Overview
- Cricket Australia released a cross-national Best Test XI for 2025 as a performance-based, editorial recognition rather than a squad for matches.
- The XI features KL Rahul, Travis Head, Joe Root, Shubman Gill, Temba Bavuma (c), Alex Carey (wk), Ben Stokes, Mitchell Starc, Jasprit Bumrah, Scott Boland and Simon Harmer, with Ravindra Jadeja named 12th man.
- Pat Cummins was not named as the captain in the list, a choice some reports characterized as a demotion without any official announcement of a change to his active role.
- Selections were underpinned by 2025 returns including Mitchell Starc’s reported 55 wickets in 11 Tests, Alex Carey’s 767 runs with 44 catches and five stumpings, and Ben Stokes’ 496 runs and 33 wickets.
- Coverage highlights South Africa’s strong Test year under Bavuma and Australia’s broad success, informing the captaincy nod and multiple Australian inclusions.