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James Anderson has stirred up the Ashes debate by naming Joe Root at No. 4 in his combined all-time Ashes XI while leaving out modern great Steve Smith, the third-highest run-scorer in Ashes history. The former England seamer’s picks have immediately divided opinion, given Smith’s towering record against England and his status as one of the most dominant Ashes batters of the modern era.
James Anderson’s big Steve Smith omission from his all-time Ashes XI
Speaking on a broadcast segment, Anderson unveiled an XI packed with legends from both England and Australia but made the headline call of preferring his longtime teammate Root over Smith at No. 4. Notably, Ricky Ponting was bizarrely listed as wicketkeeper despite never taking the gloves in professional cricket, underlining that the exercise was more about personnel than strict roles.
Anderson’s top order is anchored by Don Bradman and Alastair Cook, a pairing that blends the most prolific Ashes batter of all time with England’s most successful modern opener. Bradman sits miles clear at the top of the Ashes run charts with 5,028 runs at an average of 89.78, while Cook amassed 2,493 Ashes runs, including his iconic 766-run series in 2010–11 that powered England to their only Ashes win in Australia this century. At No. 3, he has gone for Ponting, who piled up 2,476 Ashes runs and captained some of Australia’s most dominant sides, further strengthening the top order before Root slots in at four.
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Joe Root over Smith and a star-studded bowling attack
The flashpoint is Anderson’s decision to squeeze Root into the middle order at the expense of Smith, whose Ashes record is the benchmark for modern batters. Smith has 3,417 Ashes runs at an average of around 56 with 12 centuries, placing him behind only Bradman and Jack Hobbs on the all-time run tally, yet Anderson opted for Root’s all-format influence and long-term role as England’s batting fulcrum. Root himself has crossed 2,400 runs in Ashes contests and sits among the top active scorers, though his average and conversion rate lag behind Smith’s staggering numbers.
Behind Root, Anderson doubled down on English middle-order firepower by picking Kevin Pietersen at No. 5, highlighting his pivotal role in the 2005 Ashes and his tally of over 2,100 runs in the rivalry. The all-round department features Ian Botham and Ben Stokes, two men synonymous with era-defining Ashes spells – from Botham’s 1981 heroics to Stokes’ miracle at Headingley in 2019 – giving the XI depth with bat and ball. The bowling group is a who’s who of Ashes greats: Shane Warne, the leading wicket-taker in Ashes history with 195 scalps, backed by Glenn McGrath (157 wickets), Stuart Broad (153) and Bob Willis (123), a quartet that dominates the all-time wicket charts.
Anderson’s selections, especially the omission of Smith and the inclusion of Root and multiple English greats, ensure this all-time Ashes XI will remain a hot talking point as the current Ashes cycle continues.
James Anderson’s all time combined Ashes XI
Donald Bradman, Alastair Cook, Ricky Ponting (wk), Joe Root, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Botham, Ben Stokes (c), Shane Warne, Bob Willis, Glenn McGrath, Stuart Broad
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