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The best Australian Test XI this century
SEN • November 27th, 2025 10:20 am
Who makes the best Australian Test side this century?
Liam Pickering and Bryce McGain have had a crack at putting the XI together, starting with the top 7.
The criteria is simply those who have played in the Aussie Test side since the year 2000.
Pickers and Bryce agreed on most spots but 5 and 6 seem up for grabs. Mike Hussey was selected by both in different slots, while one had Michael Clarke (controversially as captain) and the other had Shane Watson.
See the top 7 selected on SEN’s Sportsday below:
Best Aussie Test XI
(Since 2000)
1 - Matthew Hayden
Pickering: “103 matches, 8625 runs at 50.7 with 30 100s and 29 50s, and that’s a great conversion.
“He picks himself for me.”
McGain: “Tick from me. We’re unanimous with that selection.”
2 - David Warner
Pickering: “I thought about Justin Langer but I went with Warner.
“112 matches, 8786 runs at 44.6 with 26 100s and 37 50s, and a triple century.
“I know it won’t be that popular because a lot would have gone he hung on too long and all that stuff, but he did win us matches and his numbers were great.”
McGain: “I’ve gone with Warner too.”
3 - Ricky Ponting
Pickering: “Ponting picks himself at 3.
“168 matches, 13,378 runs at 51.9 with 41 100s and 62 50s.”
McGain: “Without a doubt. He is my captain.”
4 - Steve Smith
Pickering: “120 matches and counting. 10,496 runs at 55.8 with 36 100s and 43 50s.
“He is in my team at 4. He’ll make the most runs in history.”
McGain: “He could end up being the best of all time.”
5 - Michael Clarke or Mike Hussey
Pickering: “115 matches, 8643 runs at 49.1 with 28 100s and 27 50s.
“Clarke is my captain, and Punter (Ponting) vice-captain.”
McGain: “He’s your captain? That didn’t work well in the end.”
Pickering: “I know, I just think he was tactically a brilliant captain.”
McGain: “I’ve got Mr Cricket, Mike Hussey.”
6 - Mike Hussey or Shane Watson
Pickering: “79 matches, 6235 runs at 51.5 with 19 100s and 29 50s.
“I’m taking Hussey at 6.”
McGain: “I’m going with Shane Watson at 6.
“I know he had to open the batting but why would you shoehorn one of our best all-rounders who could have been all-time? Why?
“For me it’s Watson.”
7 - Adam Gilchrist (wk)
Pickering: “Picks himself with 96 matches, 5570 runs at 47.6 with 17 100s and 26 50s.
“If he played like a few other blokes played his average would have been in the early 50s.”
McGain: “No doubt. He was out there many times to set up the declaration.”
NOTE: Steve Waugh was not considered because he made the bulk of his 10,927 Test runs prior to 2000.
The bowlers will be selected on Sportsday on Thursday night.
