Dec 22nd, 2019

Dec 22nd, 2019

It was a decade of ups and downs for Australia's Test cricket team, with its fair share of controversy and spectacular individual performances.

We had players being suspended for using sandpaper, players being dropped for not doing their homework and an embarrassing 3-1 Ashes defeat at home in 2010-11 that resulted in a widespread review of the game in Australia.

Ricky Ponting retired as the country's all-time leading runscorer, Michael Clarke and David Warner wrote their names into the history books with triple centuries, Steve Smith broke records that had stood for decades, and in the last six months Marnus Labuschagne has given us a peek at what we can expect through the 2020s.

We've seen Nathan Lyon become Australia's most successful finger-spinner ever, and been blessed by a host a great fast-bowlers.

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has run his eye over the last decade, and come up with the best Australian Test side based on their performances since 2010.

Meanwhile, there's a shock omission as Taylor names his Rest of the World XI to take on the Aussies.

David Warner – One of five players worldwide to have made more than 7000 Test runs this decade, Warner is an obvious choice at the top of the order. If he gets set he will make you pay, as Pakistan discovered when he peeled off 154 and 335* in consecutive matches this summer. His average drops when he plays away from home, but his six centuries outside Australia in the decade is bettered by only Steve Smith.

Shane Watson celebrates a century against England at The Oval in 2013. (AAP)

Shane Watson – You could argue that his best years came prior to 2010, but Watson edges out Chris Rogers at the top of the order for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Watson gives this team a left-right opening combination, rather than two left-handers as would have been the case if Rogers was included. He also provides a genuine fifth bowling option. He's one of only 10 players in the history of Test cricket, and the only Australian, to make more than 3000 runs at over 35, and take at least 75 wickets at less than 35. Watson's value to the side is highlighted by the struggles Australia have had trying to replace him, with the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques and Hilton Cartwright all failing to nail down a spot in the same way Watson did. Not to be overlooked is the fact that Watson was at his best opening the batting, where his career average was 40.98.

Ricky Ponting – Again, clearly Ponting's best came in the previous decade, but even post-2010 he remained a formidable force, and I'll take him at number three any day of the week. His series against India in 2011-12, when he made 544 runs in four Tests, was a reminder that his appetite for big scores didn't diminish towards the end of his career. Throw in his fielding, which remained top-notch until he retired, and you've got one of the best players this country has produced.

Ricky Ponting (AAP)

Steve Smith – Australia's leading runscorer for the decade, with 7072 at 63.14, and 26 hundreds. Those figures alone make him an all-time great, so it's scary to think he's only just turned 30! The ICC all-time batting ratings put him as the best since Bradman, and it's hard to argue when you look at his numbers.

It's so hard to pick Smith's best performance of the decade because there's so many to choose from, but it's tough to go past his performance in the recently completed Ashes series.

Steve Smith (AAP )

Michael Clarke – captain – Only Smith and Warner scored more Test runs for Australia this decade than Clarke, which is remarkable when you consider Clarke has been retired for more than four years. His performances in 2012 alone probably earn him selection in this team, when he became the first player ever to make four double centuries in a calendar year. The fact he converted one of those double centuries into a triple was the icing on the cake.

Mike Hussey – Despite retiring in January 2013, Hussey made nine centuries in the decade, bettered only by Smith, Warner and Clarke. As one of the most dependable batsmen he saved Australia on so many occasions during his career, and was perhaps the best of his era at getting the most out of the tail, as we saw in the very first Test of the decade, against Pakistan at the SCG, when his 134* allowed Australia to pull off an improbable victory.

Mike Hussey enjoyed a stellar career after debuting at 30. (AAP)

Brad Haddin – Of the four wicketkeepers Australia had this decade, Haddin is a clear leader not just in terms of dismissals behind the stumps, but also runs scored. A feisty character with the gloves, Haddin had a tough job following two all-time greats into the Test team, with Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist having held the role for 20 years before Haddin made his debut. Despite the shadow cast by his predecessors, Haddin carved out a superb career of his own.

Shane Watson, Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin all made Mark Taylor's team of the decade.

Pat Cummins – After making his Test debut in 2011, had to wait until March 2017 to play his second match, as be battled a succession of injuries. Has almost been Australian cricket's ironman since then, and has showed why Cricket Australia was right to nurse him through the years he spent on the sideline.

Mitchell Starc – Australia was blessed with two outstanding left-arm quicks this decade, but Mitchell Starc edges out Mitchell Johnson in my side. Starc's contribution can be measured by the frequency of his wickets, of the 75 bowlers with 200 Test wickets or more, Starc ranks fifth all-time for strike rate.

Mitchell Starc (Getty)

Ryan Harris – Like Bruce Reid from my era, Ryan Harris could have been one of the all-time greats had he been able to play 75 Tests. Remarkably, both Harris and Reid played 27 Tests and took 113 wickets, although Harris' average of 23.52 just shades Reid's 24.63. I've got no doubt the outcome of the 2015 Ashes would have been different if Harris had been on the park.

Nathan Lyon – Not just Australia's leading spinner this decade, his 376 wickets makes him Australia's top wicket-taker of the 2010s. Been such a fixture in the side that Stephen O'Keefe is the next most prolific spinner with 35 wickets, less than 10% of Lyon's output for the decade.

12th men: Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood – the selectors never name a 12-man squad anymore, so there's no reason why I shouldn't throw in a 13th player as well!