Recap 2015: Retired Test XI of the year: The year 2015 saw the swansongs of many legends, whether be in specific format or all forms of the game. Some even called it a day after the major event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. These stalwarts of the game will be extremely missed by the fans and spectators worldwide and few teams having a hard time in finding the ones who could fill their shoes, Sri Lanka being the notable mention.
Here goes the list of Best XI of retired cricketers in the year 2015. These cricketers, who hung up their boots lately, can give any team a run for their money if they were to come together as one unit!
The likes of Shahid Afridi, Jonathan Trott, Misbah-ul-Haq, Kyle Mills also retired this year, but unfortunately could not make it to this list.
Openers (Virender Sehwag and Chris Rogers)
Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag’s destructive ability right from the start of the innings makes him the batsman any captain would like to have. Announced retirement in October 2015 and being felicitated in Delhi during IND-SA series.
Chris Rogers
Chris Rogers was a steady opener for the Aussies who made it to international arena in early 30s and stunned the world with his consistency. Breaking all sorts of record in his later part of career i.e. late 30s, called it a day amidst in superb form and played his last in Ashes 2015 at the Oval.
Top middle-order (Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Michael Clarke)
Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara’s availability is a great asset to any team who can also don the wicket-keeping gloves whenever required. Played his last international match against India in home series.
Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene will play the role of innings building in middle overs as the two heavyweights has done for Sri Lanka all the years. Played his last in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke will captain the side as he successfully led his national team to many milestones and World Cup title in 2015 was his greatest achievement. Played his final Test at The Oval against England in the final match of The Ashes 2015.
The Top Middle-order has a combined of 32857 Test Runs and 34865 ODI Runs with 100 Test centuries and 52 ODI centuries.
Lower Middle-Order (Shane Watson, Brad Haddin)
Shane Watson
Shane Watson has been one of the most lethal all-rounder in international cricket. Shone in the shorter-formats more as a match winner for the Aussies. Watson retired prematurely after the first Ashes Test at Cardiff.
Brad Haddin
Brad Haddin has done reasonably well for Australia over the years in all the formats. He was a part of the World Cup 2015 winning team.
Bowlers (Daniel Vettori, Ryan Harris, Zaheer Khan, Mitchell Johnson)
Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori was a silent killer for the Blackcaps over the years. To be frank, he served New Zealand as a genuine all-rounder for many years. Picked up 305 wickets and scored 2253 runs in ODIs. In Tests, he grabbed 362 wickets and scored 4531 runs.
Ryan Harris
Ryan Harris was one of Australia’s deadly weapons to attack the opponent. His strike rate has been phenomenal in Tests (50.7). His successful career came to an abrupt end after he suffered yet another knee injury just before The Ashes 2015.
Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan, India’s one of the finest seamers was a perfect exhibitioner of swing and seam bowling. Fitness and injuries hindered him to continue international cricket and eventually announced his retirement just couple of days before Virender Sehwag during the IND-SA series. Zaheer was felicitated in Mumbai after the fifth and final ODI match.
Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Johnson was the most dreadful bowler couple of years before he announced his retirement lately. He tormented many batsmen in the memorable Ashes 2013 where he bagged man of the series award.
The bowling unit has a combined 1099 Test and 870 ODI wickets.
Team:
Virender Sehwag
Chris Rogers
Kumar Sangakkara
Mahela Jayawardene
Michael Clarke (c)
Shane Watson
Brad Haddin (wk)
Daniel Vettori
Mitchell Johnson
Zaheer Khan
Ryan Harris