Sky Cricket presenter's XI features a veteran New Zealander; a one-day hundred machine; and a Women's Ashes seamer...
Saturday 28 October 2017 08:18, UK
My Team of the Week is back!
We've had Tests, ODIs, T20s and Women's ODIs to choose from over the last few days, so it's a nicely-balanced side. One concern might be the long tail - I'm relying on the top six to score all the runs!
QUINTON DE KOCK (South Africa) - wicketkeeper
He made 73 in the final ODI against Bangladesh and followed it up with 59 in the first T20. He is arguably the best wicketkeeper-batsman in the world right now and gets the gloves in my side.
MICHAEL PAPPS (Wellington)
Papps proved impossible to leave out after becoming the oldest triple centurion from New Zealand after he made 316 for Wellington against Auckland aged 38. He and Luke Woodcock (151) also put on 432, the highest opening partnership in New Zealand's first-class history. Too late for an International comeback?!
VIRAT KOHLI (India) - captain
Kohli celebrated his 200th ODI appearance in Mumbai by passing three figures for the 31st time. He's still just 28 and if he remains fit then surely he will pass Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 centuries.
SHAI HOPE (West Indies)
The coming man of West Indies cricket made an unbeaten 90 and then 44 in the first Test against Zimbabwe. Has two tons and two half-centuries in his last three Tests and many in the Caribbean are keeping their fingers crossed he can revive a side that has been ailing in the longest format for some time.
TOM LATHAM (New Zealand)
I wasn't sure whether the middle order would suit him but he proved any doubters wrong with a match-winning century to trump Kohli in Mumbai. The left-hander put India's spinners off their length with plenty of sweeps and reverse sweeps.
FAF DU PLESSIS (South Africa)
The South Africa skipper gets in after making a quick-fire 91 in East London and leading the Proteas to a Test and ODI whitewash over Bangladesh. A back injury means he'll miss six weeks of cricket, so he could be back for the Boxing Day Test against Zimbabwe.
BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR (India)
In my opinion, he is one of the most underrated white-ball bowlers in the world. Bhuvneshwar has evolved his game to such an extent that can be called upon to make something happen at any point of the innings - power play, middle or death overs. His knuckle-ball dismissal of Colin Munro in Pune was a good example of the variations he has in his locker.
DEVENDRA BISHOO (West Indies)
The leg-spinner took nine wickets in Bulawayo to help West Indies avoid a banana skin in the first Test. The second Test is at the same venue - Zimbabwe's batsmen probably wish it wasn't!
USMAN KHAN (Pakistan)
Pakistan's seemingly endless production line of left-arm seamers is staggering. Usman, 23, is the latest to burst onto the International scene and picked up a five-wicket haul in just his second ODI. It will be interesting to see how his career develops with the likes of Mohammed Amir, Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz as his competition.
TRENT BOULT (New Zealand)
New Zealand's premier left-arm seamer set the Black Caps on their way to an impressive win in Mumbai with 4-35. Boult has 94 career ODI wickets and he's on course to becoming one of the fastest to 100.
MEGAN SCHUTT (Australia Women)
Schutt took 4-26 in the second ODI as Australia made it two wins from two to kick off the Women's Ashes. A target of 296 was always going to be a tough chase but Schutt gave England a mountain to climb by getting Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield early. If Heather Knight's side lose the final ODI, it's hard to see how they can regain the Ashes.
Do you agree with Matt's XI? Let us know on Twitter @SkyCricket...
