Test cricket pits country against country in a five-day struggle for cricket supremacy. It is the ultimate cricketing challenge for those players who are skilful enough and dedicated enough to represent their country at the highest level. But Test cricket is much more than that; it is a source of national pride and a mechanism that brings together vastly different cultures and communities, encouraging mutual respect, as well as a shared admiration for the heroes of the game.
Ever since the first Test match in 1877, lovers of cricket have argued over who was the best, the best team, the best batsman, the best bowler, the best wicketkeeper, the best captain, the best slips fielder and so on. Of the millions who have played cricket, only 3,162 men have been good enough to play Test cricket for their countries, and, of these, 841 were successful enough to play more than 20 Test matches. This book is about those few – the best of the best.
Based solely on the batting and bowling ratings obtained using only the players' statistics, the best Test team for each era has been selected from every Test player who played more than 20 Test matches in that particular time period. The best national teams in each era for each participating country have also been selected.
It is hoped that the national and world teams selected here and the comparisons between players provide for enjoyable reading, both settling old arguments and creating new ones.