3 formats: 3 teams (What If?)

[Viper.]

This is one of my favorite cricket experiments or so called theoretical and hypothetical write-up scenarios. The idea comes from the 2020 pandemic cricket era, when we saw England field two different squads for their red-ball and white-ball assignments when cricket was played behind closed doors within bubbles. I tried to extend that further to 3 individual formats being played at a time as a possible scenario, and how today's international sides would line up in each of the 3 formats if they were happening simultaneously- the golden rule being that no player, obviously, can play more than 1 format. So the goal is to make 3 XIs (or squads) as strong as possible for each format utilising each player only once and using players for formats in such a way that there is balance across all the teams. So no real "red ball" priority though naturally it would be considered more important.

Starting from the second post in thread

 

[Viper.]

1) South Africa ​

No better team to start this series with than the reigning test champions- The Proteas.
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Tests​

Being the World Champions now, Tests have been South Africa's strongest format for a while now, rankings as well as form suggests this.​

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1. Aiden Markram - Would have considered shifting him to any of the white-ball teams for balance and captaincy, but after his performance in the WTC Final, he is a must-have in the test squad as opener.
2. Ryan Rickelton - Rickelton is another all-format star but again should be retained in the Test Team to preserve a full-strength opening pair. Mainly because of the lack of experienced openers otherwise, who wouldn't be better picks for other formats anyway.
3. Zubayr Hamza - Now at 3 we have someone from outside the regular test set-up. However Hamza has been in and around the Test Squad and averages 46 in domestic. With Stubbs far more valuable in the white-ball unit, he will be batting 3 here
4. Temba Bavuma - It is a no-brainer that Bavuma makes the test squad, for only ODI could even pose an argument but he is still miles ahead in red-ball cricket. Captain as well.
5. David Bedingham - Plays only tests, so he is the sure-shot number 5 in this team, retained from the main squad.
6. Kyle Verreynne - Again he is only a regular in test cricket, and no reason to change the regular test wicket keeper when he isn't so valuable in other formats.
7. Wiaan Mulder - Mulder's best format would be red-ball too, so he is retained at Number 7 here as the all-rounder.
8. Marco Jansen - While Jansen is another all-format star for SA, his test numbers are far superior to the white-ball formats, and he is a much better red ball bowler too. So with so many other options for the LOIs, makes complete sense to retain him here.
9. Keshav Maharaj - Maharaj is the same case yet again, but is most valuable in tests. Without him, the team loses its lead spinner, which can be made up for far better in white-ball.
10. Kagiso Rabada - Rabada is a world class bowler across formats, but I mean why would you not have him in the test side?
11. Dane Paterson - Probably not the best option for the third quick in all scenarios, but for now, with our constraints- Paterson has more than done the job in Tests and it is his only format, so I will be keeping him here.

12. Jordan Hermann - The top scorer in domestic FC competition, and probably a very good backup
13. Neil Brand - was part of that second-string test side against NZ, played quite well
14. Corbin Bosch - Adds more strength to the test pace bowling options, won't be required in other formats
15. Dane Piedt - Backup spinner, plays only tests

So the Test Side looks strong, having retained most of its core as the most important format. Hamza and Paterson however will be interesting to see, and should work good.​

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ODIs​

With the test team done, now with the left-overs, we look at South Africa's ODI team with the best possible balance.
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1. Tony de Zorzi - Backup batsman in Tests, De Zorzi was pushed out by Rickelton from the main XI, but ODIs remain his strongest format. He made a strong statement as the successor to de Kock against India in his debut series, and will be our opener number 1 here.
2. Matthew Breetzke - Our second opener is the man who scored 150 on ODI debut, right before the Champions Trophy. Breetzke is good in T20s, but he had quite a strong start to his ODI career and he is more required here. Keeps wicket too
3. Jason Smith - At No. 3 we have a fringe player in Jason Smith, he has played all of 4 international games but 3 of them were ODIs. He played against Ireland in 2024, and scored a 91 in one of the games, which makes this his "strongest" format technically, and he fills the hole here.
4. Rassie van der Dussen - Finally to pack some experience into the ODI team, who else but Rassie- it is clearly his best format, the one he has never been dropped from since his debut. He will be my captain here, and be the leading batter in the top order.
5. Tristan Stubbs - Normally I would have him in the T20 side but based on requirements, and the player pool available, Stubbs will be making our ODI team. He has had a great start to his one-day career and is very good in List A, and is one of the best options left for this spot for the ODI side, so.
6. David Miller - Another player being a toss-up between white-ball sides, but solely based on the pool available for both formats, we shift Miller here. Again, one of the few very experienced ODI players left to pick, and will be the finisher as well, with Klaasen retired.
7. Andile Phehlukwayo - He's always been decent in the 50-over format, and with Mulder & Bosch in the test squad he should ideally be the No.7 all-rounder here. Works better than for T20I as well.
8. Gerald Coetzee - Would've considered him for the test team but he's quite raw there, while in ODIs he has beastly numbers and had a brilliant World Cup too, making it his best format.
9. Lungi Ngidi - Definitely could've been in any of the 3 sides, but Lungi's a better white-ball bowler, and between T20s and ODIs he's been better in the 50-over format of late. And also adds experience and leadership to the ODI attack.
10. Lizaad Williams - Our fourth pacer here is another fringe quick, and his ODI numbers have been quite solid compared to T20I with 16 wickets in 7 games- which is my reason to have him here with Coetzee and Ngidi.
11. Tabraiz Shamsi - Shamsi will always be known as the one who topped the T20I bowling rankings, but his ODI numbers are more than solid. With the other white-ball spinners not experienced enough in ODIs, Shamsi should lead the spin unit here.

12. Janneman Malan - Used to be good enough for the full-strength ODI team but fell off, but could be a decent backup. Looked up that he's done decently in the domestic one-day cup recently.
13. Senuran Muthusamy - Backup spinner + AR for the one-day team, he played in the NZ-PAK tri series recently and could be a useful backup to Shamsi.
14. Mihlali Mpongwana - has been around the A side and even named in the senior team, I haven't seen much of him but could be the quality pick for a backup pace AR
15. Kwena Maphaka - Honestly he's too raw to have a best format but it makes sense to have him here as he's played some ODIs and was good in the U-19 comp which was List A.

Probably the best ODI side possible, leaving the T20 specialists to the shortest format. Bowling looks pretty good, top order is a little inexperienced but has the right guys for the ODI format.​

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T20Is​

We finally move onto the shortest format, the T20Is. The SA20 has added great depth for this team, and let's look at our options.
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1. Quinton de Kock - Technically not retired in the T20I format and yeah in that sense a no-brainer pick. Also relieves the headache of searching for some fringe players again. It's the only format he plays, so it's what he makes it in. Valuable as ever, please captain too thanks.
2. Reeza Hendricks - Honestly it's easily his best format, or his only good format. Reeza would be my 1st pick for the T20I side as I'm never picking him for the other two formats. This way we have the old full-strength T20I opening pair opening for us in this side.
3. Lhuan-dre Pretorius - Another opener, but demoted to retain our "old" regular opening duo. Can switch with Reeza, I know he's uncapped, but we know he had an insane SA20- he's now on the radar, expect to make his debut. Based on SA20, having him here.
4. Dewald Brevis - In at 4, we have Brevis, who has become comfortable to the shortest format. Did well for CSK, has been doing well in T20s now in the middle-order, so he will be my 4.
5. Donovan Ferreira - Can only really justify his selection in this format, having not played the others. He inspires confidence though, a 4-D player giving Duminy vibes bowling the 2-3 overs of spin and playing attacking cricket. Should bat below Brevis though
6. Patrick Kruger - Has played only T20Is and has been decent as a specialist. Going with him mainly cause he has the international experience and has done well for SEC in the SA20 and fits well at No. 6 as a batting allrounder.
7.. George Linde - Honestly a very under-utilised cricketer, going with him here mainly because it's the one format he has recently made a comeback in + the fact that only in the shortest format can we really afford to play two ARs at 6 and 7. Linde fits well here, he has done well in T20Is and gives a spin option too, with our two best white-ball spinners used up in other formats.
8. Bjorn Fortuin - Fortuin is mainly here to balance the order, making me go with him at 8 over Peter or any fast bowler to ensure a tail that isn't too long. He's a decent white ball spinner and should pair up with Linde here, and is definitely rated the better gun by CSA at least.
9. Anrich Nortje - Honestly he would be so valuable in Tests but realistically today this is his format to play. Should be the spearhead for the T20 attack with Rabada & Ngidi elsewhere, and fair to say it his best format too internationally, and the one he will be playing mostly for SA now onwards.
10. Nandre Burger - Another hot option for tests but like Coetzee, he is quite raw there, while in T20s he's proved to be very good for Rajasthan Royals and could add a dimension to our T20I pace attack.
11. Ottneil Baartman - T20 specialist death bowler so a shoe-in to this side, has done well in the shortest format and I've no idea of his capabilities in the other two.

12. Rubin Hermann- Recently selected for the T20I series in Zimbabwe so I'm lazily picking him as my backup bat.
13. Delano Potgieter - I'd be pushing for him over Kruger but his disadvantage is that he's actually not capped yet, but should be soon, a very good T20 AR.
14. Andile Simelane - Has been around the T20 side as a pacer and will be my backup option here, not really played other formats
15. Nqaba Peter- Fortuin playing pushes Peter to the bench but he will definitely be in the team as backup spinner, has played a decent amount of late.

SA20 made this a lot easier, still mostly just a mix of the specialist players- Klaasen retiring hurt the options, but still got a strong opening pair and a great all-round core.
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45 players was not so hard, SA have a decent amount of depth. All teams look solid honestly, and the point of maintaining balance has been achieved across sides.

 

[pillowprocter]

Can't wait for how you'd figure out Ireland

 

[Viper.]

Can't wait for how you'd figure out Ireland

I've never actually done Ireland in all of the times ive excel-sheeted this, in fact I dont think Ive done Bangladesh, will be interesting

 

[Viper.]

2) Australia​

The test runners-up are going through kind of a transition period and it will be interesting to see how theirs turns out.
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Tests​

Tests could also be reasoned as Australia's best format, but it's tough since they are good at everything. But it's certainly their biggest priority, and one that is transitioning right now.
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1. Usman Khawaja - This is the only format he plays now and although under a considerable rut of form, we have 45 players to fill and thus he is more than good enough to be in the Test team. He adds seniority and experience to the opening pair as well in a period of transition
2. Sam Konstas - The more exciting but less experienced half of this opening pair. Konstas has shown potential across formats domestically but has only kicked off in Tests for Australia, and as the next in-line opener he finds his place here. So more or less the regular opening pair.
3. Nathan McSweeney - Just like for SA, we have a rookie at the 3 spot. With Marnus dropped from Tests and Australia yet to find a good enough No. 3 replacement, we shoe in McSweeney here who, though has been decent across formats domestically, has again excelled mainly in and made his international debut only in red-ball. But he will not open, fortunately.
4. Steve Smith - The man who carries this lineup, and with retirement in ODIs, it's a no-brainer he makes this team but let's be honest, even without it he is. Tests are his best format by miles and he is the best of the test format too.
5. Cameron Green - A toss up between him and Head, but ultimately Green has proved more in red-ball cricket, and with Head's recent rut of scores in Tests compared to LOIs, this decision was easier to make. At his comfortable spot at 5, he is a far better player than he has shown recently.
6. Beau Webster - This spot was easy to fill, Webster has only played tests and gotten off to a great start as well, so there's evidently no challenge from any of the other formats. He's also the regular No. 6 now.
7. Alex Carey - I would not say Carey's best format is test cricket, but it's ideal to go with the regular keeper who's also the superior glovesman. Only Inglis was there as another option anyway, and he's surely better off in white-ball.
8. Pat Cummins - The regular skipper will lead the test team as usual as it is his by truckloads his best format; even if we don't prioritise tests to have the best attack, Cummins would walk into tests first- he is far superior in this than white-ball, and this is where he is actually quite world class.
9. Nathan Lyon - Lyon is the frontline Test spinner and doesn't play other formats, so it is another regular spot that gets filled without any debate.
10. Josh Hazlewood - Hazlewood is quite the all-format fast bowler, but he has always been best at tests, in my opinion, as it has been the format he has been excellent at for longest, and we try to retain as much of the full-strength attack as possible, and I rate him over Starc. And we have enough depth for other format attacks.
11. Scott Boland - At least in this universe, ScoBo finally gets his nod into the XI, as I decide to sacrifice Starc who I do feel isn't the best at tests over all formats. And I only could do this easily because Boland is just so good and the attack feels just as strong thanks to his quality. Would be harsh if even here he had to be benched as he doesn't play LOIs either.

12. Marcus Harris - Backup bat, the only one who's been around the test side as long and doesn't crack other teams. Let's hope the others play well enough though.
13. Michael Neser - I do rate Neser in other formats but he hasn't played for Australia much there, and in tests he has been great- but sadly he has to be the backup quick as Boland is just better, but he has got a better shot of playing here.
14. Fergus O'Neill - Not someone from Australia's set-up, but he has just been so good in FC Cricket that I wanted to include him in the 45, helps have other options for LOIs too.
15. Todd Murphy - Ultimately Lyon's successor as the off-break bowler, and as a test specialist gets the strategic nod over Kuhnemann.

Just like South Africa, we have managed to snag most of the core back. The No. 3 is inexperienced but even full-strength Australia is struggling for that atm, and only Head is a proper miss. Boland does the job well enough to ensure this is a full-strength attack too.
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ODIs​

Australia are the current World Champions in the format, but have lost three big names to retirements recently. So what will be their best team with what we have left??
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1. Travis Head - omitting him from the Test side is precisely for strengthening this ODI lineup, with Head at the top like the full-strength one. I would also argue this is his best format, so not much of a tough call to make.
2. Mitchell Marsh - Marsh is definitely amazing at T20Is, but with the amount of depth we have for the shortest format compared to this (remember the retired ODI players still play T20Is), it was better to have him here. He's almost equally good at both formats of late anyway. Now we have managed to retain the full-strength ODI opening pair too, which is brilliant.
3. Matt Renshaw - At no. 3 here we have another gamble but Renshaw has been in top form in the List A competition that he HAD to be in this side. McSweeney being in the Test outfit contributed to this too, and I feel though they could be swapped, Renners' 50 over form needs to be given the weightage.
4. Marnus Labuschagne - Dropped from the tests, Marnus makes his way into the 50-over side, actually a great thing for the ODI team to have more experience. He's been much better in ODIs of late, after making a comeback into the side in the World Cup. Fits properly at 4 here.
5. Peter Handscomb - Might be a bit of a bias from me here- but I rate Handscomb in ODIs, the 2019 nostalgia is a big reason, but he was very very good if I remember, and I think he is the best option for a keeper who can bat in the middle-order with Inglis left out for the shortest format.
6. Cooper Connolly - He is a very promising talent and though there isn't much to differentiate his claim to be in either of the white-ball sides, I am again considering the balance and throwing him here- because likely he'd be benched in the T20I side based on who we have. He has a composed batting mindset which I do think is better suited for ODIs anyway, and he has a future in the format. + the second spin option.
7. Aaron Hardie - I definitely consider him a T20 player more but for the sake of balance we have him here. The skill difference isn't huge, he's played ODIs too so it isn't much of a big deal when he is yet to prove much in either format. Provides the Pace AR option that Australia usually have in their XIs.
8. Mitchell Starc - ODIs still have to be Starc's best format after all these years, even above tests. With how good Boland is, it gives us flexibility to play Starc in this team, adding some solid experience, and also because I do truly believe it his where he is best.
9. Xavier Bartlett - Bartlett had an insane start to his ODI career and just didn't play again, but 8 wickets in 2 games is quite the way to kick it off. He should be among the top choices for the next in-line quicks in both formats but I believe he is better suited in this side than the T20I one.
10. Jhye Richardson - Richardson if he is actually fit is a gun across formats, but the test attack is pretty much occupied and he's far too good for the Bench there; and he hasn't particularly impressed in T20Is. However he has very promising ODI stats and was very good when he actually played the format, so I think this is his best format so far.
11. Adam Zampa - Zampa is the lead spinner in both white-ball formats, but arguably deserves to be in this side for two reasons. 1. He is ultimately better in ODIs, 2. The T20Is have more spin depth to afford having him elsewhere, compared to ODIs. Him and Starc make sure we have retained half of the full-strength attack anyway.

12. Josh Philippe - The backup bat + wk, felt Handscomb is better at No. 5 so he was preferred ahead, but Philippe is quite good too. It was between him or McDermott.
13. Will Sutherland - He played a few ODIs recently and is pretty good across formats domestically, but based on his international experience I'll have him as my backup all-rounder here.
14. Lance Morris - Morris is exciting and probably better in red-ball cricket but he has shown he can do well in LOIs too and has made his ODI debut as well. With enough pacers in the test side, he finds himself here.
15. Matt Kuhnemann - Picking Murphy as the test backup spinner means Kuhnemann can fill the void in ODIs. Well unlike Murphy he has actually played ODIs and done surprisingly well in his short career, so it would obviously be better for balance to keep him here.

The ODI side is certainly not full-strength but considering recent retirements, it might not be far off. The openers are perfect; the bowling lacks two important quicks of course but I feel X and Jhye are very good replacements. Most of these guys will play ODIs in the upcoming run to the WC anyway, I believe.
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T20Is​

Finally we move to the T20Is, with the remaining crop of players. A few players being T20I specialists will help us here, but let's see what we have.
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1. Mitchell Owen - Owen had a crazy BBL and is currently lighting up the MLC, and has gotten his maiden T20I call-up too. So it's a no-brainer that if he has to play in some format it is here, as he is also making a strong case for the future T20I opener.
2. Matthew Short - Short has had experience across both white-ball formats and not proved much in either, but I ultimately feel he is better off in T20Is. He has had some crazy BBL seasons on pitches that "suit" him, and also with no top-order spots in the ODI side, it was easier moving Hardie/Cooper there to accommodate him here.
3. Jake Fraser-McGurk - McGurk has been a bit of a failure internationally but is currently doing well in MLC; based on our options he is a decent choice for the No.3 spot here, which I feel he is better suited to than opening. This is the one format I do have hope in him based on his play-style anyway, keep him out of the ODIs.
4. Glenn Maxwell - A massive boost to this young and raw T20I side is Maxwell, who will also be the captain. Even usually I would have no doubts about going for him in the T20I team as it easily his best format, but the guy has retired from ODIs anyway, so this is literally a no-brainer.
5. Josh Inglis - Inglis has performed across formats for Australia now and would be a good addition to any format but T20Is I still believe is his forte, the one where he has proven the most, and the one which gave him life in the Australian Team. Thanks to Pete in the ODI side, I think I can go with him in his best format.
6. Marcus Stoinis - Stoinis is another experienced campaigner adding power to this team, and just like Maxi, he also retired from ODIs making this a no-brainer call. And even more so like Maxi, this is his best format, and less so like Maxi, this is his only actually good format, so it was gonna be the same decision anyway.
7. Tim David - A proper T20I specialist who doesn't even play ODIs, David is one of a kind but that makes it an easy call to have him as one of the first names in this team, and with Maxi and Stoinis we get to retain the bulk of the full-strength middle-order, with our specialist finisher at his best here at 7.
8. Nathan Ellis - Ellis has grown into Australia's best fast bowler outside of our Big 3, and has been pretty good across white-ball formats. He is probably the 4th best pacer in both LOI formats, But I still think he is much much more valuable in T20Is, to the extent that I would start him in the full-strength T20I side. Preferring Big X and Jhye more in ODIs as of now, Ellis in T20Is is the way to go.
9. Spencer Johnson - Another bowler from the new crop of white-ball quicks, Spencer has also played both LOI formats but is another one who I feel is far superior in T20Is. He has been excellent in BBL seasons over the years and I feel is very T20-coded, so I rate him far more in this format.
10. Jason Behrendorff - I might again have a bit bias here, but the man was golden arm in the most recent BBL season and was very good for Australia when he last played a T20I. I used to initially rate him more in ODIs in the 2019 era, but that's long gone- he is one of the best powerplay bowlers in T20s for Australia now.
11. :bwl; Tanveer Sangha - Sangha has played a decent amount of T20Is and has done pretty well, such that I can depend on him to make up for Zampa's absence here. He is far better a bowler than Agar, and has not proven enough in ODIs to make a case there yet, so here we are.

12. Max Bryant - I'd run out of options for backup bat and honestly would've gotten McDermott in, but Bryant had quite a sensational season in the middle-order in the BBL, and it'd be interesting to see if he gets an Aussie cap.
13. Sean Abbott - I don't really rate Abbott so much so I'll just have him as a backup. He's prolly better in ODIs but based on the options we have there I've placed him here.
14. Ben Dwarshuis - Dwarshuis has had a pretty good time in the last year in BBL as well as for Australia- though he did a decent job in the CT which was ODI I still think that he's a proper T20 player, he literally doesn't have List A experience domestically compared to his T20 performances in the BBL which have been quite clutch with bat and ball. Could realistically have him over JB in this side to add batdeep too but for now he stays as backup.
15. Ashton Agar - Agar still finds his way into the side as the backup spinner. He's fallen off a bit and is inferior to Sangha as a bowler but is still the best backup spin option left over with experience as well.

So the T20I side looks quite balanced as well, it lacks the regular openers but the middle-order is practically full-strength, and the bowling, in all honesty is how I feel Australia should be going forward with their T20I attack anyways by resting the Big 3.
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For Australia I feel quite satisfied with the balance in all 3 sides- The test side is almost perfect, ODIs lack an experienced middle-order but has potential looking at the 2027 WC, and T20Is retain a full-strength middle order and a quality bowling with a more mercurial top-order.

 

[DuneTiger]

3. Matt Renshaw

Unironically the best shout on this entire list.

 

[Viper.]

3) India ​

Time to narrow down 45 players from the most populated and competitive cricket playing nation
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Tests​

Currently India's weakest format, as they go through a rough period of total transition. So what would our best lineup be with even more limitations?
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1. Yashasvi Jaiswal - Jaiswal has played 2 formats a decent bit for India, but has ultimately made his mark in Test Cricket more. Meanwhile he hasn't even been required in the T20I outfit of late, which by itself has a lot of specialists in the main team, so Jaiswal stays in the test team, the format where he averages 50 and is India's best bat as of now.
2. KL Rahul - Rahul also plays only 2 formats, Test & ODI but he has been ever so important in the test team in its transition period as a senior member. This isn't just me prioritising tests but both the main openers in the test team have been best at tests as of late, and ideally should stick to the red ball side. So the test side retains its main opening pair
3. Karun Nair -Has recently returned to the test side, playing one test at 6 and the other at 3. Hasn't kicked off yet but with limited options he takes the 3 spot, and we are technically retaining the full-strength team for this spot too, at least based on what's happening now.
4. Shubman Gill - ODIs is undoubtedly Gill's best format by miles, but considering the circumstances, and the kind of form he is in, It's best he plays at 4 in the test team as the captain as well. India has other options for ODI openers, while he is absolutely more required here fpr balance, and has justified it too by his recent batting.
5. Rishabh Pant - Another retention from the main test side and a no-brainer- Pant's best format has always been tests where he's been a consistent performer and the main keeper. No reason why I would select him in the white-ball team instead.
6. Sarfaraz Khan - Someone I believe was unfairly dropped from the side, after being selected only so late after years of domestic performances. He may not justify selection in the main test team of now, but in this scenario with one player per team he is my best candidate left for No. 6. And he is good.
7. Ravindra Jadeja - Another no-brainer, Jadeja plays ODIs too but he's nowhere as important there as he is here, nor is he as good in white-ball cricket either. More crucial with Ashwin retired.
8. Shardul Thakur - He was under-used and under-performed in his few overs too in the recent England test, but he is a fine red-ball cricketer, with both bat and ball, more so than in white-ball cricket where he leaks runs. With the lack of experience in the bowling and the limited options, he's one of the more senior and better players left for the test pace attack.
9. Akash Deep - Personally he has been fine in test cricket since his debut, did decently in Australia and has done well in the 2nd test too, he's a good candidate for the main team's third pacer woes and he's also just a test specialist for India so pretty obvious pick.
10. Kuldeep Yadav - Kuldeep is good across all formats and arguably even better in white-ball cricket but he is very crucial in this team in the current scenario, needing an attacking spinner and having lost Ashwin too. India's always had better depth in LOIs due to IPL and thus he shouldn't be missed much.
11. Jasprit Bumrah - The back-bone of the team, who is ridiculously good in every format but in no world am I gonna pick him for white-ball, like I said, with India's depth, their needs and requirements, and the fact that Bumrah is needed to carry this attack and he's been ultimately at his best in red-ball of late.

12. Abhimanyu Easwaran - A red-ball specialist who still hasn't gotten his go for Team India, but is on the verge of selection as seen by his selection for England. He should be the best possible backup, probably a shout for the XI over Nair too.
13. Rajat Patidar - He was once called up to the squad for batting at 3 against England at home; he has quite good FC numbers and is a very good batsman, could be a good backup.
14. Tanush Kotian - He was named as Ashwin's replacement in Australia and seems to be next-in-line as a spinner to debut in tests, having done well in FC and A games. He should be the backup spinner.
15. Anshul Kamboj - Performed in both ranji and the A games in England, is a promising red-ball quick, better to give him this spot than waste a white-ball player here.

The Test Side has fortunately retained most of it's new core following the transition period with Kohli, Rohit & Ashwin retiring. The bowling isn't exactly full strength but India haven't figured it entirely out either, and it's good that most of the Test Team is ultimately better at tests that we got to make a XI like this.
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ODIs​

ODIs have been India's strong suit for sure, having won the Champions Trophy this year. Doesn't hurt that it's the one format their most senior guys still play.
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1. Rohit Sharma - Quite an obvious selection, as Rohit plays only ODIs now, helping us forcefully retain the best opener available. But it's arguably his best format anyway.
2. Sai Sudharsan - With Gill captaining our test team, Sai is undoubtedly the best replacement. He averages only 39 in FC, so he isn't the best candidate for the test team anyway, while he averages a whopping 60 in List A and had a great debut in ODIs too. Definitely unlucky the current team is so stacked, but in this scenario he walks in.
3. Virat Kohli - Another Rohit Sharma scenario here, and it's once again his best format. At one point he might have been too valuable for the test team, but his declining form and eventual retirement leads us here, strengthening the ODI team even more.
4. Shreyas Iyer - It's almost like India's best players in certain formats specialise in that format, cause Iyer has been the dream Number 4, and there's no hesitation retaining him here as he doesn't play either of the other formats. And he's solid.
5. Dhruv Jurel - Might be the one weak point in this XI as Jurel has played both Tests and T20Is but yet to debut here, making this a weird pick. But I do feel he's the best wicket keeper option left with Rahul & Pant in tests, and he averages 47 odd in List A and definitely has the temperament for ODIs, can't help that the team is too stacked usually.
6. Hardik Pandya - The number of IPL specialists available for the T20I team meant we could use Pandya here, who's usually good in both LOI formats. But obviously with less experimenting in ODIs we don't have much options other than him for the 6 spot like we do in T20Is so that's the case like it usually is.
7. Axar Patel - Axar too is good across formats, but under-used in tests as of late and T20Is as we said has a lot of depth that we can afford to play him here. He's been very good as a spin AR anyway, better than Jadeja nowadays. It's also probably his best format right now.
8. Washington Sundar - Sundar's alright in each format, not great in any, in my opinion. But I'd want the attacking spinner in Kuldeep in tests and the bat-deep I require here in ODIs, so I'm deciding to use him here.
9. Mohammed Shami - Shami would be a big boost in tests, but he hasn't exactly been preferred of late due to injuries and such. And not forgetting how insane his ODI stats are and the fact that he has gone crazy with wickets in two consecutive World Cups, safe to say this is his best format, keeping fitness also in mind.
10. Mohammed Siraj - Siraj would also be helpful in tests but he hasn't been so great of late, except the most recent 2nd Test. But he's best in red-ball cricket when he's the lead bowler, and with Bumrah playing the "stats" do say he won't be as good. All that aside, Siraj has been very good in ODIs in his career. The CT dropping was honestly harsh, because this is his definitely where he is best.
11. Prasidh Krishna - Krishna was quite expensive in the England tests and is not inspiring confidence to be in the test side, while his ODI record has been much better, I even remember his debut in 2021- he has always been a very good ODI bowler. I rate him in this format.

12. Ruturaj Gaikwad - Ruturaj has been very under-picked in his international career due to competition. List A is his best format, but I'd not pick him over Sai, so he's the backup bat.
13. Ishan Kishan - Ishan has been inconsistent overall but he's had his best moments in ODIs, with a double ton to his name too. I'd pick him as backup WK, with Jurel preferred ahead at 5.
14. Mukesh Kumar - Honestly just a scraps pick cause no better backup quick option who's played ODIs before based on my other selections. Decent backup
15. R. Sai Kishore - This man has beastly domestic stats and needs to play international matches soon. His List A stats in particular is very good, so he can be our backup spinner here.

With Rohit & Kohli's retirements it made the ODI side forcefully much stronger, and Shreyas, Hardik & Axar are also full-strength inclusions. The bowling does lack Bumrah but otherwise I feel are the best ODI bowlers India have (pace). So we have another good side, with only a few weak-points which also has potential.
​

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T20Is​

The reigning T20I champions have a plethora of options for this format thanks to IPL, and some specialists makes this even easier.
​

1. Abhishek Sharma - He's the current T20I opener for India and is doing a pretty damn good job, keeping even Gill & Jaiswal out fairly. And with them being in the test team he has no real competition and easily takes the role of opener on strike.
2. Sanju Samson - He's the other regular opener and has really redeemed himself of late with centuries and consistent performance. Also solves the keeper conundrum. We've managed to retain our "full strength" T20I opening pair too, technically based on the recent tours as Jaiswal & Gill haven't played.
3. Tilak Varma - His IPL season was a bit mid but he was amazing in the T20Is played before batting at Number 3, such that even SKY had to come later. Another T20I specialist for India as of now, and one I really rate, a sure-shot pick for me.
4. Suryakumar Yadav - The current T20I skipper is the definition of a T20 specialist and is India's best T20 player too, so it's literally the first name on the sheet, in all scenarios.
5. Shivam Dube - He hasn't exactly been regular in the T20I side recently but has definitely been in and around, and he serves as a good replacement option for Pandya. He made it to the team off good IPL seasons and was also part of the winning T20 WC team, so I think he is fine here for now.
6. Nitish Kumar Reddy - Another Pace AR seems like a rarity for India, but he has also performed well of late to crack the Indian line-up. His recent IPL was horrendous but he's someone to be backed for the future, and a possible Pandya replacement here too.
7. Rinku Singh - A no-brainer pick, for someone who plays only T20Is anyway and has been a solid example of a finisher at the death. His IPL season should be no reason to drop him as he has been consistent for India, the perfect finisher pick at Number 7.
8. Harshit Rana - Recent inclusion in the team in the GG era after a good IPL, I really dunno how good he is in other formats but the IPL showed his worth in T20s. The IPL gives us a lot of options for this team but as one of the guys who's played a decent amount for India too recently he gets the nod.
9. Ravi Bishnoi - He really had a horrendous IPL which would probably keep him out of India colours for now but he was quite good in T20Is before that, and as I'm emphasis international experience I will pick him here as one of the spinners, and I really like him so hopefully he gets back to form.
10. Varun Chakravarthy - Has been very very good of late and even did well in ODIs, but T20Is are his best format and also the dilemma of batdeep made me select Sundar in the One-Day side leaving no choice but to pick Varun here. Barely a problem anyway
11. Arshdeep Singh - Arshdeep is growing to be a senior member preferred across formats but honestly he hasn't gotten much chances to prove at all in either of the other two, while he's arguably the best T20I bowler for India at the moment with Bumrah barely playing. So he will lead our attack.

12. Jitesh Sharma - Jitesh was incredible towards the end of the IPL for RCB, and I've gone ahead with him over Prabhsimran for backup WK cause he's actually played for India before, though it was a close call.
13. bat: Riyan Parag - Parag has also played a few LOIs recently after his good IPL in 2024 but I won't be selecting him over any of the other batters in the XI, so he'll be a backup bat. Maybe over Dube.
14. ar: Krunal Pandya - Krunal was very good for RCB and stepped up as main spinner and is also a handy all-rounder, and has decent Indian team experience, so he'll be more than good enough a backup AR+spin here.
15. Khaleel Ahmed - Had a lot of choices for backup pacer based on the IPL so not really strict on this pick but, Khaleel has been around the national team in recent tours and was amongst the wickets in IPL too. So I really didn't get anyone better, and he's decent.

The T20I side has seriously helped with it's emphasis on specialist players, following the transition that happened in 2024 with Rohit, Kohli retiring and a lot of young stars from IPL having already impressed before it, which made it all the more competitive for selection as well. This is pretty much the best T20I side for India bar Hardik & Axar, as Bumrah doesn't play much nowadays due to fitness.
​

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India was quite easy due to so many specialists in each format, such that I'd say nearly all 3 formats were full-strength. The bowling in Tests was probably not the best, the ODIs had inexperience at No. 5 and opening alongside Rohit, while T20Is is pretty passable for a regular Indian T20 side. Thank the IPL.

​

 

[Viper.]

4) England​

England have always been my favorite team for this exercise, let's look at how they stack up in 2025
​

Tests​

Tests has went from their worst to their best format in the Baz-ball era coinciding with a white-ball downfall, so let's see if their unit can still remain full-strength in this scenario.
​

1. Zak Crawley - Crawley is mostly a test specialist who has played the occassional ODI, so there's no hesitation in putting him here. He's the weak link of the strong test batting but he's still good enough in this scenario.
2. Ben Duckett - Duckett is so good across formats but test is still his forte. Also, the test opener conundrum is why they've persisted with Crawley so much, so wouldn't make sense to go into that issue again. There are more opener options in other formats than here.
3. Ollie Pope - Another test specialist so it makes it an easy choice to select him here, apart from the one ODI series he was selected in. He is a similar case to Crawley but still the best option in this situation to not complicate things.
4. Joe Root - This is a no-brainer. Root walks into the test team as the first name and he doesn't even play other formats much anymore. In no year would he have made any other format in this exercise.
5. Harry Brook - Like Duckett he's good across formats but just as so he is best in tests. He's recently become Number 1 as well and is clearly far ahead in red-ball than he has shown in ODIs or T20Is. So the test batting continues to look at it's regular strength.
6. Ben Stokes - Stokes is needed here as captain and he's simply not great in T20Is, ODIs could be an argument but he hasn't played one in ages either. He's still a very clutch and valuable player and provides that all-rounder role though his form might be concerning.
7. Jamie Smith - Smith has shown promise in other formats but he has been ever so good in tests, as seen in the recent India test as well. And he's the best keeping option at the moment. Foakes has been out of favour, as much as I like him, and Smith has by far been miles better.
8. Gus Atkinson - Atkinson has been quite good in tests and has been sort of the spearhead after the retirement of the two legends in Anderson & Broad. He's decent in other formats but this is his best fit. He's their best pacer in tests according to me, and isn't needed in LOI sides.
9. Matthew Potts - Potts has also been around the test side for a few years and done decently as a third pacer or so, and he's got a better record in tests than white-ball formats.
10. Josh Tongue - As a test specialist yet to debut in other formats, he's obviously gonna be picked here. The logic I used to apply with Broad & Jimmy when they were playing that also made picking this bowling attack quite straightforward.
11. Shoaib Bashir - It seems he is England's first option as spinner right now and doesn't play other formats so I'm going with him. Not that I rate him so high.

12. Dominic Sibley - Recently saw him doing well in county so I didn't really know who else to pick as backup batter as this is anyway gonna be the only format he's ever gonna have a crack at.
13. Sam Cook - He's only in the test fold right now so another straightforward pick as he's also done quite well recently to be picked.
14. Olly Stone - Fitness is an issue but otherwise he's always been considered a backup option in tests, and thus I'll keep him in my team
15. Jack Leach - I really wanted to pick Foakes here but we need a spinner backup too considering I don't highly rate Bashir and Leach should be a good pick as a test specialist who was the main spinner before the coming of Bashir. Also better to have more backup bowling options in tests based on England's usual needs. Could be Hartley too.

England's Test Team pre Baz-Ball was ever so easy to select as almost everyone were format specialists, and today it isn't far from that either. Pretty much the usual Top 7 with just a fewer options in pace bowling that I definitely think can be worked with due to their large fast bowler depth.
​

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ODIs​

The 2019 champions have been on a steep decline since the 2023 WC and have revamped the team post that tournament. What can the side look like in this limited scenario?​

1. Jason Roy - I initially didn't want to go back to older dropped players but for some reason I felt I had to. Roy was brilliant in ODIs when he played and it was his best format at his prime before he was dropped. With England's horrible domestic 50-over set-up, he's still better than most of the options we may have provided the T20I side had to be given justice too.
2. Jonny Bairstow - Same scenario but Bairstow actually played a bit longer and was in the T20I team till 2024's World T20. Bairstow is one of the best ODI players England have had and has all right to be in this team. The destructive Roy-Stow partnership returns in a scenario of limited options.
3. Sam Hain - And finally the guy can get what he deserves, to bat No. 3 in an England ODI team. Basically over-shadowed by Root his entire career and for some goddamned reason still not considered, Hain is a top tier 50-over cricketer and one of the few English domestic batters who specialise more in this format. Was a pick I saw coming from way back.
4. Tom Banton - Banton is arguably a better fit for T20s, but England's depth is such that almost every white-ball player is better there due to the horrible domestic one day setup (I'll keep repeating that). But Banton among them is decent in One Dayers and has been selected in the squad recently too. And not someone who's extremely vital in T20Is that we can pick him here.
5. Sam Billings - Billings is someone I rate a bit in ODIs and I like him enough to consider him despite not having played in a decent amount of time. He's a good middle-order pick with actual ODI experience and can keep wicket for us too.
6. Jacob Bethell - Bethell is a similar case to Banton and could be playing either white-ball format, but as one of the few players not so crucial that he has to be in the T20I side, but also has decent exposure in ODIs, he will help find our balance here as a spin AR.
7. Chris Woakes - Woakes hasn't played this format in a while but it's arguably his best of the 3. He was a solid bowling all-rounder when he played and the way he went down in the 2023 WC was sad, but for some experience and team balance I'm going for ODI Woakes over Test Woakes (where we have enough depth). We needed a 7 badly and he fits the team and strengthens the pace.
8. Adil Rashid - Rashid will be the main spinner in the ODI team, as there are more options for the T20Is that we can work without him (as always). He's great in both though
9. Jofra Archer - Archer if fit is a beast in all formats, but realistically he's not playing red-ball cricket with this body. And between LOI formats I rate him more in ODIs.
10. Reece Topley - Topley like Archer is a great white-ball bowler who just fails to maintain fitness that's destroyed his career. And between white-ball formats he's statistically been better in ODIs and has had some great days in it since his return.
11. Saqib Mahmood - Mahmood has potential to be an all-format bowler for England, but I noticed his one-day stats are quite good comparitively, so he should round up the ODI attack.

12. Dan Mousley - We're going out of options for the backups but Mousley has decent List A stats and was selected in the team recently proving he is in the mix.
13. Ed Barnard - This guy has some insane stats in domestic though he's likely bullied the lack of quality in the OD cup of late, but still someone who deserves to be a backup at least.
14. Rehan Ahmed - I was considering Rehan as T20I spinner but saw we had more options there while there's literally no one else for backup spinner here, and I'm not picking Hartley who has played 2 LA games in his life.
15. John Turner - This NPC named guy has been around the England squad for a while so he had to be in the mix, and his 50 over stats seem to be superior so he's our backup quick.

ODI was gonna be the biggest challenge because England either have Test specialists or T20I specialists, no in between. Because, horrible Domestic one-day set-up, Hundred has screwed them over. But recalling old good ODI players and picking some T20 guys due to the depth they have we have managed to put on a decent team with the peak opening pair and an experienced bowling attack.
​

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T20Is​

T20Is is the last format here and we have some big names saved up for this. With one of the most in-depth T20 sides in the world, let's look at the team.
​

1. Philip Salt - Salt is one of the best T20I batsmen in the world much unlike his inconsistent reputation in ODIs. So even with the lack of ODI depth, It felt stupid to try to deflect him from the T20 side.
2. Will Jacks - Jacks too like Salt is one of the T20 specialists who were a failed ODI experiment. Though he's not taken off in either formats internationally he's a solid T20 player that I definitely rate to come big.
3. Jos Buttler - I could've picked Jos to strengthen the ODI team considering the number of specialists here as he's great in both formats but it felt unfair to not pick him in a T20 side first and foremost. His recent ODI form has been off too, all the more contributing to this.
4. James Vince - One spot too low for him but he's a domestic T20 veteran who's never quite kicked off in internationals due to the sheer competition so he deserves to play at least now. Is experienced as well.
5. Jordan Cox - He's been one of the players given a go in the recent tours and with very less List A experience it made sense to consider him in the T20 side. He's played a few T20 leagues and is a decent fit.
6. Liam Livingstone - He was dropped from the ODI team for poor performances but is still very valuable in the shorter format which made it a straightforward pick.
7. Jamie Overton - Overton has been valued in T20 leagues around the world as an all-rounder and it makes perfect sense to play him in the T20s over the ODIs where he's been mediocre.
8. Sam Curran - Curran is another ODI failure (a bit harsh, but he was dropped) who is far more toned to T20s, and he's also pretty valued in T20 leagues. He will extend our batting depth and also strengthen pace attack as he's a much better bowler here.
9. Liam Dawson - Dawson recently played the T20s vs West Indies and performed so that's all I need to justify his selection. Very under-appreciated player who hasn't gotten chances, but as someone with heaps of domestic experience he is the right man to lead the T20 spin unit with Rashid in ODIs. Also extreme batdeep at 9 in England fashion.
10. Mark Wood - T20 is usually where you expect specialists and newer pacers but instead I have kept Mark Wood saved for this side. What people don't realise is how his ODI record is not so impressive while T20 record is far more impressive than he's given credit for, and with his fitness he can do well in shorter formats. And he can be our spearhead.
11. Luke Wood - The other Wood is also gonna shape up our pace attack after doing well in the recent T20I series for England.

12. Will Smeed - Smeed is exciting but evidently doesn't make it over anyone up there, but he is a nice backup option as a T20 specialist.
13. Daniel Lawrence - Didn't think he was needed in the test side after not playing for long, and his T20 record is under-noticed as he's played leagues around the world and done decently enough to be another backup.
14. George Scrimshaw - Scrimshaw has been around the side though his debut was in ODIs, but seeing his stats he has barely played List A games but has a pretty respectable T20 record. So I will give him the honour of T20I team's backup quick.
15. Jafer Chohan - He was selected in one T20I tour but didn't play, but got gigs in BBL and seems to be rated after a good domestic season. I could have gone for Hartley even here, who has seemed to miss the 45 man team despite nearly making it as backup spinner in all three formats. But Chohan might be one for the future.

The T20I side looks exciting with a full-strength Top 3 and a very good all-round depth that the format definitely requires. It was easier to select with their outright focus on T20 cricket in the white-ball sector with two domestic tournaments.​

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So the English Side is completed but one which does feel like it lacks more balance in the ODI team than other countries. Blame their TERRIBLE ONE-DAY SETUP. But we've managed to select 45 good cricketers and strong Test & T20I teams. And we didn't even have to select Jordan, Mills or Tom Curran anywhere !

 

[Viper.]

5) New Zealand​

NZ was gonna be an interesting attempt as they have a much limited depth, but this came out better than I thought
​

Tests​

The inaugural WTC Champions are now lowest ranked in Tests of all of their 3 formats. With an entirely new bowling attack, this will be an interesting team to pick
​

1. Tom Latham - Latham only plays 2 formats for NZ and has done so like this for most of his career. Tests have been his better format. Though his form concerns in both at this stage of his career, he is still a smarter pick for the test team where he is needed for his experience as opener. And he's the captain.
2. Rhys Mariu - We're going to pair Latham with an uncapped player who has performed so well in domestic first-class cricket. He might debut soon too. I think he's a better fit than the current openers anyway.
3. Kane Williamson - At 3 we have the dependable Kane Williamson who is an all-format player but has done barely much in white-ball cricket recently and tests are easily his best format anyway. A straightforward choice.
4. Rachin Ravindra - Ravindra's ODI record is easily his best of the 3 formats but he has been very crucial in the test team. We've enough options to play around in the ODI team as compared to here so he will be in our test XI, where he has been quite impressive too, not to forget.
5. Henry Nicholls - Nicholls wouldn't make the first-choice test lineup but in this scenario with a few players off in the LOI side it'd be fair to include him in the format he's probably the least bad in. He was great in tests at his prime before declining so that is to note. He has fairly good domestic stats in List A & FC.
6. Nick Kelly - We have a lot of performers in NZ's domestic first class comp so we can afford to stray away from their usual test team a bit more here. Kelly is the top scorer in Plunket Shield and is very much in the radar after a good domestic season so I feel he's not far off from our other options at the moment.
7. Tom Blundell - Blundell is currently under scrutiny to be dropped for poor form in tests but he just keeps his place due to our constraints. Plus he's barely played much of the other 2 formats too. With the only potential test keeper with test experience it's the best to have him here.
8. Nathan Smith - Nathan Smith has just entered the NZ pace bowling fold across all formats but remains far superior in red-ball cricket as far as his domestic stats show. He has potential to be part of the future test bowling attack going forward so he is not required in the other teams.
9. Kyle Jamieson - Jamieson was a revelation when he first debuted but injuries have destroyed him. If he's fit then he walks into this XI. He's too good a test bowler as his performances have shown. He was arguably doing the best job even with the veterans like Boult Wagner and Southee. No need to consider him anywhere else.
10. Will O'Rourke - O'Rourke has been the shining light of the transitioning NZ test pace attack and was very impressive in India. He's shown a lot more promise so far in red-ball cricket than the other formats. He's better off to continue here.
11. Matthew Fisher - Since Rachin is our 5th bowler spinner, and NZ always play 4 pacers- I am going with another quick. Fisher has recently been selected in the Zimbabwe tour which gives him the higher preference. He has good FC stats to back up for it evidently. He might be in the fold of the team for the future.

12. Dane Cleaver - Cleaver averages 92 in current Plunket Shield (I have to just look at domestic stats to go in-depth for NZ) and he might be a decent pick for backup WK + batsman.
13. Logan van Beek - Dutch seamer van Beek is currently the top wicket taker in Plunket Shield so it made it sensible to have him as a backup option at least. Could honestly see the switch happening soon.
14. Blair Tickner - Tickner has played tests for NZ at one point and has taken 21 shield wickets in 4 games this season so another backup pacer option
15. Ajaz Patel - Should've been my Number 11 initially but if we considered this to be NZ at home we need 4 pacers so he is out. Definitely plays in Asia.

This is the country where the test team is least full-strength as of all the other countries cause NZ's white-ball depth is evidently behind most countries and their current test line-up has many players simply better in other formats for balance. But we have a nice future-oriented team that explores their other options.

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ODIs​

New Zealand showed their might in ODIs in the Champions Trophy as their best format currently. We don't have Rachin or Williamson, yet it should not be too hard to pick a good performing team here.
​

1. Devon Conway - Conway has declined in all 3 formats heavily in these few years but ODIs remain his format of least worry considering not much was played between the WC & CT. He had a decent outing in both so this will be his team to be part of.
2. Will Young - Young has constantly been delivering runs silently in the two formats he plays but doesn't get to play as much as he deserves. But he has no problem in making this team- having been in amazing form in ODI format even before the CT and with an average of about 40, this is definitely the better format for him.
3. Mitch Hay - Hay will be our ODI wicket keeper, having done quite well for himself since his debut recently in proving to be Latham's successor. His zero test experience is why I didn't pick him over Blundell, but he's got a lot more proven record in the ODIs at least.
4. Daryl Mitchell - I'd almost picked him in the tests as a swap for Kelly but this balances both teams a bit and mainly because Daryl Mitchell has a ridiculous ODI record, and he's massively underrated as a batter in the format. Felt like it'd be a crime to not pick him in the ODI team.
5. Muhammad Abbas - He's one of the up and coming all-rounders for NZ but this is the format where he has international experience and in the short 3-match 1 series stint he has over 100 runs with a fifty. He should be a good pick to fill the void in this side.
6. Michael Bracewell - An all-format, mainly white-ball regular, Bracewell's superior format has to be ODI, where he's had memorable moments like his 140 scores against India and the one in Europe. He's also getting to bat at 6 rather than being wasted at 7/8. Provides batting + spin.
7. Jimmy Neesham - We pull Neesham out of his contract-less stint in order to balance this ODI side at 7. He's obviously capable enough and one of the few more experienced international 50-over players left to pick and can provide both batting and pace bowling in this lineup.
8. Mitchell Santner - Santner conveniently captains this lineup as the regular white-ball captain and also leads the spin attack as a better bowler in ODIs than T20Is of late. An all-rounder at 8 is also good batting depth.
9. Matt Henry - Henry's also an all-format spearhead for NZ now and quite crucial in Tests, but pretty much like Mitchell his best format is undoubtedly the one-dayers and his record is too good to pick him elsewhere. Of course this is also because I trust Jamieson, Rourke & Smith as competent red ball quicks to not miss Henry heavily there.
10. Jacob Duffy - Pairing Henry up front we have our other powerplay quick Jacob Duffy. The recent No. 1 T20I bowler has also performed equally well in ODIs and in the long-term is a more important member of this side.
11. Ben Sears - To clock the higher speeds I am going with Sears over Ferguson in the ODI team. The latter has declined a lot post 2019 itself in this format while Sears is just starting, and his List A stats are promising. And with Henry, you don't worry about experience.

12. Curtis Heaphy - This guy seems to be doing well domestically as another potential keeper option to Hay, and particularly in the Ford Cup where he's top scorer. So I'll keep him as cover for our relatively rookie keeper.
13. Sean Solia - Samoan ex player Sean Solia is also a NZ domestic regular and I think he is a good backup all-round option in the fit of the ODI team. One day he should play for NZ.
14. Cole McConchie - He is a backup for Bracewell or possibly Santner as spin AR in our lineup who can also bat quite well. He's played for NZ a bit and won't be needed in the shortest format.
15. Henry Shipley - He has a nice 15 wickets in 8 ODIs with a fifer against Sri Lanka so shouldn't hurt to be a good backup option with international experience.

This team definitely had me going deeper into domestic to pick backups than other countries, but it was actually honest to say, far easier than I expected. That bowling is practically as good as NZ can have in ODIs at the present, and the opening pair served them in the World Cup. It's a good mix of experience and the best new talents.​

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T20Is​

NZ's current T20I outfit at full-strength is not really clear post the 2024 T20 WC, but we have a few specialist players to choose for this side that might make our job easier.​

1. Finn Allen - A shoe-in for the T20 side as a T20 specialist, there's no day and situation where he's going to be picked in any of the other teams. And he's in good form in MLC too.
2. Tim Seifert - Seifert is another T20 specialist who has been in amazing touch. Along with Allen might be NZ's full-strength opening pair for the 2026 assignment based on how they're playing. So we're going good here.
3. Tim Robinson - Had a good Super Smash so he was called up to the T20I side and did decently so he should be a pretty good option to follow at Number 3 despite his inexperience.
4. Mark Chapman - Chapman will be one of the senior batters in this side being a regular consistent performer in the T20I format for NZ in the past few years. He might've done pretty well in ODIs recently but T20Is is his strongest suit. Also if Pakistan is the opponent then game over.
5. Glenn Phillips - Phillips will be our T20I captain . It was tough to call as he's pretty good in every format now, but white-ball is his specialty and within that, despite his massive improvement in ODIs, T20Is has always been his best format with 2 tons and a more solid batting role. He will be the best batter in the side, Bowling too will be handy if needed, as a sixth option.
6. Bevon Jacobs - An uncapped sensation after a very good super smash, Bevon was picked up by MI as well in IPL and might have a big future for NZ in this format. I'd pick him in my NZ core building upto the 2026 T20 WC so in this T20I specific team I'm definitely reserving the place for him.
7. Dean Foxcroft - Foxcroft has good T20 experience around the globe and has now made himself a NZ domestic, so with Neesham elsewhere he is a good option to have as another all-rounder and also provide that spin bowling along with Phillips.
8. Zakary Foulkes - Seems to be a T20 specialist as he gets picked solely as a pacer in the T20I squads of the last year or so. So he will be one of our fast bowlers and also provide batting depth at 8 as he can bat too from what I've heard (an all-rounder, some sites say).
9. Adam Milne - Milne has just been recalled in the T20I side against Zimbabwe so it's always good to have a man of his overall experience back. Probably goes further back than anyone across 3 teams in history bar Matt Henry. Plays only T20s nowadays so a straightforward pick here as soon as we're clear he still plays.
10. Ish Sodhi - Sodhi's the first choice for the leader of our T20 spin attack as he's never been great in ODIs (and definitely not a choice they want in the format right now) but has been one of NZ's more revolutionary T20 bowlers. He's definitely not at his best right now, but he'll do fine in this format and has experience that we need for the spin without Santner.
11. Lockie Ferguson - Ferguson's doing much better in the shortest format with a pretty good outing in the T20 WC as compared to his declining ODI form. So while Henry leads the ODI pace attack, we have Ferguson with the experience to handle the T20I one and this provides balance.

12. Tom Bruce - He is one of the domestic T20 legends of NZ Cricket who's never kicked off in internationals as he's never made it big in the few chances he's got. So at least let's have him the backup batter in this team. Even in the recent Smash he averaged 56 at No. 2 in the runs list...
13. Josh Clarkson - One of the few all-rounders who got chances in the B-team tours who's also a pace bowler, like-for-like for Neesham. Foxcroft preferred ahead due to T20 league experience, so Clarkson backup. His T20 stats also look better than his List A one (they average nearly the same with the bat in both).
14. Ben Lister - A decent backup pacer option as he played a few T20Is in 2023-24, so I'd just figure to give him a spot than dig up Super Smash top performers.
15. Aditya Ashok - I don't really know which white-ball format he's better in but I went with the shorter one anyway, straight backup for Sodhi and likely and must-be successor in the very near future.

The T20I side is far from un-ideal because this is actually how I perceive the Black Caps T20I team to look in these coming years post the 2024 T20 WC overhaul. Most of these players should be regulars in the lead-up to the 2026 T20 WC, and majorly the side only misses the likes of Henry Santner & Bracewell. The batting is definitely full-strength almost.
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The Kiwi challenge I always thought would be a bit difficult but for some reason was easier a job to do in the end than England. Probably the latter was a case of too much cooks spoil the broth, but NZ's depth level was perfect to pick three teams without much confusion, and not too much domestic digging.

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Post automatically merged: Sunday at 2:28 PM

P.S Glenn Phillips' role emoji has been specifically used so I have also edited and made it the same in the SA post for Donovan Ferreira

 

[DuneTiger]

Unironically the best shout on this entire list.

Justification in the past 2 weeks!