No Place for Bumrah or Starc: Williamson and Hayden Reveal Their All-Time Test XI of the 21st Century

Despite stellar careers, pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc are left out as Kane Williamson and Matthew Hayden announce their All-Time Test XI of the 21st Century, sparking fresh debate among cricket fans.

Indian pace ace Jasprit Bumrah and Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, two of the most dominant seamers of modern-day cricket, have been left out of the All-Time Test XI of the 21st Century selected by former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and Australian legend Matthew Hayden. The selections, revealed on Friday via ESPNcricinfo, include some of the biggest names in cricket history—but noticeably exclude Bumrah and Starc, despite their match-winning records and impact in Test cricket over the past decade.

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Bumrah’s Absence Raises Eyebrows

Jasprit Bumrah, widely regarded as one of India’s finest Test bowlers of the modern era, has played 45 Tests, claiming 205 wickets at a remarkable average of 19.40 and an economy of 2.76. With 13 five-wicket hauls, Bumrah has been a vital figure in India’s overseas Test success since making his debut in South Africa in 2018.

Notable highlights of his career include:

• A five-wicket haul in Johannesburg in his debut series
• 14 wickets on the 2018 England tour
• A stunning 6/33 and 3/53 at the MCG in 2018 that helped India secure a historic Test series win in Australia

Bumrah is now set to feature in India’s upcoming five-match Test series against England from June 20 to August 4, 2025, with fixtures scheduled across iconic English venues including Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, The Oval, and Old Trafford.

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Starc Overlooked Despite Stellar Numbers

Australian left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc also found no place in either XI. With 387 wickets in 97 Tests, an average of 27.48, and 15 five-wicket hauls, Starc has long been a mainstay of the Australian Test side.

Career-defining moments for Starc include:

• A dominant performance in the 2021–22 Ashes
• Winning the Allan Border Medal as Australia’s top male cricketer in 2022
• A career-best 11/94 in Galle against Sri Lanka
• 22 wickets in the 2017–18 Ashes, showcasing his lethal pace and swing

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Williamson’s All-Time Test XI (21st Century)

• Matthew Hayden, Virender Sehwag, Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Steven Smith, AB de Villiers
• MS Dhoni (Captain & WK), Dale Steyn, Shoaib Akhtar, Glenn McGrath, Muttiah Muralidaran

Hayden’s All-Time Test XI (21st Century)

• Alastair Cook, David Warner, Jacques Kallis, Brian Lara (Captain), Virat Kohli, VVS Laxman
• Adam Gilchrist (WK), Shane Warne, Pat Cummins, Brett Lee, James Anderson

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The omission of Bumrah and Starc from these teams has ignited discussions across cricketing circles, with fans and analysts divided over whether newer-generation pacers are being underrated in all-time conversations.

While legends like Steyn, McGrath, Lee, and Anderson have rightly earned their spots, the absence of Bumrah—despite his phenomenal average and away records—and Starc, who has been central to Australia’s Test dominance, highlights the fierce competition and evolving dynamics of 21st-century cricket legacy.

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