As far as Opening Batsmen role is concerned, one choice is unanimous and the same choice is true for the Captain of the Team as well. He is South-African captain and currently the most reliable opening batsman Graeme Smith.
To Give Smith company at the top of the order has many choices. Hayden had a huge struggling year and although Strauss was good enough, the choice needs to go between, either of the Indian Pair (Sehwag and/or Gautam Gambhir). Sehwag and Gambhir would make it in the squad and selection would depend upon the team composition.
Sehwag would be the first choice, considering he is right hander and to continue right and left combination with Smith. However, Sehwag is also more of a dasher and if team is going with only 5 Batsman, it makes sense to go with Gambhir at the top of the order.
In the Upper Middle-Order, one choice which would definitely make it is Kevin Pietersen. Choice of K.P. to bat at number 3 or number 4 depends upon the selection of other two members. If Hashim Amla is to be selected, then K.P. could go at number 4 but if Sachin Tendulkar gets the green light, K.P. needs to bat at number 3. Amla, Pietersen and Tendulkar would make the 3 and 4 with one of them sit out.
In Lower-Middle Order, the fight would be between, Chanderpaul who had an average of over 100 for 9 test matches. De Villers with his ability to take magnificent catches on the field gives the all round ability. If the team is required to select a genuine all rounder then Symonds might get a call. Since Kallis struggled through out the year and Bravo another all rounder is still struggling with injury, it would be fair to consider Daniel Vettori.
As far as wicket keeper’s choice is concerned, with his strong batting and leadership quality, M.S.Dhoni virtually qualifies himself before anyone in the team does.
Spin Department would have touch choices to consider. Vettori, if can not make it as All rounder, he surely deserves the top spot in the Spin Department. It is still early to consider Mendis since he played only 3 home test matches to compare him with Murlitharan and Harbhajan Singh out of which one of them should be the partner of Vettori.
Fast Bowling Department would have handful of left arm bowlers. Mitchel Johnson, Sidebottom and Zaheer Khan are the top 3 left armers and all three of them are deserving candidate. Since Zaheer was injured in the top half of the year and Sidebottom on the bottom, M.Johnson from Australia can seal the spot.
Since Brett Lee struggled in the last 6 months of the calendar year. Either of David Steyn or Ntini should be able to make it to the Top 11. Although it is too early to put Ishant Sharma in the top rank, like Mendis he also was top performer.
Squad :
Sehwag, Smith (Gambhir), Pietersen , Tendulkar (Amla), Chanderpaul ( Devillers), Symonds , Dhoni (Boucher), Vettori (Harbhajan Singh), Steyn , M.Johnson, Ntini (Zaheer, Sidebottom, I.Sharma, )
Trivia: Pakistan did not play a single test match in the entire year of 2008.
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