Though, of course, it is more or less impossible to compare players across generations and playing conditions, still it’s fun to try!  This is my best ever test XI based on their stats and legacy

1. Jack Hobbs, 2. Herbert Sutcliffe, 3. Don Bradman, 4. Viv Richards, 5. Wally Hammond, 6. Garfield Sobers, 7. Adam Gilchrist, 8. Imran Khan, 9. Shane Warne, 10. Sidney Barnes, 11. Malcolm Marshall

Hobbs and Sutcliffe were possibly the greatest opening partnership in cricket’s long history. I see no reason to separate them as both had outstanding individual records over a long period of time. Bradman would walk into any best test XI. Richards was the modern titan who redefined batting in the 70s and 80s, leading the great West indies team to all-conquering status. Hammond is simply one of the great batsman, truly you could say that only Bradman was better than him.Sobers - the ultimate cricketer, probably the most gifted allrounder ever. Gilchrist - the greatest wicket-keeper batsman, able to destroy bowling attackes single-handedly - and together with Warne, the driving force behind the great Australian side of the last 15 years. Imran, the best of the four great allrounders of the 1980s, a devastating bowler and exquisite batsman. Warne - simply the best spinner in the history of the game. Barnes - the best bowler of alltime, his record is truly astonishing (he took four Australian wickets for 1 run, he still holds the record of 49 wiockets in a series - and that was in only 4 tests!), Marshall was the spearhead of the great West Indies fast bowling attack of the 1980s.