand in 2017 to realise his dream of playing international cricket.
“First up, it’s Jason Roy, who is a member of the 2019 World Cup-winning England team. He style of batting is very destructive. The opener along with him is Andrew Strauss, who is one of the most successful English captains, and a left-handed opening batsman,” said Chopra.
“Devon Conway, who is playing for New Zealand now. He has played more than 100 first-class matches, has an ODI average of 75 and has scored a lot of runs in T20s as well. He has started his Test career also in a brilliant fashion,” he continued.
Aakash Chopra picks Pietersen as No.4 batter in South African born playing XI who played for other countries
At number 4, Aakash Chopra picked former England skipper Kevin Pietersen. Pietersen was one of the most stylish and elegant batsmen of his era. His numbers speak for themselves.
“Kevin Pietersen, probably the biggest of them all. Born in South Africa but England gained the most. The way he won the Ashes for England and the sort of knocks he has played, he is a fantastic and a phenomenal player,” Chopra added.
Watch the video here:
The cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra picked Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne, New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips, and England’s Jonathon Trott rounded off his top 6.
“Marnus Labuschagne, the rising Australia star. He was born in South Africa and went to Australia at an early age. He is placed high in the ICC Test rankings for a while now. Glenn Phillips, another South African who New Zealand has benefitted from. He has scored one of the fastest centuries for them. My top 6 will be completed with Jonathon Trott.” he said.
For the wicketkeeping position, he took the name of BJ Watling, who recently announced that he’ll be retiring from Test cricket after the conclusion of the WTC Final against India. He picked England T20 specialist Jade Dernbach as his pacer alongside Tom Curran and Neil Wagner.
“Jade Dernbach, who used to bowl back of the hand slower ones for England, the T20 specialist. The one with a lot of tattoos on his arm. And then, Tom Curran and Neil Wagner. Yes Neil Wagner. Although Sam Curran was born in England, his brother Tom was born in South Africa,” he concluded.
