No Sachin, no Kallis: The post-War world Test XI, according to the ICC rankings
Rahul Iyer | Aug 27, 2025
What would a World Test XI made up of players post-World War II look like, based on the ICC rankings?
The ICC player rating system was developed in 1987, with the intention of evaluating players better than simply comparing their averages. Player rating points are more weighted towards recent performances, and account for other factors such as opponent quality. The maximum possible rating for a player is 1000, and 900 is the general benchmark for elite-level players. All-rounder ratings are calculated by multiplying a player's batting and bowling ratings, and dividing that number by 1000.
The methodology was retrospectively applied to players active before it was developed, giving the ICC a historical repository of player performance. Based on the historical ratings, here's what a post-war World XI would look like.
Len Hutton
All-time batting ranking: 3rd (945 points)
Stats: 79 Tests | 6,971 runs | Avg 56.67 | 19 centuries
One of the greatest openers in Test cricket, Hutton played either side of World War II, debuting in 1937. His 364 against Australia in 1938 remained a world record for nearly 20 years. His peak ICC rating came after his 205 vs West Indies in 1954.
Matthew Hayden
All-time batting ranking: Joint-13th (935 points)
Stats: 103 Tests | 8,625 runs | Avg 50.73 | 30 centuries
Hayden’s peak came in 2002 after twin tons against England at the Gabba, when his average touched 53.7. His 380 vs Zimbabwe briefly stood as the highest Test score.
Don Bradman
All-time batting ranking: 1st (961 points)
Stats: 52 Tests | 6,996 runs | Avg 99.94 | 29 centuries
Bradman’s peak rating of 961 is the highest ever, achieved both pre- and post-war. Between 1937 and 1948, his rating never dropped below 900.
Ricky Ponting
All-time batting ranking: 4th (942 points)
Stats: 168 Tests | 13,378 runs | Avg 51.85 | 41 centuries
Ponting peaked during the 2006 Ashes, reaching 942 points. His average nearly touched 60 at one stage but dipped towards the end of his career.
Steve Smith
All-time batting ranking: 2nd (947 points)
Stats: 119 Tests | 10,477 runs | Avg 56.02 | 36 centuries
Smith’s peak came in the 2017 Ashes. His 774-run 2019 Ashes series reinforced his legacy. Despite dips, he remains among the best.
Garry Sobers (All-rounder)
All-time all-rounder ranking: 1st (669 points)
Stats: 93 Tests | 8,032 runs | Avg 57.78 | 26 centuries | 235 wickets | Avg 34.03
Sobers is the undisputed all-rounder pick. At his peak in 1967, his batting rating was 936 and bowling 715 — an extraordinary combination.
AB de Villiers (wk)
All-time batting ranking: Joint-13th (935 points)
Stats: 114 Tests | 8,765 runs | Avg 50.66 | 22 centuries
Among wicketkeepers, AB de Villiers is the highest-rated batter whose peak came while keeping. His keeping-phase batting average was a remarkable 57.41.
Imran Khan
All-time bowling ranking: 3rd (922 points)
Stats: 88 Tests | 362 wickets | Avg 22.81 | 23 5WI | 3,807 runs | Avg 37.69
Imran’s peak came in 1983 with 922 points. He was also a top-six all-rounder historically, combining elite bowling with strong batting.
Pat Cummins
All-time bowling ranking: Joint-5th (914 points)
Stats: 71 Tests | 309 wickets | Avg 22.10 | 14 5WI
Cummins peaked in the 2019 Ashes, breaching the 900 mark. Despite injury breaks, he has remained among the world’s best.
Glenn McGrath
All-time bowling ranking: Joint-5th (914 points)
Stats: 124 Tests | 563 wickets | Avg 21.64 | 29 5WI
McGrath maintained over 800 rating points for more than a decade. Between 2001–2002, he was almost constantly above 900.
Muthiah Muralidaran
All-time bowling ranking: 4th (920 points)
Stats: 133 Tests | 800 wickets | Avg 22.72 | 67 5WI
Murali’s peak came in 2007, late in his career. He is the leading wicket-taker in Tests, and stayed above 800 rating points for nearly a decade.
What would a World Test XI made up of players post-World War II look like, based on the ICC rankings?
www.wisden.com
The methodology isn't the most complex, basically takes the players with highest peaks according to ICC rankings and makes a team, but it ends up being quite a good team in the end.
